Military Abreviations and historical information.

[clarkkent_904]

My name is Kyle. I'm new to war gaming but not new to modeling. I've been building replica buildings for other scales (railroad and other applications) for quite some time. I am heavily engaged in pursuing miniature wargaming as my newest and most time consuming hoby. What I am looking for is websites having to do with modern armor, gun sizes, and other related historical text/photos. Hoping to tap into a wealth of knowledge here. Your input is very much appreciated.

[pmskaar]

Hi Kyle

My name is Pete Skaar aka "Binpicker" on this forum. I can't really give you the websites you are looking for - there are probably some others here that can hook you up on that.
I just wanted to let you know that I am in the Phoenix area - specifically Surprise. I don't know if you make it down here from time to time but I am looking at doing a WWII game here at Imperial Outpost games very soon. If you are interested let me know. Even if you don't want to play you are welcome just to have a chat. There are a couple other forum members that live down here as well and in Tucson. Have a great day!

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[JasonAfrika]

Maybe I can help a fellow Arizonian. www.army-guide.com-great site with very up to date info on armour, including inventories for each country. Next is www.fas.org-on the left bar click either US or Foreign weapons systems. This site has been around for years, a little dated but great photos and specs, also has great articles and links for modern wars. Lastly, www.wikipedia.com- yes, believe it or not this much maligned site has AWESOME and accurate(checked out with Jane's AFV Guide) info and pics of every weapon system ever invented . From WWI to the present, from tanks and AFV to aircraft. I have been a student of modern African wars for over 20 years and I must say that they cover some really obscure conflicts and the info measures up to all the scholarly and government publications that I have on the those topics. Type in Artillery as a key word and you'll get everything from siege mortars to field guns to AAA. Type in tanks as a keyword or AFV. Hope this helps, good luck.
P.S. Take up Pete on his offer to come down and game with him, he is a great guy, extremely knowledgeable about WWII, and one of the best painters ever. Hi Pete, Happy Holidays!!!
Jason "Afrika" Chandler, AZ

[clarkkent_904]

Thank you both for your timely response. I very much apreciate your willingness to share experience and knowledge. I would love to game with you pete, especially to gain insight into methods and gameplay, yet I have very little free time. Work sucks up most of my time. I do however wish to maintain communication with those willing to educate. I have one question at this point pertaining to storage of infantry bases. What do you do to store/transport your infantry in a way that keeps them from rubbing on anything? The armor is a diffrent story. Bunker boxes are an obvious solution and I actually use a multi foam layered tool box for my armor. Your time is valuable to me.

Thanks,

[JasonAfrika]

Altoid tins work great, I have dozens of them filled with hundreds of infantry bases. I use 3 men to represent a squad so I put them on 5/8 X 1/2 inch sheet plastic. I can fit 20 bases in one Altoids tin. What's also cool is if you buy the different flavors you get different colored tins, gold, white red, etc. I also glue a thin piece of foam to the inside of the lid which further protects the figures (just use the piece that comes with all GHQ infantry packs. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Jason

[bejart7092]

For storage, I glue soft packing foam across the bottom of Avery mailing label boxes. They're perfect for stacking and are pretty sturdy. Of course, it helps to work in or have access to a large office so you can get the discarded boxes rather than buying them yourself.

For travel, I've found Army Transport bags useful, if expensive. They can be found here:
http://www.saboldesigns.net/home.html

Hope this helps.
Bill
http://www.freewebs.com/gupiao/

[pmskaar]

Hi Kyle and Jason

To my fellow Arizonans. Thanks very much for the very nice compliments there Jason. I hope we can get together soon to do some gaming - maybe the Saturday between Christimas and New Years. Kyle, if there is anything I can help you with let me know. If you do get the chance to come down to the valley let me know. Have a very merry Christmas.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[Luca]

Hi, This is a nice site. Unfortunately no photos, but lots of technical drawings taken from FM. Maybe you can print the side view of the vehicle and stick it to the storage box that contains that vehicle.

http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/index.html#tank

And this has some similar technical drawing on WW2 vehic.

http://www.onwar.com/tanks/

Marry Christmas! L.

[clarkkent_904]

Pete "Binpicker"

Thanks for your invite. According to "Afrika" you're an amazing miniatures painter. I'd be greatful to reap any of the advice you'd be willing to sew regarding airbrushing. I asume, perhaps incorectly, that you do quite a bit of your painting with an airbrush. I have, in the past, done all my painting with a brush. Bought an airbrush (Badger single-action, internal mix) and was told not to buy an airbrush specific compressor, but rather to adapt my garage compressor (regulator and hose fitting). I am currently employing a can of propellant, but don't want to long term. Any thoughts? What do you do? Where would I buy those items other than on line? Last question this time... Paints. What kind of paints can I use with my airbrush? Is Acrylic taboo? any particular care instructions?

Once again. I value all the aid I recieve from veteran war gamers like yourself, and eagerly await your response.

[CA-68]

I thinks i can help with a couple of the painting questions!
A far as a propellant source, ANYTHING is better than cans of propellant! They are expensive, the pressure changes as they get cold, and they simply dont last long enough. I have a small "hobby" compressor as well as a portable air tank (the kind you use to inflate flat tires) and both work rather well. The hobby compressor is quiet, and supplies a reasonably constant pressure. If i were painting something large (like 1/48 scale aircraft, perhaps) i would want something more controllable, but it works more than fine for my modeling, wargaming minis, and even my HO scale railroad cars and buildings.
I use a double action internal mix Paasche, and i use acrylics all the time with it. The Model Master and Polly Scale paints (Polly S is probably my favorite brand of paint) spray very well and i have no troubles with the airbrush clogging (i also keep mine very very clean, clean!)
Tamiya acrylics....uuurgh i have a love-hate relationship with them. They cover well, are probably the most durable acrylic finish ive found, and can plug an airbrush in a jiffy. Thin them well and make sure to clean IMMEDIATELY, as they dry much much faster than other acrylics.
As far as components to hook your airbrush up to an air compressor ( a big one) any craft supply shop, car parts store, and certainly large hardware stores (Home Depot etc) should have the regulator, moisture trap, and fitting youll need.
The nice thing about my little hobby compressor, as an afterthought, is that its QUIET.

[clarkkent_904]

Hey, everyone. I've been busy with work but also building terain and painting my minis as I have time. Pete. With your knowledge... How do I apply what I've heard to be a "black wash..."

On a seperate note, a buddy of mine and two of my brothers have been colecting along with me and we plan to have our first trial run skirmish this coming weekend.

Awaiting your response.

Kyle