Sunday 23 November 2014

The Plan - Draft 1

Apologies for the quiet spell over the last week. Events have conspired against me to the extent that I haven't got anything ready to photograph. Early last week I took a slight fall and bump to the head (so nothing serious) that resulted in a bit of a stay in Accident and Emergency at my local hospital, all the staff were marvellous (well at least for the bits I can remember).

As a result I haven't managed to get anything done hobby wise, but I thought I might post where I'm up to, and my rough plans (as far as I can tell).

28mm AWI

Currently being varnished are the last (for now) of the Queen's Rangers, managed to apply the first coat of gloss varnish tonight, so all being well I hope to have these based and up on the blog at the end of the week.
Next up for AWI will be a unit of 24 Hessian Grenadiers, models are cleaned up, just waiting for some old paint pots to be freed up to mount them on for painting.
Once I've finished the Hessian Grenadiers, I have a unit of Hessian Musketeers and some artillery to paint, and I think some skirmishers.
I hope to complete the painting on the Grand Manner model of Guilford Courthouse before Christmas (this might be a bit optimistic but that's the plan at the moment).

18mm Seven Years War

At the same time I'm also varnishing some more 18mm Seven Years War Russians. There has been a slight change of plans here as originally I was planning on each unit being 4 stands of 8 figures, after playing around with bases, and economics (number of figures) I have decided to go with 4 stands of 6, giving units of 24 figures. Basing will still be for Maurice and Black Powder, but the reduction in figures means that I will complete a playable force sooner and for a lower cost (both of which means I can move onto the Prussians quicker). A minor compromise, but it does have it's benefits.
I've also started a unit of 12 Dragoons, will post some pictures once I've something tangible to show.
After that I'll just grab a unit out of the box as the fancy takes me.

28mm War of Spanish Succession

WSS French army, these are the superb 28mm Front Rank Figurines. I have completed one battalion of the Regiment Navarre, and will post up some pictures soon. I have big plans for the War of Spanish Succession; one of the reasons that I'm collecting the Seven Years War in a smaller scale.

18mm All Quiet on the Martian Front

Still waiting for the remainder of the Kickstarter to be delivered. At the moment working on a Grenadier model for the Martians and some steam tanks and infantry for the American forces.

Other projects - ongoing...

I tend to add units as the fancy takes me to existing armies, one such army currently getting some love is my Early Achaemenid Persian. I will post up some photos at some point.

Other periods/armies - various ancients 28mm and 15mm (waiting for the new Forged in Battle Kickstarter from Westwind, looking forward to these miniatures). Strangely I've become attracted to the smaller scales again recently, will see if my eyes agree!
My ongoing ECW collection, will be expanded on a regular basis, plan to cover forces to represent Royalists, Parliament, Covenanters and Montrose Scots ( I've always liked the ECW as a period).

More that I've not mentioned, but they might make a surprise appearance.

So there it is a very rough plan, and as we all know, no plan survives contact with the enemy...

Might even manage some gaming as well before Christmas, but my wargaming space is currently needing setting up properly.


Sunday 16 November 2014

Queen's Rangers Highlanders

Finally finished painting the Queen's Rangers Highlanders and have managed to take some pictures before varnishing. The additional 6 skirmishing centre company are also painted, will add some pictures once varnished and based.

Models are Perry Miniatures pack AW9 Highlanders advancing at porte, painted in the same colours as the rest of the Queen's Rangers. I also decided to add the crescent emblem to the headgear, there is no historical basis for this as far as I'm aware, but I'm happy with how they have turned out.

The next time I post these I hope to have some decent shots of the whole brigade.

Click on any picture to enlarge






Wednesday 12 November 2014

SAGA Scots

Still working on the Queen's Rangers, spare time has been short recently but I managed a little painting earlier today and I'm hoping to finish them tonight. I will post some pics up before I varnish and base, then will add final pics once done.

Below are some pictures of my 4pt Scots Warband for SAGA. Already seen action and died heroically (at least in my eyes), which roughly translates into 'got slaughtered'! Still fun was had by all.
Hoping to get them in action again soon. I've only managed a few games of SAGA, but the system is very easy to pick up and games are tremendous fun.

At Salute this year I did pick up the MacBeth figure to replace my existing warlord (Kenny MacLuckless) but I still haven't managed to locate him since the house move. Once found he will be painted up and will be ready to change my luck.

The figures are 28mm from Gripping Beast. Painted quick style, with Foundry Paints. Shields are hand painted.
They will be getting a couple of coats of matt varnish once I can get a chance (the weather is okay for spraying).

I've also got a 4pt Welsh Warband to paint up, as well as little project I was working on (before we moved) for some SAGA terrain (more of that when I get some space organised to continue the build).













Friday 7 November 2014

I see Tripods...


A small interlude while I'm finishing off the last (for now) Queen's Rangers.

A Martian Assault tripod and Scout tripod for All Quiet on the Martian Front, by Alien Dungeon.

These are really nice models, very easy to assemble plastic kits. I started by spraying the assembled models with Army Painter coloured primer (Chainmail), then washed with Strong Tone Ink. The black and copper colours were done by using Foundry Metal Washes, I'm really pleased with the results, a very quick way to get the tripods done. The red on the heat ray and tentacles was done with red ink. I just have to gloss varnish the 'eye' on each tripod and they are ready for the table.








Tuesday 4 November 2014

Queen's Rangers Infantry

Some of the finished Queen's Rangers Infantry.

Flags are by GMB Designs.

The figures are Perry Miniatures, and they are based on 20mm diameter bases. Movement trays are from Warbases. I decided to base the Queen's Rangers individually so that I can use them for Black Powder, Muskets and Tomahawks and Donnybrook.

More photos will appear of the whole brigade once the remaining figures are painted.

Really feel like I'm getting somewhere, not long until the Brigade is ready for the table, and itching to take the fight to the rebels...








Sunday 2 November 2014

Queen's Rangers Skirmishers


Queen's Rangers Skirmishers, a small unit for Black Powder. There will be another unit (currently on the work bench), so I can field as either 1 standard unit of 2 small units.

Figures are Perry Miniatures from pack AW26 Queen's Rangers Riflemen Skirmishing.

Bases are 25mm diameter.