Thursday, December 13, 2012

Taliban!

Even when compared to the lack of modern regular troops in plastic, the Taliban are hard hit. The four sets of irregular soldiers, Caesar Urban Resistors, Modern Militia, the pitiful Mars Mujaheddin set, and Orion Chechen Rebels really aren't suitable for these guys. 

The typical local Taliban militia will wear a Shalwar Kameez, and some type of headdress as a turban, or Khapul. Sometimes they wear just this, or a combat jacket or vest or chest rig over top of the shalwar kameez (Enduring Freedom FoF: Osprey publishing).

I really had neglected the accuracy of my modern bad guys until recently. I took a mix of the urban resistors, chechens, and a few Mars figures and converted them to better poses as well as added Khapuls and Shalwar Kameezes from air drying clay (with wood glue reinforcement of course). I then painted them in the common colors I see in other people's armies.
I love how the Chechen set turned out.

I realize now that hatlessness is forbidden by the Taliban. They are only a few of the figures though and I may fix them later on.




The two on the left have M81, and the other has a flora pattern combat vests.

These are some of my favorite. The Khapul on the lead figure came out the best.


A bad thing to see.

An old Mars (actually made from chopped up ESCI I think) figure as compared to the Orion Chechen: thank goodness for modern mold making... 

The whole force. I plan to use the more "western" looking guys as foreign fighters; that way they will be suitable for Afghan, Iraqi, and a countless number of "Arab spring" countries. 

9 comments:

  1. ah the Taliban the guys who just don't go away... hmm hense my caution at the withdrawl of western troops from Afganistan. but if it does go pareshaped then we know who to blame

    these guys do look the part for some modern baddies and yes the Marz set is just a chopped up Esci one. also good work

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    1. Thanks Gowan! I have mixed emotions about the withdraw. I know that the Taliban will most likely take over again; an ANA general said as much just a few days ago. But then again, most of the western troops including the US will get to return instead of being canon fodder for a lost cause. On another note, I read last night that many historians believe the war could have been won very quickly if we had not withdrawn troops for the invasion of Iraq from 2002-2003. If only we had 20:20 foresight.

      Oh well, I guess it will just be Mali next.

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  2. Great looking conversions 'no track rot Ben'. Good choice of colours.

    Keep it up mate.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks "old man." I like the light blue ones the best. Painting these was very easy, thankfully the Taliban wears matching pants and shirts!

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  3. nice use of differant figs.what air dry clay was used? they look good!

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    1. Thanks Tsold! I used Amaco Stonex. It is very good stuff, just remember to cover it in glue or it will shatter.

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  4. Very nice looking "converted talibans"...
    Phil.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you sir! I don't think these fellows are likely to be reconverted :D

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  5. Great work Ben! And I'm sure you wil fix those head covers!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.be/

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