French Foreign Legion in Dahomey

As you may have guessed from yesterday's post, I wasn't too happy with how the three Dixon Minitaures French Foreign Legion figures were turning out, especially as I think they are wonderful figures. However, some judicious use of the Army Painter Dark Shade wash and they have come up ok...

I have gone for a very grubby campaign look, I can't imagine that white trousers would stay very white for too long in West Africa.

The figures were sculpted by Mike Owen before he joined Foundry and as such have (IMHO) less of the "Copplestone" look that many of the ex-Foundry designers now have. The officer is very gallic...

The shirt order legionnaires can also be used as Naval Infantry, though technically a small anchor should be painted on the helmet.

Only another seventeen to go... :-)

2013 Painting Target: 438/365

Down Dahomey Way?

Last night I decided I wanted to spend today painting and try and complete something or other. I'm not sure why but I decided I wanted to paint up some US Marines for Redcoats on Mars. I'd started them a while back but never finished them, so that was the plan. Except they weren't where I thought they were... However there were some half completed Dahomey French Foreign Legion from Dixon Miniatures so I decided to work on them. Unfortunately my painting skills seem to have deserted me and the three I have done so far look like they were painted by a two year old. Where's the dip? :-(

Signs and Portents?

Today saw son and heir investigating the University of South Wales with me on taxi duty despite the lingering effects of the Manthrax.  Yesterday's retail therapy seems to have done the trick and I feel a lot better though...

Gav at Baker Company still has not told us which campaign will get the nod for the April Kickstarter, only that he spend £40 on books for both the Balkans and Norwegian Campaign! I think things are moving into alignment for Norway though, look what Osprey are releasing next February... :-)

Finland and Beyond...

Bravely battling a bout of manthrax kindly given to me by my son, I have resorted to the medicinal therapy of internet shopping today!

Participants in the Baker Company Winter War Kickstarter have been voting on the next Baker Company project in April and with a few people left to vote it is neck and neck between the Norwegian Campaign and the Balkans. My preference is Norway, but I'd be happy with either, the 1941 Balkan Campaign is fascinating in itself and it would be great to see some European theatre Italians, Yugoslavs and Greeks...

However, with a view to an eventual Norway release (Gav has said he will do it, we're just voting which comes first), I have ordered a copy of Skirmish Campaigns Norway! booklet from Caliver, which contains ten scenarios that can be linked into two campaigns. The sample Encounter at Roa scenario here looks pretty good.

I also ordered the Finland Winter War booklet as well, to give me some ideas for what to do with the original Kickstarter miniatures when they turn up next year...

Right, now where's the Lemsip?

Orc Warlord Chûrg-ill

Also sent off for master moulding this week is this green of Orc Warlord Chûrg-ill.

A Panzerfäuste character piece I'm not sure what role he will play, I just fancied sculpting him, perhaps a The Eagle Has Landed type scenario (though that would mean sculpting some Dwarf Fallschirmjäger...)

Charley's War - The End

The tenth and final volume of Titan's Charley's War reprints turned up today. A little sad that it is the conclusion but it does contain some of my favourite stories from my youth, starting in the summer of 1918 and the arrival of American troops through to the Russian Civil War (and a short depression era epilogue).

Joe Colquhoun's artwork of the battles against the Bolsheviks in Northern Russia is some of his best and the storyline revolving around the Red Colonel Spirondov's armoured train is quite exciting, although the conclusion is somewhat rushed.

I know many people look down their nose at "war comics" but Charley's War was something unique and special and has thoroughly deserved the excellent reprint treatment Titan have given it.

If you have any interest in the Great War I cannot do anything but recommend the series and suggest you try volume one. I will be truly surprised if Pat Mills story and Joe Colquhoun's artwork do not grab you, hook, line and sinker...

Schreckentruppen!

"There are so many things about this war that cannot be told now - possibly never..." Eisenhower.

