T-62s

I finished today two T-62s for my Egyptian forces.  While by design they were to be used for the 1973 conflict, but a quick Google search shows that these are not only still in use, but the Ukraine won the contract to renovate these antiques (a least they did before the Arab Spring).

The Khurasan Miniatures T-62 is on the right and the QRF to the left. I am very pleased with them both and I am unsure which I like better.

The Khurasan Miniatures has better detail but with inks and dry brushing the difference is minimal. If I were to do it again with the Khurasan tank I would have picked up some of the rare earth magnets as the gun it heavy on the resin turret. Also the tracks on the Khurasan T-62s have better detail compared to the QRF white metal treads.

It seems I can chose between them. This is a great addition and I look forward to seeing more from Khurasan Miniatures.

Do you have a preference?
Jon

Syrians on the Table

Well I got a late start today but here they are. I am impressed with the sculpt of the T62. The QRF T62 is 3-4mm shorter but this will not keep me from fielding both types. 

My real disappointment was with the tracks. The tracks had an indent to ensure you put them on correctly. Unfortunately it is center so you can still put it on wrong. Not a big issue but with the level quality of the mold this it should not of happened.

The infantry are nice and will be fun to paint up. As you can see here they are taller than my QRF/Peter Pig figures I have already painted (not sure which). While I will not mix them in the same squad I will have no issues with using both on the table. These will make excellent big men for the TOOFATLardies rule sets.

Now for you Chris, here are the Syrians standing next to Peter Pig range 17 pack 87.  They are taller but I do not think there will be an issue with using them on the table. What do you think? The BTR-50 is from QRF and used for size comparison.

Lebanese Communist Party

The Lebanese Communist Party was one of the older political creations in the Middle East. Founded in 1924 this party was never very strong and depended on outside support for most of its operations. For the period of the Israeli invasion in 1982 this party and militia would be limited and ineffective.

Their militia, the Popular Guard (PG) was trained by the Palestinian Fatah and were provided with Soviet-made small-arms, as well as armed jeeps and gun-trucks equipped with heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft auto cannons and recoilless rifles supplied by the PLO, Syria, and the USSR. These can include the BTR40, GAZ 469 jeep and civilian trucks. Most common weapons are available from both Peter Pig and QRF. Small arms are limited to the AK47. Support weapons other than RPGs will be very limited.

In 1979 PG command was passed on to Elias Atallah, a Maronite. Although it was active mostly in West Beirut, the LCP/PG also kept underground cells at the Sidon, Tripoli, Tyre and Nabatiyeh districts of the Jabal Amel region of southern Lebanon.

At no point will any unit have more than one big man and a single support weapon. Is it worth fielding this force? Why of course. They may not win a lot of fights but they have cool images on their web site.

Studying (and gaming) History through the News

The events going on in the Middle East today are on par with the opening up on Eastern Europe in 1989.

As a gamer, I have always been interested in the conflicts in the desert going back to the first time I saw Lawrence of Arabia. Today my bookshelves are full of books on this part of the world. These include the Egyptians crossing the canal in 1973 to the Ottomans trying to cross into Egypt in 1915.

While I have no interest in gaming the event happening right now, this does not mean I will not look at events that happened in the past in these countries.

In 15mm (my prefered scale) we can easily do the Italo-Turkish War of 1911-12. Any of the WWI rules will work nicely including TOOFATLardies “Through the Mud and the Blood” and “I Ain't Been Shot Mum”. Figures can be obtained through QRF, Miniature Figurines and Eureka.

Also in 15mm there is the possibility of gaming the (North) Yemen Civil War. This conflict can be gamed using most Cold War rules set. As the conflict occurred between 1962 and 70 figures and tanks are easy to come by.

I left out the more well know conflicts, World War I and II, 1948 Israeli War of Independence, 1956 Sinai, 1967 Six Day War, 1970 Black September, 1973 Yom Kippur War, and 1982 Peace in Galilee. It is a rough neighborhood.

