tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111874592024-03-14T01:07:14.299-04:00Tabletop Wargames BlogA Blog about Wargames and wargamers. Discussion of rule sets, painting techniques, different models, figures, links to manufacturers, reviews of all of the above, and other gamer resources. Not all Gamers, not all modelers - a blend of both! You are at http://tabletopgamer.blogspot.com Your hosts are Bwana Bill, Krazy Keith, and Consul Scipio. Thank you for visiting our little slice of the World Wide Web!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger462125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-70649087902787172652016-03-24T09:39:00.001-04:002016-04-07T15:06:47.687-04:00"...There is Only War."On a personal note, I recently moved from the lovely state of Virginia to the wonderful state of Ohio. Things are different here. I miss my gaming partners and dear friends Bwana Bill (and his son!)and Consul Scipio (and his son!). However, I'm pleased to report there are gamers here, and my "war room" is up and operational once again. <br><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mUyQlexOcQ/VvPtLfPFWdI/AAAAAAAAKMI/P7WWE0wKDIQsjK79k5AnnRn8W7ZF1bo7A/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mUyQlexOcQ/VvPtLfPFWdI/AAAAAAAAKMI/P7WWE0wKDIQsjK79k5AnnRn8W7ZF1bo7A/s320/IMG_0687.JPG" /></a></div>
My first task is to prepare for a GW event on 16 April 2016, "Celebrating 30 Years of Space Marines." Therefore my Space Wolves are back to their position at the front of my never-ending painting queue. Thankfully, the infantry is pretty close to being done, with just detail work needed on one unit of Grey Hunters and one unit of Space Pups (Blood Claws). The second unit of Grey Hunters has most basic colors on it, but needs a bit of flesh here and there, as do my Thunderwolf Cavalry.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHLbpN_i_8w/VvPt0hsxepI/AAAAAAAAKMc/-eUSnUnb9-E61tQlhLCn1Q7neLuBooTPw/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cHLbpN_i_8w/VvPt0hsxepI/AAAAAAAAKMc/-eUSnUnb9-E61tQlhLCn1Q7neLuBooTPw/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyHsLEcn_Z0/VvPt0iNcRrI/AAAAAAAAKMk/ME8jP5VFKXgb5wcCmLzG__DYXZTjQQlcw/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyHsLEcn_Z0/VvPt0iNcRrI/AAAAAAAAKMk/ME8jP5VFKXgb5wcCmLzG__DYXZTjQQlcw/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rk2ChJ43Qzw/VvPt0pH367I/AAAAAAAAKMg/uHcjNBpeldAMuzzTFEXJlgqxPMWcnkveA/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rk2ChJ43Qzw/VvPt0pH367I/AAAAAAAAKMg/uHcjNBpeldAMuzzTFEXJlgqxPMWcnkveA/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hPHnBmp2ns/VvPt1Ygn4CI/AAAAAAAAKMo/iGHzI94SC58yjGKjN4nO3CEINavBZk2bA/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hPHnBmp2ns/VvPt1Ygn4CI/AAAAAAAAKMo/iGHzI94SC58yjGKjN4nO3CEINavBZk2bA/s320/IMG_0697.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0J1WODts-Y/VvPt1VVMCnI/AAAAAAAAKMs/NkbmvCEA5CgUnxBC_EYMBZVORGKlPScEQ/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0J1WODts-Y/VvPt1VVMCnI/AAAAAAAAKMs/NkbmvCEA5CgUnxBC_EYMBZVORGKlPScEQ/s320/IMG_0699.JPG" /></a></div>
Given the need to roll more die, I may flesh out the Space Pups with a few extra lads, toss them in a Land Raider Crusader (which is only gray at the moment!), and send them into battle. Which leads me to my vehicular dilemma.<br><br>
I have only one vehicle - a Rhino - that is painted. Since I painted that particular transport my painting style has changed as has the color pallet - thanks GW! *</sarcasm>* so I may have to paint that one again, or touch it up a bit. Additionally, I have a Razorback that requires additional paint, and (if I decide on adding Blood Claws) a Landraider Crusader that needs a lot of work.<br><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJperc3TMXc/VvPt76CFtFI/AAAAAAAAKMw/vrSWQYopzZ4oV-KyZoCkFpPf4HfsgU4gg/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJperc3TMXc/VvPt76CFtFI/AAAAAAAAKMw/vrSWQYopzZ4oV-KyZoCkFpPf4HfsgU4gg/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" /></a></div>
As it stands, I know I can finish the infantry and the Razorback prior to 16 April. Stay tuned, I'll post the results of my ongoing painting frenzy, as well as any gaming exploits that may or may not occur.<br><br>
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********* Addition - Last evening, as I was drifting off to sleep one of our cats pulled a "ninja" and broke into the war room. He then began throwing $50.00 models and infantry figures from the table to the floor, breaking several of them. I'm now taking time from painting to research a recipe for "Kitten Tikka Masala." <*just kidding - but I'm not a happy chappy!*> ******
<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Dayton, OH, USA39.7589478 -84.19160690000001139.5637908 -84.5143304 39.9541048 -83.868883400000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-29957787736530240582013-02-01T00:30:00.000-05:002013-02-04T15:57:26.336-05:00"Battlecruisers at Jutland" scenario<a href="http://http//www.odgw.com/home.html"><a href="http://www.navwar.co.uk/nav/"></a></a>Here is another thing I did at HISTORICON this past summer. This is a WWI naval game I ran utilizing the Fleet Action Imminent (FAI) rules. FAI is the General Quarters 3 (GQ3) World War I variant. The GQ3 system is a very realistic set of rules and yet the games flow very nicely and once all the participants have the hang of it the turns move very quickly. These rules produce a very satisfying result. I have run many GQ3 FAI games now and every time I introduce someone new to these rules they have always gone away quite impressed. These rules can be procured from <a href="http://www.odgw.com/home.html">Old Dominion Game Works</a> and no, I am not connected with that company. I'm just a guy having some good naval wargaming fun! In this scenario I used 1/3000 scale models from <a href="http://www.navwar.co.uk/nav/">NAVWAR</a>. These are nice, inexpensive models. They are a nice compromise between the very small 1/6000 scale models that are now very popular and the traditional 1/2400 scales models. Unfortunately, as far as I know, there is no one in the U.S. that is currently selling this line of models. If you want them, you have to contact NAVWAR directly. They are located in England <br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-37463833095416671932013-01-28T15:29:00.000-05:002013-01-28T15:29:38.392-05:00"Battle Of Ginnis" Sudan 1885 ScenarioGreetings and my apologies for being gone so long. I don't know why these things happen, but they do. I am going to try to get caught up on everything that has been happening over the last year or so.
