Viet Cong D445 Battalion

Progress continues apace for the Recruits Convention in Lee Summit, Missouri at the end of this month, Sept. 27-29.  On the 28th I, along with Jay Arnold of the Veteran Wargamer podcast and some of his mates will be running "Lard Summit"; a Toofatlardies event of all day Lardie games.  My submission will be the aforementioned in other blog updates "Battle of Long Tan".

To that end, my hobby and painting time has been stress-fully trying to get everything done that's needed for the game.  In the last couple days, I've finally finished off a company of the D445 Local Force Battalion for the Viet Cong. Follows is some WIP photos and then at the very end, the finished company.

This was when I was borderline panicking because I had sooo much to do.

Batch painting once you get into the swing of things isn't actually that bad.

A finished Plt. with bases tarted up.

A pic to show the effectiveness of the "bamboo tufts".

Another finished Plt.

My third and final attempt at freehanding a star onto their flag.

The full company, plus sniper team.

Batch painting is not as bad as I originally thought once I got into the swing of things.  Now, I just have 2 Platoons of Australians of D Coy, 6RAR and a Platoon of M113's from A Coy, 6RAR. Oh; and all the terrain. So no big deal. I have 18 days. Better get cracking.

2019 Finished Figures - 223

2019 Finished Terrain - 19

2019 Games Played - 3

275th Regiment - Peoples Army of North Vietnam

A quick update today as I'm cracking on with prepping for "LARD SUMMIT"; a gathering of Lardie gamers playing Toofatlardies games at the Recruits gaming convention in Lee Summit, MO on the 28th of Sept. 2019.

The game I'm going to be putting on is part of The Battle of Long Tan between the NVA/VC against D Coy, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment - using "Charlie Don't Surf".

To that end, I've just finished off a Company of NVA regulars of the 275th Regiment -

These figures are from Battlefront and were bloody awful. Tons of flash, odd scaled weapons...just terrible.  If I had it to do over again, I'd buy all Peter Pig. I hope they turned out ok, and the bamboo/underbrush tufts really help I think.

Now to get on with Viet Cong, more Aussies, terrain, supports etc. Till next time!

2019 Finished Figures - 150
2019 Finished Terrain - 19
2019 Games Played - 3

ANZAC's in Vietnam (3)

Four years and two days ago, I posted the 2nd post about ANZAC's in Vietnam in which I had finished a Company Command base and Medic and stated, "My goal is to get the rest of the platoon painted by the end of April." https://historyspiderweb.blogspot.com/2015/04/anzac-in-vietnam-2.html FOUR years ago. HA. Well, I've finished the 1st Platoon finally -

I'm pretty focused on this project now, because in September I will be running a "Charlie Don't Surf" game at the Recruits Gaming Convention in Lee Summit, Missouri. It will be my submission for our "Lard Summit" a collection of gamers running and introducing people to TooFatLardies rules and #spreadthelard spearheaded by Jay Arnold of the Veteran Wargamer Podcast.

Another positive to having this focus is that it means that HOPEFULLY, by September, I will have the components I need finally done and dusted for the beginning of my Tour of Duty campaign I want to do. Basically, following the men of a Company of Australian troops through their tour in Vietnam.  Believe me, there will be many more updates as I work on this project, and they damn well won't be four years from now.

Another item finished for this (and other) project(s) is this M.A.S.H tent.

Note - while the tent cannot be removed from the base, I am that sad bunny that painted the wounded inside.

It started life I believe as a Hospital Tent in a 1970's Airfix 1/72 kit.  I got it from my Dad who bought it in the '70s, and I've had it for almost 20 years languishing in the lead and plastic pile. Well, it scale wise works for 15mm up to 20mm so I painted it up. Personally, I love it.

Stand by for further!

2019 Finished Figures - 71

2019 Finished Terrain - 6

2019 Games Played - 1 

ANZAC's in Vietnam (2)

So, things have been a bit slow on the painting front lately, but I did manage to get these done -

Command Base

Medic base

I'm actually rather surprised, these are my first 15mm figures ever painted, and I had a blast with them. My goal is to get the rest of the platoon finished before the  end of April.

2015 Painted Figures - 37

2015 Finished Terrain - 11

2015 Games - 1

Call Up's - ANZAC's in Vietnam (1)

Here's a picture of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment at the Puckapunyal Training Grounds - 

In other words, they're undercoated and ready for train...painting.

Word has it Charlie's doing some recruiting and training of his own. Further Intel will be forthcoming. 

In Honor of the ANZAC's

I've started a new project -

I've started work cleaning up several platoons of ANZAC's and have ordered a couple M113's and 105mm Howitzers as the beginning of some support options. Their OPFOR is also in the works with a company of VC. 

While doing research, I've picked up -

 For Kindle. And also found this music album which is excellent!

If any of you have any further book recommendations I'd love to hear 'em!

As a U.S. Service Member, I have fond memories of drinking beer with some Aussie and New Zealand Air Force guys. This project is dedicated to all our fallen Allies "Down Under".