Tuesday, May 31, 2011

...Interim...

Well, I have battalions of infantry assembled and primed, but my brushes are in a storage box and not the box I thought they were in. Thus, I am frantically going through every box I have...which are legion...looking for them. AND I am having to deal with Real Life issues that suddenly appeared, and which are consuming far more time than I wish they would.

Luckily, I have a box of Victrix French infantry showing up tomorrow, so I can assemble those lads, but I want to get painting asap.

Any able to recommend the Vallejo shades for shadowing and highlighting their Buff color?

Also, Beneath the Lily Banners or Black Powder for War of the Spanish Succession? Anyone? Anyone?

Friday, May 27, 2011

Wargames Factory: Greeks and Bases

I do not want to come off as being a shill for Wargames Factory as I do not have a horse in that race, but I do like to give credit where credit is due. Thus, I am linking http://www.wargamesfactory.com/ because of the bases (which are far cheaper than the GW bases I normally use) and http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150191828876059&set=a.376444226058.165520.334302786058&type=1&theater which are pics of the heads of their upcoming Greek/Spartan plastic infantry.

These guys (WGF or WF) are making this hobby affordable again. No longer do we in the US have to pay exorbitant shipping charges on top of a lopsided exchange rate for UK manufactured plastic and metal miniatures. Now, I do like much of what is produced in the UK, but I simply cannot afford to build armies with models produced there.

Enter Wargames Factory, who have really turned things around for American miniature gamers who have to survive on a limited budget.

I really hope to soon paint the WSS models that I assembled this week, it became so windy for three days that I could not prime the models (I never prime them inside the house...bad bad bad). However, I now have six 12 figure battalions primed and ready to be painted. I have two more battalions assembled and am down to the last battalion out of the three original boxes. I am trying to decide whether I want to make these lads grenadiers or to make them militia, using the floppy hats. I need to get a different size base for all of these, as 2"x2" just won't work for playing with the other guys in the club.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Mustering the Troops, Part I

Now that the house is empty once again, I was able to break out the WSS infantry and begin the assembly process.


Here is my temporary work area. It is large, but not nearly well lit enough, nor is it something I can leave out. However, I hope to rectify this situation, once I get my storage sorted.

The most fiddly bit of assembly, thus far, has been to attach the hangers properly. Except, I did notice that the belt on the hanger bit is sculpted in such a way as to properly conform to the curves on the coat. So, one should glue the inside of the belt, it is a smooth area about 1/8" long and maybe 1/32" wide. Gluing anywhere else is apt to get glue where you don't want it.


This pic shows the approximate location of the hanger when glued to the correct spot on the coat. ... and I mean coat, not the belt across the model's waist.

A little bit of work with a pair of snips and a knife easily removes the socket bayonet. I will do up a few battalions like this as, after looking at all the metal WSS models out there, most did not have fixed bayonets. Be careful, do not just snip off the bayonet below the socket, else you will end up with a carbine. Make any snip/cut at the base of the bayonet blade, above the socket. Use a knife to remove/smooth the knobby bit left on the end of the barrel.


After I assembled this chap, I realized I did not like the look of him. The sash obscures the very nice detail of the lower part of the coat. For future officers, I am going to use the torso and sash shown below.

I also noticed that there is no empty scabbard bit to go on the officer. May be just an oversight by the sculptor who put this sprue together. Oh, yes, those upside down heads to the left are two of the five styles of grenadier headgear that are on each sprue.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

A Note to visitors from Bartertown

First, hello and thank you for checking on the items I have for sale. Second, I happen to have a large number of blisters and boxed sets of GW models and figures that are currently in storage. I also have a large number of loose sprues...LOTS and LOTS, tbh.

I hope to get more of this stuff sorted and pics posted. I do ask that you either bookmark this page or even "Follow" it as I do not plan to repeatedly post on BT. Nothing against that site at all, on the contrary, but I am just very busy trying to rearrange my living quarters.

FWIW, I do know I have Mordheim, Man O War, Epic 40k, and BFG figures. I even have a 3Up metal casting of a BFG Cruiser that can easily stand in for a Chaos Dreadnought. Additionally, I have the unreleased (except for a Games Day event, I believe) Dark Elf Executioner models (about 16 or 20). If any of you even think you would be interested in these models, then comment about it on on this post, please.

Thanks again.