Long time sufferers of this blog may recall me posting about a set of rules I published through Wessex Games called Geheimkrieg. The game had an extremely lot gestation but was eventually released in PDF format a few years ago (please feel free to buy from Wargame Vault here).

Soon after publication I had the inspired idea to commission a range of 28mm miniatures to provide the non-historical troops for gamers. I found a sculptor, paid him a wodge of cash and he sculpted me the first three miniatures for the range. And then dropped off the face of the planet...

I was unable to find a suitably talented sculptor with enough free time to continue the range so the three figures have sat around for a while after being master moulded.

Somewhat peeved with this waste of money I decided to try my hand at converting some of the masters to see if I could at least create enough miniatures for one blister. They are not as good as I would like but I now have four Abteilung 848 Schreckentruppen which have gone off for moulding today.

I'm not sure if they will be commercially released. Since I planned the range lots of other companies have come in and filled the 28mm Weird War Two market with lovely miniatures which can be used as proxies in Gehemkrieg, but you never know. If I can find a decent sculptor with an eye for this sort of thing it may be a project worth revisiting.

Ps. I retook the photos of the SWAT Team posted yesterday. They look so much better in daylight! :-)

SWAT Team 2136AD

I managed to grab a lunch break today and finished four of the Reaper NOVA Corp troopers which I am painting up as a C22nd SWAT team.

I think they have come up quite nice (for plastic figures) and the grey-blue/light grey scheme works well.

I still have several more to finish to complete the whole unit which I hope to finish this week,

I also revisited the commander figure and painted out the red helmet stripe and tried pale grey. It doesn't clash with the orange visor anymore but I'm still  not 100% sure.

2013 Painting Target: 435/365

SWAT Officer 2136AD (Test Piece)

I've been working (in fits and starts) on the Reaper Bones NOVA Corps figures over the weekend, after some prevarication I decided to paint them up as a SWAT type unit for some Firewall 2136AD games.

Whilst I had a basic look in mind (slightly inspired by the old Paranoia troopers) I've have concentrated on one miniature (the officer) to finalise the scheme. Looking at it now I think the red stripe on the helmet will go as it detracts from the orange visor, but the overall look is ok. Just need to finish the other twelve now...

2013 Painting Target: 431/265

Steampunk Scrunts...

I don't need this kind of temptation...

(I've wanted to do steampunk fantasy for years inspired by Castle Falkenstein).

(Some of the) Armies of France and (some of) the Allies

Given my fascination with the smaller armies of WW2 I was looking forward to seeing the Bolt Action army book covering France and the Allies and luckily the postie dropped it off just before a rather lengthy telephone conference ("sorry, can you repeat that, the line is a bit dodgy").

As previously stated I have picked up some early war French and also some miniatures suitable for the Army of the Levant so I was pretty excited by the prospect of this volume. Given it included some other interesting armies such as the Poles, Norwegians, Dutch and Greeks I thought I would be in pig heaven. Actually I'm a bit disappointed.

I'm not quite sure what I imagined but Warlord have restricted themselves to pretty much the Blitzkrieg era so for the French (who fought though out the war on various sides!)' we have theatre selectors for the Phoney War, Battle of France and a broad Defence of Vichy. Given the detail and variation the so-called major nations have, this was a tad disappointing. Further, whilst you could use the American volume for a Free French force in 1944-45 or a British one for the Poles in Italy (similarly restricted here to a few weeks in September 1939), they won't have the specific rules that set them apart from the armies they are attached to and supplied by. 

Ok, I could do this myself, and probably will if I want to raise specific Free French or Polish late war units, but I think I am an exception, judging by the comments on the Winter War Kickstarter many Bolt Action (and Chain of Command) players cannot see beyond the official lists...

No doubt space was the issue, as well as lack of demand, but it would have been nice to include some more theatre selectors for the later war French, Poles etc, even if the vehicles were only in the US or British book.

