20mm Paper Buildings: Falklands Campaign

 

Here are some of the Falkland's paper buildings that I have been working on.

 

All are made from foam core board and have the color exterior 'skins' glued to the outside. All of them have removable roofs and some have 2nd story floors added.

 

 

 

Governor's House Complex buildings.  

  Malo Top House

 

Stanley Church 

Main Street Tavern 

Shanty 

 House

 

Houses 

More Houses 

Shanties

(Can be useful in other modern games as well including those set in Iraq, Afghanistan, and others.)

More Shanties.

Battle at Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands, April 2, 1982

The Battle at Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands, April 2, 1982

 

The Argentinian Forces deployed on the Islands the night of April 1-2, 1982.  One of the main goals was to capture the Government complex in Stanley. (See the dashed red circle and flag, map above)

 

The first Argentinian assault was launched at 6:30am local time. Armored/amphibious infantry traveled through Stanley and up the main road towards to Government House Complex on the hill. (from the right on the map)

The second Argentinian assault, to support the 1st assault, was launched from the southwest, coming up and over a rocky and mostly barren hill to surprise any engaged UK forces from the rear.

(and it worked.)   

 

 

The Government House Complex in the game.  A contingent of over 30 UK Royal Marines were stationed here to protect the governor.  The marines were strategically placed around the complex to defend it against attack.
(Notice the British vehicles in the compound, including the Governors Black car.)

 

 

The Argentinian 'Elite' Infantry make their way through the streets of Stanley approaching the Governor's House road.

The approach up the hill towards the Government House Complex.

 

Royal Marines hidden in cover unleash an AT round at the approaching AMTRAK, loaded with a squad of elite Argie Infantry. So much for the first wave.

 

 

Elite Argie Infantry decide to move back down the hill and regroup after taking heavy fire from the Complex.

 

Regrouped, the Argie infantry advances up the hill again, but first shooting some smoke to cover their advance.   

 More smoke as additional mobile infantry is brought up the hill.  The UK Marines retreat back towards the Governor's House and take up new positions there. A later attack from behind the Governor's house will split the UK Marines and slowly reduce their fire power until they surrender.

 

The Royal Marines inflicted much heavier casualties during the game than the actual battle.

 

...next up will be the Battle of Goose Green and the Skirmish at Malo Top House.

 

Falkland Islands: Argentinean Forces, 20mm modern

I don't have any 'real' Argentinean miniatures, but these will have to do for now.  They can also double as Cuban elite/marines for a future Grenada game or any other modern, Central or South American disturbance that I create.  The metal miniatures are part of the 'Merc' line of miniatures from Stan Johansen Miniatures.

Since my AA7V, from Dragon Models, doesn't have any US markings on it, it is on loan to the Argentinean forces to patrol Goose Green or any other small Falkland hamlet.  I still need to find at least one AML-90 Panhard Armored Car for the Argentineans' use .

We'll call these 'Echo' Company.  They have a typical olive drab uniform, web gear, blue berets, and a mix of weapons.  They can easily serve with just about any army, including Argentina, Cuba, Russia, and even the U.N.

 A close up of the 'Blue Berets'.

We'll call these 'Foxtrot' Company. They have a typical 3-color, tiger stripe camo uniform, olive green web gear, black berets, and a mix of weapons. I thought it was just a cool camo scheme and came out good for 20mm figures.

 A close up of the 'Black Berets'.

 We'll call these 'Gamma' Company. They have a typical 4-color, Russian camo uniform, olive green web gear, green berets, and a mix of weapons.  Again, they will serve proudly under some unfortunate dictator.

 A close up of the 'Green Berets'.

U.K. Forces in the Falklands, part 2.

I've been busy painting and flocking bases, so now my Falkland Island troops are done for the moment.

 Here's all the firepower I have so far.  The two harriers will come in handy for close ground support.   

I finally added a camo paint job to the U.K. Scimitar.  I have another U.K. Scorpion kit to put together for the rest of the British Armor support. 