To begin with, we did finally run the "Battle of Ginnis" 1885 Sudan scenario at HISTORICON last summer. It turned out looking really nice, and we had five very nice gents show up to play. They all loved the set up and the game. It ended up being very one-sided with the Brit side winning fairly easily, but I think that tactical decisions made on the Dervish side had a lot to do with it. In any case, it is a really good scenario. Everyone should be looking for this one when it gets published in one of the <a href="http://www.skirmishcampaigns.com/">Skirmish Campaigns</a> scenario books. The best guess is that this will happen sometime in late 2013.
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-85089604426918107262011-10-06T23:11:00.003-04:002011-10-13T17:16:52.291-04:00Gunboat on the Nile<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fac66Vjctds/To5u2CGH2QI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/NrwTSX3Hl8g/s1600/DSC_0327.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fac66Vjctds/To5u2CGH2QI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/NrwTSX3Hl8g/s400/DSC_0327.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660583656205834498" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCobx0arnjU/To5u1wNiMDI/AAAAAAAAAYI/UB8W6KSh_1Q/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCobx0arnjU/To5u1wNiMDI/AAAAAAAAAYI/UB8W6KSh_1Q/s400/DSC_0348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660583651405082674" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22EVIOJy6pk/To5u1sZc5-I/AAAAAAAAAYA/T8y75yzPbkA/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22EVIOJy6pk/To5u1sZc5-I/AAAAAAAAAYA/T8y75yzPbkA/s400/DSC_0323.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660583650381326306" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYBAlfEHymg/To5u1XsDNeI/AAAAAAAAAX4/sLy5Zj_2gtQ/s1600/DSC_0326.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VYBAlfEHymg/To5u1XsDNeI/AAAAAAAAAX4/sLy5Zj_2gtQ/s400/DSC_0326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660583644822189538" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hE7iEkNBpEw/To5u0ueRVAI/AAAAAAAAAXw/O_tfgGitn5s/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hE7iEkNBpEw/To5u0ueRVAI/AAAAAAAAAXw/O_tfgGitn5s/s400/DSC_0330.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660583633758540802" /></a><br />We are experimenting with an 1885 Sudan campaign scenario these days and I'm trying to incorporate the Old Glory Shipyard 28mm gunboat I bought a few years back. Dont have much time to write about it now, but here are a few photos for starters.<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-33296446695916950102011-08-12T06:00:00.001-04:002011-08-23T05:46:50.220-04:00A Tribute and Final Salute to the Orkmeister<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cD_BufqdDZU/TkOseXhe6YI/AAAAAAAAAXo/KW5upnbXDA8/s1600/BattlewagonAndStompa"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639540796108499330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cD_BufqdDZU/TkOseXhe6YI/AAAAAAAAAXo/KW5upnbXDA8/s400/BattlewagonAndStompa" border="0" /></a>
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<br />These are very sad days for our gaming group. Mr. Carl E. Cordell, our beloved and revered Orkmeister, also known to us as Karlmek, passed away on July 31st. It was not unexpected, but nevertheless we never gave up hope that he would be with us for many more years. He never gave up hope either.
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<br />Carl was the consummate hobbyist and wargame enthusiast. Not only was he an extremely brilliant tactician, he was also one the best model builders that we have known. His achievements in this area were many, but the one thing we will always remember best were the Space Ork vehicles he scratch-built for playing Warhammer 40,000 (40K). We spent many hours over the 12 years that we knew Carl playing in huge elaborate battles, both 40K and WWII in 28mm scale, that he staged and directed. We spent many hours trying to defeat his vaunted force of orks and their beautifully hand-crafted battlewagons, wartracks, guntracks, stompas, and trukks full of the best close combat specialists in the universe. We rarely won.
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<br />Carl was one of the best 40K players on the East Coast. He frequently competed in the Games Workshop Grand Tournaments in Baltimore and Philadelphia. In 2003 the Games Workshop staff at the Grand Tournament were particularly struck by the appearance of Carl's army and his scratch-built vehicles. They decided that some photos of his models would go nicely with an article they were preparing about Ork Speed Freaks; an army list that Carl truly loved using. So they took some photos of a few of his models and they ended up on page 72 of issue 279 (April, 2003) of their "White Dwarf" magazine (middle photo). This was truly a unique honor for a hobbyist who had not sought out any recognition or publicity for his modeling skills, but it was very well deserved.
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<br />Carl was also a master at designing and making scenery for our games. As can be seen in the photo above he made the most beautiful 40K city that anyone has ever seen. In this case he actually used Games Workshop's "Cites of Death" building models, but of course nothing out of a kit was ever good enough for Carl. He took the basic kits and added his own plastic pieces to them to make them even more imposing and impressive.
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<br />I also need to mention that we also spent a very large amount of our gaming time on World War II. This was another aspect of the hobby that Carl loved. We were always amazed by Carl's encylopedic knowledge of World War II, especially the North Africa campaign. Along with this, he seemed to know everything there was to know about WWII armored vehicles and trucks. We used to talk on the phone frequently and listen to him talk on this subject for one to two hours at a time. Everything we did in the WWII area was always done with 28mm infantry figures and 1/48 or 1/50 scale vehicles. Carl had a flair for dramatic effects and as far as he was concerned any models in scales smaller than that were lacking in visual impact. It was an expensive way to do it, but there was no arguing with the approach. Every time we set up our WWII stuff at the local hobby shop we always drew a large crowd of envious onlookers!
