From the worktable: "What I've gotten done lately..."

Greetings once again, dear readers!
A lot of you out there, (okay a few of you), have been asking me "Murph...you write a lot about what is going on or "down" in Bongolesia, but have you been working on anything? It's been a long time since a game report, or even a "project report". So what have you been doing?
That's a good question dear reader and the answer is "Yes, I have been working on things. Due to some "life changes", (becoming a grandfather, having my game room moved, etc.) my produciton schedule and creativity was kind of stifled. With that over with, and my new setup, I decided to get back into it.
Thus, here's what I've gotten done lately...(with pics!)
First off, lets take a look at the work area...
A nice area that has been set up for me, that hold my paints, brushes, groundwork, tools, etc...as well as a nice cold bottle of Shiner Bock. That was a project that I was working on at that moment. I'm proud to say that it was successfully completed! Diligent readers will notice that the entire work/production area is watched over by Mr. Adam West (aka "Batman"), and the ever lovely Ms. Linda Blair, (who in my feverish dreams keeps whispering to me, while feeding me peeled grapes, that "historical miniature wargamers turn her on"...)
Hey...I can dream can't I?
Okay back to the projects....


This is a quick pic of most of what I have gotten done recently. It's actually quite a bit and some of the pieces I am especially proud of...
Keep reading and scrolling...

I completed two pieces of scenics recently. The first one that you see below was started some time back and just was one of those "pieces that you work on when you don't know what else to do..." I call it the "Bio-Organic Nutrient Regurgitation Collection Vats", and figure that they'll be used for "something" that "OMENCORP" is working on...(more to come on them later)....



Yessss...All natural organic nutrient regurgitation is collected here in these containers and then pumped to the nutrient processing facility...(present location unknown)...No artificial colors, flavors, or anything else here...no sir...Omencorp prides itself on "Natural Bio-Organic Nutrient Regurgitation"...mmmmmm-hmmmmm.....

Meanwhile, turning our eyes, minds, and noses away from the little Omencorp item, we find this...
This is a BF FoW WWII fuel dump objective marker. I decided to use it as "something else", instead of just fuel, (I'll get another one for fuel later). Just ignore the greenish stuff leaking out...the burning on your skin will go away soon....I promise...
Nothing to see here folks, move along...

One of the things that I have noticed about AK47, is that there never seems to be "enough" trucks...and in Bongoleisa, there never seems to be enough trucks OR enough trucks that actually run...
Part of the projects completed is these four little BF beauties here...

Two Russian Zil Trucks, (I have about six of these now I think. They are really nice little pieces to paint up), and two Italian Lancia heavy trucks, (with assorted cargo under dirty tarps...Hmmmm...I wonder what they could be carrying?

Now I know you are probably saying, "OKAY MURPHY, ENOUGH with the trucks and blah stuff...Let's see the FIGHTING STUFF!!!"

*sigh*

Your wish is my command....

First off, the latest in Bongolesian Air Defense...

The SA-6 is from QRF, and despite it's simple look, it was an absolute pain to put together. The fins on the missiles were horribly bent or broken and in true QRF style, it had "lots of little fiddly parts", with no instructions as to "where they go"...so I spent A LOT of time looking at various pics of the SA6 to figure out "What goes where." Once it's set up and painted it is an impressive (and heavy), little piece...

But not as heavy as the next one...

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Pay no attention to this photograph! There are NO, I repeat, NO SS-21 SCUD TEL's in Bongolesia...in fact there are no SSM systems in Bongolesia whatsoever. Bongolesia has been receiveing tractor parts and farm equipment from those Russian and Chinese ships. Go back to sleep your government will take care of you....

Ahem...

Continuing onward...

What would Bongolesia be without BARF? (The organization; NOT the substance!).

Helping to outfit those who would depose His Excellency, President-For-Life P'hat Daddee B'wonah, and replace his system of corruption and msiery with their own system of corruption and misery, BARF recently had two new techncials painted up for them....

Good gas mileage, easy to park, and easily available to help overthrow a government, these little babies come with AM/FM radio, power steering, and convenient removable tailgates to help with those "Extra heavy" loads (like recoilless rifles)...Stop by your local dealer and get one today!

Now with people like BARF driving all over the place, whats a President-For-Life supposed to do when he is travelling by limo to some location?

