On 11 March, in Indianapolis, IN, five boxes of 25mm figures and 10 boxes of a 1/300 terrain model were taken from my Jeep Grand Cherokee while it was parked in front of my friend's home, extraordinary painter and 30mm Napoleonic wargamer Virginia Esten. Jinny introduced me to the classic 30mm scale of Napoleonic wargaming over 30 years ago. She is totally responsible for the large collection of 30mm Napoleonic figures I have amassed over the ensuing decades.
The loss of the figures in maddening, but nowhere near as distressing as the loss of the terrain model.
My company - Command Operations Center, LLC - works with the U.S. Military conducting Decision Making Simulations using 1/300 scale miniatures, as well as making terrain models in both 1/300 and larger scales. I have provided a picture of the Shugart Gordon facility (recently completed for Fort Polk) - that is also further illustrated on our website: commandoperationscenter.com - as a sample of the type of work we do.
There are also photos attached that illustrate the figure boxes, terrain model boxes, samples of some of the figures, as well as a couple of photos of some of the terrain model items taken... and samples of the type of model taken, when an actual picture of the hexes themselves was not available.
All 20 hexes placed together are of a road through forested hilly terrain leading to a portion of the Shugart Gordon facility, as well as the primary LZ for the same facility that lies between the main access road and the buildings (called the soccer field).
My associates and I spent the last 6 months building the model that was taken. As noted above, it was designed to tie-in portions of the Fort Polk facility to any of our miniature simulations (Bosnia/Iraq), providing access to a live-fire MOUT facility. In training, this type of simulation cuts costs considerably.
We have conducted several of our simulations for wargame conventions in the midwest. Those of you who have participated know the level of detail contained within our terrain models and the games that use and surround them.
I know it may be a small thing, but there were over 600 hand-made trees built just for this model. Any of you who wargame know what it's like to spend hours building trees, working with the foam, painting, flocking, detailing, etc... so I am sure you understand our frustration.
Police reports were filed, as well as an insurance claim, and we are also offering a reward of $1,000 USD to the person who provides information that leads to the recovery of these items.
We would happily return any funds generated by the insurance company for the terrain model, if any are provided... to recover the model and/or figures.
Any help would be appreciated
