As opposition for my first AK47 Republic Army, which was roughly based on the European Settler type of force, I looked to my lead mountain.
Some years ago, I’d bid on and won a job lot of Peter Pig Israeli infantry figures. This was unexpected but at the price I won them, not to be refused!
However, at the time I had no immediate plans for them and into the pile they went.
Whilst looking into ideas for my other AK47 force, I took a look at the Osprey Modern African Wars No. 3 – Southwest Africa and realised that the modern South African Defence force used the Galil assault rifle and wore a uniform that wasn’t a million miles away from looking like that of the IDF.
So, the decision was made – a Professional Army of loosely South African appearance would be created!
For vehicles this presents some interesting options which gave me quite a challenge to find them on the internet as 3D printable files.
To start with I had my two left over landrovers with RCLs from my first army. These were simply recrewed with seated Peter Pig figures and painted a different colour. In fact all my professional army vehicles were painted the same base colour – Battle Front Miniatures Cobra Drab.
To transport the troops I opted for a mixture of Rafel wheeled IFVs with a 20mm Turreted support version, and a couple of MPVs (Mine Protected Vehicles) that loosely resembled the SA Casspir IFV.
This model was actually a cut down Buffalo Mine Removal Vehicle I found on the 3D Wargaming Facebook Page.
Before I had found suitable indigenous AFVs I printed off a Cadillac Gage Commando Armoured Car and a M113 APC so I added them to the mix as extras.
Finally, I printed off some 120mm mortars and crewed them with spare Peter Pig figures.
I realised then that I hadn't got enough firepower in the army. I could have added an Oliphant MBT but already had a Centurion painted up for my first force. It was then that I found the South African 8 x 8 Rooikat 105mm Armoured Car.
No suitable 3D files could be found, but I did discover one of Captain Ahab's files for a Chinese ZTL-11 105mm 8×8 Armoured Car.
At 15mm scale the resemblance between the two A/C's is such that one would easily pass for the other, so I've printed one of these as my counter to the opposition's Centurion!
Now I need to print off a few native huts for African terrain and I’m ready to give it all a run out.
Excellent!
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