Painted Bosnian/Croatian soldiers with M56 Helmets from Elhiem

While I've been enjoying the 3rd Coldplay album, X&Y (which I got in the mail a few days ago), I've also been painting those Yugoslav Wars soldiers

Really good album, one of their best in my opinion.

Anyway, here's the fireteam as a whole.

Sergeant Helmitavic looking good in his camo.

Corporal Kovac is actually the only "Bosnian" in this fireteam. I painted the Bosnian Fleur-De-Lise on his shoulders and the front of his helmet. The others (aside from the one below) are non-biased and don't have a set side.

This guy is a Croat. If you can see, I've painted the Croatian šahovnica on his helmet (on the other side as well). 

And this guy in full camo.

My Bosnian/Croatian force is up to 8 troops. I should be getting more in the future, so stay tuned!

A preview of Elhiem's East German fireteam

Today was my first day of school, which I'd rate it a 8/10. A big thanks to the Peer Leaders of Belfast Area High School (along with the teachers) for their help for the freshman's first day! Making the whole first day thing less sucky and confusing.
Ah, anyway, when I got home I opened the mailbox to find my Elhiem East German firesquad there, so I brought them in and prepped them for their photo debut. Enjoy!

The fireteam from the C/O to the second-in command, to the other 2 men (how I usually do it).

The fireteam leader. We'll call him, "Sergeant Bob Helmitavic"

Sergeant Helmitavic's second in command, Corporal Csaba Kovac (alright, enough of the naming, I only tend to name the ones in command).

A look at the equipment they've got on their backs (you should be able to zoom in).

Here they are with spackling on their bases, which is how I base them now.

I like their helmets, the M56 is actually one of my favorites, but Ben of Ben's Soldiers disagrees. Ah well. These probably wouldn't suit Serbs, but rather Bosnians and Croats partially because of the helmet, which I don't think was used by Serbia.
I should have these painted up rather soon, I'll make sure to do paint them before school gets to hectic. Stay tuned!

Once in a blue moon...

Even though the 31st was the Blue Moon, which we'll get in another 3 years or so, last I performed at the Mermaid Inn in nearby Searsport.
My friend James video taped it, but sadly I can't upload it (I did covers of "In My Place" and a few others).
Anyway, a few days ago I ordered another set from Elhiem. It's the new East German riflemen in M56 Helmets, setting up for my Siege of Mostar game.

Very high quality.

 I should be getting these sometime this week. Stay tuned!

West German test miniatures

I started figuring out the painting scheme for the West German Army, which is a project I intend to carry out soon. (Also the British Army, Elhiem just released a BAOR set, so I'll definitely be picking those up when I get the extra coin).
I used an extra Elhiem figure, which I was intending to use for the Norwegians, but since I've got a company of them, I'll start working on the West Germans.

An anti-aircraft missile firer. I don't really know what shade of grey I used for the uniform, I just took a little bottle of grey paint, spread that out and decided that it looked good.

I have made the decision to cover my table with one colour of static grass, buying grass mats for it after that. Oh, and I've decided that I'll be sticking with the 20mm Cold War thing!

A Winter's Day, in a deep and dark December...

Ah, quoting I am a Rock, my favourite "feeling down" song by my boys Simon and Garfunkel. With the new miniatures, I've started building up my US Forces, and I've decided that they don't really have to be a specific unit, just a generic infantry unit. Well, I've almost built up a rifle company, and 3 other companies are soon to follow, building up about a battalion or so. I've got my rifle company, an anti-armour company, a reconnaissance company and 2 platoons of Light Machine Guns. I've considered augmenting them into my recon company, but I haven't decided yet. Anyhow, let's get to the miniatures I painted over the weekend, shall we?

So you can see I've switched back to the old tiles (no, the soldiers shown in the picture are NOT doing battle, their Allies, sheesh).

Starting with the so-far third Canadian I've painted. I've decided to give all of the Canadians the same type of helmet camo as the Americans.

The Elhiem support gunner with an M60.

Another by Liberation Miniatures (sorry for the blur).

And the grenadier, which I've put in the anti-armour company (though grenadiers can't attack tanks, only infantry, anti-tankers can't attack infantry, so the grenadiers are their body guards, if you will).

Though the picture is sideways, this is another Norwegian.

That's all for now, but I'll be putting more on very soon.

Painting NATO: Part 3

I painted more Americans (I'm going to cool it on the Canadians for right now), which I've decided that they belong to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, but I can switch them around a little. Anyhow, I painted another Norwegian, and it's starting to look good for NATO.

Here they are just before I put the tiles back on the table (I did that after taking the pictures).

A soldier carrying an M16A1. This one is from Platoon 20. 

Probably my least-favourite one of the bunch, the one from Elhiem. Don't like this one, but it had to be done...

Here's one from Liberation. I think I'm getting the hang of painting the Vietnam-Era US soldiers (even though Standoff: Cold War takes place after Vietnam).

The first Grenadier I've ever had to paint. I was considering painting a heart tattoo on his left shoulder, but then I decided that the idea was kaput.

And finally the Norwegian, which is using the Pakistani set from Elhiem.

I am going to be taking a vacation for a little while, but I may put on some "Tchotchke Posts" of the random stuff outside miniatures that I do. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!!!

Elhiem West German Support Group

In addition to the riflemen, I also got a support group. However, because I feel nice, I'm going to upload some pictures of some Elhiem Pakistanis, which I will be using for West German riflemen.

Here they are!

Holding the MG3.

A Panzerfaust, maybe?

Now onto the Pakistanis. I chose them to be with the West Germans due to their equipment similarities. I can already see them kicking Commie butt in the field!

That's all for now. Future sets to come soon...

Elhiem West Germans

Here are some Elhiem West German Riflemen that I got a little while ago. Enjoy!

The 3 West German riflemen, 1 platoon and 1 left over.

My favourite pose, let's name him...Pte. Rosenberg