Easy!

Have his own Presidential Guard Motorcycle Escorts!

Four Peter Pig WWII motorcyles and drivers, these will be used for escorting the Presidential Limo (currently a 1959 Caddillac), or perhaps even used a "scout/recon" units...

And now, my "PRIDE AND JOY".....

For the last year or so, I have been struggling with trying to paint USMC troops in 15mm in the USMC WOODLAND MARPAT uniform. Pictures on the net and requests for help with it, really didn't get me anywhere, until I visited a USMC recruiting office.

Explaining to the young leatherneck there that I am "A: Too damn old to enlist", and "B: Was there to see if I could get some info on Woodland MARPAT"; the courteous young marine handed me a copy of USMC magazine which had EXCELLENT pictures of uniforms, equipment, and gear....
But the killer was, I still couldn't get the uniforms down...the colors just didn't seem to go "right"...Until I realized something...
I was trying "too hard"...
You see, 15mm figs are not like 28mm. With 28mm you can make a more detail and have more area to paint, thus you can see the different pixellations of ACUS, and MARPATS. In 15mm, you have very little, and most of their bodies is covered with gear. So then I started looking at the figures and uniforms and saying "Hmmm..okay....what color do I see at this distance?"
And the answer was "brown".
If you look at a picture of the Marine Woodland MARPAT uniform, and hold it at arms length, you will notice that it overall looks like "drab brown", until you start pulling the picture closer to your eyes. Then as it gets closer you will see the different "pixellations", (the greens, tans and blacks)...it's truly a confusing and remarkable color pattern, and probably THE WORST AND HARDEST that I have ever had to duplicate...I think next time I will go with desert....three colors, (mostly sand), and that's it...

But when they were done, the overall effect is pretty damn stunning if I do say so myself...

And so, ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you....The United States Marine Corps, (in 15mm USMC Woodland MARPAT)...coming soon to a country near you, to kick ass and take names...

"Semper Fi, Baby!"

An overhead shot showing the force, ready for action....command units, rifle squads, LMGs, SAWs, HMG's and Mortars, all ready to put a hurtin' on whomever they are told to hurt...

Rifle Squads are ready to go!!!

M240 MG teams ready for action....remember, "Every fifth round is a tracer..."

Command Stands and Mortars...

Rifle squads, support weapons, and all the "umph!" that Marines carry with them to deliver maximum hurt to the enemy... Perhaps in "all" of Bongolesia, these are the only "real" "good" guys that there are...

But whats a third world hell-hole without war zone activities like ambushes?

And so I present to you, dear reader, my "Ambushed Mercedes Sedan"...

This is another Peter Pig little sweet piece to work on. It cleans up well and takes paint pretty good. I will probably get another one later on and do it in a more "shot up and rusted look", for a car that's been sitting on the road for a while...this one is obviously a "newer casualty"...

By the way...You DO know that Bongolesia starts with a "B" right?

Right?...

Work with me here...

What else starts with a "B"...???

And DON'T say "BOMB!!!!" (wrong answer, you go to the back of the classroom)...

No..."BEACHES!" also start with "B"....

And you know what is frequently seen on "beaches" right?

Right?

And if you say "LANDMINES!", "Oil Slicks", or "Machine Gun Bunkers"...then you really need to get out more....

NO...

What's seen on "beaches" is ......BIKINI BABES!!!!!

Soooooo...how can I have a "beach in Bongolesia" without "Bikini Babes!?"

Have no fear! Peter Pig to the rescue once again!

Peter Pig "ancients range" nude females...and with a very VERY fine brush, gave them outfits that even "Wicked Weasel Bikinis" would be proud of. Now they can flounce and bounce all over Bongoelsia's sunny golden shores...

So where does that leave me?

Oh yes....that was the "completed stuff"...

What about "What I am working on now?"

Welllll....to answer that question...

I am working on a ceremonial parade flag unit of the Bongolesian Presidential Guard.

These guys are acutally 15mm Napoleonic Highlanders that have been shanghaied into Bongolesian Service. They'll be painted up in their dress uniforms and used in ceremonies and parades...I also have bagpipers that may get into it also...


I'm also working on more anti-government troops, (BARF and "The Lions of Allah")....



