Winter of '79

I've been thinking about the "Winter of '79" genre for a while now, mainly thanks to the excellent blog of Mark Hannam and Matthew Sparkes, here's the link Winter of '79 . I'll not go into the premise just go to the linked blog or google it, suffice to say that it appeals for a number of reasons the main one being its a period that's still resonates with me due to my enlistment into the Army.
Rules wise any WW2 to Modern skirmish system will do and there is a recent set published, "Living on the Frontline" available from Caliver Books, that I've just picked up and on first look seen very interesting.

Scalewise its 20mm or 28mm, I think I'll probably opt for 20mm due to the massive availability of figures vehicles and scenery.
Initial thoughts are basing it on Tyneside so we have C company 4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Parachute Regiment locally based in Gateshead as well as the TA Hereford Hooligans in Prudhoe. Marxist elements, Loyalist Elements and South Shields Orange Order will also be making an appearance.
Some suitable 20mm figures below. Dougie
A very quick conversion of an RH Models Falklands SAS type in to an "Ally" member of C Coy 4PARA, beret pulled over eyes, capbadge over the left ear!

 The tom painted up, Denison smock and lightweights, to complete his ally look ;)

 A group of militia types, from the left, first 2 are Hotspur, last 3 RH Models

 

28mm Eureka Talibs

Last 11 Talibs for a commission, cracking Eureka figures. Dougie

New 28mm Empress Modern figs

Some awesome new Empress Moderns, a pack of Navy SEALS from Op Redwing (Lone Survivor) and a SEAL Sniper (American Sniper). Ordered mine already ! Dougie
The SEAL pack 4 figures

The sniper prone and moving in a 2 figure pack.

Spectre Miniatures Painting Competition

Had some nice news recently in that I came third in the Spectre Miniatures painting competition. Here's the boy, SAS sniper. Dougie

Varnish question again

Folks, I've had a few more enquiries about the vexed question of getting a fully matt finish to figures. This is the tecnique I use and it's always produced excellent results. I always gloss varnish first for protection to the figures then matt varnish and I always use a brush for figures. Gloss is standard Humbrol 35 Gloss poly and the matt is Daler-Rowney Soluble Varnish Matt.

Give the figure a coat of Humbrol 35, let it dry for a full 24hrs.

Make sure that the Daler-Rowney is well shaken and stirred and apply to the figure, multiple thin coats are better than 1 thick one ! Dougie

28mm Survivor "Donnie" Hasslefree Miniatures

Folks, just finished this survivor figure for my clubs Yuletide zombiefest game tonight! Dougie

Another 20mm RLI Stop Group

Knocked these 4 20mm Liberation figs up, the only conversion is the MAGist who initially had an LMG, I removed the mag and added the carrying handle, bipod, ammo belt and a couple of minor details. It's not perfect but I'm happy enough with it. Dougie