I hope we are all following the news and reading about the history of this fascinating region.  I look forward to any thoughts you wish to share.

 I do love Zeppelins.

Latest Additions to the Eqyptian and IDF Forces

This past week has been very productive on the painting font. Unfortunately less so on the blogging side of life.

I was able to finish up my Israelis for Operation Raviv. These troops are a mixture of Peter Pig Range 17 armed with AK47s and QRF’s Israeli Command armed with Uzis.

They are done by the flowing steps.

• Prime Black
• Base dry brush of Yellow Olive (892) or Olive Grey (888)
• Dry Brush Medium Grey (987)
• I than did the kit and weapons in various shades.

Egyptian Infantry also made an appearance. These troops will be used for the War of Attrition. I will show the base troops in caps and the mechanized infantry in Soviet style helmets.

They are done by the flowing steps.

• Prime Black
• Base Dry Brush of Pale Sand (837)
• Wash of Citadel Devlan Mud
• Skin Medium Flesh tone (860)
• Kit is done in Formula P3 Gun Corps Brown.

 

I look forward to getting them on the table and into battle.

ZPU-4s

Well we are now into February and that means to me Cold Wars is around the corner. This week Mark and I will put the finishing touches on our two games. By the end of the weekend I hope to be able to add to my Syrians with two new platoons, one of T55s and a second with T62s.

My Arab forces have also added to their air defenses with two ZPU-4s. Why do I need two? I don’t know, I think I forgot and than ordered the second.  There is a big difference between the QRF and Peter Pig anti-aircraft guns. While I consider the Peter Pig weapon a miniature, the gun from QRF was a real model with more pieces that I knew what to do with. I even end up with a spare piece that I think was the towing bar. I am not sure with is the correct scale as the Peter Pig Figure is smaller if I do need a third I will problem go with the Peter Pig miniature, it was easy to put together.

Now were are Marks A-4s :)

ZPU-4 from Peter Pig near the mosque.

ZPU-4 from QRF.

Images of the New Arrivials

Below are images from my workbench of the recently arrived IDF and Egyptians.

These are the IDF troops for Raviv. Troops with AK47s are Peter Pig, those with Uzis are from QRF. There will be a total of 60 soldiers in the IDF force.

The static and radar troops will be using QRF Egyptians in the ball cap. Also very useful as Cubans. Line troops will ne from QRF and Peter Pig.

Will not very useful for Operation Raviv, the ISU-152 can be used on the Suez line for both the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War. The T-10M was often reported in Egyptian service but never left Mother Russia. I like the tank to much not to find a use for it.

Latest Additions to the Eqyptian Forces

As you can see from my project list a new order came in from Scale Creep. Most the equipment is for the Egyptians radar stations for Operation Raviv.

Also included were an SA-6 and a ZPU-4. Should act as some insurance from the IDF/AF.

My favorite additions are a T-10M and an ISU-152. These are two of my favorite tanks/assault guns of all time. One is a plausible addition to the Egyptian forces and the second will be part of the defenses on the Suez.

I will be painting the T-10M in a single color of desert tan similar to the IS-2. I am not sure how I will paint the ISU-152. While I have seen images, like the one below, in three colors, I have not decided between three color pattern or a single color like the IS-2.

Currently I am getting into a hole with more figures received than painted. Hope to correct this latter this month.

QRF Sale

From the QRF Website.
I thought this would be of interest as much of my kit for Lebanon 1982 comes from QRF.

QRF JANUARY SALE

9th to 21st January 2011

Between those dates our online system will give you an automatic 10% discount on any metal orders (not flags, decals, books, etc) placed through the website. Please note that a discount does not show up as a separate deduction, but that prices have been reduced accordingly.

As usual, we will turn off the platoon pack discount structure during the period as we can't go giving you discounts on discounts, but you will get a full 10% off your whole order, not just a discount on those qualifying items.

2011 - Looking Forward

It is hard to believe that 2010 went so fast. For me it has been great. I started a blog (been wanting to do that for awhile), got back into 15mm figures (thank you Mark), and several new periods.

