All Hell Let Loose 8

After a recent showing in this years Analogue Painting Challenge here are some 20mm scale WW2 German AFV of mixed utility and purpose.

First up is a Sd Kfz 7 (8 tonnes) from Britannia Miniatures.

Next is a Jagdtiger also from Britannia Miniatures. A true behemoth of a model the scale of which will be shown in some "family" portraits coming soon.

Next are a pair of Pumas (Sd Kfz 234/2) from Frontline Wargaming and whilst not as detailed as the Britannia models they paint up well and look good on the gaming table. Well, they will when they get used in the coming year...

There will be some more completed pictures to follow shortly along with some ongoing work in progress pics as well.

Cheers for now

Seasons Greetings to One and All

Back to the Brushes 97

Some more work in progress pictures for the Painting Challenge. First up some more 20mm scale WW2 German vehicles with two smaller cats to add to the collection.

This time the colour scheme is going to be limited to the base colour with some touches here and there of a dark brown. The brown has to be knocked back yet by stippling the base colour on top before the final dry brushing takes place. These two Pumas will also be used in Disposable Heroes and Memoir '44 in the New Year and are from Frontline Wargaming.

Another transport for Disposable Heroes below which is a Sd Kfz 11 (3t). This will have similar camouflaging as the previous transport model which is now completed.

Next up are more New Israeli troops for Critical Mass. In the picture below two of the figures have been previously painted and will not be included in the tally for the challenge.

These are missile support bases and the bases below are standard troops which will make up a half company if needed. The figures again are all from Ground Zero Games and will be used as ARC forces when gamed with.

Lastly, there are some stands of Confederate Infantry for Fire and Fury. The figures are from Blue Moon's range and will also see use for Battle Cry in the future. Trying to keep the painting varied with this year's challenge so hence the variety of periods. There will be some Ancients coming in the New Year along with more of the same. Tucked up in the top centre is the finished objective marker and crew for Critical Mass which is now waiting on basing.

That's all for now, 

Cheers

Back to the Brushes 96

Well after just over two months with only one singular post here are a few work in progress pictures of some of the first pieces for this years Analogue Painting Challenge. Below is an objective piece from  Critical Mass Games with crew from Ground Zero Games. A quick and easy approach to these 15mm scale figures should see a few finished over the next three months along with a dozen or so varied grav tanks to support the grunts.

Next is a very old Citadel Chaos Warrior from back in the day, another two of his brethen are waiting on being based after a good session at the brushes the other night. It is good to be back to painting after two months out.

Two javelin armed skirmishers from Gripping Beast to add to the Generic Arab army that was started earlier this year. Hopefully a few more stands will join the previously painted figures soon.

Next up are two pieces from Britannia Miniatures. A Jadgtiger and a transport of some type, the name escapes at present. To go with these there will be another ten or so armoured pieces including some cats and scout types as well. A great scale to paint in and look forward to completing these for use in Disposable Heroes and Memoir '44

Hopefully, there will be some more work in progress pictures to follow. The plan with the challenge this year is to keep every thing fresh by not sticking to the one period or scale. There may be a few changes along the way and perhaps some stuff to add to the mix of the challenge that is well under way all ready.

Sorry, by the way for the lousy pictures, very poor lighting the other morning and limited time resulting in quick snaps that aren't the best.

Thats all for now

Cheers.

Coming soon to a blog near you...

Back to the Brushes 95

As September draws to an end, so hopefully does painting Moorish Spearmen for a few weeks or so. Pictured below are figures from Gripping Beast as they progress to being ready to base.

 A couple of Iman to inspire the faithful and lead their followers into battle. The figure above is still very much work in progress whereas the figure below is ready for varnishing and basing.

Another three spearmen for the rank and file troops in the stands. The whites of the eyes are perhaps to clear here and will be knocked back with a wash of Devlan Mud or its equivalent very soon.

