CIA "Wet Team" Operative In Zugando

It's been a while since I posted, but mainly because I am waiting for my USMC to arrive from the Empress Miniatures Kick Starter. In the mean time I had this figure in my to-do pile an thought it was worth getting done. 

The CIA are active in Zugando, attempting to gather intel on the PRA and terrorist groups who might threaten the US and their allies. They also have an undisclosed number of 'Wet Teams' operating in the country. These specialist operators are nearly all ex-special forces, and can be called in when the CIA need to get their hands bloody. They work independently, but in support of, the US Special Forces, and their actions are highly classified and covert.

This figure is from Hasslefree, and is just exquisite. I knew I had to have one- unfortunately the HF figures are expensive, and so I can't afford to do many- my plan is to do a fire team of four. I painted it in a fairly generic colour scheme- no badges or identifying features. I chose a muted colour scheme inspired by Strike Back and Call of Duty. 

The rather cool atmospheric photograph was a total fluke, as I took it in my lounge in just the electric light as the sky was so grey it might as well have been night time. 

Marine Recon Dawn Raid

Firstly, let me apologise for the odd lighting on these photos. Here in the UK the grey winter is well an truly upon us. I tried taking these outside, in the last bit of daylight I could find, but the sun was low in the sky and has washed out the colours, especially the flesh tones. At first I wasn't going to use these photos, but then I decided it looked quite atmospheric, like they have just emerged from the jungle at first light. If it helps, think of them as artfully lit diorama, and not just crappy photos!

Anyway- this is a USMC Recon patrol working in Zugando. These figures are from Eureka, and are just lovely. I got them to 'test paint' woodland pattern MARPAT, the camouflage pattern used by the USMC. I found it a lot easier to paint than MultiCam, which the Deltas use. This is a jolly good thing as I bought a platoon of USMC, including support weapons, from the Empress Miniatures Kick-start- hopefully I should be getting those soon.

The USMC represent the USA's main fighting force in Zugando. The US troop deployment was scaled back as the operation became a political hot potato in Washington, and most of the US peace keeping duties were handed over the the African Union troops, and the active combat duties were taken up by the British. The USMC remained in Zugando after the US withdrawal, but in much smaller numbers, to support US and UK Special Forces. They are based in Victoria Town, and also operate off the US navy carriers based off the coast of Zugando. USMC helicopters provide the Special Forces with air cover and resupply, and the specialist units, like these Recon support the SF in major engagements. 

USMC sniper team with .50cal Barrett Rifle

USMC Recon Fire Team on patrol

USMC Terminal Air Control Officer

Some Scenery

I have continued to plod on with getting the half finished scenery projects completed- with the addition of theses resin pieces. The first is a wrecked car from Ainsty, It's a single piece resin casting- nice and crisp with no air bubbles or mould lines. It should be good for a number of different scenarios (like the contractor's care in 'Contracting Troubles' and as a general bit of scatter scenery in the slums of Zugando. (It will probably see some service in zombie games too).

The next one is a photo I have already posted on my other blog (Four Colour Super Minis) of some scenery I painted for my WW2 Burma Campaign, but I think it is worth including here as it will be just as useful for Zugando.
I hope you wont mind the repost, but I am not sure if you regularly read the other blog. I am also hoping you will overlook the WW2 figures in the photo- they are there just for scale really. 
I haven't a clue who made these pieces- or even if they were made by the same manufactures. I soaped them with someone of Lead adventure Forum. 

Mission School

I have added another building to my growing list of Zugandan real estate. This is the mission school, built by missionaries to provide an education to the poorer communities of Zugando. 

I built it using the same technique as the Zugandan shops- using the modular building from Warbases (the same one as I used for the bike shop). This one had a bit more work in it, as you can see. I took the MDF roof and used that as the base for the class room, then cut a new roof out of card and applied the corrugated card on top. The roof for the class room is fixed in place to make it stronger, but the main buildings roof can come off to put figures inside. The posters were just printed off the computer and stuck to the wall with prit-stick (I am not that good at painting!) 

Because there was a bit more work in this one it took a bit longer- but it was still finished beginning to and in a couple of hours- and cost less that £4!

More Buildings for Zugado

Firstly let me begin by apologising for the absence of any resent posts. Readers of my other blog (Four Colour Super Minis) will realise that I spent October furiously painting zombies and survivors for 'Zomtober'. Having painted, with my son, some 41 figures, I just wanted a change of pace. To that end I decided that I would dedicate November to getting some half finished terrain and building projects realised. I am a bit of a bugger for starting buildings and alike, but never getting round to finishing, and so my loft is usually crammed with half-completed projects that just need a bit of time and TLC. 

This is a strange thing, because when I get round to painting them, I am always surprised to find out how much I like painting scenery- What is all that about?

To that end, I have added some more shops to my Zugandan village, again using Warbases exceptionally inexpensive Modular Buildings. There were very quick and easy to do- the two story one cost £3.50 and the smaller one £2. I had them finished from beginning to end in an evening. 

You can see an article on how I made these by clicking on the new Work in Progress tab at the top of the page, or clicking HERE

CIA Agent

 This is Megan, a CIA operative based in the Victoria Town office, in Zugando. She is the head of field operations for the CIA in the war-torn country. She is charged with finding, and apprehending the heads of the PRA, who are wanted from war crimes. She is a tough, no-nonsense character, who is fanatically patriotic an driven. She has already survived an attempt on her life by a gunman on a motorcycle, but nothing will dissuade her from tirelessly pursuing her mission. 

This figure is from Copplstone Castings. To be honest I had it hanging around and thought I would paint it, without much thought as to what I would use it for. I added a longer skirt with pro-create, as it was a bit too short. I based the red hair on Maya, from Zero Dark Thirty (well to be honest the whole charterer is based on her).

Secret Service Agents

Four new figures for my Zugandan campaign- these are secret service agents guarding Senator Ohio, or perhaps they are Presidential bodyguards  They are dressed in light weight 'tropical' suits, and are lightly armed, as befitting a close personal protection team.

I plan to use these chaps in a scenario involving an attempt to kidnap Senator Ohio. They will be elite, with a Troop Class/Morale of D10/D10.

These Figures are from EM4. They are 'future skirmish' figures, but they look fine for ultra-modern. I am not really sure secret service agents use UZI SMG but then again I saw one using just that weapon in Olympus has Fallen, so may be they do?