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<br />We had a great time using all the wonderful scenery sets that he created. We had a lot of fun over a period of 12 wonderful years with Carl, and because of Carl. We of course are very grateful for the time we had with him but we are sure we will never see his like again and we feel very empty. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-18628623187058843172011-07-23T07:49:00.009-04:002013-01-28T14:43:30.042-05:00REAL Thunderwolf CavalryAs I previously noted, I discovered a <a href="http://www.paulsongames.com/page/page/5879537.htm">gent</a> who makes true Thunderwolf Cavalry. Of course, he doesn't call them that - or GW would be all over copyright infringement or some nonsense. Which makes it tough for those of desiring to field howlin puppy cav - since GW doesn't MAKE any. On top of not making any decent models for a really cool unit, GW doesn't even make any halfway decent models. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.paulsongames.com/resin.html">Paulson Games</a> = problem solved. <br /><br />Not only does he make lovely wolf models that are the right size to have an eight-foot tall Space Marine riding them, he makes the saddle/legs for the rider as an extra bits option you can buy. I bought the "full meal deal" with all three poses of howlin pups and the legs to match. <br /><br />The models are made of resin and require assembly (duh!) and painting. There is some flash, but it requires minimal effort to clean the bits up and prep them for gluing. Not having worked with resin before, I discovered that my model glue doesn't work, so in stepped my "Zap-a Gap" to save the day. <br /><br />Interestingly, the bodies have Roman numerals inside ("What have the Romans ever done for us!?!") to keep the modeler from getting confused about which body half goes with the other.<br /><br />There are three poses available. I'm not sure if Mr. Paulson intends on crafting any more poses. Perhaps if he sells enough, he might be encouraged to offer another pose or two. Perhaps a "lunging" or crouching model? Just saying! <br /><br />As nice as the wolves are, I have to say the rider legs and saddle bits really brought a smile to my face. They are extremely well crafted, nicely detailed, and have "Space Wolves" touches on them. In addition to the very cool space marine cavalry legs (with stirrups!), Mr. Paulson has created textured bases the same size and shape as GW Warhammer 40K cavalry bases!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dL8LWy2LEwA/TirqlgqQ3fI/AAAAAAAAAMc/url1iZrcXgA/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dL8LWy2LEwA/TirqlgqQ3fI/AAAAAAAAAMc/url1iZrcXgA/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632572214123486706" /></a><br /><br />Here are a few photos of the models and bases painted white and touched up with badab black wash to show the detail. For unadulterated images, head over the <a href="http://www.paulsongames.com/resin.html">Paulson Games</a>.<br /><br />As soon as I get one ready to show off, I'll slap up some pics for my fellow Space Puppy fans to drool over. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vGpfGzp9ow/Tirqan9l_iI/AAAAAAAAAMU/FdFO1XXhoNI/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vGpfGzp9ow/Tirqan9l_iI/AAAAAAAAAMU/FdFO1XXhoNI/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632572027105050146" /></a><br /><bk><bk><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4EaDtzcR8s/Tirq7J93dnI/AAAAAAAAAMk/yUsT4k7uhAU/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4EaDtzcR8s/Tirq7J93dnI/AAAAAAAAAMk/yUsT4k7uhAU/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632572585988814450" /></a><br /><bk><bk><br /><br />\<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLOxkyAMX_E/TirrLDxQQ9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/TLgLQmTIMiI/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLOxkyAMX_E/TirrLDxQQ9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/TLgLQmTIMiI/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632572859203208146" /></a><br /><bk><bk><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXuss_ZTW2o/TirrZJlI4sI/AAAAAAAAAM0/1urc4bRRtU8/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXuss_ZTW2o/TirrZJlI4sI/AAAAAAAAAM0/1urc4bRRtU8/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632573101281174210" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-87528147942982811462011-07-13T13:37:00.001-04:002013-01-28T14:43:51.178-05:00Thunderwolf Calvary Tweaks and "Hacks"I mentioned a while back that I planned on “hacking” some non-Games Workshop figures to create Thunderwolf Calvary. I found some figures that were almost right – still a tad small – and looked nice. Not great, but they would do… I found them at my (RIP) local, Game Parlor Woodbridge (the shop closed recently after six years of trying to stay afloat – the main GP store in Chantilly, VA remains open!). I asked some of the lads at the shop about wolves. They ran through the normal litany of Ral Partha, GW Dire Wolves, and Reaper minis. While some of the Reaper figures were actually quite nice, they were far too small. I started digging through various stacks of figures and raiding different racks in a random manner – when I came across the Privateer Press figures for Warmachine. Specifically, there were some wolf figures for the Hordes add-on that were about the right size, had some armor, and weren’t “ugly”. So, I bought three figures and mounted space marines on them. Mounting the marines, in particular, the legs, was torture for me – and for the space marine in question. After several tries, I was able to get them on, but not without breaking the legs on one or two, and having to use green stuff to fill in gaps or glue to hold the bits together. No Canis, space marine legs aren’t designed to bend that way!<br /><br />I’ll get some photos of my “hacks” up soon. They remain a work in progress; however, I have to get this post up, because I know there are Space Wolves players out there that are desperate to field some new figures, and, like myself, are having a tough time finding appropriate figs. Although these “hacks” work, and they are “nice”, the reason I felt compelled to throw this post up was that I’ve actually found some incredible figures online. <br /><br />I originally found the link on the Dakka-Dakka forums, if I recall correctly – so some SW players know about them. However, I’m so very impressed with these figures that I want to spread the word – and do a good deed for fellow SW players, and for an extremely talented sculptor. For now I’ll throw in a link to the <a href="http://www.paulsongames.com/catalog/item/7434381/8690755.htm">Web site</a> – later, after I’ve had a chance to actually do some work on them, I’ll try to do proper justice to them with a full post!<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-90367406642385220712011-06-11T19:05:00.003-04:002011-06-11T19:13:29.408-04:00Jealous?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83JAN8Y95aM/TfP1dVHQdaI/AAAAAAAAANQ/wZ_gJlOwRN8/s1600/photo%2B%252810%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83JAN8Y95aM/TfP1dVHQdaI/AAAAAAAAANQ/wZ_gJlOwRN8/s320/photo%2B%252810%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617103044493735330" /></a><br />I really like the Perry Miniatures range of Choson Korean Imjin War miniatures. I decided now is the best time to finish it off and place a large order. Normally for a large order I would go direct to a miniatures manufacturer. For this order I thought why not, I'll try a US retailer. I purchased some stuff from Architects of War at Fall-In! last year and really liked the people who worked there and the products on sale of course. So I placed a special order with AoW knowing it might take a while to get it. I got my <a href="http://www.perry-miniatures.com/index2.html">Perry Miniatures</a> Choeson from <a href="http://www.architectsofwar.com/">Architects of War</a>. AoW ordered it a couple of weeks ago, got the order in complete from Perry Miniatures and shipped to me the same day. Excellent service from both!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-59174180462706998312011-03-10T19:32:00.026-05:002011-03-11T07:20:24.552-05:00Warlord Games - Imperial Roman Army<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwmHfS-s-z8/TXmBtBevRUI/AAAAAAAAAMw/_eeECECEb7U/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwmHfS-s-z8/TXmBtBevRUI/AAAAAAAAAMw/_eeECECEb7U/s320/IMG_1209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582635823593899330" /></a>Well, I ordered an Imperial Roman Army for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">£45.00 from <a href="http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk/index.php?act=pro&pre=wld_act_rom_ess_102_000">Maelstrom Games</a> last week. They had a nice sale due to their 10 year anniversary so I took advantage of it and bulked up my Roman collection! