1/56 G.I. JOE VAMP Jeep

 Today I am back to talk about another of my favourite G.I. Joe vehicles. The VAMP was the second Joe vehicle that I collected as a kid and over the years it is easily one of the toys that I played with most. Naturally, it was one of the first models that I wanted to add to this army.

I got this model from Shapeways and even though it is made from a low quality material, once painted, I think it came up nicely! The sponge method used to represent the chipped whitewash hid the worst of the materials sins, thankfully.

Like the MOBAT, the VAMP, was featured heavily in the pages of the comic and its driver, Clutch, is one of my top ten Joe's of all time.

Over the years there have been a huge number of VAMP variants, used by both Joe and Cobra forces. The weapon systems on these vehicles also varied dramatically. When painting this one, I left the weapons off the back deck on purpose while I figure out how I am going to use it on the tabletop. In the meantime, I will use it as a jeep or a wheeled artillery tow. 

Though the VAMP has come in a myriad of colours over the years, I thought I would stick to the classic green. I did this despite the roof and doors being features of the VAMP MK2 (which was tan).

I definitely need to source some fuel cans for the rack in the back.

I have three of these models already printed plus a Mk 1 Diecast kit, a few Cobra Stingers and some "What-if" trucks made using the cabs from this iconic vehicle.

You will definitely be seeing more VAMP's soon!

1/56 Scale G.I.JOE MOBAT TANK

Ahhh, The MOBAT. From my earliest days as a G.I.JOE fan I have been in love with this tank! Featured prominently in issue number one of the comic, the MOBAT was an integral part of many of the original comic missions.

This tank has a huge nostalgia factor for me because, while it was not one of my first Joe vehicles (Those were the RAM and the VAMP for those wondering), I did get it for Christmas the first year I collected G.I. Joe toys from one of my favourite uncles (who had the forethought to also give me batteries). I drove this bad boy over piles of books in my Grandma's living room for hours. It was awesome! Yes, I am child of the 80's!

I think that the sponge chipping method worked particularly well on this vehicle given the number of wide blank plates it has as part of its armoured hull.

I started by painting the whole model white before black lining/washing the crevices a dark grey. I then repanelled the white back in to make the white neat before using blister pack sponge to apply the green to represent the green "underneath" the whitewash.

In Bolt Action terms I plan on using this as a Pershing, which is the American reskin of the Tiger tank in the rules. Given the size of the MOBAT's gun and its armour, I think that that suits.

 To the left you can see what it came like. It is a 3D print of a file found of Thingiverse that was printed in resin.

Only taking a few minutes to clean up before priming, this kit was a dream to paint up and prepare for the tabletop.

I absolutely adore this tank and I am now considering painting up another in the Crimson Guard alternative paint scheme that was sold by SEARS in the 80's. I think it would look ace in red and black!

Konflikt '47 Kodiak Walker

One of the best parts about Warlord's Konflikt '47 are the cool vehicles that you get to add to your existing armies to turn your standard WW2 armies... "weird."

One of those weird and wacky contraptions is the Kodiak Walker for the US forces. Looking suspiciously like the old Madcat mech from Battletech, this beastie carries an autocannon and a pair of heavy machine guns in each of its two arms. It Bolt Action/K'47 terms it throws out buckets of dice, all of which have an armoured piecing value, making this the perfect tool to stop transports, light vehicles and scary troops like werewolves, zombies and giant mutant bear men in their tracks.

This model was one of my first experiments as a painter using blister pack sponge as a means of "chipping" whitewashed armour. Though it is not perfect, I am quite pleased with the results.

Just looking at this model gets me excited to place Konflikt '47 again. Might have to set up another game sooner than later!