Currently Reading: Books on Soviet Tanks

Well I don't have pictures of my models to show due to having had a very busy weekend with many other engagements. So those pictures and their associated stories will have to wait for the time being. In the meantime something of a book review. I have been reading through the series of books by James Kinnear and Stephen L. Sewell. I have already finished their book on the T-55 and the T-10 and I am currently reading the one on the T-54.

The covers area really nice and judgement of the cover in this case does match the quality content inside.

So what do you get inside? Well quite a lot, a lot of pictures both historical and of surviving vehicles, perfect for anyone wanting to recreate these in miniature. You also get a good deal of information which is presented in a balanced, clear and concise manner. The topics range of specific differences between variants to the behind the scenes story of their production. It may not be the most riveting stuff, certainly not Game of Thrones. However, it is interesting (admittedly one guy did get sent to Siberia for getting into an argument about torsion bar suspension, so there are some stakes to the drama.)

Overall good quality titles and I probably will pre-order their upcoming book on the T-62 at some point. That being said I did notice some editing and layout issues, this impacted the T-10 book the most with labels referring to images on the left that were on the right, etc. There was also some repetition but nothing too major.

Overall I give them 8.5/10. Would recommend them, especially on a discounted price. I got my copies from Book Depository, and they took around a month to get from the UK to NZ (they would usually only take a week and a half, but delays are the least of my worries given present circumstances.)

Oh and as for models, well I don't have any assembled versions of any of these tanks. I do have some work in progress T-55s and I am sure that the book will be useful in painting up those (although I have very simply wargaming kits from Plastic Soldier, lovely quality mind). I am interested in seeing when Trumpeter's promised T-10M will drop to add to my collection of IS-tanks.

Anyway, if you have any questions about these books please do not hesitate to ask I will be more than happy to give you more information. As stated more models on the way (when I get photos), but until them I wish you all the very best.

Get out of here Stalker: Wargame rulebook

So something arrived in the post today, something I almost thought would never arrive. Perhaps security around the zone has been tightened? Meet Zone Alfa a brand new entry into the Osprey Wargames series. So new in fact that I pre-ordered this copy. I have yet to read the rules but if they are as good as the artwork then this is sure to be the source of much fun in the near future.

Special credit goes to Sam Lamont the illustrator, there's some incredible scenes in this book!

So some exciting news but I am afraid those anticipating miniatures will have to wait a while longer. I have been very busy at work and have not had much time for painting. That being said I am slowly chipping away at some models and I may get some done soon.

I am looking forward to presenting this both to the local club and to my D&D friends. There are some fine prizes to be won, for those willing to brave the zone.

So until next time I wish you all a good day/night.

Special Forces/Mercenaries 1

Happy New Year to you all. I hope that the new year finds you all well. The new year is usually a time for new things. However, today I actually bring you something that has been years in the making. This figures were sent to me many years ago by Winttrix (Emmett) Some have actually featured on the blow before. However, they were in need of touch ups where they had chipped. Now, finally, I have finished them. I hope you like them, however, please keep in mind that the credit is to Emmett who is responsible for 90% of the work.

A Special Forces team? A mercenary unit or a well equipped militia. These figures have many uses.

Working on these figures got me thinking more carefully about camouflage. Matching Emmett's work was a challenge.

Once again making use of the summer sun. Although it is quite harsh, fortunately the photos turned out okay.

Something I like about these figures is the mix of colours, something that you don't get with those in uniform.

Repainting the gun to match Emmett's work was a very difficult task in this case.

Tried to get his face in this one. It is okay but I think the sculpting is not the best. Although it is decent enough.

Another part that needed a lot of touching up was the hat. Which actually turned out really well much to my surprise.

Yeeeeeehaaaawwwwww......... had to get that out of my system.

File under impressive moustaches too.

Emmett painted the stetson really well so it was quite the task for me to touch it up without ruining it.

A lot of work needed to be done on the back of this figure too.

Perhaps the most complex to touch up was this figure where I had to match the camouflage with the paints I had.

Another decision was to paint the grip of the gun. It works well and matches the look of what Emmett did.

I have not done anything at all to the bases. They are quite simple and I like them a lot. I think I will do similar in future.

The final photo. The last hear but hopefully one of the first for the new year. 

Well that is all for today. I hope that you have enjoyed this post. As you can probably guess from the title more Special Forces/Mercenaries are coming up. Some more are those painted by Emmett that I have touched up. Others are ones that I am painting from scratch and which will take more time.

