Spearhead

[da12thMonkey 1943]

Looking very good mate. I'm always extremely pleased to see British addons of this calibre. It all looks excellent.

The mid-80s troops you're doing; can you tell me what span through the 80s they represent? I know you're doing stuff up to '85 but would they be alright for troops in the couple of years proceeding that too? Also, any chance you're planning on doing AFV crews?

Dunno if you'll still find any use for this but a while back I took a very large scan of an L2A2 SUIT from the MoD's equipment catalogues published in 1985:

I lent the books to a colleague, but I'll see if there's owt else of use to you in them if I can get them back.

[Tigerhund 0]

You need to change the Charlie G a bit. The bipod is supposed to be attached to the choulder rest, not the forward grip.

[bk1276 0]

Quote[/b] ]Posted on Jan. 30 2008,01:13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You need to change the Charlie G a bit. The bipod is supposed to be attached to the choulder rest, not the forward grip.

it can be attached via the forward grip or the shoulder rest depending on what fireing poseising you yous standing supported/unsupported ,kneeling,prone.

[Cpt. FrostBite 0]

In addition to the four shown here I am also doing a man

without webbing and have also decided to do another wearing

an American M-1969 frag vest (as used in NI in the 70s

and early 80s), so I can use him for basic 1970s-style

"internal security" missions.

The models started out as the BIS example soldier, but now

really only the legs (more or less modified), boot uppers

and hands and heads are still BIS.

Some of the detail on these models I will attempt to replace

with normal mappings as work proceeds (eg. the map pocket

flaps on the trousers are not needed on a model like this),

although even in this state they are not particularly

high-poly (they use fewer polys than many of the BIS model

soldiers)

Hey this looks great, but I havbe a few questions:

-since the models arenot yet high-poly shouldn't you detail the arms a bit more? It looks a bit like a straigt piece of clothing right now, not really like a loose fitting wrinkled field-jacket. But it could be that the BIS models are also like this and that it's all done with normal maps, I don't know.

-will you also include para-troopers with their para helmet? I believe this can simply be your normal infantry soldier with a different helmet. And of course the bush-stroke camouflage as used by them

-I see you are talking abouy a bullet-proof vest. Will you include models that feature this underneath their jacket? I understand this may be difficult to model (making the torso "fatter" and only showing the coller of the vest around the neck), but as you most likely already know it was quite commen to wear the vest under the jacket. This was done a lot in Ireland, but also abraod in bosnia for example or even more recently in Afghanistan. With the introduction of the new vests recently this habit is no longer seen, but it used to be a typical british fashion. it would be great if you could do this.

I love the camouflage-material on the helmet. For me this is something very often seen on British soldiers during that period and looks awesome. It's great you are doing soldiers from this period. Not only did the british equipment look very different from other nations during that period (with all the large pouches covering the enire belt), but also because of the weapons used. The FAL is way cooler than than the current 5.56 weapons. With it's recoil it's nice shooting single shots and trying to keep it under control and on target. Would make playing ArmA just a bit more difficult (you have to make every shot hit on target to keep you alive), which is allways great

I didn't really had a look at this thread until today, but this sure caught my attention and I will keep a close eye on this looking for updates. Keep up the good work, cause I'm really looking forward to seeing this ingame!

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Quote[/b] ]Posted on Jan. 30 2008,01:13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You need to change the Charlie G a bit. The bipod is supposed to be attached to the choulder rest, not the forward grip.

it can be attached via the forward grip or the shoulder rest depending on what fireing poseising you yous standing supported/unsupported ,kneeling,prone.

Yes, bk1276 is right. Foreign practise may well be different -

but who cares about them here? Here you go:

And from the official pam regarding the L14A1:

The forward grip was also used when firing from the pintle

mount on the roof of the FV432 - using the shoulder stock

meant that backblast would go inside the vehicle spoiling

everyone else's tea.

It's also a better position for the game since having the gun

mount on the shoulder stock means it'd probably intersect

the firer's body and generally look like a bag of bollocks.

I'll respond to the other queries later this evening. Wait out.

[MehMan 0]

Awsome looking stuff there Faulkner. Stop thinking you're a bad modeller, you're very good at it.

If I ever get more time, I swear I'll help you texture it.

[Col. Faulkner 0]

The mid-80s troops you're doing; can you tell me what span through the 80s they represent? I know you're doing stuff up to '85 but would they be alright for troops in the couple of years proceeding that too?

