| Archive for - The Airfix Tribute Forum - The Airfix Tribute Forum was established in April 2006 to discuss the making of Airfix models. Email: admin at airfixtributeforum.co.uk |
| Bluesteel |
RAF Habbaniya 1941 DioramaI've just started planning the layout for this major Diorama.I now have 3 sections of 3 ft x 4ft base board, which will make a 9 ft x 4 ft display when all placed together. Luckily most of RAF Habbaniya was flat with packed earth runways and the Polo pitch from which some aircraft operated. But I think I'm going to have to do some extensive research on the hangars as the photos I have are a little indistinct. I have just about all of the aircraft now: Fairey Gordon Gloster Gladiator Hawker Hart (convert to Audax) Vickers Valentia Bristol Blenheim IV Airspeed Oxford But I've just found out I'll also need a DC 2. As luck would have it, in the box in which Hannants sent me the Valentia there was an MPM Catalogue, and they produce several DC 2's! This is all falling into place suspiciously well... Bluesteel |
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| Owen |
Re: RAF Habbaniya 1941 Diorama
That'll make a monster of a diorama bluesteel!! MAke sure you keep us posted - sounds like its gonna be good!! |
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| Sgt.Squarehead |
Re: RAF Habbaniya 1941 Diorama
Gawd'luvvus! That's not a diorama, it's a ruddy wargame! 
Good luck with your huge undertaking and good to see you here. All the best |
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| Bluesteel |
Re: RAF Habbaniya 1941 Diorama
Now that you mention it, I had been thinking of that possibility. I used to do a lot of wargamming a few years ago. But I think it would have to be twice as big to accommodate a skirmish at 1:72 given the fastest scale movement rate of the Oxford! I could of course do it as a semi role-play using a set of RAF RPG rules "Attack! Attack! Attack!" I devised about 20 years ago. It would also be nice to get those Rolls Royce armoured cars you helped me with into action (even though they didn't do much in the real episode). Good to see you here too. Bluesteel |
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| Sgt.Squarehead |
Bluesteel,
The recent Alzo Zero/Italeri skirmish system 'Operation Overlord' is designed for play on an area half that size! OO is a surpisingly fast, furious and above all fun game that suffers from being badly translated into English and poorly edited. (See my post in the Wargames forum) If you have previous rules writing experience I'm sure you could adapt it for your preferred period with the minimum of effort. As you say though, integrating the aircraft as anything other than static targets/objectives might be tricky! For what it's worth and all the best. |
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| stuzzar |
The Deal Wargames Society put this on as a display game at one of the larger wargames conventions, there are some pictures on their website that may be of interest. You will need to scroll through as they are a bit spread out.
http://www.dealwargames.co.uk/gallery.htm I believe that they also did an article on the game in either Wargames Illustrated or Miniature Wargames, I will have a look through my copies and let you know if they is anything that may be of use. I agree that it would make a good subject for a film, would have to use plenty of CGI for the aircraft though as I am not sure how many of the various craft featured are still airworthy. Cheers Stu |
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| Sgt.Squarehead |
Stu,
I would also most definetely be interested in any articles you might be able to dig out. A complete aside, do either of you guys (or anyone else) play the 'Combat Missions' series of computer games from BTS? I have recently created a CMAK operation depicting part of the Allied invasion of Palestine and I have also recently finished a large CMBB airfield map which I am converting to CMAK! All the best |
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| Owen |
What sort of game is that? I occasionly play 'Battlefield 1942'. They have some good and some bad depictions of the main battles of WW2 - El Alemain, Gazala, Bogage, Bulge, Market Garden, Caen etc... A more enjoyable game is Battlefield 2 (follow on from the above), which includes units like Abrahams, Black Hawks, Migs, Apaches etc. |
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| Sgt.Squarehead |
(Dave - Accidental Thread-Jacking - Sorry!)The combat missions games are a strange blend of turn based tactical simulation and (old skool) 3d RTS. They are in my opinion the best system for 'Computer Wargaming' the battles of WWII at up to regimental level. The games work best at between company and battalion level, depending on the power of your PC.You can find more information (and downloadable demos) at the Battlefront site: http://www.battlefront.com/index.htm I also play Day of Defeat , Day of Defeat Source and Red Orchestra. All the Best (Dave - This Thread-Jacking Was Accidental - Sorry! Maybe we should have a PC games section?) |
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| stuzzar |
Hi Sarg
I will have a search through for the article/s. With regard to Combat Missions I dabble every now and then, I particularly like the fact that you can design your own battlefields and missions. The graphics are a bit dated now but it is still one of the better games. Cheers Stu |
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| Owen |
Re: (Dave - Accidental Thread-Jacking - Sorry!)
