The T2K Model and Miniture Thread!

[DCausey]

Hi guys, we were talking in the intro thread about my modelling hobby and ideas for T2K miniatures both for gaming and in standard 1/35th scale model kit displays and dioramas. I think both ideas offer a lot of scope for creativity and individualization of otherwise "standard" Cold War and Modern model kits.

I have in mind 1/72 scale figures and kits for actual RPG play aids, do to cost and size/playability issues. Plus, 1/72 offers a lot of scope for tanks, soldiers and IFVs for gaming.

My other big interest is "traditional" 1/35th scale displays just for sheer scope of detailing and customizations. The larger size allows for extreme detail, down to rifle scopes and knives, and there are many,many tanks, trucks, IFVs and soldiers available.

What do y'all think Is this something you'd be interested in discussing Got any ideas for dioramas

[Raellus]

I dabbled in military modelling as a kid. My brother got really good at painting them. As we got older, we kind of gave it up. I regret that sometimes.

I'd love to see other people's work, though. Please post your pics here.

[atiff]

I used to wargame and model-make in scales from 1/35 to 1/300, although not for diorama purposes. I admire dioramas, but rarely make them myself.

For T2K games, I have used 1/72 plastics for battle depictions before. I've also used Lego, since you can has together your own vehicle representations

For a T2K diorama idea, here are a few:
- Gun trucks. Check out the thread active on the forum at the moment.
- Going Home. A US soldier sitting down reading a hard copy of the order.
- Acquisition. A soldier performing the age-old method of acquiring arms and ammo - from the body of a fallen enemy.

Would like to see any work that people do like this.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I want to build my LAV-25 from Paper Tiger...'course I got no T2k game and am entirely unlikely to *have* one

[DCausey]

Atiff, those are great ideas for dioramas.

rakete, I hear ya' man. I have no idea when,or if, I'll ever get to run T2K. I'd love to see that LAV-25.

My idea right now is a party of T2K characters with a M1A1 Heavy Common tank and a captured Russian truck with a still. I see lots of stowage and battlewear on the tank, a mix of US and Russian-made weapons, and at least 1 female figure in the diorama.

[B.T.]

Well, I'm not shure, if this will work. But I'll try to show you a miniature, that I've done for T2k about 14 years ago.


Just a minute later:
As you see, it did not work. Can anyone give me a hint, how to upload jpg-pics Nevertheless, I'll keep on trying. I'd really like to show some of my minis.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Has anyone here ever kitbashed a LAV-75 together

I'm thinking you could do it with a cut-down M113 hull, then use the bitz to build up the turret and custom-build a gun.

DCausey, here's the Paper Tiger Armaments LAV25



They've dived into the Cold War stuff recently, producing some oddball type vehicles that should really appeal to T2k gamers because they're unusual ones. Let's face it: anybody can say their team has an Abrams or LAV25 or what-have-you, it takes guts to say that your group was afoot until they overran a Soviet category-C unit and now has a BTR-50-PU as their main track!

[natehale1971]

i have 1/16th figures that I collect (when i have the money). I've gotten things for dioramas that I've wanted to make... but due to costs, i've had to put those on hold. The figures are all waiting for the rest of the stuff i was going to put in for their scenes.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Also, who still does "modern" USAEUR 25mm/28mm minis Devil Dog had a nice selection, IIRC, but they folded so...(and yes I have googled that)

[DCausey]

B.T. , I think if you upload your photos to Photobucket and link from the [IMG] code would be the easiest way. I can't wait to see your stuff!

Rakete, those paper kits are awesome! The LAV looks great, but I love that BTR! A LAV-75 should be an easy bash. Let me look, I know some sources that should have 25/28mm Moderns.

natehale, those 1/16ths must be superb! Who makes them

- Dave

[natehale1971]

These are the ones I've used...

Dragon (they use to be the gold standard, esp for WW2 figures)
Dragon in Dreams (different company from Dragon)
BBI (they make the best body all around, and the quality of their asscessories and uniforms is superb... they make some of the best modern uniforms, weapons and equipment)
CY GIRLS BBI (they make the best female body's for the 1/16th scale)
and if you want the BEST of the BEST (and have the money for it) you go to Sideshow figures.

[Graebarde]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when I got involved in T2k, we met at a friends place. Now the first session there was a real eyeopener. This fellow rented a WHOLE apartment for his hobby, in addition to the apartment across the hall where he actually lived.. granted it was cost effective for him. He use to own a hobby shop, and worked at one when I met him. Anyways, we used 1/87, 1/72, and 1/90 scale, mostly 1/87. His game layouts turned into giant dioramas.. we gamed on FIVE 4x8 sheets of plywood, complete with hills, woods and buildings..

Picture 1/3 of the layout a section of Krakow, complete with walls and buildings.. people on the street... and if you checked out a house, the roof came off and you would find items IN the building...

He could field a mechanized battalion and tank battalion of US, Soviet, German or British at any one time, at a 1:1 in vehicles, all detailed and weathered.. or perhaps you wanted to play Vietnam era.. or WW2 He had boxes and boxes of models, most finished, some still in plastic.. and books on everything... A fellow gamer inherited all the stuff when Gene passed. RIP Gene.

I built a fleet of water line boats including the Vistuala tug.. in 1/96
(8 ft/inch). Our going home was on commandeered schooner and ketch from the Baltic ports.. along with the tug and 100-ft barge. Mine were depictions, not really models, as the detail was not fine enough, but we sure had fun with them. My grandson wound up with them when he was about 14.. our third generation twilight gamer

As an aside, I remember the day he was reading the big yellow book and asking questions when his mom (my daughter) walked in.. "WHAT is he reading" she asked.. "T2K" says I. "ARRRRRRGHH.. not another one!!" she cried in anguish.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Holy cats, Empress has some nice model kits for vehicles and such

[weswood]

I've got a pile of 1/72 scale plastic soldiers, ranging from Vietnam era to modern US & Soviet forces. A pile of vehicles, some Matchbox, some plastic models built by me, and some die cast. As far as I can remember at least 3 HMMWVs, 2 Bradleys (1 diecast, 1 plastic), BTR-80, BTR-60, diecast T80 (maybe), 2 or 3 M113s, a handful of civilian motorcycles and even a horse drawn WWII era howitzer.

I even have my version of the Vistula Queen. I've never liked the pointed bow, so mine is squared off.

What I don't have is any players!!!!!

[Tegyrius]

Holy cats, Empress has some nice model kits for vehicles and such

I have a pack of their SAS shooters sitting on my desk right now. Trying to work up my courage - I'm not a good enough painter to give these figures the work they deserve. The pics on Empress' site really don't do them justice.

Ambush Alley Games has a really good directory of current producers of modern and Cold War figures and vehicles, broken down by scale:

http://ambushalleygames.com/resources/miniatures

- C.