15mm Sci Fi Options Rating

[awesomeshotdude]

I've had some 15mm Sci Fi lying around for a while and have always been interested in it. I recently downloaded some 15mm Sci Fi rules which, after reading, I like quite a bit and it was all I needed to get the ball rolling on the stuff I already have as well as order a few more bits and pieces from a few different companies.

This diary won't have frequent updates because Battletech will be taking the majority of my time, however this is going to be a fun little side project for when I want a bit of a break from Battletech. Game board and terrain wise I'm already covered for this game....I've got a heap of terrain that I've specifically bought or made to work well with everything from 6mm to 28mm. That's not to say I won't buy a couple of items specific to 15mm Sci Fi though, because there's some REALLY nice stuff out there.

One of the things I like about these new rules is that they have great guidelines for making your own units from whatever models you have or decide to use.....so basically you can go nuts with whatever takes your fancy and adopt it to the game rules....you're not locked into certain armies or certain models. These new rules, for the scale, don't require lots of models to play with either....at a rough guess, this is what I will initially be aiming for with my first force.

1 x Mech
2 x Main Battle Tanks
3 x APC's
6 x Small Mechs/Extra Large Power Suits
20-30 x Infantry
1 x Dropship/Gunship (maybe)

This post has been edited by awesomeshotdude: May 9 2012, 10:44 PM

[panzerallan]

I'll be watching this project mate, 15mm sci-fi is awesome. Wish I could justify another scale.

[awesomeshotdude]

For the Main Battle Tanks, I'm using the awesome looking (in my opinion) Critical Mass Games Heavy Grav Tanks. The only thing I don't like about this model is the rediculous looking missile launchers that are supposed to sit to the rear and either side of the turret....man they looked so out of touch with the rest of the model it's not funny...

I've not done much at all in this scale so to break the ice, I'm starting on a test tank. This is to get a feel for how I want the tank to look, to practice my painting skills at this scale and to help decide on a paint scheme. I have four of these tanks and only want to utilise two at this stage, so I can certainly afford to use one as a test model.

So, I've filled the holes where the two original missile launchers were supposed to attach, and then used lego blocks and plastic from an old school stencil to make a rectangular box looking missile launcher that sits on the turret similar in fashion to the TOW launchers on the Bradleys. This is just to get a rough idea of how such a style of box launcher would look on the model. For the non-test tanks, I will be using some similar looking missile launchers that I've ordered on line. I actually thought the launcher looked a little cooler when I positioned it a little further foward on the turret, however, it would pose some serious visibility issues for the crewmen with hatches up as well as a potential obstacle if ever they had to evacuate the tank through the top hatches....so I kept it more towards the rear of the turret. I did consider the side of the turret...but it just didn't work for me.


I also took some advice from others on this forum and used a brush bristle as the antenna whip on the back of the turret....it looks pretty cool...I hope it takes the paint well.

I also magnetised the turret. I countersunk and glued a 6mm x 1.5mm magnet into the underneath of the turret and then glued two small washers to the inside of the hull where the turret sits. One washer was enough, however two washers on top of each other give a 1mm-2mm clearance between the turret and hull so that the paint won't get scraped and the turret rotates more freely.

So far I'm happy with how it is turning out...I've just got to give it another thin undercoat and then search for and decide on a paint scheme......hmmm...camo or not!!!

[panzerallan]

Saw a bloke do a whole army of those in Auscam a few weeks ago. Cool models.

[awesomeshotdude]

Saw a bloke do a whole army of those in Auscam a few weeks ago. Cool models.

That'd look awesome!!! An intergalactic Australian force would be super cool....I've got a heap of Australian Flag decals that would fit perfectly on these.....that's it Panza, you've decided for me....Auscam it is

[panzerallan]

In that case, can I also recommend you look up the fluff for GZG's Oceanic Union army from the Stargrunt universe?

Based on a far future alliance of Australia and the Pacific nations against Indonesian aggression, with a supporting miniature range in 15mm.

[awesomeshotdude]

In that case, can I also recommend you look up the fluff for GZG's Oceanic Union army from the Stargrunt universe?

Based on a far future alliance of Australia and the Pacific nations against Indonesian aggression, with a supporting miniature range in 15mm.

Yeah, I've seen those guys....some of the infantry have bush hats They're nice mini's!!!

[Fluffy05]

Hi Danny,

Nice work so far!

Great use of a broom bristle for the antenna as well (it's what I use for my 15 mm tanks for Flames of War).

Which rules are you going to go with?

