First look at the future Vietminh packs

Just in time to put under the Christmas tree... at least in virtual form ;-) here is the first look at the future Vietminh release by the ever talented, but still overwhelmed, Paul Hicks :-))

We hope to have them cast up, with the rest of them (command and heavy weapons), as soon as possible.

Bush hats and Bigeard caps by Andy

While we are still waiting for our first Vietminh (pleeeaaaase Mister Hicks it’s nearly Christmas ;)) ), here some more nice painting by Andy, this time some figures in bush hats and Bigeard caps.

If I found the time, I will also try to post a review of the Paris exposition about Indochina that I have had the chance too see a few weeks ago...

Some more pictures

I have finally found the time to finish the painting of our first batch of figures. I am mostly happy with the result. They will be on show at Crisis 2013 in Antwerp on Novembre 2nd on our demo table there (table 5A07). Empress Miniatures will sell our figures at their stand nearby (5a08).

Here some pictures, more later... when I get the time :-)

A major exhibition in Paris on Indochina from 1856 to 1956.

Not to be missed if you have the opportunity to go through Paris between 16 October 2013 and 26 January 2014, the Army Museum is organizing a major exhibition entitled "Indochina: territories and people 1856-1956" .

This exhibition explores for the first time 100 years of French military presence in Indochina, from conquest to decolonization, crossing histories of France, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. More than 300 pieces to discover over a chronological, thematic and educational course permitting all ages to understand this complex and rich colonial history.

More info (in French) at Expo Indochine

The death of one of the last "great men"

General Vo Nguyen Giap, the ruthless but brilliant military strategist, hero of the Vietnamese independence struggle, died on October 4th aged 102.
Regardless of any political opinion, Giap was certainly one of the very greatest figures of the 20th century and especially of the anti-colonial struggles. This self-taught soldier attained almost mythical status after securing victory over the French at Dien Bien Phu in May 1954, the battle that provoked the withdrawal of the French from their old colony, and then masterminded the fight against the US until the fall of Saigon in April 1975. His guerrilla tactics inspired anti-colonial fighters worldwide.

Photo tutorial: painting the US Marine Corps paratroopers jump smock and the French colonial paratroopers jump trousers

I just finished another small tutorial on how to paint the US Marine Corps paratroopers jump smock and the French colonial paratroopers jump trousers.

The acrylic paints come mostly from the Game Workshop range with some Vallejo one.

First step

The base colours

GW Ogryn Camo for the vest and Loren Forest for the trousers

2nd Step

The webbing, straps, etc (see previous tutorials)

3nd Step

Green camo spots

GW Loren Forest

4th Step

Brown camo spots

GW Gorthor Brown

5th Step

Brown Wash

GW Agrax Earth shade

6th Step

Highlight

with some of the base colors

Base done

Nice and easy ;-)

News heads available

I forget to tell it on the Blog, but I suppose that most of you already now that our 2 new heads sets are now available for a few weeks at the price of 3€ per set:

DBP heads C - heads in bush hats

DBP heads D - heads in Bigeard caps

They really give a lot of options and character to our figures.

Photo tutorial: painting the British windproof vest and trousers

I have just finished a small tutorial, Andy's style, on how to paint the famous British windproof (BW) vest and trousers.
Not as nice as Andy's original tutorial, but I hope you like it.

The acrylic paints come mostly from the Game Workshop range with some Vallejo one.

We will only detail here the painting for the BW namely the trousers of the first figure, and the vest and trousers ensemble for the second one.

First step

The base colours

GW Karak Stone

2nd Step

The webbing, straps, etc

some variations here as I use alternatively GW Tallarn Sand or a more yellowish Vallejo Desert Yellow

3nd Step

Green camo spots

GW Loren Forest

4th Step

Brown camo spots

Vallejo Mahogany Brown

5th Step

Brown Wash

GW Agrax Earthshade

Base done

Finished and like Andy say "embarrassingly easy, but I like it this way" ;-)

New heads !

They are done. Paul has found the time to do is magic again. The 2 new sets of heads, one in Bigeard caps and the other in bush hats, are done and they are... SUPERB !

We will try to get them out from the mould as soon as possible.

Bye-bye to our Chechen War range

To allow us to devote all our time and resources available on our new range "Dien Bien Phu", we decide to "lighten us" by giving our first line of figures, "Chechen War," in the hands of our loyal British distributors Empress miniatures.

Empress Miniatures, notwithstanding being our exclusive distributor for the United Kingdom, is now the owner of this range, in which they will certainly infuse new life in the future.

"Chechen War" was our first range and as such we were very attached to it. It was a great experience for us and allowed us to learn a lot to do things better in the future. But our resources are definitively limited and we will now been able to concentrate exclusively on the "Dien Bien Phu" range, for which we have a lot of projects.

Thanks to all the people who have supported us so far and intend to doing it in the future.