Lebanon will be an on going project for 2011 as will the War of Attrition. The figures for Operation Raviv are coming along nicely as is the idea of building Green Island for doing the raid (Thank you Mark)

I have even started a check list to show my progress painting. A positive number shows I am getting down the stacks of figures, and a negative number means I bought some more. Not sure how to handle selling figures or the figure I ordered last year from QRF.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you at the conventions and online.

Civilians in Modern Wargames

As I am waiting for the weather to change so I can do some priming outside I was looking for additional 15mm figures to base. I had picked up this pack of Arab Civilians from QRF for a market that I wanted to buy from a vendor that unfortunately disappeared. So I now have eight male civilians for my village and not sure how to use them. They can be used as background like terrain but I would like something more. The problem is I do not want them to turn into target. How do other gamers use, or don’t use civilians?

Egyptian T-55s for Operation Raviv

Here we have a platoon of Egyptian T-55s heading south towards the reported IDF landings on the west side of the Gulf of Suez. What will they find?

The tanks were done in Dark Sand (Vallejo) and washed with Games Workshop Devlan Mud.  My references for the period have Egyptian tanks done in a solid pattern but a recent parade picture shows darker brown stripes. I may end up doing my next platoon in those alternate colors.

Tanks are from QRF, bought through Scale Creep.

SU-100

These have been my latest additions to the force of the United Arab Republic from QRF and Scale Creep. This assault gun can be added to my Sinai forces for 1967 or on the Suez Canal during the War of Attrition. Syria had these on the Golan through most of the period.

The SU-100 has the punch of the 100mm D-10 making it a major asset into the 1970s. The gun itself was installed on new T-55s up until 1979.

 
These assault guns are done in two different tones of Russian military green so they can be used by any of the Soviets allies in the Middle East or Africa. It is available for a Bay of Pig invasion on the south Cuban coast or North Korea today. Some countries never throw away anything.

Operation Raviv

Back in the 1980s I picked up a copy of The Arab-Israeli Wars by Chaim Herzog. In the section on the War of Attrition are a map and a short write up on what is now known as Operation Raviv. While I had read the Born in Battle Magazine back than (before my newsstand stop carrying it, said no one wanted it) I was unaware of this raid to the far side of the Gulf of Suez. This was amazing for nine hours this company-sized unit using captured kit, was traveling down the coast of Egypt. While the IDF had air superiority it is hard to believe that the Israelis were able to do this.

So my project for 2011 is doing an operational campaign of the nine hours for this raid. As you can see I have the IDF forces ready. I am still debating if I need (want) a landing craft or three. Santa will be bring me the rest of the Egyptians after the new year.

Building the bases at Abu Darag and Ras Saafrana should not be difficult as they are radar site and not strengthened fortifications. Plus without any good photographs of the operation I am free to interpret the look and feel.

Keep watching for updates on this. The rules will be from the TOOFATLardies using Charlie Don’t Surf.

Dear Santa

Yes I am getting a little old for a letter to Santa, but than again I have been a good boy and my friends at QRF (through Scale Creep), Old Glory 15s, Peter Pig and The TOOFATLardies would like to help out Santa’s Elves. So here goes.

• A lot of 15mm T55s. Looking to finish building a company for my Egyptians (and maybe my Syrians). It is a useful tank as it was used by everybody in the Middle East.
  Two 15mm T62 to finish out a second platoon.
• A ISU-152 to use on the canal. Boy it is big.
• Buildings and terrain for the desert.
• And a T-10M.

I know, one of these things is not like the others and you have every reason to ask why. The T-10M (Obyekt 730) was the last of the JS/IS heavy tanks. While the IS-3M was used by Egypt it was no T-10M. For starters the look was different. The T-10 was longer and had an extra road wheel.

So why my interest? Well it is a cool looking tank. A definite favorite and until the model of the Obyekt 279 is released in 15mm, it is one of the best tanks out there for “what ifs” and science fiction gaming. Plus think of the reaction when the Israelis run into one during the War of Attrition.

