After a top tip from David M. I had a crack at converting some Navwar Osa FAC models into something resembling a Komar FAC. This involved chopping off the aft section of the Osa then adding a new plastic card stern and missile rails, so nothing too complicated but still worthy off some colourful language. The end result is passable despite being aittle over length, so I might order some more of the Osa models to expand the Indonesian missile flotilla.
I downloaded a copy of Long Face Games Konfrontasi! campaign supplement for Find, Fix and Strike this morning. It's a really well thought out campaign system, with an emphasis on the political constraints for both sides which I think is a critical aspect of the conflict. There is well thought out and comprehensive campaign system to play through and a series of stand alone scenarios, most of which involve a small number of warships and aircraft, primarily based on strikes by Indonesian Komar FAC's or interdiction of attempted landings by Indonesian special forces. There are also some higher level scenarios featuring the heavy stuff including anti-shipping strikes by Tu-16's, for example, which allow use of some of the major warships including the carriers and guided missile destroyers. It's given me some ideas for a solo campaign of my own at some point, as I have a lot of what's needed apart from the Komars, a couple of carriers and the aircraft. Very good value too and well worth the price tag.
I was excited to learn that David Manley of Long Face Games has written a full campaign system for the Indonesian Confrontation, designed for Find, Fix and Strike. I've run my own solo campaign for this before using Naval Command, so have a lot of the models required and a good background grasp of the conflict, which will enable me to pick this up and run with it almost straight away. It's a fascinating subject and ideal for campaign purposes, as well as allowing for some iconic naval warships and aircraft to be deployed. Brilliant!
I've completed the repainting and refurbishment of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy ships for the Indonesian Confrontation reboot project. They look better now that the bases have been repainted and I have two additions to the fleet, HMS Zest and HMS Eagle. I still need to add a couple more models and obviously now need to paint some FAA aircraft for the carrier, but I'm moving on to something different for next month, as a break from painting 1/3000th scale bow waves and wakes, one of my least favourite things to do!
Some half decent progress with the RN and RAN repainting today, including painting up HMS Eagle and HMS Zest from scratch, including flight deck decals for the carrier from, no surprise, Flight Deck Decals. Superb quality as always, even when applied by a cack handed duffer like myself. Next up will be wakes and bow waves, then a shiny varnish for the bases and a couple of labels.
I'm now starting on the base repainting of the RN and RAN models for the Indonesian Confrontation reboot, the aim being for them to match the lighter blue of my sea terrain cloth. I've applied the basecoat and will do a dry brush and highlight tomorrow. I've also decided to finish two extra models, the fleet carrier HMS Eagle and the Type 15 frigate HMS Zest, both of which took part in the conflict. If I have time I'll also paint up the commando carrier HMS Albion, the light cruiser HMNZS Royalist and a couple of Ton class minesweepers.
The base repainting job on the 1/3000th scale Cold War Indonesian naval fleet is now complete, taking far less time and effort than I thought. I was expecting to have to replace the base labels and tidy up the models but it all went smoothly without any need to do any additional fettling. It's now on to the Royal Navy, with a handful of extra models possibly making it onto the workbench as I go along.
I found a surplus Davco model of a Dido class light cruiser in my WW2 stash while searching for something else, so had a go at a very basic conversion into a modernised version, to represent the obsolescent HMNZS Royalist. This involved straightening and reprofiling the stacks, removing the QF 5.25-inch C turret and rounding the corners of the bridge, with a few tweaks here and there. It's far from accurate but will do the job, giving me a New Zealand contingent for the Indonesian Confrontation naval project re-boot.
I made a start on the repainting of the bases for my Cold War Indonesian naval fleet today, blocking in with a basecoat of Vallejo Prussian Blue. This wasn't as fiddly or as messy as I thought it would be, so I had time to paint up two of the LST bases to a finish, to test out the rest of the process. Although I faffed about with the bow wave and wake a bit, they turned out looking acceptable, so I will crack on with the rest of the fleet after the weekend. If this works well, I'll follow on with the RN, RAN and RNZN, adding a few extra models that I didn't paint the first time around.
I've realised I only have a week or so left of holiday time to try and get something sorted, so instead of starting on the WW1 Ottoman fleet, I'm going to focus on the sea base refurbishment that I originally planned to do. Also, rather than starting with the War of the Pacific collection, I'm going to tackle the less fiddly and more straightforward 1/3000th scale Indonesian Confrontation RN and IN warships instead. These were painted a few years ago with a dark blue mix using Foundry Union Blue, which I'm going to replace with Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue, which is a much better match for my sea cloth. I'll have to do this without removing the models from the bases but will replace the labels afterwards. I might even add a couple of models to the RN fleet, or some more aircraft, if I have the time.
I have a couple of weeks of holiday time left and will be back home, so I am going to refurbish my 1/2400th scale Chilean and Peruvian ships by repainting the bases to match my sea cloth. When I painted these a few years ago I made them too dark and I've never been happy with the end result. It's something I've done before with other fleets and although a bit fiddly, I'll be able to make greater use of them afterwards. If I have time, I'm also going to refurbish my Cold War Indonesian Confrontation 1/3000th scale warships to use with the recently published supplement for Find, Fix and Strike.
I've not visited this for ages but am now feeling itchy, so will dig out what I've done thus far for a timely review. The original project was set in an alternative post-colonial Aden style location but I have considered shifting it to East Africa and even bigging it up to 28mm, using the outstanding terrain modules that I was gifted by wargaming chum Jon Ward. This would use either Commando Miniatures or Eureka Miniatures but it's a bit of a jump up and very much a peripheral option....
...off in another tangent again but at least it's one I've charted before!