I touched up the figures, gave them some drybrushing, and flocked the bases.

They are ready for duty.

U.K. Forces in the Falklands

Here are a few pictures of my British forces currently in various stages of construction and painting for  a future Falkland Islands campaign.

Two 'cheap, plastic toy' Harriers with a great paint job to hide the fact. They came out much better than I had anticipated. They are so close to 1/72 scale, it's not even funny.

A little bit more painting of details to go. I was even able to easily remove the canopies and paint the cockpit and pilot. However, these toys came 'unarmed', so later I will need to add some rocket pods with the appropriate assortment of armaments.

Off to their mission...and some painting touch-ups and a clear coat. 

All of the British forces I have so far..in their various stages of painting. Harrier jets (rear), Scimitar light tank (center), and infantry (front).

 British infantry almost done.  Still need to detail and flock the bases.

Here's a mortar team to support the infantry.

I still need to acquire some British infantry in helmets, finish building a Scorpion light tank, and put the final touches on a British transport Helicopter.  

Cheap flight stands for your 20mm aerial vehicles

I think I accidentally found an inexpensive way to display my 20mm (1/72nd) helicopters and aircraft on the gaming table. It should also work for other scales as well including 15mm, 10mm, and etc.  (Probably not so good for larger, 28mm or 1/43rd scale aircraft.)

When I run 20mm games (Modern, Vietnam, WWII), I prefer to have aircraft that can be brought onto the table, even if for the brief moment that it affects the board of play.

I was using a simple, bulky wood block (for stability) with a hole in it to hold an expandable, magnetic holder. (Used for picking up small, magnetic, metal parts)  However, I hate the look of it on the table.

My recent discovery uses the same magnetic 'wand' (about $2+ at most stores), but gets rid of the wood block.  In it's place is an inexpensive, short camera tripod with a screw attachment. (The one I found, I found at the Dollar Tree for $1.)

The camera tripod is on the left, the magnetic 'wand' is laying in front, and the two of them put together are on the right.   To connect them, I unscrew the end cap off of the wand and remove the pocket holder clip.  (Put it in your bit's box for other uses.) The remaining, threaded hole is too small for the tripod screw.  So, I drill out the hole so that it is slightly smaller than the screw.  I then firmly screw the tripod into the end of the wand, making my own thread grooves.  The hole could always be drilled larger, and simple glue or epoxy the screw into place. (Make sure the wand is extended so you don't accidentally glue the assembly closed.) The completed assembly can also be tilted slightly if desired, but because of the center of gravity, a vertical orientation is more desirable.

Because the 'wands' magnet is usually not too strong, I add a 3mm thick by 1/2" diameter 'super' magnet that I picked up at Michael's for about $4 (6 pack).  I have steel washers glued (CA glue) to the underside of all my aircraft to complete the assembly.

Here are some examples of my modern 20mm (1/72nd) aircraft up on their platforms.

Here's a diecast 'Forces of Valour' Blackhawk (L) and a plastic Apache Kit (R).

Here's the Apache at a declining, attack angle.

(Not recommended for most, but this is a lightweight plastic kit.)

Here's a diecast 'Forces of Valour' Desert Hawk (L) and a diecast 'Forces of Valour' Blackhawk (R).

Here's a diecast 'Forces of Valour' Desert Hawk (L) and the plastic Apache (R).

Here's a recently painted 'cheap, plastic toy' Harrier Jet (L) and a Blackhawk down on the deck (R).

Again, the Harrier Jet (L) and a diecast Predator Drone (R).

I can't forget about my A-10 Warthog! 

(This one took out a building and the Insurgents hiding inside, during close support of ground units.)

I also have an V-22 Osprey, but it's not pictured. Lastly, all of my Huey's are currently under construction to be used for the Vietnam games and other 1980's games such as the invasion of Grenada and etc.. 

(Yes, my games tend not to be too boring with these assets available.)