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">The contents are listed but I hadn't seen a review or e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">ven an outline of how it's packaged and pictures of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">sprues anywhere so here is a quick list and pictures </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">of what comes in this deal. I apologize for the poor pictures but I'm still learning. You can find detailed pictures of each sprue on the <a href="http://shop.warlordgames.co.uk/28mm-imperial-romans-9-c.asp">Warlord Games Web Site</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">First, you get a nice big box. A box of Romans. Boxes of Romans are cool. The art work is really well done. One thing I really enjoy about Warlor</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">d Games products, especially their box sets are how they make me feel like I did when I was a kid. Way back in the day I used to talk my mother into buying me boxes of Airfix toy soldiers, usually the 1/32 scale. It was alw</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">ays so much fun looking at the art on the boxes and then getting them home, opening the boxes and removing them from their sprues.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Here is the Praetorian sprue:</span></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfWYYixAUK4/TXl4zyvcQJI/AAAAAAAAAMA/nYYO-J1-lMI/s320/Preatorians.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582626044291858578" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">It has 20 miniatures in two sprues. The command sprue has the musician and standard bearer who carries the supplied </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">vexillum plus there is </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">the Centurion who is a bit different than the "regular" Centurion in that he's wearing his cloak around his body.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">You have the option to attach their plumes if you so desire. I suspect that it's only right and proper for them to go into battle dresse</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">d as best they can but it's nice to have the option of not putting the plumes on.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">The Auxilia</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4a-hQpo8Ns/TXl-X6Zk32I/AAAAAAAAAMI/q6E0HTiuWGY/s320/Auxiliaries.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582632162381061986" /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">They're quite animated.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Twenty four models are supplied. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Surpris</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">ingly</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "> no command! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">Now for 60 regular Romans. Almost a century of them!</span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWpgIy65HQU/TXl_TeQ-h7I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/gvpTevS8vjY/s320/RegularSprues.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582633185620953010" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">The Survivors, the Veterans. Little Scipio put together a couple he liked them s</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; ">o much too! These are the best miniatures in the box in my opinion. I love the campaign look and how they appear to not have had an opportunity to fix up their equipment. I'll stop here and summarize with; If you want to start an Early Imperial Roman army in 28mm, this is a great box set to start with.</span></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMn05jXr7rc/TXmATiHjbBI/AAAAAAAAAMo/jSZmzTHt9d4/s320/VeteranRoman2.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582634286166797330" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; 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-webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLlfp1emEEc/TXoTNwsdBLI/AAAAAAAAANA/gbN8yRBakbo/s320/Shields.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582795815209731250" /></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-83114573580629611932011-02-12T17:34:00.005-05:002011-02-14T08:01:25.420-05:00Miniature Wargaming ADD...So, I've been quite busy with real life, especially work over the last three months. So much so that even painting at night was few and far between I was so tired!<div><br /></div><div>Well, the projects have been wrapped up and I've got some time to relax. My weekends are back for my personal time to spend with family and soon some gaming!</div><div><br /></div><div>During the last week, I've been excited to get back into gaming especially 28mm Napoleonics, then a couple of days later, I thought maybe I should get back to finishing my AWI Guilford Court House project inspired by the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-Obstinate-Bloody-Guilford-Courthouse/dp/0807832669">Long, Obstinate and Bloody</a>", oh and then a day later my son (he's 12) found my French and Indian War miniatures and I though, oh I need to finish those. But wait theres more! I then got the idea that some Middle East Flames of War, specifically Yom Kippur would be fun to try as I was send a play test set of rules for that! I was pointed to the new article on the forthcoming "<a href="http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/?p=9769">HAIL CAESAR!</a>" game being developed by <a href="http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/">Warlord Games</a> which got me thinking I need to finish some Imperial Romans and wow wouldn't it be fun to start a 28mm "Barbarian" army of Picts that looked like the <a href="http://www.britishmovieguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/British-Movie-The-Eagle-Image-14.jpg">guys in the movie</a> "The Eagle" just to shake people up on the game table a bit?</div><div><br /></div><div>So, does anyone else jump from project to project not really completing much?</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that I can complete gaming projects, especially Flames of War forces, 28mm WWII, 10mm Ancients and 28mm Ancient armies. But lately I've looked at what I have and wonder if I'll ever be able to focus on any unfinished project to completion. What should I do?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-23234266950984614452010-11-24T20:45:00.008-05:002010-11-25T11:39:35.709-05:00Das Book - A Flames of War CompendiumI've said it before, and for any new folks, I'll say it again - I am <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">not</span></span> much on strategy or tactics. Unfortunately, though we love Flames of War (FoW), we don't get to play very often. If I recall correctly, within our little group, Consul Scipio and I were the last to play, and most recently - and that was in a tournament at Fall In. (Fall In, by the way, was an awesome convention, lots of fun, good friends, surprisingly good food, and more games than you can shake a bag of die at!) I believe my last game, prior to the tournament, was nearly two years ago. Yup. Been a day or three!<br /><br />With that in mind, and given the fact that real life and <a href="http://www.lotro.com/">online game addictions</a> keep me focused on things <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">not</span></span> on the tabletop, I have trouble remembering the basic rules - forget about all the special rules, scenarios, and scenario special rules!<br /><br />Our friends down under at Battlefront (New Zealand, not Oz!) have released a compendium of special rules for each army in the mid to late war range, called "Das Book". Included in this small tome are all the charts for the arms and equipment of each army, as well as all the missions and mission special rules!<br /><br />One thing that I have not tried yet is the "Total War" rules. These are games from 3000 points and up! Amazing!!! I can see dozens of tanks and hundreds of infantry moving across a table, ready to smash into their opponents!<br /><br />I call "Das Book" a bargain at $10.00 (U.S.)!