GHQ Models Forums

Based on GHQ's latest message on the Wermacht 47 line, it sounds like they've already invested serious bucks in the project and it's a done deal. Since Sci-Fi is very popular, hopefully this expansion into the fantasy market will work out (hey, if it can fund development of their historical lines, I guess I'm for it!) I guess I just never imagined GHQ competing with Dream Pod 9! (Maybe GHQ can save some time and scale down the existing GearKrieg molds?)

In the meantime, with the upcoming release of destroyed middle eastern buildings and vehicles such as MRAPs, some of you interested in current and highly probable near-future wargaming might need some middle eastern civilian militia figures (ie the ones who have been actually fighting in the middle east among those destroyed buildings and who precipated the need for MRAPs.)

Last night I took an Xacto blade to some GHQ Bush Warrior figures and the results are not that bad! Of all the modern infantry figures the Bush Warriors are the "cleanest" with little extra equipment (eg no backpacks and helmets.)

So, for modern middle easter civilians using GHQ Bush Warriors, here's what you do:

1. Trim the hat/beret to make the figure look bare-headed. This was easier with the caps but still do-able with the barets. You may need to file the head to a rounder shape but I was able to do it with the Xacto alone.

2. Trim off the canteen/hip pack found on most figures such as the riflemen. This is really easy and fast, but be careful about the pressure applied. Otherwise you can weaken the figure by bending it at the ankles.

3. Many figures have a large knife/bayonet on their belt, but on most of the poses you can probably leave this on/paint over it. Sticklers for detail may want to file it down and/or patch over it with green stuff.

You're done! I haven't painted them yet, but the bare castings look pretty good. At this scale, painted in civilian clothing colors (including head scarves) I think this should work for any civilian militia types (Mid-east, North Africa, etc.).

I need to order some more bases from Litko and then base/paint a bunch of these. I'll post photos when they're done (it takes Litko a couple of weeks+ to deliver an order), but the bare casting really do look promising. These figures already have the requisite AK-47 and RPGs, so this should work pretty well.

Tim

PS I highly recommend Litko bases. You can get any size/shape in a variety of thickness for a very reasonable price. I order my with rounded corners and really like the effect.

Timothy OConnor wrote:Last night I took an Xacto blade to some GHQ Bush Warrior figures and the results are not that bad! Of all the modern infantry figures the Bush Warriors are the "cleanest" with little extra equipment (eg no backpacks and helmets.)

So, for modern middle easter civilians using GHQ Bush Warriors, here's what you do:

Wouldn't the Mujahadeen figures make a better starting point?

Not meaning to dis-agree with your posting. I don't yet have either set of figures, so I am not familiar with them beyond the pictures on this site. So I have no first-hand knowledge. Only interest.

If I were to get active doing moderns again, Middle East / North African figures would be high on my to-find list. So I am interested in approaches to make what can't be bought.

Great minds think alike, so I can see why you might think that at first blush and maybe a mix would be a good idea.

But the Muj figures have a very "mountain tribal" dress about them. Take out the AK-47s and replace with Martini-Henrys and they'll work for colonials!

But Iraqi and Hamas insurgents dress in modern blue jeans and dress shirts which looks more like the Bush Warrior figures. The biggest distinction is, in some cases, the traditional head scarf which can probably be painted on.

And the muj figures have very distinct head dress which is really not "arab" in nature. Definitely more central Asian.

At first glance it looked too hard to remove the Muj hat but I'll give it a try tonight. If it works a mix of figures would certainly look more "motley" which is even better for militia.

Any other ideas for other AK-47 armed figures? I have Muj and Bush Warriors but no Vietnam figures. Maybe their hats would be easy to remove too?

It worked! They sort of look like guys with their shirt tails hanging out due to the traditional shirt design. They should mix well together.

Pictures Tim Pictures

Hi,
I have no doubt that the russian figures would work too for this purpose, and also some of the others nations available for modern games. It's only a matter of patience .
It's nice to see the number of 6mm true believers rising
Cheers,
Vdmfighter

Woohoo! Litko sent an e-mail saying my new bases have shipped (THAT order took some serious time, but Litko bases are well worth the wait! And they're very nice people...I've messed up sizes a couple of times and they rapidly correct the order info.)

Anyway, expect photos next week as I should be able to finish up over the coming weekend.

Tim

Tim, make sure to get some 'before' pictiures without paint - it really helps to see what work you have done.

Troy