Little General's Club: May Game

For our club game, we had 2 Vietnam games, "North of Dong Ha, April 1968." Essentially, we had two different tables set up, representing a US Marine Battalion (Reinforced) assaulting two VC villages defended by an NVA regiment plus about a battalions worth of VC. As I had brought my five sons and a nephew, we had plenty of players for both sides, especially as a battle for a War of the League of Augsburg campaign was going on at the same time.
 US Marine Force on the left, NVA/VC on the right.
 Situation normal...all fouled up. That darn Marine unit in the center holds off all comers

Meanwhile, the campaign game got off to a banging start...
 It doesn't look good for the Ottomans (on the left)

Well, the NVA/VC were doing fairly well on the other table, but on my table, we just could not out-roll the US side. Time and again, our opposed rolls were...well, opposed. We did spring a battalion sized ambush on a company of Marines...and out of 36 die rolls, achieved a total of 3 hits....sigh. This occurred on the Western edge of the table. In the center, there were two companies of Marines, commanded by my nine year old. He outfought 2 NVA battalions and 2 VC companies and, to be honest, this was really only with a single company of Marines.
A nine year old's game face...

To make matters worse.. so much worse, my 20 year old comes on to the South map edge, on the flank and behind the NVA/VC....wiping out a company of my VC and eliminating a third of an NVA company.

A gleeful son deploying on his father's flank and rear...

Since the battle briefing was very specific as to the presence of only a single Marine Battlion being present on both tables...in total... I am thinking the Vietnamese forces got a load of bad intel. Oh...and I forgot to mention the addition of armor units entering the map at the end....

All in all, we each had a lot of fun. I feel the rules beat me even more than bad die rolls...but maybe it was because my troops started with D6 quality and we were facing D8 quality... and they kept rolling more eights than us.

My sons and I had to leave before the campaign battle really got going, so I will have to find out how that ended. From what I saw, though, the Ottoman player was outnumbered by a combined force of Swedes and Russians and was running out of table as they pressed in on three sides.


It was all downhill for the Turks from this point...

Next month we are to play Waterloo, using Age of Eagles.

On a side note, it turns out four of us are seriously collecting War of the Spanish Succession figures, so we may have a campaign of our own in the not too distant future. After discussing the forces being collected by the others, I have decided to create an English Allied army, focusing on English and Dutch units. The unfortunate thing, though, is that everyone else is basing on 1.25 x1.75 (infantry) and 2x2 (cavalry) and I just got all of these 2x2 bases. I think I may just have to go with my bases and see if the others will use sabots or movement trays or just go with me using a slightly large basing scheme.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Infantry Encamped

Whew...much done outside, today, including the lawns, a washed car, recyclables sorted, etc., etc,. And! I was able to take a short break to call roll on my 28mm WSS infantry. Here are a few pics of the one of the twelve sprues that are included in the boxes for a great price.




It is difficult to see in these quick pics, but there enough hangers for each of the infantry models included. Since there are twelve sprues, there are also twelve standard poles/pikes, and twelve spontoons/half-pikes. In order to create a pike, one just snips off the top of the banner pole and then reverse the piece. To keep the banner pole, just snip off the pointy bit on the bottom (or not!).

My only real regret for these is that there are no naked bayonet bits on the sprue, so that I can convert some of the troops to be in the process of "fix bayonet." 

I am sure that some would take issue that only 1/3 of the provided troops are multi-part, but honestly, one gets enough multi-part soldiers to equip the front rank or two and then the lads you don't really see all that well are bringing up the rear in a good and none-interfering pose.

I plan on assembling the troops next week, but it appears they are sculpted in such a way that close order basing won't be a problem. The head of the spontoon  could be used as a plug bayonet, but I don't know that I would want to do such a thing, without a kneeling model.

As far as the actual sculpting quality is concerned, they are not bad, actually. Have I seen better? Yes. In plastic? No. I believe that Wargames Factory is working on getting a better sculpting job done in the CAD program they are using, so it is only a matter of time for an even better quality figure to arrive.

Appearance wise, the troops are fairly accurate. Of course, some of the more varied uniform types are not depicted, but in general, these can be used for nearly all of the regiments from all of the combatants during the War of the Spanish Succession. Also, they can be used for Seven Years War, but the footwear is off because I cannot tell if these figures have hose, socks, or a short gaiter.

After looking more closely, in better light, I do believe they are wearing socks with a garter. At any rate, a little bit of filing means I can paint them up as gaiters were I really wanting to get the look right. None of the heads have queues, but a little green stuff will sort that. I mean it...the way the hair on the back of the head is sculpted, queues could easily be added to these figures for a full SYW look.

