I have had a 3D printer hobbyist CAD design a new BB playing piece and a new DD playing piece.
The BB is based on the WW1 UK Iron Duke modified for appearance. It is, certainly, better looking than the original BB design. Additionally, I (we) used a depiction of a WW1 US 4 stacker DD to make a modified DD playing piece for A&A WW1. The rationale that the Sub replaces the need for a DD just doesn’t ‘cut it’ (make sense). Most of the colour filaments used to 3D print these units are a good match to the original playing piece colours. I will post pictures of these as I have assistance doing so.
SgtWilTan's mods and conversions of A&A pieces
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@wittman:
Pleasure looking.
That’s… an interesting comment.
One man’s plastic is another mans Pr0n? :P
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I use Model master paints without priming since at this scale the paint buildup quickly blobs out the details.
I prefer spirit based paints since they “eat” into the plastic and adhere better. The only prepaint prep I do is to soft scrub wash in warm soapy water to remove any oils and dust that could cause the paint from sticking. Plain black spray paint from WalMart made for plastics will work great. Don’t stay in one place at all while spraying. Use a linear movement from 8 inches to a foot away. It’s wasteful for single pieces but since I paint in bulk while base coating, one can will last up to 100 or more pieces. Be patient and do one or 2 passes and apply other passes from different angles 15 minutes apart or you will end up with goop. -
Good stuff! I blew it waiting to buy the 100 count 38s till after I got the 111/Hetzer.
You creeps bought them all.I wanted to try to do do some late war conversions to
Katchens and some Swedish post war APCs.I did manage 10 more on the new order,
which was my largest to date! -
Sgt.,
Here you go.
––The 1st pic is like the 100 FMG Italian Sea Transports I sent to you for
Cargo Transports. I like the cargo hold covers & life boats. They’d look great with cranes + a few other details added.––The 2nd pic is of the OOB “2nd-Edition” Anzac Sea Transports that I haven’t mentioned to you yet. These look really good for Troop Transports. What do you think???
“Tall Paul”
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Sgt.,
––On the FMG Italian Sea Transports. These will work great in representing
(AK) CARGO Transports.–A pair of twin cranes, centered between the 1st/2nd hatches and between the 3rd/4th hatches. The cranes being a vertical staff with the fulcrum part of the cranes at 30 degrees facing both fore and aft.
–A large gun tub on foc’sle(flat area up front) and smaller ones where they fit.
–Removal of the two-step building on the poop deck(rear). The national ensigns will go here.
–Any other details you think would look good on the ‘prototype’.----On the OOB 2nd Edition Anzac Sea Transport. These will work great in representing (AP) TROOP Transports.
–Removal of the large building on the poop deck(rear). The national ensigns will go here.
–Cranes wherever they’ll fit.
–Gun tubs wherever they’ll fit
–Any other details that you think would look good on the ‘prototype’.----Here’s a pic of the I-94 decals that will be used on the stern decks of the American and Japanese ships.
“Tall Paul”
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Really cool stuff there Sgt! Awesome. I mod my infantry infantry in much the same way - never thought about doing that to other units. Gonna give it a try.
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Thanks V, I got the idea from your work so that when I paint the pieces, they will be worth the painting effort.
I will also be using these pieces for other games as well.Paul, I’ve got the prototype for the Cargo carrier made but have not taken the picture as I have a bunch of pictures to take for other projects. I’ll try to get them to you by the end of the week.
The prototype is 2 masted with cranes going fore and aft with a pair of gun tubs port/starboard on the lower deck with a larger gun tub on the Foc’sl. I think this is the design I’m going with. I’m using plastic since metal rods require quite a bit more pressure to insert and can result in more cast-offs. The design seem pretty durable but will require some care in storage. The care will be the same in keeping your painted pieces looking pristine and unchipped from wear. The paint and lacquer coat will also add another layer of durability in the end.I have also started on some of the arty but mostly just prep work before the real modding starts.
