US Special Forces.

I had some fun painting these but made some mistakes when putting a dark wash over the uniforms and skin colours. I had to repaint the skin and then used the correct wash afterwards. The Tiger stripes were looking very nice but I had not quite got the ERDL looking correct as I made a mistake when putting down the base colour. You probably cannot see the difference between the two uniform types from the photos anyway. The three figures in black uniforms are going to be my A team members to go with my Montagnards. (They need a bit more Matt varnish)

From reading various accounts on the Internet it seems that LRRP Teams can operate from 6 to 12 members. 12 members are hard to conceal so they would normally have just six. I have painted a few extras so I can field a large team when I want to. I also have a Rambo figure who can fit in with these guys as I cannot think of another use for him.

A Team members

LRRP Team

LRRP Team extra figures.

Vietnamese Local Bar.

Just finished this little bar for my Vietnam setting. I've been thinking of a suitable name for it but have only thought of "The Tiger Wood Cocktail lounge". Sorry bad joke and rather out of date.

 It was made out of Foam Core and a sunbathing mat for the walls, and an old towel for the roof. The roof has come out a different colour to the other buildings which meant that I have not dry brushed it yet as I am deciding how much I like it.

The signs were copied from the internet but I had to go over the Coke sign with a marker pen to get it a brighter red. I also made some larger signs which are too big to fit to the building so I might save these for a more Urban setting. I was lucky to have made the roof in one piece which fits nicely over the front area and did not need glueing down. I was worried about it warping so am happy about how it looks. This meant that the little shop counter is accessible to fit figures in. I am intending to buy the Baker Company civilians at some stage to populate this. I should make a short time room to go out the back when I find time.

Latest Militaria

I have slowed down on collecting Militaria as I am finding that it is not easy getting the last items that I am after, and also explaining to the partner why I keep buying more old stuff to fill my room with.

First up a Vietnam era Aussie M56 pattern Water Bottle and cover.

Woodland pattern Jacket with patches that belong to a Drone piloting unit, if I did my research right.

Repro Tiger Stripe jacket and pants, from different manufacturers.

OG107 Vietnam era pants.

A green modern pants belt to use with my Woodland Uniforms. 

I also need a Black one for Vietnam era.

My partner attached an early type Army badge on my OG107 shirt.

I bought a complete M51 pattern entrenching tool but swapped the covers 

with my earlier pattern version as it looked nicer.

British 44 pattern belt in very good condition which was very cheap, bought online locally.

My partner gave me an old magazine rack for my room. 

I have not told her what I intended to display in it yet.

I really want a Woodland pattern Helmet cover for the Helmet that has the NZ pattern DPM cover on it already. I might end up buying the complete item though as there is a bunch available right now on the local trading site, but a bit more expensive than I want to pay. I am also thinking of getting a Repro K-pot and cover seeing as I have gotten interested in the Cold War era.

Small Demons

I have just completed some small Demons/Monsters for Frostgrave from Reaper and Grenadier. The two Ghouls and the Serpent Man are from Grenadier and required stripping of the old paint jobs which quite easy. The Floating Polyp and the Formless Spawn are also from Grenadier. The Rat bases are from the new Reaper Bones range which I undercoated against the advice I've read and heard about but think they came out alright.

To be honest I am losing interest in Frostgrave as I have not had a chance to play with anyone. I may just finish painting all the older Monsters just to display in my cabinet and move onto another project fairly quickly. I am quite happy just plodding through my Vietnam lead pile so will continue doing that for the foreseeable future. I also found my box of my Congo vehicles which it turns out that I had reboxed into smaller boxes and put them with my 20mm WW2 collection.

Webb Ellis Cup

I had a couple of items that I was going to post today but the events of last night would seem to be more newsworthy if you are a Rugby follower like me. I attended my works Christmas Function last night and was warned that the Web Ellis Cup was to be attending just before the posted time of the function starting. While waiting outside I was lucky enough to see Dane Cole the All Blacks Hooker and also of the local teams, The Hurricanes and Wellington Lions player walking into the venue carrying a small black box which looked like a speaker. Once inside the box turned out to be holding the Webb Ellis Cup. No security guard was required and everyone who was there had the opportunity to hold the Cup and have a photo taken. Later on the sales guys decided to fill it with beer and have a drink out of it.

I was under the impression that only the actual winners of the Cup are allowed to touch it, but being New Zealand traditions are soon ignored. I just checked online and found that indeed you are not allowed to touch the Cup.

"If you are going to any of these events, it’s worth checking with the local event hosts nearer the time to be sure no details have changed. And remember, you can have your picture taken BUT you can't pick it up, that privilege is purely for World Cup winners!"

I am now having a stupid and annoying online conversation on Facebook with my sister about how an Englishman is not supposed to be holding the Cup. Considering that I am a permanent NZ resident, had held a season pass to the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions for 11 years and only gave it up when my mate died (who I used to go with). I also pay through the nose for Sky to get the coverage of local games. I do like to follow English Sport, History and Culture as that is part of my heritage and interests me. My Sister however became an instant Kiwi at the age of seven and has no interest in her past. She is also a fair-weather supporter of Sport usually Football rather than Rugby. I alone seem to enjoy Rugby out of my family having played in School in England before we emigrated to NZ. Truth being I cannot control a round ball as I am rather top heavy with small legs so opted to play Rugby.