Airsoft Armoury - Ops Core Helmet Redux

Hi Folks,
time for another update on a little Airsoft project. As some of you might remember last time we saw the Ops Core Fast Helmet replica it looked a little like this:

 

Since then I've played a few games in it and come to love it, the only problem is that whist it does blend in, often it also stands out, mainly against the greens. It just ends up as a brown spot.

With that in mind I recently purchased a nice Multicam helmet cover from the wibbly wobbly web, now im not normally a fan of covers but i must say this does look sweet.

 

My only concern is, that like the MICH (that i will be selling soon) it loks like its missing something. I cant quite put my finger on it but just not sure what it needs. Any thoughts?

 

Airsoft Armoury - MICH 2000 Helmet Completed

Well folks the work has been completed and the pictures are finally here. Some time ago I started work on my MICH and bought a load of odds and sods for it as seen here:

As you can see this was origionally going to be a MICH with a marpat cover, however since I bought all these items I moved away from Marpat and over to Multicam so decided the cover wasnt really suitable. I decided then to spray the helmet and move to a patterned design.

In the end the parts used were the NVG mount, a set of Ops Core Rails, the surefire replica, an emerson chin strap and the velcro i ordered. The origional strap bought was flawed and unusable so i had to replace it.

To paint the helmet it was base coated Sand before being wrapped in the Scrim net in the picture above. Once wrapped I dusted the helmet with Olive Drab and Dark Earth paints, both mixed well and gave the finish below:

Personally despite the bulk of the helmet compare to my FAST helmet i like the effect. There seems to be something missing and i would like to add some more bits to the helmet, I just cant put my finger on what to add though.

So there you have it, the completed (at least base completion) of the MICH 2000.

Any thoughts and comments on the helmet would be great.

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - March Commitment

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

So after last months success I intended to keep up the pace this month and expand the armour and airsoft gear, this however failed. Life got busy with odds and sods and working away for two weeks. Whilst I got two amazing weekends of airsoft in, i can highly recommend the UCAP sandpit site, so unfortunately no progress this month. This means though that March can be a busy month.

Workbench commitment for March 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a total of 4 Russes to build and magnatise. These are all Alpha pattern Forgeworld russes with the appropriate turrets, although I have 5 turrets as I plan to convert one for my commissar. In addition I have plastic Turrets as extras for them all to allow for some fun and games.
So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build 4 x Leman Russ
• Build Additional Exterminator turrets
• Build Additional Russ turrets
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - Febuary Commitment

So after last months success I intend to keep up the pace this month and expand the armour and airsoft gear.

Workbench commitment for January 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a total of 4 Russes to build and magnatise. These are all Alpha pattern Forgeworld russes with the appropriate turrets, although I have 5 turrets as I plan to convert one for my commissar. In addition I have plastic Turrets as extras for them all to allow for some fun and games.
So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build 4 x Leman Russ
• Build Additional Exterminator turrets
• Build Additional Russ turrets
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Airsoft Armoury - Ops Core Helmet Completed

As followers of the blog may know I have recently picked up an OPs Core Fast helmet. Overall despite inital concerns about the colouring etc it turned out it didnt need too much work afterall. Though as you can see there was plenty to add to it:

 

some of the items pictured but not used were things like the peltor side mounts, others such as the peltors are rigged to my vest so dont appear in the pics below, but the pads inside the helmet were adjusted to allow me to wear the all together.

 



So to start up with here is an overall veiw and we can go in to more detail as we go on:

 The helmet has had additional velcro added to allow the mounting of patches, lights and potentially at a later date a camera. The rails were tightened and mounting posts for my regulator goggles were added.

nothing specoal just a close up of my multicam Union Jacks, one of which will be replaced eventually but I think these are great quality patches and some of the best produced I've seen in a while.

 A picture of the rear showing my customer name tag, again great quality and the little Union Jack finishes it really well. my only bugbear is that the edging doesnt match the flag patches but thats nothing major.