Hope you like. -
From mine? Wow… I did do some mods (mostly infantry, but also the Russian carrier and Italian craft) - but nothing in comparison to the good stuff you have going on. I’m excited to see what yours look like once they’re painted up Sarge - and have started retooling some of my stuff as well Much obliged for posting the pics!
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V, Your anniversary pics on Boardgame geek gave me the painting ideas but I wanted to use my A&A pieces detailed enough so I wouldn’t have to use GHQ lead tanks for my board games. I actually scratch built plastic tanks for the original A&A game before the A&A expansion and evolving scope of the gaming pieces.
I should have new pics of the Tigers in basecoat Panzer grey along with 45 HBG modified and detailed Pz IIIs. I may post more of my old scratch builds and in progress prep work of Shermans and Matildas. I may even have time to basecoat the panthers in DunkelGelb just to see what they look like base coated. I’m too much of a historian to paint my Panthers in grey. I’ll be using the Panzer IIIs for my A&A board games rather than the Panthers and the Tigers will be the elite upgrades. Panthers did not reach the front till 1943 while Pz IIIs and Pz IVs were used thoughout WWII.
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OOhh… ahhh… let’s see those photos Sgt, I’m anxious. eh eh eh
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Re-Organized
Now on 1st Page -
Wow! n Cooolll… So I gave my hand at it… ehhh, my first go on a Panzer was terrible… gonna just cover that one up, but trying a second out…
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I’ve been doing this for decades and it took a long time to learn.
You can actually use different shades of paint to give some form of depth without having to make everything truly 3d.
Look at some of the modelling sites to get an idea. Also look for 1/72 scale paper models. They basically do a basic 3d model and the print work
gives an illusion of depth even though most of the model is flat sheets. I choose the full 3d route and enjoy the results but have not really
used them for gaming where they get a lot of handling. Try just extending the glacis below the tank treads and fill in the other details with lighter or darker paint to create an illusion of depth.Here is an example by Chagadeil for just using paint to add depth
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Wil,
––Here’s a pic to “check-out”.
“Tall Paul”
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Wil,
––FYI, here’s a future project that I feel is very important. It’s the WWII-era
APD “Fast Attack Transports” re-built from the WWI-era “4-Piper” Destroyers. These were rebuilt specifically for transporting the Marine Raiders. The APD’s became famous as the “Green Dragons” for their unique and distictive multi-color green camoflage that allowed them to hide under overhanging coastal jungle deep in the then enemy-controlled Solomons.
––As has been explained to me by IL “The Great War 1914-1918” will include some American “4-Piper” Destroyers. The “4-P DD” is in the top row, 2nd from the left in the pic below if I’m correct. What do YOU think about these???“Tall Paul”
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Wil,
––Here are a couple of pics of the APD Fast Attack Transports after completion.
––Also, here’s a link to IL’s thread concerning his “The Great War 1914-1918 Game”.http://axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=29344.0
----These would be GREAT units to have, don’t you think?
––Also, I’ve been wanting to do a Solomons Game of the size of a G-40 game and these would be NECESSARY units.“Tall Paul”
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Doable. Any better close-up detail pics of the PPDs would be appreciated.
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Wil,
––GREAT!
––I have one more pic on hand to share, but will do some more research. The best and only book on the Green Dragons, which has scale drawings and everything, would be great for reference. But last time I checked it was between $100-$200. I might just “bite the bullet” here and buy it. I’ll let you know.“Tall Paul”
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Wil,
––Here’s a link to a web-site I found a long time ago, and a none too detailed drawing. The web-site has a good color drawing of the APDs and a LOT of info.
http://destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/apd1/
More info soon.
“Tall Paul”
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Wil,
––I’ve found and purchased an excellent copy of “The Green Dragons” book. It’s a 2nd edition that has 40 additional pages. These books are so few and in such demand their prices ranged from $110-$563! I should receive it in a week or so, I’ll read it, and then send it to you for your reference. Just remember to ship it back with the completed APDs, please(Grin). I have to go right now but will continue on this subject later.
––Also, do you think you could salvage the lifeboats from some of the FMG Italian Transports to be used on the APDs?
“Tall Paul”
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