Dressing For The Apocalypse - 28mm

As mentioned in an earlier post on 28mm figures, Under Fire Miniatures do a range of 28mm Cold War figures.

As supplied, the Soviet infantry (in this case Soviet Pack RMR2) are accurately dressed, with the uncomfortable high boots.

These would be fine for forces at the outbreak of war, but after four or five years of conflict, their kit would change. The obvious thing would be replacing the boots (and trousers) with more comfortable items - either manufactured for the troops, or those that the troops have picked up.

The first change was to add some small squares of Greenstuff to the front of the boots, sculpted with a scalpel blade to represent the laces. This was allowed to set before more Greenstuff was used to extend the trouser cuffs.

Soviet Motorised infantry were trained to be no more than 200 metres from their transport, so they do not tend to have large quantities of equipment, so only a couple of small bags or pouches were added.

The other thing is that they are quite likely to have non standard gear, or in the case of the NCO, he has discarded his helmet for a warmer and more comfortable wooly hat.

This is a head from the Empress Universal Soldier range. He is also wearing a scarf, more Greenstuff.

He also has picked up a rucksack (from the Rubicon Miniatures Allied Stowage Set 1). This was blended in with Greenstuff.

There is also a square section plastic rod and Greenstuff ammo pouch.

Once finished and based (Woodland Scenics ash ballast over Milliput), they were undercoated with Citadel Chaos Black spray. As I was painting some British vehicles at the same time, I used Plastic Soldier Company British Tank spray as the base colour.

The wooly hat was painted with Citadel Caliban Green. The rucksack is Citadel Castellan Green. The scarf is Citadel Zandri Dust. 

The NCO's jacket camouflage is Citadel Steel Legion Drab followed by smaller splurges of Citadel Zandri Dust.

The NCO, having experienced more than enough Instant Sunshine(tm), has changed his trousers for a pair with a camouflage pattern of Zandri Dust and Vallejo German Camouflage Black Brown,

The rest of the squad's camouflage spots are Citadel Zandri Dust, the helmets are Vallejo German Extra Dark Green.

The figures were dry brushed with Citadel Dry Brush Nurgling Green. The "woodwork" of the guns was Citadel Mournfang Brown. 

Once dry the green areas were washed with Citadel Athonian Camoshade, brown areas with Citadel Agrax Earhshade.

The bases were then covered with a mixture of Woodland Scenics Burnt Grass Fine Turf (finely minced sponge) and some anonymous static grass bought from a model railway show.

Here is the NCO and one of Empress Miniatures Chechnya figures.

Same source of wooly hats.

Introducing our New Contributor: Ultravanillasmurf

Jason has kindly invited me to contribute to this blog.

I am of an age where the Nuclear Apocalypse was part of my fictional background. From Andre Norton to Philip K Dick.  I read stories of living in the post nuclear age, but without the existential angst of those who had lived through the very public spat that was the Cuban Missile Crisis. We had been under threat of nuclear annihilation for longer than I had been alive and had made it through so far. Little did I know of the near misses in my lifetime such as Able Archer ’83.

Even television provided images of the post-apocalyptic world. Survivors showed me a world where authority collapses and survivors behave no better than the children in Lord of the Flies (a book we studied at school – more nuclear apocalypse).

It was at University that I encountered Twilight 2000 (via Games Designer Workshop’s Traveller). We ran RPG and miniature games set in the world, and later in the more conventional Team Yankee timeline. This was ably assisted by GDW producing a number of associated board games and supplements. It was not just GDW products, there were a number off suitable Osprey books, plus others.

I used the forces from the Team Yankee board game for weekend miniature campaigns using the Challenger rules from Table Top Games.

I had armies in 6mm from Heroics and Ros, GHQ and Scotia (great for the FAV and LAV-75) and 20mm in metal from Skytrex and MMS, plus the ubiquitous plastic kits in scales from 1/87 to 1/72.

After a number of years away from the “period”, I have started building up vehicles and figures, this time in 28mm. It usefully matches new "Ultramodern" and other post apocalyptic settings such as The Walking Dead.

Bundeswehr infantry defend a supermarket

Soviet forces secure a communications post

I hope you will find the 28mm figures, vehicles and buildings of interest.

Like Colonial period adventures and Inter War murder mysteries, Twilight 2000 has its own prejudices and attitudes that to a modern reader maybe problematical. That does not mean that I do not enjoy returning to them as escapist fiction.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_Game

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threads

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Storm_Rising

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Thousand 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Yankee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_World_War:_The_Untold_Story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_Flies

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivors_(1975_TV_series)

Been prolific lately, and have a question for my readers?