Well, more on these next week...

All Things Must Go!

Okay, this will be a LONG post, forgive me, but I did not want to do a series of posts that would stay in the archive. If you are at all interested in any of the items below, please click on the Make Room, Make Room button above and follow the posted directions.

I am not doing this for commercial purposes. I am merely trying to clear out a long held collection of models, so that I can purchase paints and supplies (and maybe some figures). Some may think this a bit crass, but the whole auction atmosphere of Ebay just does not sit well with me. Sure, it is fine for others, but these miniatures are a part of my life and I would rather they go to a "good home" than be snapped up by someone who is likely to turn around and re-auction them for a higher price.

Note: All prices are in US dollars.







$10. Empire Cannon. If you don't have enough shooty bits in your army, this is a cheap way to add more.

$35. Original box that was released ~2000-2001, I forget the exact date.


$20. Skaven Night Runners.



$30. Leman Russ Battle Tank: For those who can never have enough tanks.


$20. Chaos Beastmen Chariot. From an army I never got around to doing. :(

$20 This is the OLD style box with metal command bits, containing 20 plastic skaven, and I think even a movement tray. The box is moderately damaged ( it was also under a 40k game box), and the shrink wrap is open on one corner. I however, I am certain all the pieces are in the box.


$30. I have 2 of these Fellowship boxes.

#30 I have 2 of these Attack on Weathertop boxes.

$35 Chaos Dragon Ogre Shaggoth. As much as I want to keep this one, sadly he must go. :'(

$20 Dwarf Regiment

$20 Chaos Beastmen Regiment of 12 Gors and 8 Ungors.

$35 Imperial Guard Basilisk: Because it IS all about how big it is, after all.

$30  This box of  Chaos Beastmen Khorngors (10 models in a box) would make for great allies of Khorne or Bestigors.


$20. Dark Elf Warrior Regiment.
 $8 each. I have 8 of these unreleased Dark Elf models which, to the best of my knowledge, were only made available to the public as a special GW Games Day event  around 2000-2. If someone were to take all 8 at once, I would be willing to sell the group off for $60.

Photo day...

I am spending a part of this morning (and probably afternoon) going through my large collection of unopened and still shrink wrapped Games Workshop boxed sets. Well, ONE of the boxes was opened, but I decided that since everything was there, I would go ahead and see if someone wanted it more than I do.

My plan is to take digital pics of each of these items, today, and post the pics up tonight or tomorrow. Right now, I have 23 items, but I know I have more in large boxes in storage. I hope to go through that lot next week.

If I should be so fortunate as to move all of this stuff (a big IF), then I plan on using the proceeds to purchase the Vallejo paints that I need for painting the figures I currently have. Otherwise, I will be making a coin jar.

AND...

I hope to crack open the three boxes of Wargames Factory (http://www.wargamesfactory.com/) WSS infantry that I bought recently. I plan to take pics as my work on these troops progress. With the WSS cavalry about five to six months away, I have plenty of time to get the infantry all sorted.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wargame Scenery That Me Likey...

     Okay, the terrain system (Hexon II) that these folks (http://www.kallistra.co.uk/) sell has me drooling (and calculating exactly how many meals I must miss in order to purchase three boxes of the stuff).

     I can think of several ways this material can be used for wargaming; one way is as a campaign map, similar to Mighty Empires.

     My birthday is next month, but alas birthdays are no longer events where I receive gifts from others, but I must purchase them for myself... Oh to be 16 again.

WSS Cavalry in 28mm plastics - Happy Day!

     I am very excited that Wargames Factory (http://www.wargamesfactory.com/Home.htm) has announced that they will be releasing a box of 28mm plastic War of the Spanish Succession cavalry, probably by this fall. Since I am on an extremely tight budget (shall I eat for the next two days or will I just settle for this box of Romans?), this is fantastic news.
     I need to order some more of their infantry, while it is still on sale, so I will be well prepared for the horse when they arrive. While I normally am a supporter of local game stores, a 50% off sale on wargames figures is too good to take a pass on. Besides, I now have to order my paints...which I will do through the local store (http://www.crazysquirrelgamestore.com/).