Something to look for in future is me actually trying to do camouflage patterns correctly. I went along to my first meeting of the Auckland Wargaming Club last month. Didn't play any games but it was quite fun to watch them. One thing I did realise was that it would be hard to find others willing to play in the Oronegro setting at least initially. So I will use the old try but true trick of painting units up as if they were the real thing, but using them as whoever in the fictional world. To that end the Soviets, West Germans and Cold War British (and others) I got recently are likely going to be painted correctly, or as close as I can do. Painting up these special forces with their mixed camouflage is good practice for this.

Anyway as an aside I am also going to post a photo I took about a week ago. This was the sky at about 2pm, the photo was taken from the same balcony as the photos above. It has not been touched up in any way. The cause, the fires in Australia. For those unaware of the scale, that's over 2,000 km away. For those of my followers in the US, that's as if fires in Texas turned the skies in New York orange. The scale is quite horrifying. To put it simply the world that afternoon seemed apocalyptic. My heart goes out to those brave people fighting the fires over there and those who's homes have been lost or are still at risk. May rain come sooner rather than later.

Apocalyptic. That's how it felt. Dark at 3pm on a summers day. Totally unreal.

Anyway let us hope that this year will be a good one. I wish you all the very best, have a good day/night and I will see you all next time.

The end of an era. The start of another.

Well my consistent post a week streak fell apart. This is the first post in three weeks and it isn't even about models. Not that I have anything to show you yet. However, there's a very good reason for that. As many of you are aware I have spent the last six years at university. Well last Wednesday I handed in my dissertation. The final piece of coursework to be submitted and all going well the last thing I need to get my degree.

Yes this is me. I think I have shown pictures of myself here before, many, many years ago.

Understandably those final weeks were all go so I haven't had much time to sit down and paint models. Have had time to buy them though and there was there was of course quite the splurge in celebration of handing in my dissertation! So there is certainly no shortage of models to paint for the foreseeable future.

So one era of my life has come to the end, provided I pass of which I am quite confident. A new era begins. I have already got a job in the field for which I have studied and tomorrow I begin full time employment. There's a good work/home separation. Which I hope means that the free time I do have can be dedicated to hobbies and other good things.

Thank you all who have kept following me all these years. My time at university has meant that I have posted very infrequently. I hope to change things now. Here's to a new era and all the excitement, turmoil and adventure it brings, especially in the miniature way. A great day/night to you all. I promise to at least post a sneaky preview of what I am working on, before the end of next week. ;-)

Refurbished Challenger 2 O2 tanks

Well it is story time again this time it is a tragedy turned to an epic. This is the story how after years of neglect and abuse I took back two broken and battered model tanks and brought them to life once more! Some of you may well remember when I posted these originally many years ago. But since going to university they stayed, along with much of my collection, with my parents while I moved to the city. Well I am slowly bringing back these lost souls, and while some still are missing in action (I haven't found my beloved and even more damaged Leopard 2A5 or T-90 yet), I am breathing new life into these sadly neglected friends.

A Challenger pair advance across the plains at night.

 The first few photos I spruced up a little with the basic image editing software. Took them at night (what time could be more appropriate to photograph stealth tanks?) which sadly means that the images don't turn out too well as my camera really dislikes artificial light, under the bulbs I have.

I kept the colour scheme. Except the identification panels (I incorrectly these ERA before) are now painted grey.

By now you have probably noticed the slight alterations I have made to the Challenger 2 on the right. Well let us first go over how I found this model. The main gun barrel had been completely snapped off, furthermore the roof mounted GPMG had also come off. The I considered various options to replace the barrel from spur parts to sculpting around a wire. Finally I decided that the easiest and most effective option would be to use the ink well of a pen (I have plenty of empty ones because I never clear out my pencil case). Used cardboard wrapped around it for the fume extractor, attached to the turret with a piece of wire inside to help keep the connection strong. Not 100% happy with the fume extractor but overall I think the barrel looks quite good.

The two tanks now appear to be on Mars. What incredible machines!

Now because of the significant size difference between the two I will consider the new gun to be of a larger calibre. Perhaps 130mm, which is a calibre being developed for NATO use and could fit quite well. Now as for rifled/non-rifled not too sure. Perhaps rifled to follow British tank conventions. The purpose of this larger gun would be to provide long range support for the more heavily armoured member of the Challenger pair. This would be within both offensive and defensive operations.

Back to night operations again. Or perhaps they are now on a planet entirely made of coal?