 Well, got a question for my readers? I am thinking of moving the blog to Wordpress. I like the features and it's got a lot more tools for me, but the $48 a year is a bit steep for me right now. So, were I to move, I'd probably do a paypal donation cup here to raise the funds. Yes, I know, it may not sit well with some folks, but if 12 folks gave $4 each, I could get the blog running for a year. And if we don't raise the money, we don't move and I will return the money, simple as that. 

  But before I do it, I'd like to hear from you, the reader, before I do it. I've given the idea some thought, and probably throw in extra content for those who do donate. Maybe dare I say it, a podcast, though that would be a rough road to hoe, as the only microphone I have are the iffy Samsung headphones that came with my phone! But I would give it a try! 

 But I really want some input from you all first. I've enjoyed this blog immensely, and the contest and the outpouring of interest has been a tonic to me, especially during the winter months as I do tend to a bit of lethargy and feeling down, so writing a post or three of interest to the readership puts a smile on this ol' gamer's face.

  So, here's your chance, let me know here, or at 500milest2k@gmail.com, or care of the facebook page. I will be setting up a place to comment there too. I'd really like to know if I am on the right track in general, or what more you, the reader would like to see.

   Thanks all, and here's to a full still, plenty of ammo, and a inactive Geiger Counter.

   Your humble writer,

  

   Jason Weiser

Season's Greetings From 500 Miles! And, a CONTEST!!!

From our friends at Podcast at Ground Zero!

Well, a chill is in the air, and Cyber Monday is upon us.  Why, even the rad count is down to "acceptable levels", and the chem sniffer has taken a break from sounding an alarm. And all our happy members are wishing for gaming goodies, full stills, and of course, more ammo. But hey, on a more page related note, I challenge my readers to post here or at the FB page some of their milleu related winter stuff..in fact, let's make this a contest!

1st Annual "500 Miles Holiday Painting Contest"

Rules: Paint a miniature or group of miniatures (this includes terrain) from 6mm to 28mm scale in a winter setting suitable for Twilight: 2000. Entries can be sent to 500milest2k@gmail.com and will be judged by the members of the 500 Miles Facebook Page. They can be infantry, vehicles, or even a diorama!

It must be an original work, and not have submitted for anywhere else, online or offline.

Prize: I will put forward two packs from my stash of Grenadier Twilight: 2000 miniatures to the first prize winner. I also think I can put forward some other prizes for the other winners!

UPDATE: Due to the generosity of Michael Moore and Ehliem, we have some more prizes coming. I will let them be a surprise till they arrive, but lets just say, things are getting interesting! Also, GameCraft Miniatures is also providing a gift certificate!  

Due Date: Submissions to be ready by 16 December, judging will take place until December 30th.

Winner to be announced Jan 2nd! The top three entries will be posted here on the blog!

All other questions, to be directed at: 500milest2k@gmail.com

Also, please spread the word about this contest and let folks know far and wide. Feel free to copy the text, as I would love to see a variety of entries.

SO GET PAINTING FOLKS!!

Battlegroup Twilight: 2000, Comments and Ideas

Hi Guys,
 Another short post this time around. I wanted to ask everyone out there a small favor. I have the Unofficial BG Cold War American list for Twilight: 2000., and I wanted comments on it. It's not ready for play just yet IMO, heck, I don't even have some Soviets to pit against it! But, it's 90-95% done IMO, and I need some supplemental rules to go with it.

 That said, I'd also like comments on that, as I do believe one will need chits for Twilight: 2000, to get the special milleu down. Heck, I think "Endkampf" from Fall of the Reich would work very well here.

Just so we're all on the same page!

  So, I wanted to ask the following questions?

1. Does this fit the milleu?
2. Is this doable in Battleground?
3. What other changes to Battleground do you think need to be made?

I look forward to hearing from you all. Here is the link to the draft list. Please make all comments care of the website email at: 500milest2k@gmail.com.

Just want to set one thing straight fellas, the the BattleGroup Cold War effort isn't NORTHAG. NORTHAG is something different Iron Fist and PSC are working on. I am working to put something out as a fan project for a fan project. That's all. 

Thanks in advance.

Another Short News Piece

Well, I wanted to put this short news piece out there to get the word out that the blog has a Facebook page! Yep, that's right. We're going to social media. I wanted the page to get the word out and have a one stop shopping place on FB to release future news about when there's a blog release, like...now.

I have not done much Twilight: 2000 miniatures related, but I am gearing up to finish a boatload of Soviet armor, including some items from Butler's Printed Models that I really have been meaning to finish painting. They're almost done, so I am pretty confident, gimme a day or two to paint em, and I will be displaying them here for all to see, along with a review.