Litko bases and Grand Armee

     I have been working on a campaign system for Napoleonics, using Grand Armee (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/GrandeArmee/) as the ruleset for combat resolution. Unfortunately, all of my painted Napoleonics have vanished over the years (I think movers looted a few of my boxes several years ago as I am also missing a bayonet from my reenacting days). So, I am starting to build new armies, but until they are ready, I needed a way to play Grand Armee with some clubmates as they have never played with these rules.
     Litko Game Accessories (http://www.litkoaero.com/) has helped me resolve my problem via a friend  of mine (thanks, Alex) who had full packs of their 3mm plywood bases. I have yet to finalize exactly how I will use them (well, I have good ideas, but I do not want to get ahead of myself). I have 200 bases now, and will set aside about half of those for basing 6mm Baccus Napoleonic figures (https://www.baccus6mm.com/).
     More to come, once I get through this last week of the semester.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Projects for the Year

     I will post photos later, but right now I am working on several different projects with regards to historical miniatures.
   
     1) 28mm WSS British Army.
       I have three boxes of Wargames Factory plastic infantry. With their current overstock sale, I may    be  able to afford to purchase another three boxes; a great start to any army. Since a FOG list, or even ruleset, does not exist (yet?) for this period, I am likely going to use Ridiculous Vanity as my local gaming group is involved in a campaign using that system.
     2) 6mm ECW/TYW Army.
       Several years ago, I purchased Baccus 6mm ECW figures. Unfortunately, a move and a divorce caused me to have to store these lads away. However, now that life has given me a little time and space, I am preparing them to finally receive some paint and basing love. I may go ahead and start two armies, a NMA and a Royalist army, based for FOG:R. However, I do want to build a TYW Early Swedish army too...maybe my ECW Royalists could pull double duty.
     3) 28mm Late Republican Army.
      My local clubmates are discussing a Roman Civil War/ImagiNations campaign using FOG. I purchased a box of Wargames Factory Romans and am pleased with the price and quality. For only a modest investment, I can have a decently sized army. I DO want pre-Marian Romans, but I cannot afford metal on a student budget.
    4) Rebuild my selection of paints.
     Well, $500 of wargames paints went into the bin a few months ago. They did not survive nearly six years in storage, following my move from Wisconsin and my subsequent divorce. I just picked up a Vallejo Model Colour starter set...cough...cough...but that expense was covered by my selling back a number of books I had purchased for my classes this semester.
     5) Sell off unopened boxes of Games Workshop WHFB figures, LOTR figures, and 40,000K figures.
      As I have about $1000 (retail) of figures that I will not be using in the foreseeable future, I need to create space for my historicals...and also fund my purchases of historical wargaming figures. I hope to sell these all off for a decent price.
     6) 28mm TYW Swedish Army.
      While I can more easily afford to build armies in 6mm, I really enjoy painting 28mm. So, my plan is two build two opposing armies in 6mm for each era, backed up by a single 28mm army. Warlord puts out a fairly affordable line of plastics for TYW, and I really think highly of John Stallard, so I will give these a shot, when my wallet says I can.Will be based for FOG:R.
     7) Develop a campaign system for a TYW campaign.
      I have brainstormed a TYW campaign, using a nodal map (probably the one from GMT's Thirty Years War), for use with FOG:R armies. I need to flesh out what I currently have as bullet points and discuss it with some of my wargaming mates to see what holes need to be plugged.
     8) 6mm French and Austrian armies for 1805-1809.
      Neal at theWarStore.com gifted me with a copy of the Grand Armee rules about six years ago. We were supposed to play a couple of battles, but my unanticipated move cost me that opportunity. Neal is a great guy and I hope to one day have that game. Until then, though, I plan on painting up the 6mm Baccus French that I have and then purchase and paint 6mm Baccus Austrians. My cousin, Brad, and I have played a few games of Grand Armee, sans miniatures, and really like the system (thank you, Neal!). I like it so well, I want to run a test campaign for a few of my clubmates to see if we want a larger campaign for the full club.

    Well, that is it for now, but I will post some photos later on.

Of Beginnings

     Well, I admit that I am a Johnny-come-lately to the world of wargame blogging. After spending hours reading through the blogs of other gamers, I felt compelled to add my own experience to the web. I have been involved in miniature wargaming for nearly thirty years now, and my passion for the hobby has only increased since the very first time I "pushed lead."

     I once worked for Games Workshop, in the US, and loved it. My co-workers, supervisors, and the company were all that one could hope for in a place of employment. Unfortunately, raising a family on the salary GW could afford to pay me was not a promising future, so I had to bid the company farewell.

     Now, I am finishing up a Master's Degree in history, preparing to earn a teaching credential, and working on building new miniature armies; historicals, this time. So, buckle up happy campers and enjoy the ride. I know I will...