<br /><br />Once, long ago, an old soldier told me that "plagiarism is the highest form of a compliment" - or something to that effect. Therefore, I present to you, directly from the FoW Web site - copied from the back cover of "Das Book" - an overview by the lads in New Zealand! If you want to read it and get a view of the book and all the great charts, you can go <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=53&art_id=2207">here</a>. <br /><br />Oh! And please tell me I'm not the only one that doesn't get the "Das Boot" reference? ;)<br /><br />"Das Book is the Flames of War field manual for the consummate WWII general. With all the tools and tactics you need to play a one on one engagement with a friend or enter the tournament arena and destroy your opponent’s forces. Know your enemies strengths and weaknesses, understand the missions and objectives, learn how to use the terrain and fortifications of the battlefield to your armies best advantage.<br /><br />Compiled from across the Flames Of War book range, Das Book includes:<br /> - Nine Combat Missions: Free-For-All, Encounter, No Retreat, Fighting Withdrawal, Breakthrough, The Cauldron, Roadblock, Hasty Assault, and Breakout.<br />- All mission special rules.<br />- Late-war Airborne Assault Special Rules and Mission.<br />- Amphibious Assault Rules and Mission.<br />- Bocage Rules.<br />- River Crossing Rules and Mission.<br />- Fortification Rules, with updated bunker rules and two Fortification missions, Trench Fight and The Big Push.<br />- Street Fighting Rules and Mission.<br />- Complete Mid and Late-war Arsenals for all of the major forces."<br /><br />So what's the bottom line? In one small book, you have all the information you need, from all of the books - mid-war to late war - to play any era of game you like, save the new early war games! That saves having to tote around 3-5 larger books! <br /><br />Like I said, at ten bucks "Das Book" is a bargain!<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-16805584560111336622010-10-27T21:29:00.020-04:002010-10-27T22:25:40.279-04:00Warlord Games Bolt Action Universal Carriers Mark II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMjXTYN7eeI/AAAAAAAAALA/Athhyu1egTY/s1600/Bren2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMjXTYN7eeI/AAAAAAAAALA/Athhyu1egTY/s320/Bren2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532908870143015394" /></a>I purchased a couple of Universal Carriers Mark II from Warlord Games last week. I had a special request that they be shipped to me for my son (Kyle is 11 years old) to paint up before our game at Fall-In! on Saturday.<div><br /></div><div>Warlord Games delivered!</div><div><br /></div><div>Even better was the product. They sent two great looking carriers and crew. So here are the pictures of the carriers and the crew before being painted.</div><div><br /></div><div>The nice thing about the carriers are how 'clean' they are. I couldn't find any pit marks on either model. The edges and sharp parts were straight and clean up was minimal. There was some resin in the tracks but that's expected and was easy to clean up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMjU7QrfHgI/AAAAAAAAAKY/KyiPqaOj9M4/s320/Bren3.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532906256779386370" /></div><div>This top down view shows some of the interior with crew. Kyle punched out the front opening for the hull machine</div><div> gunner and the gunner with machine gun fit in very easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm no expert on Universal Carriers but these appear to be well sized to match with the driver and crew. It seems to have all the right pieces and form. </div><div><br /></div><div>More of these are in my future!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This front shot shows the second carrier and the crew added to it. Note that I had only </div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMjZYmq2L2I/AAAAAAAAALI/JpeV1QEjz9w/s320/Bren8.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532911158945001314" /><div>purchased one set of crew thinking of splitting them between the carriers. I regret that decision now and will be buying more crew.</div><div><br /></div><div>Notice that the head on the driver is wearing a baret. This is because Kyle is using them for his Red Devils. The driver body is a resin part of the carrier and you can put on different heads. Warlord Games shipped us the Red Devil head upon request.</div><div><br /></div><div>This carrier doesn't have a hull machine gunner but Kyle put in a machine gun! </div><div><br /></div><div>Kyle and I are very happy with these models. They put a smile on our face pulling them out of the box and unwrapping them. The grade on these is A+.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of the back end of the carriers. Driving away as this review ends...</div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMjW_FwqhxI/AAAAAAAAAK4/8jd3GNAPI3Y/s320/Bren13.JPG" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-43194362708300220182010-10-26T10:20:00.005-04:002010-10-26T10:30:44.408-04:00It's Time - Fall-In!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMbl1qSh3BI/AAAAAAAAAKI/DmWPHx8bWS4/s1600/FI2010Shirt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/TMbl1qSh3BI/AAAAAAAAAKI/DmWPHx8bWS4/s320/FI2010Shirt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532361902319066130" /></a><br />Yes, it's that time of year to pack up the vehicle and head north to <a href="http://www.fall-in.org/">Fall-In!</a> 2010. This year it's in Lancaster PA at the <a href="http://www.fall-in.org/consiteinfo.asp">Lancaster Host</a>. Formerly where <a href="http://www.historicon.org/">Historicon</a> used to be held. <div><br /></div><div>This year is going to be fun for me as I've tried to pack in a lot of games and keep myself and my son busy. Here's what I'm doing:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Friday - Noon into evening - Flames of War Doubles Tournament. </li><li>Saturday AM - Flea Market - I have a table and a bunch of junk (gold to some others I hope) to sell</li><li>Saturday 2PM - Red Devils vs. Germans - 28mm Disposable Heroes game. Germans provided by our very own Bwana Bill! All three of us inconsistently posting bloggers will be there so say "hello" if you'd like. My son painted all the Red Devils, I'll take pictures and post a report.</li><li>Saturday 7PM - Flames of War Vietnam Ia Drang - I'm busy trying to finish all these before then.</li><li>Sunday - Shopping</li></ul><div>This year for me it seems I'm playing "WWII" and "Modern" games. Yet I prefer "Horse and Musket" gaming and that era. So, after this convention my next few will be "American Civil War" focused! </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Are you going to Fall-In!? </div><div><br /></div><div>What will you be gaming and/or doing?</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-65281676736324656142010-08-28T06:00:00.000-04:002010-08-28T06:00:02.422-04:00Huzzah Hobbies: New Gaming Store In Northern VirginiaFor those of you who live in the VA, MD, DC area you might be interested to know that there is a new hobby store in Ashburn, Virginia. It's called Huzzah Hobbies. I have not been up there yet, but from the looks of it they apparently support quite a variety of game systems to include some historical systems such as Flames of War and DBA. <br />http://www.huzzahhobbies.com/index.cfm<br /><br />Looks like it will be well worth checking out!<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-77630199845695515092010-08-27T05:05:00.012-04:002010-08-27T05:34:53.029-04:00Warhammer World War III have an interesting news scoop for all you Warhammer Historical fans out there. I was at the Games Workshop "Gamesday" convention in Baltimore last weekend and I had a chance to chat with the Forgeworld chaps about the Warhammer Historical books which now fall under their domain. I wanted to know if they has brought any to the convention. They has not brought any but they were very pleased to tell me about some future releases in the works. <br /><br />They said there will be a new batch of supporting books for the new Warhammer Ancient Battles 2.0 book. There will also be a World War I dogfight book; the title of that one will be "Flying Circus," or something like that. Most interesting of all, there will be a World War II book that will be called "Kampfgruppe Normandy." This is interesting because my friends and I have always wondered about what playing WWII would be like with a Warhammer 40,000 (40K) framework. Years ago there was a home grown Warhammer WWII freely available on the Internet. Our group had downloaded all of it but never got around to trying it. When it comes right down to it, there already is a 40K system for WWII out there. You all know it as Flames of War (FoW). It's no secret that the creators of FoW used to be Games Workshop employees in New Zealand. But, as we all know, FoW is a 15mm system whereas I'm sure that this new Warhammer Historical book will a 28mm approach. It will be interesting to see what this new book is like. Remember; you heard it here first!