Scratch-built Shipping Containers, 28mm or 1/48

So I decided that I needed more modern like terrain a while ago and I had an idea to make some shipping containers. I put it off several times, thinking 'aren't there some cheap ones floating around somewhere?', and ' how much time 'til this essay is due?!'.
Ahem, then the other night I had it visualised and decided to strike while the iron was hot. lol

Quick dimensions... IRL 2.59m x 2.44m x 6.1m for a 20' 'standard' container, (12.2m L for a 40' obviously) Those translate to 5.4cm x 5.1cm x 25.4cm for a 40' 'standard container', (which makes a 40' container pretty big on a 1200mm square tabletop!) So I made two 20 footers, (12.7cm long for a 20'), rationalising that they had a better chance making it to remote areas of Central Asia in any case.;-)

I would also like to add that there have been several attempts to change the standard container size and there are some regional ones as well with slight variation, but this shape has been in use for decades and will be for some time as there are millions in circulation! (No fellow CHCH peeps, they are not all here. Just all of the traffic cones are here...)

Using thick cardboard or foamcore cut the floor and reinforcing for the walls

Roof is cardstock and the walls are stripped cardboard

The second ready to go

Glueing with PVA and weights to add strength to the bond

More of the same

Added cardstock front and split back for the doors

Just need to add locking bars and other details. One red primer the other blue primer, both with random shipping logos. This is intended to make them usable for near future Scifif as well.
The scale looks good. My converson was based on 1/48 if anyone cares. Most of my models for 28mm are 1/48 and look pretty good for wargaming purposes.

Would love suggested corporate logos to use! One might have to be Blue Sun...

50,000 Page Views and the Arid Tabletop

Had a test layout while resting my brain this morning. Wanted to see how it all shapes up.
Not too shabby for quickie gaming potential.
Could use a couple gates, and a bend or two for the road as well as the stream.

ANA patrol heading for a ford on the way home

Trigger-man's eye view

From the mountainside where the civvies are hiding

Gotta make it to the ford.

Next WIP are some scratch-built shipping containers...

Walled Compound Scratch-build, Step by Step WIP #1

So I needed some terrain suitable for 28mm on my newly planned "four by four foot table of waugh!"
I can re-purpose my hills and woods as well as my river and the roads. But I needed some buildings. I plan of doing both a green and an arid side to this table but arid first. So for my Central Asian buildings I grabbed a mobile phone box and started hacking into it with a box cutter.

They were already the perfect size, but very square...

Cut and don't be fussy.

Note that the top has been cut off and flipped

Cross hatching to help the gap filler stick

Then I plastered them, heavily and sloppily.

This cardboard is going to make the walls.

These were pre-folded into the right height. Lazy me! Then glued to 3mm MDF

Again the heavy plastering.

The buildings were put on 5mm MDF and I sanded down the edges and put down more PVA glue and sand for texture on the bases.

Skirmish Sangin Playtest

Pooch came back to Chch for logistical purposes but managed to squeeze in a test drive of his newest project.

Skirmish Sangin is an NZ designed tactical wargame simulating the modern conflict in Afghanistan. (Sangin is in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. Some very heavy combat has occurred there involving 3 Para, 7th Marines and others.)
The book itself is really good looking with high quality British MOD photos scattered throughout and benefitting from the fact that one of the writers is a graphic designer as well. A good one at that I'd say!

It uses a percentile system which I was worried about but the modifiers actually are pretty simple. As most of you know I've got a lot of rpging under my belt so I'm not scared off by crunchy rule sets. This isn't just BRP as I was led to believe. It is a lot more simple and playable.
You will want to have some paper to keep track of your soldiers stats etc. and I would still probably limit it to a squad per side.

A very nice mini of a kiwi trooper with a SAW.

There are chits to show morale effects from getting hit or seeing someone close by hit. They can also be used to show prone or kneeling positions that effect spotting, shooting and getting shot at. The modifiers add up quickly, but most are easy to remember, 10% plus or minus.

Another really cool mini from Pooch's stash.

He also brought the new minis that they had commissioned. Very nice ones too! Good poses and the proper scale, compared with the other Empress minis that were on the table. Great sculpts, ANZAC specific with kevlar helmets, Brit style webbing, battle bras and Steyrs. Cool!

Three men from the same brick, one has just tested his body armor!

We had a quick shoot out between two fireteams on each side and I, typically, couldn't roll to save my own life. One of my Taliban RPK gunners failed to make a 70%spot roll five times in a row. (But I no longer believe in probability...)

Terry at work

With both Andy and Jason picking up a copy I'm sure we will be playing again soon. I'll be there.;-)

Lots of news, no time to post!

Hi guys, most of you know I've been flat out with the arrival of a brand new co-conspirator.
My son Markian appeared a couple days early, nearly two weeks ago! We're hella stoked, to fall into the California vernacular which is in fact my native tongue. He is healthy and happy and we are all doing great.

Onto the PN news! Before and after this earth shaking event we've snuck in a couple games of the old school D&D 3.25, meaning whatever 3.5 stuff Jamie likes he keeps.;-) I'm good with that as I believe he has relatively sound judgement in these matters. I'm running my usual sneaky fighter type, in this case a Half Orc Barbarian - Rogue. Before anyone starts yelling, 'Min maxer!', I would like to add that he has no spiked chain... only because I couldn't afford one or the required feat.8P For those who point out that my Earthdawn character was also an Orc, I will point out that Orc is a racist Dwarvish slur, and shut up already!
Anyway fun times.

Half Magdan with Falchion

On the WIP front I have a few things going on as you know.
Priority One. ACW is ticking over nicely thank you very much.

Painting up the bulk of the sharpshooters

Union Zouaves, based on 5th New York of course

Union regulars

Some regulars led to the front by a sharpshooter

As well as my modern guys head swap and some mods.

Tamiya crew minis with Perry Zouave heads!

Black wash

Nearly done!

To base or not to base?

I'm just gonna leave this here for Simon who never posts here.