Happy Gaming,

Allan

[Lextheimpaler]

Danny you are a hobby machine.
Beautiful looking model, im a big fan of panzers in any size shape or form.

subbed

[awesomeshotdude]

Cheers guys

Which rules are you going to go with?

G'day Allan....hope you and the fam are doing well mate

I downloaded the Gruntz 15mm rules. $9 for a PDF and they seem pretty cool. Haven't had a game yet, when I do I'll post my thoughts on here somewhere.

[awesomeshotdude]

Some work in progress pics.

I touched up the undercoat and then got the airbrush out and gave it a base coat of Vallejo Russian Uniform WWII, which I think is just called Russian Uniform now (70924 is the product number). I was originally using this as the base coat for an Auscam paint scheme however I've now decided to go with this Russian Uniform green highlighted with a yellow/green. After seeing this base coated, and knowing I was going to paint in the glowing blue sections, I just didn't think Auscam would end up suiting the Sci Fi look with glowing blue bits etc....so I changed my mind.

After the base coat. I drenched the entire model with GW Black Wash and once that was dry I then went over the entire model again with a wet brush of Russian Uniform WWII.

I've added the glowing blue power feeds to the tank to help give it a Sci Fi feel, I really like how it's turning out...I'm imagining the glowing blue is some high tech power source that drives the anti grav engine and the railgun main armament. If you look closely in the 3rd pic you can see the glowing blue emerging from the slots in the anti grav pods that suspend the tank above the ground.

There were also some pipes at the back that were begging for some dark silver, so they got it, Gun Metal Grey.

I've still got a heap of highlighting to do yet, which I'll hopefully get done over the next couple of days...as well as the base.






This post has been edited by awesomeshotdude: May 12 2012, 07:34 PM

[Lextheimpaler]

Fuaaaarrrkkkkkkkkkk that looks sweet.

[Ranko82]

Haha, reminds me of Sgt Bilko............I mean what, don't know what that is

[awesomeshotdude]

Haha, reminds me of Sgt Bilko............I mean what, don't know what that is

Ahahahaha, yeah, Sgt Bilko had a top secret hovertank in it.....

[awesomeshotdude]

Once the kids went to bed tonight, I blasted on with some highlighting and picked out the last of the details. All it would need now is the base done, a couple of decals and some Testors Dullcote. It's just a test model though so I won't waste anymore of my resources on it....I'm happy with how it has come out so I will lock this paint scheme in for my first 15mm Sci Fi army.....more to follow at a later date.....





This post has been edited by awesomeshotdude: May 12 2012, 11:11 PM

[dabigboss]

oh wow man.
Post Bat Reps ok?

[Fluffy05]

Hi Danny,

You still swing a very nice brush!!!

Do you need many figures for GRUNTZ?

Tempted to download it and print it off after seeing your work

Either that or Tomorrows War by Ambush Alley.

Cheers,

Allan

[Lachy]

Me likey!

[awesomeshotdude]

Hey Allan,

Cheers mate

No, you don't need many mini's at all. The rulebook says a medium sized game is 300 points and I've customised this Grav Tank so it works out to be about 55 points. The rulebook also says you only need about 10-40 models for a game....and being 15mm, that's not much as the Infantry are very quick and easy to paint, not to mention MUCH cheaper than 28mm The vehicles at this scale are big enough to take a bit of time, but you're only doing a few so it's not too bad

What I really like about these rules is that you are not locked into Army Lists or specific models, you can use whatever models you like from any range and then use the points based construction rules to customise your force. You can design anything from your standard human force with tanks, air support, artillery, Infantry and any number of specialists to a totally alien force like that in the movie Aliens with warriors, face huggers and a queen. Although I haven't played it yet....for $9 it seems like a lot of fun and the rules are still being supported by the community with a rules update coming out in a couple of months.

I had a look at Tomorrows War and it looks pretty cool. From all accounts the book is of a very high quality. I'll probably pick it up at one stage....

Hi Danny,

You still swing a very nice brush!!!

Do you need many figures for GRUNTZ?

Tempted to download it and print it off after seeing your work

Either that or Tomorrows War by Ambush Alley.

Cheers,

Allan

[thabear00]

Could you post up some more pictures of your 15mm Sci fi forces . Ive recently finished painting a 15mm sci fi forces for a campaign that fell by the wayside and am tryign to find an inspiration and ruleset to use them with , i started looking at Tomorrows War but stopped reading after awhile .
I was able to make use of quite a few Matchbox sized vehicles for my armour and APC'c , the figures i got were all GZG Aussies .

I'd be keen to see more of your stuff , i like the way that tank came out with the subtle highlights , i always use camouflage and they look rather garish , i cant imagine them ever hiding anywhere

cheers Tom