Latest projects- simple trees; an orchards and a crazy bus

So just a few quick bits I have been working on recently including quick and cheap trees, and apple orchard and a bus for my central america project.

My first set of trees with a 28mm figure for scale.

I recently shared on Miniature Modeling Mayhem some of the trees I have been working on. I am not an expert on terrain, modeling or anything else really, but I thought I would give making some trees a shot. If I had the funds, I would love to just go out and buy some really good looking one. But since I would rather spend my funds on figures and the periods I have chosen to game require trees, lots and lots of trees, I had to learn to make something that was halfway real looking and could be done inexpensively yet still looked good enough for the table.

I started out by searching in the craft shops for suitable dried or fake foliage that looked like trees. That was harder than it sounds until I found a package of something just called Naturals at a Michael's Craft Store. I have no idea what plant these come from, but they work great. I won't write out every little step here, to make it easier you can just watch the video I posted. Hope this helps you.

Here are my trees after I used sanded tile grout to make the trunks and ground.

 Here is the video on how I made them:

Apple Orchard:
I have also been busy making an apple orchard. I want to be able to use this for a variety of periods and scales so it is about halfway between 20mm-28mm.

Latin American buses:
If you are reading this, then you most likely know I am in the middle of creating a fictitious campaign based on a Central American drug cartel and their battle with both government and rebel forces. If you have ever traveled anywhere in Latin America you will know they love colorful buses. Preferably of the old yellow variety painted in crazy colors.

I recently found this gem in a toy shop and wish they had a few more. It might be a bit under scale for my 28mm central america stuff, closer for the 20mm stuff I do, but I think it will do the trick on the table. I can't wait to start painting it.

The Tonka school bus with a 28mm figure for scale.

Here are a few more pics I plan on using for reference and to kick my imagination.

Until next time. Carry on men.
-Bob

Finding ideas for modern wargame scenarios

 Much like in the scene above from the movie 'Wag the Dog', creating scenarios, especially for moderns, can come from a variety of sources and bits. Sometimes my modern scenarios are based on all factual, historical events. Sometimes they are a bit more imagi-Nation.

There is a small conflict flaring up again, an old holdout or hangover from the early 1990's in Nagorno Karabakh. Where you ask? Who is fighting? One group backed by Iran and one backed by Russia? Yes, all true.

I'll give you a very, very brief summary of the action. Between Armenia and Azerbaijan lies a contested territory controlled by an unrecognized state called the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). After World War I, Nagorno-Karabakh was caught between-and claimed- by two emerging nations, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Think Ottoman and Russian Empires, Nationalist parties and neighbors of Christian Armenians, Turkic Muslims and others. You get the point of this well rehearsed cauldron of animosity.

The original caption identifies these lads as "Armenian soldiers."

So fast forward to today and the information age. We are supplied with an almost endless stream of information, photographs and video from established news agencies as well as locals posting to social media sites. To the observant follower of military matters and history, this vast information can be a treasure trove for creating scenarios. I tend to enjoy politics and world affairs, so I guess I am kind of a policy wonk who doesn't mind reading about things like this. You just have to pay attention, read and listen and sift through the data. Once you do that, you should have a few games ready to go in no time. I know I have a few in the works, even if they are just bubbling in my head now, from this current situation.

far to often, we have associated 'Modern' with Iraq and Afghanistan because it's out in front of us everyday. I would encourage you to put the sports pages down for a few minutes and pick up the front pages of The Washington Post, The Guardian or grab a copy of The Economist magazine. You never know what you'll find. It just might be the start of some research for some new scenarios...just be sure to share them with me (hint/hint).

Here's a link to get you started for learning a bit more about Nagorno-Karabakh:The Washington Post stories about N-K conflict

Until next time. Carry on men.
-Bob