<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-88864258592265931202010-08-24T08:51:00.022-04:002010-08-24T20:08:59.548-04:00The Graying of Canis Wolfborn - Continued from the Greening of Canis WolfbornAs you can see, I'm all about snappy titles and endowed with great creativity! (kidding!)<br /><br />Some time back I described cleaning and "greening" the Canis Wolfborn model <a href="http://tabletopgamer.blogspot.com/2009/11/greening-of-canis-wolfborne.html">here</a>. I primed him before I finished writing my post about the greening, and then began to paint.<br /><br />After months and months of painting a bit here and a bit there, I've finally decided to leave well enough alone, and have finished Canis Wolfborn.<br /><br />I used the photos on GW's website and the box cover as a guide for colors and such. Where I deviated from the GW paint scheme is where I felt the artistic need to express my own unique flavor, in paint.<br /><br />Enjoy the "wolfy" goodness!<br><br><br /><br><br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRc1nkjaiI/AAAAAAAAAJo/1QGYEJIf0ZI/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRc1nkjaiI/AAAAAAAAAJo/1QGYEJIf0ZI/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130320406080034" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdxMVSUhI/AAAAAAAAALA/DVQLuElpK7k/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdxMVSUhI/AAAAAAAAALA/DVQLuElpK7k/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509131343886438930" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdsBfrbvI/AAAAAAAAAK4/DXmnrvPn0Aw/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdsBfrbvI/AAAAAAAAAK4/DXmnrvPn0Aw/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509131255077891826" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdon5mDPI/AAAAAAAAAKw/gro1hy_bkoU/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdon5mDPI/AAAAAAAAAKw/gro1hy_bkoU/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509131196667661554" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdjG3xOzI/AAAAAAAAAKo/6J1b_mAQ28Y/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdjG3xOzI/AAAAAAAAAKo/6J1b_mAQ28Y/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509131101902289714" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdXvkkA1I/AAAAAAAAAKY/mbnXkt-XAPY/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdXvkkA1I/AAAAAAAAAKY/mbnXkt-XAPY/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130906669155154" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdTobRS-I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/KoguSzRiuGI/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdTobRS-I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/KoguSzRiuGI/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130836031654882" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdOil2EUI/AAAAAAAAAKI/eQq5DR0Kc98/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdOil2EUI/AAAAAAAAAKI/eQq5DR0Kc98/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130748566049090" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdKiu4rII/AAAAAAAAAKA/cyWICmFSAX8/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdKiu4rII/AAAAAAAAAKA/cyWICmFSAX8/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130679884491906" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdGK4tAhI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/h6eeqxBD2VY/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdGK4tAhI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/h6eeqxBD2VY/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130604763742738" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdBj7n-wI/AAAAAAAAAJw/dw8-wCigIn8/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRdBj7n-wI/AAAAAAAAAJw/dw8-wCigIn8/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509130525587536642" /></a><br><br><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRKUVDQfGI/AAAAAAAAAJg/u7P_m_YyXEo/s1600/Izzy_park.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/THRKUVDQfGI/AAAAAAAAAJg/u7P_m_YyXEo/s320/Izzy_park.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509109957289606242" /></a><br><br><br />I had a "model" to pose for me, so I could make the wolf more realistic - and personal: Izabelle, smile and take a bow sweet girl!<br><br><br /><br />... and for my next trick, Thunderwolf cavalry, "hacked" from GW Space Wolves space marine models and Warmachine "Warbeasts".<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-42793094960095438332010-08-17T07:07:00.009-04:002010-08-17T07:37:01.395-04:00Dancing with Death in the Desert - the IntroductionBwana Bill, MekMeister Carl, Andy, and I decided to throw nearly every 25mm "desert" model or figure we owned on the table. This post is intended to be an introduction, with additional photos and a some descriptions to follow.<br /><br />After some debate, we determined that the "Big Game" would consist of Italians and Deutches Afrika Korps attacking 8th Army Brits and U.S. Army. It was decided, after much more debate, that there would be no "Tigers", although technically our game, which was not intended to be totally historical, was being played in Tunisia. <br /><br />The Defenders were dug in like ticks on a hound. The 8th Army selected a large "domed building" - known in most parts of the world as a mosque - to defend. With walls and towers, this looked to be quite a formidable location to assault. <br /><br />The Americans were in trenches and behind hills. Between them and their DAK nemesis was a building housing occult relics, which Dr. Jones would love to get his hands on, but not if the forces of "Der Furher" got there first! Of course, if the 1st Infantry Division arrived first, the relic would be placed in "good hands". ;) <br><br><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpxTqiR_8I/AAAAAAAAAIw/1_aYhSyEA38/s1600/IMAG0008.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpxTqiR_8I/AAAAAAAAAIw/1_aYhSyEA38/s320/IMAG0008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506338077063380930" /></a><br><br><br /><br />Here is "Herr Leutnant" standing on his Sdkfz 251, ready to charge into battle. Note the calm demeanor, the steely gaze.<br><br> <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpx47mzkmI/AAAAAAAAAI4/jTj67_Okjag/s1600/IMAG0009.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpx47mzkmI/AAAAAAAAAI4/jTj67_Okjag/s320/IMAG0009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506338717300920930" /></a><br><br><br /><br />Could this be the reason for Herr Leutnant's confidence? Two of the DAK's finest vehicles: Panzer IIIs, with short 50mm guns. Hmmm... Perhaps not. I managed to acquire some 25mm decals the day before the game, just in time to add the finishing touches to these lovely models. Pitty they didn't perform in battle as well as they look - but that's another post! <br><br><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpyyPHjkQI/AAAAAAAAAJA/GR05ntUgprM/s1600/IMAG0007.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpyyPHjkQI/AAAAAAAAAJA/GR05ntUgprM/s320/IMAG0007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506339701791101186" /></a><br><br><br /><br />Or perhaps these incredible Marder tank destroyers? Would they see off the Yank armor with their powerful guns? These were acquired by MekMeister Carl, though I'm not sure who the manufacturer was - they are really nice, prepainted vehicles though!<br><br><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpzYb-zDfI/AAAAAAAAAJI/JCB9H9CMwYk/s1600/IMAG0006.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TGpzYb-zDfI/AAAAAAAAAJI/JCB9H9CMwYk/s320/IMAG0006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506340358079057394" /></a><br><br><br /><br />Well... If all else fails, rely on your non-commissioned officers to take charge and continue the assault: Red Section Sergeant stands at the ready to obey his Leutnant - or carry on, should the "El Tee" fall to enemy fire.<br><br><br /><br /><br />...to be continued...