I guess thats the media and publications section! |
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| joe |
Gosh! I should have read earlyer on ! i love FPS !! PWNING noobs is brilliant !
My games of the type are... or have been... 1.) Brothers in arms : Road to hill 30 2.) Battlefield 1942 + expansion packs... 3.) Battlefield 2 4.) Brothers in arms : Earned in blood 5.) Call of duty 1 + 2 + expansions... 6.) Counterstirkes : All of them including CS source 7.) Half life 2 + deathmatch 8.) Unreal tournament 2004 and so many more..... that me covered on the "gaming scene" 
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| Owen |
So hows the diorama coming on Bluesteel? You haven't mentioed what you've been upto for ages... | ||
| Bluesteel |
I've just been busy finishing off TMA 05 for my Open University Science Degree... But I'm planning on having a building weekend this weekend, and making a start on the Contrail Fairey Gordon - as well as a Jet Lancaster build for Gregers Lanc Group build: http://gregers.7.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=395 But I've also just joined the RAF Habbaniya Association and hope to get some better idea of aircraft paint schemes and Habbaniya layout from other members; some of whom were actually there. I have a lot of research to complete if I'm to get things as accurate as possible (within the limits of 1:72). I'm also working on a couple of media friends to float the idea of a motion picture of the episode - that's a long term project! I will be updating my Habbaniya build (with piccies) soon. Bluesteel |
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| Bluesteel |
Just made a start on the vacuform Contrail Fairey Gordon for the Habbaniya Campaign Diorama.
Scored and snapped out the main parts. Sanded down to the pencil lines and tidied up with a few small files. Took special care to thin down all trailing edges to as far as they will go without the plastic breaking down: 
I now need to find out if the Gordon's at Habbaniya were Mk Is or IIs, as they had different rudder styles. Bluesteel |
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| Owen |
Its been a month since your last post bluesteel, hows the kit coming on? (Or is it finished)
Owen |
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| Bluesteel |
An Open Univesity Degree and having to train new sales reps up and down the country has rather restricted my time on this project.
But the Contrail vacform Fairey Gordon is making steady progress: 
Bluesteel |
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| Owen |
Its looking good - have you got any close-ups on the engine, it looks quite detailed 
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| Bluesteel |
Here it is. A metal engine with metal prop. Not sure who the manufacturer was but it was with the Contrail kit, it has a reasonable amount of detail. It didn't have the extended exhaust pipes though. But I've just found some think plastic tube with metal insert. This means I can cut it to the right length then bend it to shape, and the metal inside will hold it there - perfect! Bluesteel |
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| Owen |
Nice - got any plans for the diorama itself yet? | ||
| Bluesteel |
Yes, I think it'll break down into two dioramas. The whole area is far too big for just one at 1:72. So I'll be doing the 'polo pitch' temporary aircraft dispersal area - perhaps coming under fire from Iraqi guns. The other will be the attack on the Falluja Bridge by the Iraqi Levies, supported by Rolls Royce armoured cars, Oxfords and Audaxes. There is a superb painting of this printed in the Osprey Campaign Book 'Iraq 1941': 
Bluesteel |
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| Owen |
Hows the diorama coming along Bluesteel? We haven't heard much from you recently. Last time you mentioned you were working on the engine. Any more progress from there on?
Owen |