 In addition to the patches a V-Lite was added to the top, whilst it seems counter productive to stick something big and glowing on top screaming "shoot me, shoot me!" it really helps on night games as I can just activate it and call hit. In addition occasionally having an identifier in CQB helps.

As you can also see a surefire replica helmet light was added to the side for general lighting purposes. Initally I did use the specific surefire mount but I felt this stuck out way to far so instead I modded one or the rails mounts that came with the helmet and made a much lower profile mount.

as you can see the surefire helmet light also has red lights for low light operations (apparently) but i just think it all looks cool in red.

 

So there we have it the completed Ops Core helmet, hopefully you guys like it and hopefully the Mich 2000 will look half as cool.

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - January Update

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - January Update

First update of a new year commitment and I think Ive managed it, was a struggle with work and travel but i think I've done well.

Workbench update
So this months commitment consisted of the following:

• Build chimera - completed
• Build Manticore - completed
• Build 3 x hellhound - completed
• paint and reassemble fast ops helmet - completed
• paint and reassemble mich  - partially completed

As you can see a pretty successful month with pretty much everything I set out to complete getting done, the tanks went together perfectly and the magnetisation was easy, as you can see below:

All the chimeras in the lower picture have not only their multilaser turrets but forgeworld autocannon turrets and out of shot a flamer turret each as well - for any eventuality. All the tanks have magnets in the front to allow for changing out the hull mounts should I need to. There is some small detailing i want to finish (when the bits arrive) such as track guards but all are ready for spraying once the Russes are complete.

The helmet after a brief sand down and buff didn't need painting and the finished article looks great, more on this in a future post, the only downside was that the Mich2000 didn't get completed. It got an initial coat of paint but then the weather turned and I couldn't spray, hopefully this weekend that might be rectified.
So overall quite pleased but really need to get it stepped up a gear for 2013.
Thanks

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - December Update and January Commitment - 08.01.13

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - December Update and Janurary Commitment

First update of the new year and first up, hope you all had a good Christmas or other holiday and that the new year was a pleasant start to 2013 for you all. So folks this months update and commitment will be a nice short one so enjoy and feel free to share your own hobby commitments. So time for the first realistic goal (I hope) of 2013.

Workbench update
So December was an odd month again hobbywise, got done mostly everything I wanted but the weather precluded spraying my helmets and being in the new house I didn't think stinking the place out with krylon was a good idea, so here is the brief round up:

• Tome of Fire - read
• The  Siege of Castellax - read
• Build 2 x chimera completed
• remove trades from 2 x rifle - turns out i had official G36 real steel trades on my Kv but only airsoft H&K style trades (very close to real thing) on my Cv
• assemble and complete fast ops helmet - the helmet was stripped and all parts test fitted but couldn't spray due to the weather.
• strip and start updating mich - the helmet was stripped and all parts test fitted but the rails didnt fit, now for sale and ordering msa rails, also couldn't spray due to the weather.
• sell no longer used airsoft kit - all done (apart from 2 warrior pouches in MC)

As you can see a pretty successful month with pretty much everything I set out to complete getting done, overall quite pleased but really need to get it stepped up a gear for 2013.

Workbench commitment for January 2013
So once again this month we have the tanks! I have a third chimera to build, once completed I shall be looking to complete my manticore and start on some hellhounds. Once built I will see about getting some pics on the blog.
Again more reading but I wont be adding this to the official commitments list as i will be doing way too much reading as normal so would fill the list.
Finally I intend (weather and shed space dependant) getting the two helmets prepped and painted prior to going to the sandpit on the 20th of the month.
Whilst I appreciate this doesn't seem like a huge goal for the month I unfortunately will be on jury service to two weeks of the month (maybe even longer but hopefully not) and if the jury service ends on time I will be away training people for at least a week, followed by a trip to nottingham at the start of feb (though only for work worse luck), with that in mind I think my plans are manageable and goes a good way to getting things moving.