As well as "more civilians", (Innocents caught up in the mess, "not so innocents that are looting", protesters, etc...) All in all when finished I should have close to 30 stands of civilians...a nice sized mob if I do say so myself...



Oh and trucks...This is the second to last batch of trucks that I need to do, and finally, FINALLY I think I will have enough trucks...I think...
Oh, and two more landrovers also...




And then I have this batch of miscellaneous stuff...some "odds and ends" figures, some more UN trucks, and some M113's that will go to the UN also...along with a couple of scenics to finish...all in all when done, it'll be quite a haul....







So finally, FINALLY, that's what's on my painting/worktable...lots more figures to paint, (but I've made good progress), and a few "special things" in the pipeline...

I will admit that I am indeed getting "burnt out" on painting 15mm figs...I'm thinking that once this batch gets done I will take a breather, and get back to work on my neglected 28mm pulp figs, pirates, and cowboys for a bit...

Or I could even perhaps, *gasp*....run a game!


Hmmm...now there's a thought!!!!


Thanks for reading, and comments are appreciated!

Bombs, Bikinis, The French, and Business Deals...

PRESIDENT WORKS WITH INVESTIGATION CREW ON RECENT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT...

"Will find out who gets the sharp end of the pain stick!"

(Sudekia) Under highly loaded security, his Excellency President-For-Life P'hat Daddee B'wonah, listened carefully to the initial findings of the investigation team focused on the recent assassination attempt.

For those of you not in the know, a two vehicle team of thugs and hoodlums attempted to ram and detonate their vehicles into the Government Building recently, while the President and his staff were inside doing stuff.

Security Forces were able to beat off the attempt, but not after one of the cars detonated in the Central Marketplace Area, killing some poor civilians, and stuff.

His Excellency was very business-like this morning, and just issued a quick statement before the first of what will probably be many closed door meetings.

"I'm a man of few words...but a lot of action. I like action, and I like to get a lot of action, and those hooligans that think they can get away with something like this, will soon discover the error of their ways."

His Excellency President-For-Life P'hat Daddee B'wonah, listens intently on the initial findings of who tried to get the jiggy on him...

MORE TO FOLLOWING AS THIS EVENT UNFOLDS

And in other news....

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

Whiny European Leaders discuss "Bongolesian Affairs" while ignoring theirs!

It's becoming a bit of an embarassment to the international community at the "seemingly renewed" interest in our nation that our former European Colonial Masters, now known as the EU, (or should that be "EWWWW"???), have undertaken once again towards our beloved nation, while ignoring the plights of their people and issues within their borders altogether.

Students of approved history will remember that until 1960 our country was under a murky myriad of misguided myoptic masochism and rule by various stagnant European powers and lorded over by those same desperate nations being on trying to maintain themselves as some sort of colonial mastery over us and failing. Now in this day and age, like a weasel in a girls school, they are once again attempting to slip back into things here and are attempting it by using the guise of "International Relations", to do now what couldn't be done back then.

This week at a recent meeting of EU nations on lots of trivial affairs and what-nots, a flunky spokesman for the EU, (and from France of all places!), discussed with his spoon-fed reporters of the international media "his nations disgusts at our annoyance on their high tariff rates for the importation of Bongo-Cola.

Everyone knows that Bongo-Cola is a delicious, refreshing beverage destined to drive away thirst, and that it's something that everyone should enjoy, (even the French); but alas no...

They seem to think that "It's not good enough until they put a high tariff on it to make it an unaffordable luxury for everyone in the country", and thus no one in France is able to enjoy delicious, refreshing Bongo-Cola.

While we here in Bongolesia understand slamming tariffs on things to get people to pay for what they are getting, we are visibly upset because these so called "tariffs" are nothing more than highway robbery without the highways!

This is just one of the latest issues that the EU seems to be drumming up and focusing on within our beloved nation. It would be nice of them if they just went back to paying attention to their own failed systems and leave Bongolesia, (and the rest of the world), alone...

"SAME TO YOU FELLA!!!"

Local Whiny French EU Rep. tells the press "How he feels about Bongolesia..."

WHOOMP! THERE IT IS!!!!

Local beauties get ready for all popular annual Bongolesian National Bikini Pageant!

