"Small Improvements - for those 3mm stands" Topic

Guys,

Sometimes you just want to dabble, to see if you can improve something you've already made.

Here's some of my 3mm WW2 units, that were mounted on clear plastic bases to let the game mat's background show through -

The latest tweak here, glued printed backgrounds directly underneath the bases, added tufts on top, and painted their edges – it's helped cut down on the "prism-effect" and reflection that occurs at certain light angles too.

I think they're looking better……?

Definitely an improvement – I was always put off by what you call the prism effect.

It looks a lot better now. Well done.

Billy and Cavcmdr, thanks for your feedback guys!

One interesting thing I've noticed – there seems to be an enhanced shadow effect reflected down onto the background texture now – maybe an optical illusion, but the models seem to stand out more now.

I think they do look better as well, FlyXwire. I have not been sold on clear plastic bases vs. textured solid bases but I think this is a very good compromise. It should definitely keep the glare down but still blend in.

When I do my basing when needed, I use the same flocking or texturing I used for my terrain so that it blends in better.

There is no right or wrong here but just a matter of preference

Thanks Pete!

I think there's enough bases in this 3mm collection to leave a good portion of them to use on snow mats, and I might just upgrade those only with white edging on their sides to start with (but that's way down the road yet).

TF Palmer –> AMBUSH

WIP as this 3mm kit comes together for some Epic WW2 action -

I like the look of those, FlyXwire!

Really appreciate your feedback Capt. Pete (figure I'm on the right track here).

I'll get some game pics up when the first action is fought in a couple weeks, which will have a reinforced US tank battalion (Combat Command level) driving for a river crossing.

With two game boards prepared – for both Eastern and Western Fronts – the goal is to run two missions in tandem, on a joined set of tables, using these moderate-size 4ft. X 4ft. mats.

The local guys have voiced their desire to play these ops 1 versus 1, and the games could also be played with a couple players versus the GM (hey, I want to play this stuff too!). ;)

Thinking this will be a neat package set, and good for conventions also – accessible, on intimate table space, offering combined-arms fighting over multiple towns and terrain typical on a battlefield sector representing a half-dozen klics or so……..Epic WW2.

I tried clear bases many years ago, and for me the reflection issue was the show-stopper. I wanted to see the table beneath through the base. But at game time what I usually saw was the lights overhead glaring off of the base.

I wonder how well your printed-terrain-on-the-bottom does in terms of reflecting the overhead lights. Does the surface reflect less?

I will offer the observation that, to my eye at least, it makes the models look taller. The shadow beneath the models aggregates with the size of the model to make it look like each figure or each vehicle is as tall as the model PLUS as tall as the thickness of the base.

Still, I very much like the total effect of the units and the game board. As you say, "combined-arms fighting over multiple towns and terrain typical on a battlefield sector representing a half-dozen klics or so". To my thinking, that's the path to gaining genuine insight into how WW2 battles took place.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Hi Mark!

Well, the reflection on these is improved, but it's still there at certain angles, but much better than before.

The little shapes exude an almost jewel-like quality now – like prehistoric insects caught in amber (being 3mm, close to insect-like to start with). :)))

Here's a low-res pic of this Western Front sector map, and there's a big ridge that runs from the bottom of the map 3/4 of the way up towards the river, which dominates and bisects the battlefield. The Americans will attack with two Task Forces down two of the four road options headed towards a river crossing.

That town pic above is the one located on the right side of the map (it sits along the finger of dominating ground).

"To my thinking, that's the path to gaining genuine insight into how WW2 battles took place."

Well said Mark, well said.

Speaking of US Combat Commands – here's a link to download a PDF of the Military Review Journal, the February 1946 issue, for an article that reviews the common forms the American Armored Divisions utilized their Combat Commands in the field during WWII (article starting on page 11) – the download icon located upper right corner on the linked page below -

link

In the meantime on the Eastern Front [mat], Soviet motorcycle recon in US Lend-Lease AFVs approach a soon-to-be liberated village, as they probe towards the enemy front lines -

These 3mm building sets are by Total Battle Miniatures, but have become a bit overgrown as they waited for me to finally get some new paint on them.

The Coming Sturm (pre-game pics for the Eastern Front scenario) -

I think the infantry stands look hugely better now.

I was hoping to post a separate AAR on my game here, but could only salvage a few pics from the day's action, because of such poor shop lighting.

The little kit looked sharp and played well, but I think expanding to multiple battalions/companies involved, and having air and arty support to manage too, exploded the combatants' capabilites.