  Image from my newest favorite blog spot.
http://ww2throughthelens.blogspot.com

My Work Bench 10/29/2010

There is a new addition to my workbench. Yesterday my QRF Charioteer arrived. Been cleaned up and based. The gun barrel was also strengthened as it was bent back on itself.

This is a great tank for Lebanon. Twenty-four were sold to Jordan in 1954. When Jordan upgraded to the Centurion they were sold to Lebanon. With the start of the Civil War different factions including the PLO, Tigers Militia under Chamoun, and the Lebanese Forces under Gemayel claimed them. The 20 pounder will be a great equalizer in any battle, I am less certain how mobile they were.

I first learned of this gem of a tank in an Osprey. Was only a drawing and a paragraph but it got me interested. Not that it has not happened to anyone else reading this.

 

Also on the bench shown here are three Centurions needing to be base coated and a T34/85 that needs to be washed. The Germans in the back are for a long delayed VBCW faction.

It is even less safe now.

While it appears it will be difficult (or very expensive) to find or build a SA-2 there are still a great deal of assets that Syria and its proxies can use. Some of which I already have (or could get). 

From QRF is the ZU23-2 a towed twin 23mm anti-aircraft gun. This piece of firepower has been around since the early 1960s and is still in production.

Peter Pig has the ZPU-1 with is a 14.5mm machine gun that is still seen in Middle East conflicts today.

The ZPU-4 (also by Peter Pig) is a four barrel version with 14.5mm machine guns. With an effective altitude of over 4,500 feet both of these guns can cause havoc on low flying aircraft and helicopters (not to mention troops and buildings).

What troops want to be without some protection. Not everyone has an air force like the IAF. For those troops traveling light there is always the SA-7.  Here is the SA-7 by QRF. Used since the War of Attrition while not always lethal it is effective at protecting targets by reducing  the pilot's accuracy.

Airpower comes to Lebanon

It appears there is a new arms race occurring here in the world of Lebanon 1982. Mark has displayed (in his usually awesome manner) an Israeli Cobra. Link to Daddy's Little Men

While the PLO's wish for air power is limited to Katyusha rockets, the Syrians are quickly (for the Syrians) working on their Aérospatiale SA.342 Gazelle. This kit provided by my favorite arms dealer (Mark) is primed with two rocket pods. My only source for colors is coming from acig.org. It appears they are using the colors of a captured helicopter in an Israeli museum.

I plan on using a darker green similar to the green used on the Syrian MIG 21s. My assumption is the green on the Gazelle is a faded color.

The Syrians are also waiting on the arrival of a Su-17 from QRF. While I read in a report from the 7th Brigade that they were attacked by a Su-7, I found reports that Su-17s were used. These reports and the fact that no one makes the Su-7 in 15mm or 1/100 scale lead me to buying the Su-17. 

M109 AL

This model (I can not call it a miniature) looks like a house. And as usual Mark did a great job of painting it up. Please Click to see his work.

This house has an armor rating of 0/0 in Rock the Casbah. What gives? Well it is a big box (like a Walmart) with a hull of 1.25" rolled aluminum armor. What gives? Well a M113 has between .47" and 1.5" of similar armor. And as it has a ratting of 0/0 without the TOGA armor I guess I can live with the ratting. I just don't know what Mark is going to say. I may need to put this on my short list to get from PicoArmor.

All images on this post are from Mark's blog.

Merkavas in Battle

Well my three Merkavas are based and painted and looking for a battle. With any luck they will be engaging my PLO/Militia troops this Thursday at Marks. I will have images by Friday and it does not matter to me who wins as I will have troops on both sides.

The way my RPGs fire I would bet heavily on the IDF.

As for the castings, QRF did a good job. There was little to clean up on the bodies and just a small seem line on the turrets. Not a big surprise as there is a lot of detail on the turrets.

Image from QRF.