Dunno if you'll still find any use for this but a while back I took a very large scan of an L2A2 SUIT from the MoD's equipment catalogues published in 1985:

The soldier labelled "mid-1980s" is compatible with any real world date between

1983 and the early 1990s. Taken all together one can use these addons

to represent any real world date between 1960 and 1990. They are sort

of dedicated to the period during which the SLR was the British service

rifle.

I am doing different skins and normal maps for the different combat suits

('60 pattern OG, '60 (aka '66) patt DPM, '68 patt DPM and '84 patt DPM).

Externally they differed in details of colour, stitching, construction

and arrangement of pockets, with only very minor changes to the models

needed. I have all the constructional details of the different patterns.

Also, any chance you're planning on doing AFV crews?

There isn't really much point in doing AFV crews (or heli pilots)

if there are no compatible vehicles. If anyone does a decent 4 ton

truck or a Chieftain tank then I'd be delighted to try doing an

RCT driver or an RTR tank crew for it.

The picture is interesting. The later issue SUIT unit with the first

pattern rubber eye cup. The data plate might come in handy for texturing,

so thanks for that. I'd probably have had to draw one myself otherwise.

Anything else you have is always welcome.

Hey this looks great, but I havbe a few questions:

-since the models arenot yet high-poly shouldn't you detail the arms a bit more? It looks a bit like a straigt piece of clothing right now, not really like a loose fitting wrinkled field-jacket. But it could be that the BIS models are also like this and that it's all done with normal maps, I don't know.

The ArmA figures have their arms constructed similarly. Texturing

contributes a great deal to the final impression. I'm not at all

satisfied with the arms, though, and am rebuilding them. My models

are still very much under development, however, (W.I.P. = Work in

progress) and there are several further improvements to them which

I am already working on.

-will you also include para-troopers with their para helmet? I believe this can simply be your normal infantry soldier with a different helmet. And of course the bush-stroke camouflage as used by them

No, they'd need para smocks too at the very least; whether it's

'59 Denisons, or the '63 or '77 DPM airborne troops smocks. And

if I go back far enough their webbing is of a different pattern

from everyone else too.

I messed about with a 1980s paratrooper model for a while but I

have set it aside for now.

I don't intend to do paratroopers at the moment and am sticking to

line infantry. I'll be happy enough if I can get even one of the

new soldiers finished and working in-game. I'm sure the first one

(no matter what it is, but in this case it's the man in fighting

order with the camouflaged steel helmet) will be the hardest one

to do.

-I see you are talking abouy a bullet-proof vest. Will you include models that feature this underneath their jacket? I understand this may be difficult to model (making the torso "fatter" and only showing the coller of the vest around the neck), but as you most likely already know it was quite commen to wear the vest under the jacket. This was done a lot in Ireland, but also abraod in bosnia for example or even more recently in Afghanistan. With the introduction of the new vests recently this habit is no longer seen, but it used to be a typical british fashion. it would be great if you could do this.

The vests have no effect in the game and are thus just there for

aesthetic purposes. While it's true that the frag vest was sometimes

worn beneath the smock (and the INIBA vest of the 1980s was always

worn like this) it was more often worn on top. Bearing these two

factors in mind I intend to have it worn on top of the smock.

I'd like to do the whole plethora of Internal security kit(and I

was involved for a while in a "Northern Ireland" Op. Flashpoint

mod) but it's really just too much work on my own. The IS guys will,

however, have a visored helmet (either a "Cromwell" or the Mk IV

shown here) and one of the baton guns:

I love the camouflage-material on the helmet. For me this is something very often seen on British soldiers during that period and looks awesome. It's great you are doing soldiers from this period. Not only did the british equipment look very different from other nations during that period (with all the large pouches covering the enire belt), but also because of the weapons used. The FAL is way cooler than than the current 5.56 weapons. With it's recoil it's nice shooting single shots and trying to keep it under control and on target. Would make playing ArmA just a bit more difficult (you have to make every shot hit on target to keep you alive), which is allways great

The rifles and webbing will be properly cammed too and faces

will have camouflage cream applied. The hands are in either

khaki wool gloves or black leather NI gloves (depending on

the period).

[Col. Faulkner 0]

If I ever get more time, I swear I'll help you texture it.

Thanks but I think you'll have your work cut out enough doing

the 8th army and Afrika Korps, won't you? I might pester you

for hints on how to do things, though.