So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Build chimera
• Build Manticore
• Build 3 x hellhound (potentially)
• paint and reassemble fast ops helmet
• paint and reassemble mich

Overall i think a manageable goal so please do keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

Airsoft Armoury - Ops Core Helmet Work in Progress

Following on from the MICH 2000 we have my newest addition, I have recently picked up an OPs Core Fast helmet. This doesnt need too much work but theres enough to do to make it fun, the helmet and its accompaniments was a good buy as you can see:

the first thing to do though is to spray the helmet, as you can see its very dark brown rather then tan. Once done its time to add the velcro and then adjust the pads inside to fit the new replica peltors i have picked up. In addition there is the surefire light and the v-lite from the other helmet to fit on here too. The helmet is a nice fit and the new suspension system they have replicated in it is very comfy.
Once the weathers better I will be able to spray and all being well that will be after christmas day.
hope you like.

Airsoft Armoury - MICH 2000 Helmet Work in Progress

Hi folks,
as an expansion on the airsoft armoury theme I've decided to share some of my kit projects with you. At the moment I'm in the process of upgrading all my kit, I have recently moved on to Multicam kit (more details in a later post) so with that in mind I have decided to update my helmet collection.

First up is my old MICH 200, as you can see this is a bog standard olive coloured helmet made from fibreglass.

nothing special I know but to improve it and bring it more in line with current trends and helmet tech I have this little lot to add to the beastie:

my first improvement will be to spray the helmet with a skin style pattern (the scrim is for that) before adding the following accessories:

• genuine issue pads
• tan chin strap
• ops core rail set
• nvg mount
• surefire helmet light and mount
• v-lite replica
• velcro (awaiting delivery)

these should add a nice edge to this helmet and make it work well with not only my new multicam kit but will also work well with my marpat and tan kit (good for nice woodland games in summer). Will post more pics when the work is complete but unfortunately its a tad too moist to spray at the moment.
Any questions on the helmet, parts or anything please let me know.

Millest’s Monthly Workbench - 28.11.12

Millest’s Monthly Workbench

 

So folks after debating it on a few of the news groups, forums and facebook pages, as well as with some advice from some of you guys on the blog I have decided to drop the workbench commitments from fortnightly to monthly. It has been suggested by others using this format to get things done that fortnightly doesnt give time to get things dont and your more likely to become overwhelmed (and i agree) so I have decided to set more realistic targets for myself of monthly goals. So time for the first realistic goal (I hope).

Workbench update
Once again the previous two weeks for me were very busy with not only Dan's (the blogs resident ultramarine player) wedding but with general work. Happily all the reading slated for completion, Flesh of Cretacia, Old soliders never die and the Black Library Weekender Volumes 1 and 2, was finished as expected. In addition I have made a start on Tome of Fire  this week and am looking forward to completing it.
Unfortunately however the physical hobby side of things didnt pan out the way I wanted with only the additional turrets getting built. The main bodies of the tanks are still on sprues so this will roll over to this commitment.

Workbench commitment for December 2012
So once again this fortnight we have the chimera, once their completed I shall see about getting some pics on the blog.
Again more reading in the form of Tome of Fire and The Seige of Castellax on the horizon, not only that but i have just ordered the new campaign book and hopefully that should be here soon.

This month also sees some Airsoft action taking place. Not only will i be removing the airsoft trades from my toys, so expect some new pictures of my rifles for the airsoft armoury, but I also intend to Start work on my new helmet and bringing my old mich up to date with a new paint scheme and the latest accessories. I wont post pictures of them here but i will be posting some pre and post pictures over the week, This work is unfortunately dependant on parts coming from overseas for the Mich (and to a lesser degree on the fast helmet) but all being well we should have some progress soon. This does also mean i need to sort out my remaining kit and the parts from  my helmets etc i wont use and sell them (so if anyone needs anything let me know and i can let you have a list) to help cover the costs of other parts i need.