By now you are probably screaming at me that I have not mentioned the elephant in the room: What the heck is that on the turret roof!? Oh? That small thing. That is the Cupid ATGM system. Just like their namesake they rarely miss and they back a lot of HEAT. (I have bad puns for days). To complement the main gun in long range missions these ATGMs provide the Challenger 2 O2 greater flexibility and versatility in overcoming enemy threats. The launcher itself is from a Warhammer 40,000 Tau powersuit shoulder launch system (got some miniatures gifted to me). As this particular model had lost it's GPMG I decided that instead of going for a conventional replacement I would be a little more creative. Think this was a good solution? Let me know what you think.

The photos below were not edited to improve the picture quality. Not much I could do without breaking out more serious software so I hope that you do not mind too much. Should have taken the photos earlier but I didn't have much time earlier in the day.

Yes I did take far too many frontal shots. No I didn't think that I could have reasonably deleted any.

Side shots, about the only way to really hope to take one of these tanks on. The Oronegrean Challenger is a tough nut to crack! Using advanced and highly classified composites and materials the frontal arc is all but impervious to rival tanks.

A rear view. Displaying the spare fuel tanks for the back up diesel engine. I am still going with advanced hydrogen fuel cells (or perhaps merely using that as a cover for something more fantastical) as the main powerplant

Classic buddy cop pose of walking together targeting different baddies. Perhaps the Men in Black drive the Tanks in Black?

Well that's all for today. Bringing these two back to life was a very fun activity. They are joining their little friend the T92 in a new storage box, sadly they suffered their damage because they were left in my old room at my parents' place. Overtime things got put on top of them. Sadly not being there I could do nothing to prevent it.

I also have a bit of personal news to announce. As you know for the last 6 years or so I have been studying away at the University of Auckland working towards a Bachelors of Urban Planning (honours). Well that endeavour is almost complete I am happy to say. It has been a long road coming and these final couple months will be some of the toughest yet. However, the end is indeed in sight and I have already got myself a job as a graduate planner that I will take up once I complete my studies. It will mean full time work and hopefully a return to a structured life where I can better devote time to the little ones.

Anyway I hope you have all enjoyed this post. I look forward to hearing your feedback. I have more tanks in the production line which should be completed, hopefully in the not too distant future. After that not too sure what I will do next. Perhaps some figures. For now though I hope you have a very good day/night and best of luck with whatever endeavours you have before you. :-D

Extra Special Delivery

Well today I got a rather large package arrive in the mail it is a collection years in the making and I am excited to finally open it up at last. It was sent to me by my good friend Michael Koopman in the Netherlands. The package is an eclectic mix of things I bought for myself and sent to him to save on shipping; things he has kindly bought for me; and some second hand things he has passed on to me. Indeed a huge thank you is in order for Michael for sending me all these wonderful things as well as the few surprises included in the box. It as if Christmas has come in May five times at once. What a wonderful thing to get in the mail.

All the goodies laid out on my bed. So many things sure to keep me going to years to come.

First up is a look at all the various paints Michael sent me. Up until now I have mostly relied on cheap artist acrylic this is a significant step up from that.

Michael kindly sent me this old kit. I absolutely love the Mosquito so I has overjoyed when he asked me if I would like this one.

So some surprise Fimo and liquid Green Stuff, excellent for my sculpting projects. In addition a face painting set which I needed for sure, those cheap artist paints just don't work as well.

More green stuff but now we get into the figures I bought for myself. Some Spanish Guerrillas a versatile set with some interesting figures and some Napoleonic British Rocket Troops who of course are to be Oronegrean Rocket Troops.

These two big boxes contain two full sets within an excellent deal and are perfect for creating the generic 18th century troops I need so that my Oronegrean soldiers have someone to face or serve as mercenaries alongside.

Finally some WW2 British Paratroopers. Much of the paint is specifically so I can paint these up properly. I hope I do them justice.

Well that is all for now. I am sorry I haven't gotten many minis out recently. Stayed down with my family for a week between work so I didn't have much time. Also ongoing financial woes do not particularly help. Still the models are there on my desk all I need do is grab up my brush at every opportunity. Or grasp up my sculpting tools and I have just started another sculpting project which will hopefully be done in a few months time.

However do expect a post from me in the very near future. Something all together more terrifying, but which also will include an interesting story to tell.

Until then I wish you all a good day/night.