Dutch infantry at the Battle of the Grebbeberg, May 1940

The volume also shows how narrow the Osprey book range is. In other volumes we are treated to pages of wonderful artwork, here we have whole sections with no illustrations at all (whether that is paintings from Osprey or miniatures from Warlord). Critise Battlefront all you want, their book including the Greeks includes photos of their 15mm Greek army).

Greek infantry counter-attack the Germans on the Metaxas Line, April 1941

The book also includes an army list for a Partisan platoon, which in itself is pretty cool, but is very vanilla trying to cover everything from Tito's partisans through the Polish home Army to the Marquis in one list with two theatre selectors (early and late war).

Overall, there is enough to go on with here (and I am lowering my expectations for the Italy volume now accordingly), but it does go to show how narrow minded the interests of WW2 gamers are when it comes to raising armies and playing games.

And, no, there is no Chinese army list despite them supplying thousands of troops and fighting throughout the war...

Zzzzzz...

Unfortunately SWMBO has thrown her back out and it is times like this that you filly appreciate all she does around the house, I am bloody knackered so will be falling asleep on the sofa instead of painting the Reaper NOVA troopers as planned...

I did fill in my Winter War survey earlier today, ummm I may have got a bit carried away but more of this another day. Zzzzzz....

Researching Mars Attacks!

With an eye on the Mars Attacks Kickstarter I have been doing some "historical" background research! And to think some historical wargamers mock us... :-)

As you are probably aware Mars Attacks was originally a series of 55 bubblegum trading cards produced by Topps in 1962 which has entered SF pop culture for their gruesome content and rarity. As the primary source material they are unfortunately extremely rare, however they have been reprinted in a superb 50th anniversary Mars Attacks book containing four unreleased cards and a host of other concept, book and comic cover artwork.

Of course most people will be familiar with the 1996 Tim Burton film which captured the wackiness of the background perfectly, even if the Martians were too small compared to the cards. That apart it is a must see if you want to get into game, it captures the whole vibe perfectly.

In the nineties Topps released a Mars Attacks comic series that can now be found collected in three TPD volumes as Mars Attacks Classics. I must confess I'm not overly keen on this series, but the artwork is pretty good and it does expand the background.

Bringing us up to date is the recent IDW Comics series, which it appears Mantic are basing their Kickstarter on. This brings the series up to date and is set fifty years after the initial encounter with the Martians. Two volumes have been released in a collected format so far Mars Attacks: Attack from Space and Mars Attacks: On Ice.

If you are pledging in the Kickstarter you need these as many of the characters are based on ones from these books.

Finally there are a number of crossover comic books, the Martians having encountered Zombies v Robots, Ghostbusters, Transformers and even Popeye! Most recently is one that really appealed to me -  Mars Attacks Judge Dredd! A collected edition will be released in February but I couldn't wait and picked up the first of the series today - great fun!

A Brush With... Birmingham!!!

Now there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in the rumour I moved a work meeting from London to Birmingham so I could pick up some new paintbrushes from Waylands Forge, that is by merest coincidence on the way from the train station to the office. Nope, no truth at all... ;-)

Anyhow in Britain's second city today (obviously behind Bristol) I popped into Waylands Forge and picked up some new paint brushes as mine had started to get to the drybrush only stage.

When I started painting I used to frequent art shops for proper brushes but laziness had led me to buying from Games Workshop when I switched to acrylics. However their brushes have go to the stage that a serious look will cause them to lose their point so when in Birmingham a few months back I popped into Waylands Forge for a poke around and walked out with a Kolinsky Sable no.2 and 3.

For the last several months that's all I've used, they keep their points like nobodies business...

Today I expanded my collection picking up a couple of 0's, a couple of 2's a 3 and 4. A little research indicates they are sold by Game Craft and what I like (after trying them) is the triangular handles. When I bought the first two I thought this was a silly gimmick, but have really appreciated how it helps keeping the brush steady.