So this months commitment consists of the following:

• Tome of Fire
• Ther Siege of Castellax
• Build 2 x chimera
• remove trades from 2 x rifle
• assemble and complete fast ops helmet
• strip and start updating mich
• sell no longer used airsoft kit

Overall i think a manageble goal and one that should work well now we are on a monthly system. It also gives me a simpler way to check what i need to do. Next work bench update will be at the end of December but keep an eye on the blog for progress over the coming weeks.
Thanks

The Airsoft Armoury - An Update

As promised folks some updates on the many hobbies of Millest.
As regular followers are aware over the past few years I have amassed quite an armoury of airsoft "weapons" or toys as I generally call them. However recently after a few bad experiences and the fact the toys are getting on a bit I took the hard decision to part with them. In the end I sold both the G36c and the M249, but don't worry friends and followers it isn't all bad, far from it in fact.
The sale of my toys has allowed me to invest in a nice shiny toy, so I would like to take this time to introduce you to the latest member of the armoury, my nice new G36KV:

Apologies for the stock photo but there is a touch more work I would like to do to it before I get some more pics up.
This new toy is a Umarex G36KV with EBB - Electric Blow Back - or recoil which is nice, and playing with others massively out ranges my old G36c. So please keep an eye out for new pics soon.
hope you like, I know I do!

The Airsoft Armoury - G36C Project

As promised here finally are pictures of my up to date G36C now I've completed here, or at least as far as I can see.

As you can see externally I've added a Magpul replica angled fore grip. I've also added as seen in the later pics a CQB quick release silencer and an Eotech 552 scope. The G36C is mainly stock internally but the new tight bore inner barrel and hop bits have helped improve the accuracy no end.

Also in the pics is some of my ACU gear, my Mich and mechanix gloves. you can also see my KJW SIG P226, a great pistol with spot on range and accuracy, and the serpa holster I use. All I need now is a pretty decent shotgun. Apologies on the poor quailty of the last pic.

Enjoy folks

The Airsoft Armoury - M249 Project

As promised a while back here are some pics of the provisionally completed and upgrades M249 Para version. There hasn't been much external alteration, in all there has been the addition of the 552 holosight and a mk1 length external barrel. Externally I think she's pretty much complete though i would love to add a lower ris to her eventually.
internally she has a new longer tight bore inner barrel, that has almost doubled her range. she has a new piston, seals and hop unit. The final most important upgrade is a new M120 hi-speed motor, the rate of fire is now unbelievable and results in a solid string of plastic between you and the target when you pull the trigger, I will try to get some videos up eventually comparing the two!
so here's the pics, hope you enjoy and if you have any questions please let me know.

So it begins..........

Well folks after a week of waiting with baited breath for the postie to arrive, well when I haven't been stuck at work that is, all the modelling bits and airsoft bits I've been waiting on have finally arrived! YAY!

The Airsoft bits were the first to arrive and once I've finished the alterations to my M249 I will make sure that they are fitted then get some pics up for you all later in the week.

On to the modelling and painting bits! Other then new books these have been my first purchases of models and paints in well over a year. I dug out my old paints and bitz and found that it had all either dried up (apart from a couple of pots) or I had traded it away, so I set out on the task of restocking and getting enough models to tie me over until next month. In the end i ended up ordering:

• A Bucket load of paint
• Couple of varnishes
• Some paint palettes
• 5 snap together Cadians for test models
• A box of 5 Space Marines for some test models
• 20 Marine shoulder pads for casting pads on to (Thanks to imcdonnell on Dakkadakka for giving them to me for free).

Once all this lot arrived in its various dribs and drabs I was a happy bunny, though admittedly I did spend my first day off having a very interesting day out at a local music festival. To be fair though it was worth it and it was definitely a great way to spend the afternoon with the other half! So once I got home and unpacked everything I was confronted with this little lot:

I know it doesn't look too much but considering other then books I haven't spent a penny on 40k stuff for a long time its a vast amount of stuff for me. Well now that lots arrived I have a lot of things planned and now realise I need to buy some important things, like the Guard and Marine codexes, still lots planned over the next few weeks when I can slot things in around work and the real world! So as a brief run down and to help me remember here's a list of whats coming up:

• 
  
  Mentor Legion Test model
• 
  
  Red Hunters Test model
• 
  
  Guardsman Test model
• 
  
  Storm Trooper Test model (using guardsman)
• 
  
  Inquisitional Storm Trooper Test model 1
• 
  
  Inquisitional Storm Trooper Test model 2

So as you can see lots planned and over the next few weeks there will be a couple of polls appearing on the blog for some important decisions, and as always any feedback, help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

The Airsoft Armoury - Past Pictures

Hi Folks
Some time ago I promised to post up some pictures of my Airsoft equipment. For those of you not familiar with Airsoft here is a bit of background.

