"10mm WWII in the Southwest Pacific" Topic

All,

Continuing my tear of knocking out more forces for the wargame table, I'm very pleased with myself, this was a relatively big project to complete, for some stuff I'm looking to get on the table pretty quick. What do we have? I've got two forces here, Japanese and United States Marines, for the Southwest Pacific, circa 1942, all from Minifigs UK. If you're thinking you've seen this before, yes, yes you have. I had previously bought, painted and based these exact forces, but I wasn't happy with them and sold them off a couple years ago, intending on re-doing them more to my liking. Finally got back around to it, and here they are.

The whole thing, Japanese up top and Marines at the bottom. I'm a little aggravated that the wash I used turned out a little darker than I was hoping for, but it's still not bad. I like better now the force structures, the uniform colors I used, the Marines now look right for Guadalcanal, and, most of all, I'm much happier with the basing job. Each side has an overall 'Company Commander' command stand, three separately based officers (for Platoon Commanders), a Weapons Platoon consisting of machine guns, mortars, flamethrowers, and anti-tank weapons (bazookas for US – though they weren't at Guadalcanal they'll come in handy later – and anti-tank rifles for the Japanese), and four three-stand (squad) rifle platoons.

Additionally, the Japanese have two Type 95 tanks (tankettes?). So, I just realized that, having sold off a bunch of WWII stuff recently, I created some holes in my USMC order of battle, which I remedied this morning by putting in a quick order with Pendraken. Amongst other things (for other projects, which I'll post soon), I ordered my Marines a couple M-3 Stuarts and some 37mm ATGs, and got the Japanese a 70mm howitzer and a Type 97 tank.

The Marine command stand (top right, with three figures), bazookas (top left), and a couple rifle stands (bottom). Very simple paintjobs, but I think effective, working for Guadalcanal USMC and US Army throughout the Pacific War. At some point I'll have to re-do the helmets for the Marines, putting the 'brown-side out' helmet covers on them, but if I put them back plain green like this I think I could use them as ARVN, as well.

The Ma Deuce!

Japanese Platoon Commanders and rifle stands.

And how 'bout some tanks? To see a bunch more pics, please check the blog at:
link

This all feeds into my WWII in the Pacific blog:
oldleadbreed.blogspot.com

Before I can get to the invasion of Guadalcanal (7 August 1942), I've got to play a bunch more dogfights: the Army squadron fighting from Australia and moving up to New Guinea, and the Navy squadron fighting through the Coral Sea and Midway. But I'm working up to it, so stick with me!

My next post will be on Monday, back over on Cuba Libre, more modern dogfighting over the skies of South Leon.

V/R,
Jack

Digging those marines Jack

Thanks, Javier!

It's been a long time! I hope all is well, hope you're still gaming with the little one.

V/R,
Jack

Just found this after your post about the 1/600 coastal naval forces post.

I look forward to reading some Guadalcanal AARs.

I seriously considered going with 10mm scale for the Pacific War ground forces, but went with 15mm because the vehicle and artillery selection is better, and I can find painted lots for sale. I still think 10mm is a better scale for what I want to do with them, and is a better match for all the 1/200 scale Pacific War aircraft I already have. <sigh> Maybe Pendraken will eventually produce all the landing craft, tanks and guns I want, and I can consider converting. They seem to be gradually filling in all the missing niches in 10mm, one rare period at a time.

- Ix

Yeah, you can get most stuff through Pendraken, and Minifigs UK has quite a selection as well. I'm willing to have M-3 Stuarts stand in for the M-2A1s, so the only thing I don't have that I wish I did is the half track with 75mm howitzer.

I'm hoping to play Coral Sea and Midway next weekend (this weekend is for KG Klink), then I can get to the Solomons, starting either with Gavutu-Tanambogo or Tulagi, then moving to the ‘Canal, get the Marine air in, play some cruiser actions, get the PT Boats in, should be a hoot.

V/R,
Jack