Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Faux Fulda - Close Air Support

 For the WWIII 1985 project in addition to Tanks, lots of tanks, I also need some Close Air Support (CAS).  I managed to have a somewhat productive painting streak  over the last week and was able to complete the below.  This rounds out the required NATO/Warsaw Pact flights based on the current Order of Battle I plan on using.  I'm sure the OB will change, but for now, I think I've completed the ground attack stuff.  

We'll start with the American units because, well, I'm biased.

First up, a single flight of the Premier 1980's Soviet Tank Killer.  And I would argue still the premier tank killer in 2025.  (just let that time span sink in, over 45 years of service).  The venerable A-10 Thunderbolt II, or as it is better known the Warthog.

Is that smoke rising from the town in the top right of the photo?  


Next up 3 flights of AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters.  These had just entered service in 1985.  Gulf War I proved that their HellFire missiles were brutal, but in 1985 they were still untested.




And finally, 2 flights of the AH-1 Cobra attack Helicopter.  It would take several years to replace all of these with the Apache. 


That's it for the NATO ground attack support.

For the Soviet forces we have 3 flights of HIND attack Helicopters.



I know the Soviets had the SU-25 Frogfoot available in 1985, but for my Scenario (at least for now) they are deployed to other fronts.

That's it for now.  Take care.

So much lead, so little time.


Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Odds and Ends

 As I mentioned a couple of post ago I'm currently in the process of attempting to clean up the gaming room.  During that process I've discovered a large number of forgotten figures, and I actually managed to paint a few of them during my posting hiatus.

In no specific order, below are the results of that effort.  Will any of these actually ever make it to the gaming table?  Probably not, but at least they're painted now.

The below are from Games Workshop, as are many of those that follow.  This is from a box set they released way back when the Movies first came out.  Somewhere along the way I lost the bases, one shield and broke a sword - I guess that's what I get for not painting them in a timely fashion.



More figures from GW Lord of the Rings range that have been floating around for about 15 or so years.  Dwarven archers, not the preferred weapon I think of when I think Dwarf, but useful.



More GW figures, this time a collection of Familiars.  These were acquired probably close to 20 years ago, before the GW business model turned me off of Warhammer.  I do like the walking book and the scroll bearer.



The last of the GW figures, this time the 40K range.  A Chaos Space Marine of some sort.  I wouldn't be surprised if in the 5 or 6 'new' editions of the rules it isn't even a valid figure/troop type any more.  Did I mention I really hate their business model - especially if you're a slow painter.  By the time you finish painting the armor the units have all been replaced in the rules by something new.  But it seems to work for them.


Next a Reaper Miniatures (lead) Druid figure.



And a Reaper Miniatures Halfling Thief... I mean Rogue, we must be PC.



Behold!  The end of the post, a Beholder from WizKids. I could see this being used in Silver Bayonet or Stargrave games, or maybe even in D&D.

I woke up this morning to nice layer of white fluffy snow covering everything, but I hear Spring will start soon. Take care

So much lead, so little time.