The easiest way to describe it is that it's similar to paintball. Two teams attempt to complete various objectives (such as capture the flag, defend the base, etc.), which invariably end up with them shooting each other. The games are often fast paced but longer lasting then paintball and in most cases tactics are more important and of grater value then in paintball.

The shooting in question is done by Airsoft guns or replicas which use either spring or air power to fire small plastic BB pellets at the opposition. These pellets do not cause any lasting damage, or break the skin (usually). You feel a stinging sensation, but it soon fades. Unlike paintball, these leave no mark (unless you're shot from a very close range) and the game relies on personal honour prevailing in order to keep things running. The guns and equipment used as usually replicas of real world guns, however in some cases there are replicas of some SCI FI guns, such as the M4A1 from Alien, available.

Now that's out of the way I though now would be a good time to show you some of the replicas I own in their past configurations, they are presently being upgraded and having new parts added both internally and externally, I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions please ask.

JG G36c - First Configuration

When I originally purchased the JG version of the G36c the only initially work completed was the addition of a mock Silencer, an M4 magwell and the use of M4 Pmags, this allowed me more versatility as it meant i could borrow mags from other players using the more common M4 during protracted fire fights.

JG G36c - Second Configuration

This is the second incarnation of my G36c with pmag, m4 adaptor, Acog red dot and zombie silencer.

The second picture also show it with the thermold M4/armalite mags I have now moved on to using and TM tracer unit.

Once again all the internals are stock apart from a new piston and piston head, considering the short barrel its spot on for range, though accuracy did suffer over the greater distance.

JG G36c - Third Configuration - The Magpul Experiment

At this point the G36c was used for a little bit of experimenting with some of the replica Magpul Industries parts that were available, in this case the Flip up Iron sights and the Magpul VN length 150rd Hi cap magazines. In addition a front grip, a torch and a flat sightless top rail were added.

The G36 looked OK and a bit different but in my mind using the sights and smaller mags was counter productive when give the plan of using the gun in a CQB (close quarter battle) situation means lots of ammo is needed. The sights were sold and the mags have been shelved until I have the cash for my DMR project.

A&K M249 SAW Para Version - First Configuration

My M249 with added Samurai Elcan, at this point its pretty much stock other then a CA hop unit that I don't thing is much better then the standard A&K one and a guarder advanced hop rubber.

The gun at this point was pretty spot on and the bonus was sourcing a cheap-ish small CA cloth mag reduces its overall size and make her easier to wield in CQB games. Also being able to use my M4/Armalite mags makes running her more practical as mags can be borrowed should ammo run out.
 
That's all the pics of them for now in their various guises. i hope you liked them and any pics please let me know.
Thanks

A Return.......... after a fashion!

Well Hi folks!

After what seems like an age I'm back! There has been a lot of soul searching and selling of models, components and pretty much all my 40K stuff in favour of my other expensive hobby, Airsoft, but in the end I have decided I like 40k a bit too much!

So now im back and it looks like I'm up to my old painting habits again! With new toys seeming to come out on an almost daily basis it seemed a silly time to step away. So I'm Back and over the coming weeks I hope to get more done on my various armies.

I've decided to go and concentrate on only two armies, I'm planning on completing my Imperial Guard, admittedly they still need a name, but I'm also considering a Red Hunters Space Marine force. The choice for that chapter is that it would tie in nicely for a future Inquisitional force as and when the new codecies (codexes, codexs, books!) come out.

So as a breif wake up to say I'm back and I'm starting again so keep an eye out and we'll see where this takes me.

Have fun folks!