Looking to have four stands of Foot Protected from these figures with up to nine figures per stand and pictured below are how the figures are starting to fit together for the final bases.

The shield transfers shown below are from Little Big Men and will all be in the one stand when completed.

Next up will be something from an army that is very likely to never be finished, but more of that soon.

Cheers for now

Back to the Brushes 94

Pictured below are some 15mm figures from two very different periods that are both being based at present.

First up are the from Minifigs English Civil War range and are part of a second hand collection that has slowly been rebased and washed in Devlan Mud over the last two or three years.

These figures will be used as camps in Impetus Baroque, which hopefully be returning to the gaming table soon and perhaps the full rules released.

There are still a few figures to paint for this period including some more musket and pike and cavalry.

The second offering this evening are from Ground Zero Games and will be gracing a table in the near future under the rules of Critical Mass.

The stands shown here are waiting on the ready mixed plaster drying and are from Missile and SAW support elements. The quick approach to painting these figures is clearly visible here, however once fully based and flocked it won't be that noticable on the table top.

Next up are some work in progress pictures of the Moors for Impetus

Cheers for now

Origins and Beginnings 3

Not long after being introduced to fantasy roleplaying another game was flagged up. This game, now the subject of much debate and differing opinions, was in its original incarnation a system that allowed entertaining and varied fantasy skirmish games to be played out in an hour or so. It is of course none other than the first edition of Warhammer.

The companion set, shown below expanded on the original game and allowed more detailed and larger forces to be fielded.

Beyond this point, I have never ventured, staying with the same game that was the first tabletop game I was introduced to. Now there are too many systems and rules books, each vying for their share of the market and your hard earned cash.

Every now and then both of these sets are brought out from their box in the attic and a few solo games are played. The fun and entertainment can still be found in these copies of this system, the more recent editions I cannot comment on.

Tomorrow brings the possibility of major changes to standing and organisation of the country that I live in. Rather than pass comment on this I will leave you with some words of wisdom from Charles Bukowski:

“what matters most is how well you walk through the fire.”

Regardless of the outcome there will be fires to walk through. 

Cheers for now

Origins and Beginnings 2

This month, thirty years ago,  a discovery was made that not known at the time would be a part of a hobby that I still have involvement in. That discovery came in a red box and started a saga that is still on going.

Eventually, when the players within the group had "levelled" up several times and the resulting party suffered a total party kill at the hands of a GM who introduced NPC's that could match the party's fire power. The fight at the Falling Bridge is still a grand memory of those early gaming days. There was a fair deal of upset caused and a new group sprang forth from the ashes of the last, similar to the phoenix in mythology.

This group were looking for a little more detail and ventured into new realms, well in gaming terms, that is. The resulting games followed the literary exploits of two very different authors: Tolkien and Moorcroft

The games were also very different as were the resulting campaigns for both, however, one system eventually won over the over the other and a new era began. It was the time of Rolemaster

Tables and charts became the norm, as did crunching numbers and looking for more "realism" in character development and combat. Companion followed companion, characters gained new heights, only to loose them shortly after. For years the game continue as a gaming world was developed and expanded. However, things change and people do to. For some the system became everything and the quest for realism, eventually undid it all, as the essence of the game became lost in the rules behind it. The essence of the game being fun and banter around a table.

As Dungeons and Dragons moves into its 5th edition and gaming is changing. No longer do people have to be in the same room around the same table. No longer is realism the centre of the game. Now table is virtual and a new era has started, the game is different, as are the rules, but the essences are still have returned to those found in that red box: fun and banter.

Cheers for now

And Now for Something Completely Different 20

A Laser Defence company for the ARC forces in Critical Mass. The battery is shown in a disarray rather than all guns blazing so to speak.

The figures are again from  Ground Zero Games and were a sod to assemble but worth the effort in the end.

Next from this range will be a Missile and SAW support company for the infantry already painted.

Cheers for now