Unfortunately by the time I got home it was too late to christen them, but hopefully tomorrow I can give them a spin!

View From The Other Side...

As I ponder increasing my pledge on the Baker Company Winter War Kickstarter (now in its last 24 hours - don't regret missing out!) I came across this on Facebook and it made me smile...

I also came across this which made me think, spend and be damned! :-)

The Winter War and Beyond...

Each platoon costs £60 post free

The Baker Company Winter War Kickstarter has entered its final 48 hours and all the free stretch goals have now been reached. This means that for both the Finns and the Red Army a pledge of £60 for a platoon gets you around £250 in miniatures.

As bargains go in this day and age, I doubt we will see one quite like this for a while...

Gav Tyler at Baker Company has been very responsive in developing the Kickstarter with his customers, ensuring unit compositions are corrected when wrong, allowing customers to decide which Anti-Tank gun would be produced etc.

What is really good is that he has agreed that any stretch goal you don't want can be swapped for a section of infantry of the same nation, and any vehicle you don't want can be swapped for either an infantry section or truck. Good stuff.

Having decided to opt for a Finnish and Soviet platoon earlier on in the Kickstarter, the sheer value for money here has me pondering whether to double up and get platoons in summer uniforms, swapping out some of the items that don't need duplicating (I think I can do without four field kitchens!).

Why am I considering this? Well it is not really a case of shinyitous but thinking ahead.

I really want to do some winter games, I have plans to do some other wargames using snow terrain (and have always wanted to do Battle of the Bulge) so that is my starting point, I want a platoon of each in winter kit.

However, with an eye towards my WorldWar: 1940 project some early War Russians in summer uniforms would be quite useful and could face not only the 1941 Germans but also the 1939 Poles and Japanese. Some summer uniform Finns would be good for the Continuation War and may also be able to be converted into some other Axis allies.

And it is exceptionally  good value for money...

Painted Finnish Riflemen in Winter Uniforms (Baker Company)

If you haven't jumped on board and are a 28mm WW2 gamer give this some serious thought, even if you have not thought about a Finnish or early War Soviet army before.

Opting for the summer uniform option gives you a lot of potential use and you are unlikely to get quality miniatures this cheap again for a long time (or until Baker Company do their next Kickstarter!)

Painted Soviet Riflemen in Winter Uniforms (Baker Company)

Ack! Ack! Ack!

Today has been university recce number two, though this time was only an eight mile trip to the University of the West of England.

However it still took most of the day and after a rather intense week at work and dad's taxi duties in the early hours of this morning I am bloody knackered (if you will excuse the French). So no painting this afternoon, just a snooze on the sofa!

I have though weakened on the Mars Attacks! front. I was always going to as I love the source material, though I am mentally steeling myself to be strong when it comes to stretch goals. The game itself appears to be based on Mantic's Deadzone and includes Martians, US infantry and some civilians. To be honest I really only want the Martians but hopefully the human types will be useful for other games as well including those with Zombies. Any extra humans can be sourced cheaper from elsewhere.

No doubt Mantic will tantilise me with lots of exciting looking stretch goal miniatures but unless it is something exceptional (and Martian) I am planning to resist. Things such as giant bugs are all well and good but again, if I do want a giant spider or whatever, I'm sure a cheap toy will do.

Just in case any of you are thinking "I remember Steve saying no new projects...", well all I can say is look below...

Unpacking the Bones Part Fifteen: NOVA Corps

Finally we come to the end of the Vampire pledge level box of miniatures, it's only taken three weeks to cover the contents! I will leave the Optional Extras I purchased for a little while! :-)

The NOVA Corps are part of the Chronoscope range and there was another (different) NOVA in the Chronoscope pack. I liked these models so much I bought a second pack so I had enough for a full section (and a bit).