As for other matters, I gave some Lifecolor MERDC colors a try painting some Battletech 'Mechs, and I liked the results, very much. I can definitely recommend Lifecolor, but it doesn't wear as well as oh, say, Vallejo or AK/MiG, but I was very happy with the end results, and they responded to the Magic Mudd Wash very well indeed. (I cannot say enough good things about that sadly, now OOP product).

I also wanted to let folks now that Ehliem Miniatures has released more for their Post-Apocalyptic line in 20mm,. Now, while most of it is meant for Gaslands/Mad Max-style gaming, it would not be real difficult to adapt it for Twilight: 2000 at all, as most of them have that "marauder band" chic look written all over them. He's also releasing some Cold War Bundeswehr, which look great and are definitely usable.

Taken from Ehliem Minaitures Facebook Page

Taken from Ehliem Minaitures Facebook Page

So all in all, a bit to report, and more to talk about later. TTFN

Vehicle Schemes of the Third World War, Part 2 (The Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia)

The Soviet Union and Poland

The Soviets had a multitude of camo patterns and paints during the war, but the most common base pattern was a color that compared very closely to FS (Federal Standard) 34077, a dark green known as Zashchitnuy Zelno that the Soviets had been painting their equipment in since 1956. Thousands of Soviet vehicles saw action wearing this color, and it was still the most common paint scheme in Soviet service, especially in Category III and Mobilization Only divisions, but this scheme was not limited to those units by any means.

Soviet T-72B from an unidentified division from the 38th Army in Zashchitnuy Zelno scheme, Manchuria, 1996

Soviet T-64 from postwar modeling magazine, taken from a photo from an actual example in Poland, ca. 1999 (Taken from Cybermodeler)

Zashchitnuy Zelno Scheme

The Soviets had had field regulations regarding disruptive camouflage since the 1960s, but the colors were those used often for other purposes, such as primer coats for equipment or interior colors, and the application and patterns were left on a haphazard basis to the Field Engineer Brigades and was often not applied except in time of war if it was applied at all.

Osprey plate of BMP-1K attached to unknown MR Division in the Ukraine, 1998. Note the Brown No2 and a non-regulation lighter brown (from civilian stocks?) overspray over the base scheme

From the same Osprey of a BMP-1 somewhere in Poland, September 1997, unit unknown, this time there has been a mix of faded Yellow No1 and Brown No2 over sprayed over the base green

Soviet T-80 from 79th Guards Tank Division, in a prewar photo ca. 1994, with an overspray of Silver Grey No1 and Black No2 over the standard paint scheme

Soviet Field Camouflage Schemes

This practice changed in the 1980s, as the Soviets developed a three color (sometimes, only one color was applied) scheme, called “MERDCski” in the West by observers due to its similarities to the US MERDC scheme.

Soviet T-80 platoon from 25th TD moving up to the front, July 1997, Poland. This photo is a good example of the simplified “MERDCski” scheme.

Soviet T-80 Color Plate taken from postwar modeling magazine, ca. 2019, Example is from a T-80 from 12th Guards Tank Division, Poland, ca. March 1997 with a more complicated version of the “MERDCski” scheme. (taken from Cybermodeler).

MERDCski Paint Chart

Poland used similar schemes to the Soviets, apart from the “MERDCski” scheme, which the Poles never adopted. The main way one differentiated between Soviet and Polish vehicles was the unique “diamond” national insignia.

Polish T-55 with prominent insignia on either side of the gun mantlet.

Czechoslovakia

The Czechs had been an early adopter of disruptive pattern schemes for tanks, having done so before WW-II. The current schemes were based off a water-based tempura paint that did not stand up to particularly hard wear, but was easy to reapply, even during the worst of the Twilight years. Standards and even paint shades were left up to the individual unit commanders, and often, as things broke down, the paint schemes got even more complex, and in some cases, gaudier. The Czech tricolor insignia was always present as well, and many vehicles, no matter how shoddy their paint scheme, would have the tricolor loving applied and touched up whenever possible. The colors that were supposed to be used were similar to the Soviet pre-“MERDCski” paints, and the base scheme was the same Zashchitnuy Zelno the Soviets happened to use.

Color Plate of Czech T-55 taken from Czech State News TV broadcast of January 5th, 1998. Vehicle is heavily oversprayed with Yellow No1 and Brown No2

Czech T-55 from Museum of the US Army, Ft. Belvoir, 2022. Vehicle was captured in this scheme of Yellow No1 and Sand No2 over the base scheme by elements of 1st Armored Division, November 1999