FALKLANDS WAR, part 2

Well it’s only taken a year or so to get to part 2, but some progress!

Over the last couple of months I’ve decided to aim for a fairly big game for the 45th anniversary of the Falklands War in 2027. Sword 80 gave some real focus to my efforts to get the game and all the terrain, figures etc ready and I learnt a lot about how I can crack through a lot of building and painting.

Setting a date and working to a goal certainly did the trick, without it becoming too much of a chore.

I just need to get back into the habit of an hour each evening at my hobby desk, though real life has certainly had a part to play over the last months in squeezing the time available.

Two years seems a realistic time to get the rules right and practiced, boards done, and all the forces finished. Especially as I’m planning to run the big Sword game again this June, and hopefully some Napoleonics later in the year.

So I have a goal – Falklands 45 in May 2027. I’ve got the ORBATs drafted, rules chosen (Rapid Fire Reloaded, tailored for the South Atlantic), and the forces are starting to come together.

British Forces

I wrote a little about my plans last year in this post, and have been collecting up figures and vehicles.

For the Royal Marines and Paras I’m using a combination of TQD / CP Models and Full Metal Miniatures in 20mm.

For vehicles, I’m using a mixture of S&S Models, 3D Prints, and JB Models. I know there were relatively few wheeled vehicles knocking about with the British military during the campaign, but I couldn’t resist the odd Land Rover or two!

Some progress with building, and have basecoated a few as seen below.

Air support will be in the form of an Italeri Harrier GR3, and helicopters are an old Airfix Gazelle I found in the loft, Airfix Sea King, Airfix Navy Lynx. All of these are still in the box, so a bit of building to do.

Argentinian Forces

Less progress made here so far, though I picked up a small number of Cold War era NATO troops with M1 helmet and FN FALs that I’m going to try out for general Argentine infantry.

Vehicles wise, I’ve made a start on painting a Panhard but am not planning on many vehicles, they won’t get far from Stanley. I’ve got my eye on some arty though!

Air support will be an Airfix Skyhawk, and I’ve picked up a ‘Huey’ for some rotary action.

So progress here and there. I’m hoping to get the vehicles in the photos all done over the next couple of weeks, before a hiatus on the Falklands project until after June.

I’m still resisting the urge to pick up HMS Fearless and a couple of escorts, though they’d look good for the initial beach landing…!