<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-27871336032252063052010-08-13T22:40:00.001-04:002010-10-01T11:46:36.757-04:00Field of Glory PC game<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YmPoqhMmuwo/TGLqF8bvvrI/AAAAAAAAAW0/tJm1AlRgwM4/s1600/field-of-glory-cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 195px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YmPoqhMmuwo/TGLqF8bvvrI/AAAAAAAAAW0/tJm1AlRgwM4/s400/field-of-glory-cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504219082442915506" /></a><br /><br />I have been playing this PC version of Field of Glory for about three months now. It is a computer war game that is based on the now well-known Field of Glory table top miniatures rules for ancient wargaming. But, for those of you who have been exposed to the miniatures rules and have found them to be a a bit daunting in scope and complexity, please do not think that of this PC game. <br /><br />I would venture to say that this PC version is somewhat loosely based on the miniatures rules. It does use the same fundamental method for resolving combat but all that is handled by the program. It is very easy to select and move units. The interfaces are all very intuitive and it is extremely easy to start playing right away without studying anything. Its really just a simple matter of selecting a unit with your cursor. The area around it then lights up to show where it could possibly move to, and then you just click on any highlighted hex and it goes there. If the selected unit is a missile firing unit the yellow range circle appears on the map to show all the areas it can possibly fire at. At the same time, all the enemy units that are potential targets for either a missile attack, or a charge, suddenly display icons that allow you to then shoot at them or attack them. So it really is just a simple point and click system. The program comes with a very nice, easy to use, easy to understand, built-in manual that you can call up any time to study. <br /><br />You can play against the AI or you can play by email against human opponents. The AI is good for learning the game and practicing a bit. The real beauty of the game is the play by email(PBEM)system. You will want to play the game this way because the AI will not be much of a challenge for you after a while. The game appears to have become quite popular. There over 1200 people that are participating in the PBEM system and it is quite easy to find someone to play against. You can issue, or accept, an open challenge or you can set up private games controlled by password access. There is no subscription fee or payments of any kind for using the PBEM system. Anyone who registers a valid game license is free to play as much as they want. <br /><br />The basic game comes with quite few set scenarios that you can play by yourself or with someone else. There are now three supplements that have come out for the game with a fourth on the way. Each supplement provides even more scenarios and they also provide army generators that allow you to build your own armies and then use them. <br /><br />I realize that this is a not a tabletop miniatures game, but let me tell you, it sure goes a long way toward satisfying that gaming itch when you know that your next miniatures game might be a month or more in the happening. Through this game I have established a relationship with a very nice gent in Australia (and I live in Virginia!). We have been playing back-to-back games against each other for two months now and it has been lot of fun for both of us. It's nice to come home, fire up the computer, see what he has done to me today, and then see what I can do to pay him back! All this doesn't take much time either, you can play out a game turn in about 15 minutes! <br /><br />That is all I want to say about it for now. This is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the game. I just wanted to get the word out that I think this game is a real gem that more people should try. I think you will really like it. <br /><br />As far as I know there are only three ways to buy this game. The first would be to order or download it from Slitherine.com in the UK where it was developed. The second would be to order or download it from Matrix Games. I personally prefer to order mine in disc form from Strategypage.com because I like their prices and free shipping.<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-4445104308267636602010-08-10T19:00:00.001-04:002010-08-11T11:37:05.329-04:00Colonial Wargames Convention Announced for 2011News flash for all you colonial gaming fans. Lori Brom at "Sergeants3" has announced that the Brom's will be sponsoring a colonial gaming convention in either October or November of 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Lori of course is the daughter of Larry Brom, the illustrious author of "The Sword and the Flame" rules for colonial wargaming which still rank as the "gold standard" for that genre' of gaming.<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Bwana Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07992011643252954750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-9299177648319616222010-06-20T20:12:00.005-04:002010-06-20T20:26:32.233-04:00Wings of War<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TB6xJamfwvI/AAAAAAAAAII/QGtGABt4hA0/s1600/36108_14044immelman.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TB6xJamfwvI/AAAAAAAAAII/QGtGABt4hA0/s320/36108_14044immelman.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485016171501568754" /></a><br />This afternoon, Bwana Bill, Orkmeister Karl, Andy, and I had the opportunity to have a little "dad" (and not so dad!) time. Bwana had the World War I version of Wings of War, and has purchased a lovely array of their models. We sat down and ran through about five games in four hours. Amazing!!!<br /><br />The game is played entirely with cards - unless you choose to purchase the lovely plane models (pre-painted). There are NO dice in the game. You select three moves (left turn, right turn, sharp right [for rotary engine aircraft!], straight, climb, or Immelman) and that is what you do during your turn. Each card represents a "phase". During each phase, you select your card, lay it down, move your aircraft, and then check range and arc of fire to any nearby opponents.<br /><br />We played about 3 or 4 games of standard fighter scenarios - first the two "newbs" played each other, then all four of us played as wingman - two man teams.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the game, as it is very quick and easy to learn and play - and as always, my eyes are drawn to well painted models - especially if I don't have to paint them!<br /><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TB6w7m-sooI/AAAAAAAAAIA/WuM94CFftF0/s1600/Furrball.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/TB6w7m-sooI/AAAAAAAAAIA/WuM94CFftF0/s320/Furrball.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485015934306132610" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br />In two scenarios, we play two fighters attacking a fighter, which was escorting a two-seater reconnaissance or light bomber aircraft. The objective for the fighter team was to stop the larger aircraft from getting to their airdrome and taking photos.<br /><br />That was interesting - the larger aircraft, being two-seaters, have a rear gunner - therefore, they "sting" from the front (maybe - depending on the aircraft) and the rear.<br /><br />All in all, we had a great time, and then got to have a quick gander at Orkmeisters scenario books for Kreta. Fallschirmjagers coming to a gaming table near you in the near future!!!<br /><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-22549715456148622432010-05-02T16:26:00.008-04:002010-05-03T14:26:32.556-04:00Warlord Games Bolt Action British Paras<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S93jfRHGI1I/AAAAAAAAAJw/g7cukqh1TZg/s1600/RedDevilsbyBoltAction.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466775649006265170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S93jfRHGI1I/AAAAAAAAAJw/g7cukqh1TZg/s320/RedDevilsbyBoltAction.jpg" /></a> It's been a long time since the last post on this blog, hasn't it?<br /><br /><br />I've been quite busy with work, family and painting when I have the chance. I thought I would share an experience today as my son decided he wants some 28mm WWII British Paratroopers. Since he has done very well in school, I thought I would treat him with a few.<br /><br /><p></p><p></p>Kyle likes "larger" 28mm sizes so we looked online at:<br /><a href="http://www.artizandesigns.com/list.php?cat=101&sub=130&page=1">Artizan Miniatures</a><br /><a href="http://shop.warlordgames.co.uk/british-airborne-116-c.asp">Bolt Action (Warlord Games)</a><br /><a href="http://www.renegademiniatures.com/ww2british.htm">Renegade Miniatures</a><br /><br /><p></p><p>All of them looked good, but after closely reviewing them, Kyle preferred the Bolt Action range. I think it helped that almost all of the pictures were of painted miniatures. It appears they were painted by Paul Sawyer too, who is one of the owners of Warlord Games. Very nice paint work too I look forward to Mr. Sawyer posting more pictures of his work.