Trials, Tribulations and Long Commutes

So a new year has begun and once again I am making a post about my continued existence. Last year I thought that I would get many things done that living at home would include much free time in which to paint miniatures. Sadly this was not the case. After the garage finally becoming a garage and much of my own stuff being moved around and "tidied" I found much of my model equipment in a mess and many of my models damaged. This was disheartening and due to this I could not bring myself to paint anything. This combined with other pursuits meant that my models were collecting dust... or being at risk due to people playing darts in the garage. Then there was my commute to university. A two hour trip there and another two hours back everyday. By the time I got home there simply wasn't enough time to pursue hobbies.

This year may be different. This year I have a very good reason to pursue this hobby. You see I have started playing Dungeons and Dragons. I am having a good time and perhaps I will post here about it. Anyway, after our first game our DM asked us to bring some counters to use. I offered to bring some of my models up and it turns out they were a hit!

I have ordered some fantasy figures now for our game and my fellow adventurers are quite keen to get involved in painting them. So it would seem that I am indeed back in action.

Oh and last year I also joined Facebook. So you can now add me on there and see what I am getting up to and drop some (not so) subtle reminders about needing to work on the little ones. Anyway here is to a new year and new adventures!

FIVE YEARS OF ORONEGRO! Anniversary post

It was on this day 5 years ago that I did this post about my return from Argentina. This trip was the catalyst for me to start my own project and create my own little imagi-nation in Latin America. Little did I know then how big this project would become but Oronegro, as this nation came to be called, has defined all of modelling endeavours ever since. So today we celebrate five years of the Oronegro project! Sadly I can't do a grand review as some of the models have been damaged. So instead I shall start with a look at the forces of Oronegro through time. From those first arrivals on the sea of an unknown land in 1492 until the armed forces that took part in the second civil war of the 2020s. There is more below...

Oronegro through history! Or mostly a range of Caesar figures with some Airfix, Imex and others thrown in.

 Here is the progression of the 'standard' Oronegrean infantry soldier. Note that the intermediary uniforms are not included and that some uniforms are not fully representative of the infantry at that point in time. (Mainly because I just don't have enough figures for every single variant over 6-7 centuries.) Also weaponary changed vastly over the period but these changes are also not shown.

And let's not forget the evolution of another troop type: Los Angeles Negros!

 Sadly I can't do every single Oronegrean military unit through history. But there is one that I simply must have represented: Los Angeles Negros - the Black Angels! Currently I can only represent a portion of their history and uniform (because they often wore whatever was most appropriate for a particular action). Here the origin of the unit, which was based off and initially trained by Japanese Ninja and some indigenous hunters, and the elite killer of the 21st century stand side by side. Don't piss them off.

From the early years of the 15th and 16th century to the hight of power in the 18th and 19th

 The first soldiers in Oronegro were mostly armed with swords, crossbows and a few guns (1st on left). As time went on through the 16th and into the 17th century the gun became the main weapon of war in Oronegro. Unlike elsewhere Oronegro retained armoured troops meaning that they looked very outdated to many eyes (2nd from left). However at the end of the 17th century uniforms began to change. This led to the development of a new uniform more familiar to travellers from Europe (3rd from left). This design retained the helmet, a feature of Oronegrean troops that was retained in some numbers from the inception of Oronegro until the present day.

from the 19th century to the early 20th are represented here. This era saw the 1st civil war and Oronegro's decline

The crested helmet (1st figure on left) and blue uniform was standard until the first decades of the 19th century will little variation from the start of the 18th century. However, as time went on a new design (2nd from left) was to take over. This design came from the units of el ejército segundo where it was introduced in the late 18th century. It replaced the previous design in all but a few 'guardia' - guard units. It was soldiers in this costume (and the previous one in guard units) that took part in the 2st Oronegrean civil war in the mid-19th century and faced off against soldiers uniformed in a new design (3rd from left). This design, much like the crested one, would remain in use for a very long period of time lasting until the 1920s.

the 20th and 21st centuries saw Oronegro's power return slowly but then the 2nd civil war began!

During and After WW2 Oronegrean uniforms design was influenced by that of NAZI Germany (1st figure on left). These uniforms were inherited first by the national guard and then later by the native units who used them into the 2020s. Next is a bit of an oddity. The second figure on the left is representative of the 'official' uniform from the 60s to early 80s. In reality most units had uniforms based of US kit with only a couple of units being in the official kit.  The next figure shows how the Oronegreans began to catch up with other places militarily towards the end of the 20th century. This uniform (which usually included a helmet)  became very common amongst the rebel units in the civil war of the 2020s. The final figure shows the uniform that became standard towards the end of the 2010s and was worn during the 2nd Oronegrean civil war.

