Tuesday 5 August 2014

Figures showcase - Various Elhiem Figures

Howdy folks,

As we're getting into August and this camper gets ready to take an internet hibernation for a couple of weeks I thought I'd follow up my Eh Team post with a showcase and overview of some of the various Elhiem Figures that I've had the pleasure to try painting over the past year or so...

I have to admit I was never one to have the goal of collecting miniatures in 20mm...that being said, being a fan of Force on Force by Ambush Alley Games I was exposed to some outstanding miniatures that were painted extremely well.  One painter that comes to mind is Piers Brand, without a doubt this fellow is an inspiration and has influenced my purchases...I can only hope that my painting comes within a fraction of the skill he consistently displays.

If you're ever curious, just take a look at some of his work on Elhiem, Khurasan, or Ambush Alley...simply outstanding.

So, with this in mind, I found a few convenient excuses to start a small collection of 20mm that started with some pre-painted Forces of Valour M1s, Bradley's, and T72s...and then continued with the occasional purchase from Elhiem.

One year+ and this is some more of his great miniatures that I've completed.

As always, take care and thanks for the views...see you in a few weeks.

 
Every scenario needs running aircrew...how else will you ever know they can actually run...

 
Group shot...minus the Eh Team...


The shooters...and SOF dude photobomb on the right...


SOF dudes...
 
 


How do you get aircrew to run...this guy has an idea how...


Great looking sniper team...I'm certain these are also Elhiem...I know I purchased them from his website...
 
 
 

Monday 4 August 2014

The Eh Team

Howdy folks,

Inspired by one of the Special Forces packs from Elhiem Figures and just how much they reminded me of some dynamic Hollywood inspired special ops teams from recent movie and 1980s tv...I couldn't help but ask myself: How would these guys look if they were Canadians?

For your viewing pleasure, I present to you, the Eh Team:

<insert appropriate David Foster or Blue Rodeo theme music here>

Framed for a crime that they did not commit but nonetheless are very very sorry for, these four highly trained operatives have eluded authorities and remain at large to this day...

 
In command of the team, Major John Campbell, MB, CD, has served as an infantry officer for over 25 years with the PPCLI, Airborne Regiment, and most recently JTF-2.  A master planner and tactician he loves "it when the Operational Planning Process comes together."
 
 
 
The default team quartermaster, Warrant Officer Steve Miller, CD, has spent the majority of his military life ahead of and away from the very guns he trained and crewed on as a young gunner in the RCHA.  Able to find practically anything his gunmates needed, Miller honed his skills as a scrounger serving in various brigade pathfinder and recce platoons as the sole FOO.  Once with the JTF-2, "Chudly" Miller became a hording, scrounging, acquiring legend...easily recognizable by his Canadian flag patterned neck scarf, anything that Campbell needs to make his plans work can be acquired...
 

 Having grown up on the tough streets of North Winnipeg, Sergeant Tommy F.C. Proudfoot is always front and centre to the action.  He is the team wheelman and muscle all rolled into one big intimidating package.  Inspired by his namesake Tommy Prince, Proudfoot began his career as a black hatter in the LdSH(RC) ultimately becoming a Master Sniper...as a young Trooper able to drive anything the regiment put on the road, Proudfoot can get the team into and out of any troublespot a vehicle can go or a rifle can reach...



Finally, Captain Jean-Francois "Poutine" LaRocque is the newest member to the team.  Having met Campbell during a "routine" medical appointment at CF Health Services Centre in Ottawa, JF took his skills as a tactical helicopter pilot and immediately sought transfer to 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron as a Griffon pilot ultimately serving with JTF-2 as their Air Liaison Officer.  Always seen in his trademark Habs jacket, Poutine is the teams unexpected wildcard...yup, the Air Force guy who makes the Army guys look sane...


 
 
Take care folks, comments welcome.


Sunday 3 August 2014

Battlefield Window Dressing - Odds n Sods

Howdy folks,

For me, some of the best parts of this hobby centre around the research that goes into deciding what kind of force to select for a given era.  In the case of sci-fi, the 'research' phase gives way to, what back story can I create that helps make the character of the force.  For historical based forces, what era am I interested in...which belligerent...do I want to focus on a particular vehicle or equipment type.  I do try to put a lot of deliberate thought and effort in the decision process.

When it comes to the battlefield, a lot of what helps prop up the character of the force or scenario or overall appearance of the table comes from the window dressing items that can be brought to the table.  With this in mind, I thought I'd showcase some of the items I've recently worked on.  I've got a few pics for various era's.

Thanks as always for the views...take care.


In the future...there will be war...for Tomorrow's War and a force centered around disgruntled miners turned insurgents.  They will still need transport...some Battlefront vehicles, press ganged and painted up as the Novo-Tajik Mining Consortium...
 
Never travel anywhere without your FLIR sensor mast...addition of a sensor scope to the top of a Stalinets tractor...

Stalinets tractor with two Khurasan light crawlers...all adorned in the company colours and logos on the passenger doors...Tomorrows War supply convoy with Technical escort

 
When you need random cargo to fight for...look no further than a hodgepodge of bits from QRF, Battlefront, and God knows where...
 


 A mix of Peter Pig markers from the AK-47 line, good for many recent and past conflicts as arms or supply cache...worth fighting for or sweeping for... 



 
A more current look at technical riding about in a battlezone...Peter Pig Toyota trucks with a ZPU-1