[SASR Sabre 0]

just finished having a run through this thread. Very nice work mate, models look great. Cant wait to see more progress

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Firstly, I am gratified by the supportive comments. Thank you

all. Now for a last little models update before I move onto the

next phases of construction:

I didn't originally plan to include this one, but on reflection it'll be

needed for senior NCOs, signallers and the medics. Apart from

which it's an iconic British gun from that period (and favourite of

James Bond's enemies, Dr. Who's U.N.I.T. and of Star Wars Imperial

Stormtroopers) and the best open bolt SMG ever produced (in field

trials proven better than the Uzi, for example, and also better out

in the field than the MP5).

In the event the barrel jacket on this model gun will most likely be done

with a normal map (you can't really see right through it quite that

easily) along with other small details. The proportions on this low poly

model may need tweaking too - it's a very early W.I.P. All we need now

is for BIS to sort out the rubbish grenade throwing mechanism in game

and it'll be tally ho for some battlefield house clearing and Close

Quarter Battlecraft - 1970s or 1980s style.

One problem is the animation of the bolt in the 3rd party view gun. I

can work out how to make it reciprocate backwards then forwards, but

can't seem to get it to go forwards then backwards (as in an open bolt

gun). If anyone knows the secret to achieving that (if it's even possible)

then I'd be very grateful for the information.

That's almost all the most common Section and Platoon weapons covered

now. Just got to properly finish them all now.

I'm now off to try to make a superdetailed pair of "Boots, DMS"  (with

puttees) for baking a normal map off of. I'm grateful that the old "Leather

Personnel Carriers" were much simpler in construction than many of

the modern extreme-sports boots that they all seem to wear nowadays!

[Col. Faulkner 0]

I haven't updated this thread for a while. Serious real life issues and ill health have

unfortunately curtailed all of my hobby activities lately. However, I have recently

got back to working on the ArmA "Spearhead" stuff again. I've now finished a radical

reworking of all of the models to lift them out of their previous unimpressive state.

British infantry from 1980 and 1985 will be along sometime soon...  

[-Snafu- 78]

Good to hear. Spearhead is a refreshing change from all the Yank stuff.

Quote[/b] ]British infantry from 1980 and 1985 will be along sometime soon...

Generic or a specific regiment?

[PSYCHOSIM 0]

Thats good to hear,

Hope your health is better now.......

[Stewy 1]

Fantastic news mate, I hope you're feeling better.

Have a Bex and a lie down and get well soon!

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Good to hear. Spearhead is a refreshing change from all the Yank stuff.

Quote[/b] ]British infantry from 1980 and 1985 will be along sometime soon...

Generic or a specific regiment?

Well my first goal is to actually just get the stuff finished and

working in the game and looking and behaving decently well.

In the first instance I'm making Scottish infantry (specifically

Gordon Highlanders) purely as a personal conceit, but I have

a beret model done too so pretty much anything is eventually

possible (except PARA, for now, since I'm not making para

smocks or helmets at this time).

The first ones I'm working on for now are in temperate

combat dress and in the horrible old olive green Mk 3 NBC

suits. Thus pretty generic - especially in the early 1980s -

and useable for everything (except RM and PARA).

(It actually strikes me that Royal Marines make a lot of sense

in the context of ArmA - most missions being pretty much

designed for light role infantry and all the action being on

islands - so 1980s Royal Marines Commandos will very likely

be the next lot I'll do after I get the jocks and the weapons

done.)

The ones I'm working on now have detail variations to make

them authentic for circa 1980 and 1985. The guys from 1985,

for example, have the "new" plastic Mk VI helmets, high-leg

boots and heavily customised webbing (although none wear

the crappy "new" '84 patt clothing). The men from 1980 have

older kit (eg. DMS boots and puttees - although one model

wears 'derrys - and Mk IV steel tobys) and less modified

webbing. A variant has them in regimental headdress (ie. in

this first instance, Tam O' Shanters with GORDONS tartan

patch and - blackened - stag's head capbadge) and I have

a bod outfitted for Northern Ireland-style IS duties, circa

1980 (with an M69 frag vest, 'derry patrol boots and ToS).

I'm trying to avoid biting off more than I can chew at once,

but earlier periods and orders of dress may follow once these

are done. I'd really like to do men in tropical (ie. jungle),

desert (in the old fashioned khaki drill and windproofs) and

arctic outfits, and wearing the old olive green '60 patt

combats too (I've spent hours making the earlier variants of

the SLR and GPMG to support these - also a no. 9 automatic

rifle, which of course was never issued in reality but which I

have added for extra variety).

