| FlyXwire | 24 Apr 2024 3:12 p.m. PST |
(4mm actually) There's an interesting board game currently on KickStarter called Forward Defense '85, that I'm planning to convert to 3D, so I can play it as a miniatures game. Starting with a new design slate, instead of doing the project in 3mm, I decided to up my scale to 4mm – 1/500th scale, to get the minis a little more visible on the battle board. Here's a T-72 and some BTR-60 units done so far (the game is a platoon-based system, with individual AFV/squad attrition). Kinda cool looking, maybe in a cute short of way. :)))
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| Captain Pete | 24 Apr 2024 5:08 p.m. PST |
Those look great, FlyXwire! Each unit is like a little diorama. |
Micman  | 24 Apr 2024 6:11 p.m. PST |
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| FlyXwire | 25 Apr 2024 4:44 a.m. PST |
Cpt. Pete and Micman, thanks for posting your impressions on these. The original intention was to have the mat and terrain above scale with 3mm WW2 minis, and it looks good to use with these slightly bigger moderns too (so happy for that). |
| FlyXwire | 05 May 2024 7:35 a.m. PST |
Here's a little more WIP on my Forward Defense '85 3D project.
I'm including 4 vehicles on one stand from each tank, or motorized rifle company, to reflect the additional 'HQ' vehicle in those formations. I believe the upcoming game rules will allow for Soviet platoons of 4 vehicles also. Having a few 4-vehicle tank stands can also allow for the larger organizational size of supporting tank companies within the Soviet Motorized Rifle Divisions (which had 4-tank platoons, and 13-tank companies). |
| FlyXwire | 07 May 2024 5:22 a.m. PST |
Some shallow storage boxes I've been saving till now for small scale stuff – *Battalions In A Box* – the BMP company on the right recently completed.
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| FlyXwire | 09 Apr 2025 7:09 a.m. PST |
…..and Forward Defense '85 was a successful KS campaign project subsequently, and has been received by gamers now as a good board game design - link |
| Captain Pete | 09 Apr 2025 12:29 p.m. PST |
Once again, FlyXwire, the terrain and minis look excellent and work well together. Your work is always a visual delight. |
| FlyXwire | 09 Apr 2025 1:51 p.m. PST |
I appreciate that very much Pete. Just got back from a hike this afternoon, where I do some of my best hobby thinking – and thought, wouldn't it be cool if I could find one of Gene McCoy's Wargamer's Digest scenarios to premier with these '80's era units! I remember his magazine article on the US Army's Dunn Kempf training rules, and that maybe there was a map included with it, or in a follow-on issue….. Going to check what I can find (and any member help here always appreciated too). Just think this would be a neat approach to introducing this Cold War Gone Hot stuff here – as a "Remember Wargamer's Digest, well today here on the battle board, we'll fight……" Found the issue on Dunn Kempf – and the map – but the scenario a bit too early for my collection. PDF link |
| FlyXwire | 16 Apr 2025 8:30 a.m. PST |
Progress! (M113 Platoon bases are 3 inches wide, for using with a 1" = 100m game scale)
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| FlyXwire | 18 Apr 2025 12:18 p.m. PST |
The 11th Cavalry has arrived!
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 Dye4minis | 21 Aug 2025 9:40 p.m. PST |
Was at the Leavenworth Gamers group last Saturday (16 August 25) where Mr. Dunn (not the same guy as one of the developers) set up 6 of the 2 by 4 foot boards and put on a game with GHQ Micro Armor. I shot a few pics but am having problems transferring from my phone to a medium I can post to TMP.
Had a really great time and schmoozed with quite a few folks I had not seen in over decade. The event was held in a renovated train station now a community center that was worth the trip from Denver by itself for the historical story behind it.. Mr. Dunn said he also had many more of the now discarded scenery boards at his home. The buildings were (by necessity for the army) wooden blocks with 90 degree triangles for roofs and all unpainted. (Authenticity to the original sets?) A wonderful group of fellow gamers! |
| FlyXwire | 22 Aug 2025 4:42 a.m. PST |
Tom, sounds like quite the experience, on a lot of levels. The Cold War has passed into "history" now, and lets us look back with maybe even better appreciation of the times, certainly than if it had gone Hot! It probably makes for an even better hobby topic now too (for a gaming revisit). |
takes 