And there we go. How Oronegro's soldiers changed over time from the beginning until the 2nd civil war. But wait there's more!

  CHARACTER COMPETITION!

 To celebrate 5 years of Oronegro I have come up with a competition in which you, yes you, can help shape part of Oronegro. The competition is to create a character (or characters if you prefer) who play a role in Oronegrean history. They don't have to be the great and powerful, they could be a humble farmer. They don't have to be from Oronegro, they could be from overseas. Or alternatively they could be from Oronegro but make a name for them-self elsewhere. It is all up to you.

Prizes:

The winner will have their character's biography posted on both the Oronegro blog and here. Plus they will receive a miniature of their character (if you make more than one I will give the one of your choice) and probably other things that can fit in the envelope I send the figure off in. (I will also create a second figure for them so they can continue their adventures here in Oronegro)

The runners up will have their characters biography posted. In addition a character will be painted up to represent them, but they will stay here so they can have more adventures in Oronegro.

Winners will be announced later on. I will announce the closing dates of the competition with at least 1 month warning later as well (This will be based on how many entries come in and at what speed.) Furthermore the number of runners up is also random and will include whatever stories I really enjoy (could be all of them knowing me.)

So put on your creative hats and give it a go! Submit your entries to: gjditchburn@gmail.com I look forwards to reading what you come up with.

Here is to the last 5 years of Oronegro! And to all those to come! Have an excellent day/night everyone.

¡Viva Oronegro!

Edwin Fox - 9th Oldest ship in the world. (2nd oldest merchant sailing ship)

This is the first of a couple of Posts about my adventures down in the South Island last week. While I was over there I got a chance to go over to Picton where, tucked away and unknown to most of the world lies the Edwin Fox which is quite a remarkable vessel.

Artists rendition of the Edwin Fox

 Now I heard about this in the Coast NZ TV series and given my obsession interest in sailing ships I decided I really wanted to go see it. Fortunately for me I was lucky while staying in Nelson to get a chance to go over to Picton about a 2hr drive away. The Edwin Fox started out it's life carrying tea but it would go on to do many things during its life. Here are some basic facts for you.

• It is the second oldest merchant sailing ship as well as the 9th oldest overall. Being constructed in Calcutta in 1853.
• It is the last surviving ship that took convicts to Australia.
• It is the last surviving Crimean War troop carrier.
• It is the Oldest surviving wooden ship that brought immigrants to New Zealand.
• And the only remaining ship of the Dunbar Shipping fleet which was once one of the largest on earth.

So this is rather a special ship and I got to have a look. If you want to know more Maritime New Zealand has a page on it.Below are some of the photos I took. I hope you like them.

The bow of the ship has been partially reconstructed to show what life would have been like onboard

A hammock seems like a sensible idea

These two photos show a contrast. On the left is a room what would have been occupied by wealthy passengers. The right is a mock up of the galley.

When used to transport immigrants which is what most people on board would have slept in.

But by far the most interesting thing about this ship is the size of it. This space in the hold. It has been described like an upside down cathedral. Although an exaggeration it is quite a space to be in.

Another shot from inside

A look at the rudder, with a helpful person for scale

The ship is kept in dry-dock and it is possible to go down and look from below. A really worthwhile experience.

The rudder again, this time looking up at the stern

A view of the bow. Note the Muntz metal plating

A view of the bow. Note the white paint. Compare this line to the artists drawing above. The ship has completely lost it's top deck.

Finally an interesting read. It shows the crimes and sentences of some of the convicts transported by this vessel. A full list is in the Museum itself. Note: Habitual drunkenness with a 7 year sentence.

 Well that is all for today. I will upload some photos from my trip to the Abel Tasman National Park soon. Oh and for those wondering the ships dimensions were:

• Length: 44.1m
• Mast height: 48.8m
• Beam: 9m
• Crew: approximately 50
• Passengers: up to 400
• Tonnage: (original) 900, (current) 630

Or in 1/72 scale:

• Length: 61-62cm
• Mast height: 68cm
• Beam: 12.5 cm

 Which is not too large for a model. :-P Although I don't have the plans for it and unless there is interest in this being made in 1/72 I don't think I will bother the museum staff for a copy. So until next time have a good day/night and I hope you've enjoyed learning about this interesting ship.