(Port Tuziak) The heat is on, and the smell of body oil and sweat is in the air as the local young ladies, (pretty and otherwise), are all jittery and excited at the announcement of the upcoming Bongolesian National Bikini Pageant being held this year at the luxious "Fly-By-Night" Club and Resort in Downtown Port Tuziak.

Bikini Pageant Producer See'mo Buttz said "This years contest is going to get you all up and thumpin' for some action! We got a line of beauties from all over the country ready to give it up for the crowd! They'll be strutting their stuff and will be all pimped out ready for a night of action!"

Indeed it seems that the local male population is already salivating and looking forward to the bevy of beauties that will be in the contest. "I'm 78 years old, and if'n I can see some of that hot whoomp, then day-aaaaammmmmnnnn!" said a local elderly gentleman while shivering in the noonday heat on a local park bench. We're not exactly sure what he means by his manner of speech, but we will get back to you on it.

The Fly-By-Night Club and Resort in downtown Port Tuziak, is one of the swankiest, poshest places around town, and is a popular place for entertainment of all kinds, (no sailors allowed). The Pageant will also be televised by Bongo-Vision Television and musical entertainment will be featuring local Bonoglesian Rap Sensation "Sqweekie K'leen", who will perform among his many hits, his recent hot single "I'd buy that fo' a dollar!"

"Something for everyone..."

Local beauties get ready to strut their stuff...

HASSELHOFF CAN'T COME EITHER...

Television Superstar is "saddened" that he is unable to make it as a guest judge of Bikini Pageant...

(Port Tuziak) In a sad statement released today, to the Bongolesian People, superstar and legendary actor David Hasselhoff informed our nation that he is "Unable to attend the Bongolesian Bikini Pageant due to unfortunate personal circumstances beyond his control." In a gently worded statement, he says: "This Bikini Pageant is something that I could really get my hands on and sink my teeth into... I'm so honored that you would ask me to be a guest judge of all the lovely ladies that will be strutting the corner of the stage and showing off their talents and goods. Maybe next year time will allow me to make it and grace your country with myself, and my clear-cut judgement on your local bevy of beauties..."

"Saddened that he can't come..."

Superstar David Hasselhoff is sad that he can't make it happen...

NEED SOMETHING SPECIAL AND EXOTIC???

Honest Abduls has it for you!!!

(Waughtown) Folks that love to spend lots of money, (their and others), will be happy and pleased to know that "Honest Abdul-The Shoppers Friend", has opened his third location here in Bongolesia! In a quick interview with Honest Abdul, he said " We thought long and hard about a third opening, but found that the best place to do business with is with the good people in the Northern Sector of the country. Waughtown has a good small port that allows ships carrying various goods, sundries, imports and exports to come in both day and night, and there are always UN personnel around to make sure that things are handled right." He smiled and took a deep smoke on his favored hookah. "The very best bargain for the very best price can ALWAYS be found at Honest Abduls New and Used Imports, Exports, and World O'Goods Emporium of Fine Things and Other Stuff. It's a great place to spend your hardly earned money."

(Cash, Money Order, International Money/Postal Orders, Gold, and certain International Charge Cards are accepted. No Checks please...Due to issues with the Italian Post, no items to be shipped to Italy...)

"He's got what you want..."

Honest Abdul-The Shoppers Friend!!!

CARGO SHIPS COMING TO PORT TUZIAK...

"What's in the tub, Bub?"

International Trade Agreements help local business and nation with special ordered stuff...

(Sudekia) The Ministry of Trade is happy to announce today that a series of specially brokered business deals with trade representatives from the CIS, and the PRC will allow the people of Bongolesia to see much new and needed items coming into the country via cargo ships. Ships traffic will be increased over the coming months in Port Tuziak and even in Sudekia to unload the cargo that they bring and to allow the sailors to get off. Details and information remain sketchy at the moment, but the word is out that among the items being brought into the country will be "Farm machinery and agricultural supplies, Irrigation devices, Tractors, Plumbing supplies, and other production and manufacturing materials". It's expected that the imports of said items will assist in the creation of many new jobs for the people in our country, and will allow them to sweat and work hard for what they are given. It all points to a brighter future for Bongolesia!

"Good Stuff coming in..."

Cargo ship on it's way to Port Tuziak...