Weapons for now are still; SLR (several variants including

various iron sights, combat optics and night sights etc, and

including bayonets and BFAs), LMG (ie. 7.62mm Bren), GPMG,

SMG, 84mm Carl Gustav A/Tk gun (firing L40 HEAT, Illum,

Smoke and Prac), L2A2 APers hand grenade, Federal baton

gun and No. 9 Mk 1 rifle; but I do have other ones on the go

too for completion at a later time eg. L42A1 Lee-Enfield

sniper rifle (variants with L1A1 telescope, ART telescope and

night sight unit fitted), ArmaLite rifle, L34A1 suppressed

Sterling, L9A1 Browning SLP and SF kit for GPMG.

66mm rockets (ie M72 LAW) and MILAN are promised in  

addon sets by other project teams so these could be

incorporated too, leaving just 51mm and 81mm mortars to be

done (at some future time) complete the infantry ptn/coy/btn

weapons. Vehicles I think I'll have to leave to others.

[Col. Faulkner 0]

@PSYCHOSIM & Stewy; cheers, and thanks for your

concerns. I'm still in a bit of a shit state, really, but

fighting through it now.

[EWAAR 0]

Looks Great

[manzilla 1]

Yea man, it's good to see you back at the helm Col.. It's nice to see ya around. Your wealth of knowledge has been missed lately. You always got ton of good info.

Get well and back in action when all is well. Take care.

[da12thMonkey 1943]

leaving just 51mm and 81mm mortars to be

done (at some future time)

Have the mortars changed much since the '80s, to what they're like today? I'd imagine any significant improvements would have been to the ammo and propellants used, rather than the tubes themselves.

If they're the same, somebody may have already saved you the effort.

Sorry to hear about your ill health though: hope it isn't causing you too much discomfort. I'm glad you're still able to carry on with this project; it's always looked set to be of the highest quality.

[Stewy 1]

@PSYCHOSIM & Stewy; cheers, and thanks for your

concerns. I'm still in a bit of a shit state, really, but

fighting through it now.

Congrats, Colonel - good to see you're "cracking on" (to use a British Army term) in the face of adversity.

Get well soon mate

Stew

[-Snafu- 78]

Quote[/b] ]I'm making Scottish infantry (specifically

Gordon Highlanders) purely as a personal conceit,

It's great to see British forces being created/in a game but to have an addon with a local connection is brilliant. My Grandfather trained with the Gordons for 6 weeks when he did his National Service, then he got punted into the artillery. He never got any of his original choices.

I'll reinforce what da12thMonkey said. Your attention to detail is excellent.

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Well, after much swearing and hair-pulling I have now managed to get one of my soldier models into the game

(British infantry of 1975-1980 in Fighting Order)

These are all original except for the BIS head and hands. Unfortunately, trying to do original models has

brought with it all sorts of trouble as I try to make them fit the ArmA soldier anims. I am having terrible

problems trying to get them to behave properly when animated. After a struggle I have now managed to get

them at least somewhat human-looking (ie. no more hands like "The Thing" and their legs no longer look like

they belong to someone else when they run), but, as it is, there is still some truly horrific distortion in places.

There's also a weird problem where the gunsmoke and cartridge case ejection appear at ground level (this

after two days spent trying to get him to actually hold his friggin' SLR!?)

And I thought I was nearly finished these, and was ready to finally start texturing them *cries*

I'm supposing that I need to revise my selections...or something... to fix these distortions. I console myself

with the thought that once I've got one figure working fine then the other figures should (comparatively) be

a doddle.

If there are any experts on this who would like to offer some technical support, I'd be more than grateful. I've

spent so long on these things (all the weapons too) that I don't really want to have to give up on them now.

[Stewy 1]

Good luck mate, they look fantastic!

L1A1

[Col. Faulkner 0]

Good luck mate, they look fantastic!

L1A1

Well, even if nothing else eventually comes out of all this, I'm

absolutely determined to finish the SLRs (and other weapons).

Small arms addons are a whole lot simpler to do than human

figures, I've found  

[CameronMcDonald 146]

+1,000,000.

I had a friend make me a custom model for a vest a bit back. Trying to get it to animate for ArmA was comparable to eating jelly via a straw.

Keep up the good work.