The figures are pretty decent hard SF types and my only criticism is the inclusion of some kind of bedding roll on the small backpacks. I had planned to use them as some kind of Police para-military unit or on-board spaceship Marine unit and am not sure why they would have that kind of equipment (I suppose them could be stealth cloaks or something for overwatch units).

I have actually started painting these and hoped to get them finished by today, but unfortunately work got in the way. The detail on them is very good and has come up nicely with just one heavily drybrushed coat applied.

Unpacking The Bones Part Fourteen: Griffon, Owlbear and Storm Giants

If there is one thing the Bones material does really well, it's the bigger monsters and creatures. These three were all included in the $100 Vampire box and are truly lovely models.

Kicking off is this wonderful three part Griffon. I should have put a figure in the picture for scale but it measures an impressive 18cm from wingtip to wingtip. The detail is superb and it would also be easy enough to convert to have a rider.

The Owlbear is a D&D staple and this one is nicely done and well detailed. Dynamically posed this should be a joy to paint...

I didn't pick up any of the other Giants as optional extras in the Kickstarter and only have these two Storm Giants that were automatically included in the Vampire box. I am slightly regretting that decision as these figures are lovely and with the male giant being 80mm tall, they will look impressive on the battlefield.

Unpacking the Bones Part Thirteen: Swamp Things, Golems, Half-Sized Heroes and Familiars

I thought I'd celebrate 21 years of indentured servitude to SWMBO by looking at some of the creature packs in the Vampire box today (it's also Richard III's birthday today).

The Swamp Things pack contains a lovely Troll (that I am hoping will fit in with my old Citadel River Trolls), two decent Lizardmen and a Snakeman, All are really good figures, I love the look of the lizardmen, so much better than GW's and the Troll is awesome and shows the Bones plastic at its best.

The Golems pack contains a Flesh Golem, a Stone Golem, an Iron Golem, and a Clay Golem. These should be straight forward to paint up and I am considering a couple of them transferring from the realms of fantasy to the dark streets of Victorian steampunk England.

The Half-Sized Heroes are a mix of Halflings and (beardless) Gnomes. It is hard to tell the difference, presumably the Gnomes are wearing the boots. Ok, but uninspiring.

Reaper have also produced a set of twelve familiars that were in the Vampire box, a useful mix of small beasts, which I have forgotten to take a photo of but take my word are worth looking at and potentially very useful if you are looking for a 28mm cat or whatever...

Unpacking the Bones Part Twelve: Dark Heroes, Grave Danger, Necromancers, Who's Your Mummy? and Zombie Hunters

Following on from yesterday's look at several of the Reaper Bones packs in the Vampire box, here are a few more, mainly from the dark side...

First off are the Dark Heroes - two fighter/paladins, a demonic wizard, and a necromancer/death priest. I like the necromancer with the scroll and plan to use this figure with my WHFB Undead army. I may replace the weapon though.

The Grave Danger pack contains a Vampire Lord (called Judas Bloodspire), a Ghast, a Death Knight (an armoured skeleton) and a Liche Lord. The Vampire Lord is a bit of a pain  as even when the sword is straightened he does not sit flat. The others are decent enough figures though and will be useful in the Undead army.

Next is the Necromancers set, a nicely done selection with a GW type necromancer with sword, a great wizard point with staff (with entwined snake) and two females. 

Who's Your Mummy? is an Egyptian undead inspired release with a generic Mummy, Tomb Guardian, Mummy Lord, and a wonderful Pharaoh-God. The Lord and Pharaoh God will be eventually seen in a Tomb Kings army, the Mummy may end up in Victorian London...

Finally, tenuously related to the above, a set of Zombie Hunters. A useful post Z-Day pack with a zombie hunter totting a chainsaw, girl with two Uzi type smgs, a seventies style Pimp, and the compulsory Sheriff!  Great stuff, especially of your zombies games are US based...

I managed to put some more paint on some Bones today and it is quite deceptive how much detail there actually is on these miniatures, that appears soft in the unprimed white plastic.