</p>Also, I recently purchased and started playing the new Flames of War: Market Garden campaign and board game. So far it's been a lot of fun to play. I'll follow up with another post reviewing this game.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S93kX0dXlrI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/v8Qysf4azyI/s1600/FirestormMG-Box-Top.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466776620567598770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S93kX0dXlrI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/v8Qysf4azyI/s320/FirestormMG-Box-Top.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-23648392671407636572010-01-22T15:32:00.007-05:002010-01-22T15:40:01.110-05:00Zulu! Or the Anniversary of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S1oMk6YJfZI/AAAAAAAAAJY/3_HWQlzVm3s/s1600-h/rorkes_drift.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429666129033919890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S1oMk6YJfZI/AAAAAAAAAJY/3_HWQlzVm3s/s320/rorkes_drift.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Today is the anniversary of both the Battle of Isandlwana and Rork’s Drift. Many men died, on both sides, on this day where bravery and sacrifice were proven by thousands soldiers. Please take a moment to toast the fallen and those who survived now long gone. An overview of each battle can be found <a href="http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/potpourri/isandhlwana_enigma.htm">HERE</a>. </div><div> </div><div>For those interested in more information on these battles there are a couple of great books which cover them in detail.<br /><br />“Like Wolves on the Fold” by Mike Snook – you can read a review by Bwana Bill <a href="http://tabletopgamer.blogspot.com/2007/06/like-wolves-on-fold-great-new-book-on.html">HERE<br /></a>“How Can Man Die Better: The Secrets of Isandlwana Revealed” by Mike Snook<br /><br />They are both out of print but you can find them for sale at www.amazon.com<br /><br />Bwana Bill has written a few great posts regarding The colonial experience with Zulus which you can find searching our blog.<br /><br />A couple of years ago I started on my 28mm Zulu project. It’s been shelved for the time being but I thought today would be a good excuse to post how I paint my Zulu Warriors.<br /><br />The first thing I do is decide how I can make the process as quick and easy as possible. I’m a lazy git and really don’t want to spend much time painting hundreds of Zulus. But I want hundreds of painted Zulus!<br /><br />Here’s what I use, in the order that I use them for my “Married Zulus”:<br /><br />Krylon Camouflage Brown<br />Citadel (Games Workshop aka GW) Chaos Black for hair and band<br />GW "Leather" for straps<br />GW Bleached Bone as the base color for leggings.<br />Shields GW Bleached Bone highlighted GW Skull White, with brown splotches of Tamiya Nato Brown.<br />GW Bolt Gun Metal for iron blade<br />GW Bleached Bone for blades<br />Brush on my home made magic dip. GW Brown Ink + Future Floor Finish<br /><br />I have only painted Old Glory Married Zulus so far. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S1oMzRWgtsI/AAAAAAAAAJo/bQSNc90V6w0/s1600-h/eusa_wall.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 25px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 15px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429666375719237314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/S1oMzRWgtsI/AAAAAAAAAJo/bQSNc90V6w0/s320/eusa_wall.gif" /></a><br /><br /></div><insert></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-60564450645637224052009-12-07T20:20:00.011-05:002009-12-07T20:53:37.089-05:0015mm Sci-Fi - Rebel MiniaturesI have a lot of projects to finish. So many I went "AHHH!!!" the other day. So what does one do when they have a lot of projects? Well, most people would pick one and get going on it. What does Consul Scipio do? He starts ANOTHER project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tuiihnSI/AAAAAAAAAJE/3paYOLOfuJk/s1600-h/EarthForce-w-GravTanks.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412673342226406690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tuiihnSI/AAAAAAAAAJE/3paYOLOfuJk/s320/EarthForce-w-GravTanks.jpg" /></a>Here's how it happened...<br /><br /><br /><br />Black Knight, a good friend who I game with a lot and attend conventions with pointed me to the new Battlefront Flames of War Vietnam* miniatures. Those Hueys look nice! So I sent my Father and Brother and sent them a link to buy me the US Cavalry "army" so they could get me that for Christmas. While I have time to wait, I started looking around my game room, otherwise known as the room of disorganisation, to decide which project to keep working on until the Cavalry arrive. "Should I work on some Flames of War Brits? No, I've been painting Flames of War miniatures for the last couple of months." Then I thought "Should I work on the 40K Tyranids? No. Even though my son is working on Games Workshop IG and Tau, I just can't bring myself to work on it." Then I saw my boxes of 28mm plastic Napoleonics. I painted about 24 French Line Infantry but honestly I'm just not into it right now. Looking around some more I found some <a href="http://www.rebelminis.com/eafoma.html">Rebel Miniatures</a> 15mm "Earth Force Marines" and two Grav tanks. "Well, they're the closest miniatures I have to 15mm Moderns that aren't WWII so why not."<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tuaI7qHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/oL82BXNK1x0/s1600-h/EarthForceGravTanks.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412673339971577970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tuaI7qHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/oL82BXNK1x0/s320/EarthForceGravTanks.jpg" /></a><br />In two nights I've painted over 20 Earth Force infantry and two tanks. I plan on expanding the force with Merkava 5s and even more Earth Force Troops. Although MY troopers are "Cavalry" or "Mobile Infantry" in my story. Oh and I want some of those gun ships and drop ships too! They look great. I still have to touch them up and dull coat them but I'm happy with the results.<br /><br />Here are a couple more pictures. Forgive me as I used my iPhone and they are quite shiny!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tt3AFlOI/AAAAAAAAAI0/MtLkI8HcPgo/s1600-h/EarthForceCavalry.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tt3AFlOI/AAAAAAAAAI0/MtLkI8HcPgo/s1600-h/EarthForceCavalry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412673330539238626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oq1dI__CQwU/Sx2tt3AFlOI/AAAAAAAAAI0/MtLkI8HcPgo/s320/EarthForceCavalry.jpg" /></a><br />Now, what rules am I going to use? Heck if I know. I have been thinking I'll create my own since there doesn't seem to be a 15mm company level Sci-Fi game out there.<br /><br /><br /><br />* I realize that Battlefront insists the Vietnam game and miniatures are "Wargames Illustrated" but who are they kidding?<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Consul Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18408907430630186157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-55861902216238166822009-11-30T11:42:00.004-05:002009-11-30T11:49:35.148-05:00The RaidThe fight between the prisoners began innocently enough. A “Tommy” was brewing up a bit of tea for his mates when another group of Tommies, bored with the prison routine decided to get up a football match. Unfortunately, what appeared to be a bad kick, sent the ball squarely into the tea kettle, with predictable results. The two groups clashed, forty or so prisoners, punching, kicking, and shouting epithets, and drawing the attention of the camp guards. <br /><br />Shouts of “Fermo!” erupted from the Italian guards, as they waded into the unruly mob, rifles swinging. <br /><br />Long Range Desert Group Leftenant Nigel Smythe-Clyde and Sergeant “Jock” Andrews slipped quickly under the fence and into the desert as the sun began to set, whispering a word of thanks to the lads in the camp for the distraction they had provided. With the light fading and the heat of the day dropping, the two survivors of the ill-fated raid on a Duetche Afrika Korps (DAK) supply dump began the long trek to freedom, hoping to fight again another day. <br /><br />Smythe-Clyde could not help but relive the moments leading up to their capture, as he and “Jock” moved from cover to cover as best they could in the bleak desert terrain.<br /><br />The raid began with two teams of LRDG trucks and jeeps, carrying a lone S.A.S. team, surprising the drowsy guards at the DAK supply depot. The initial explosion from the S.A.S. team's demolition charges, or "Lewes Bombs", destroyed a pile of fuel drums, sending flames high into the gloaming sky. <br /><br />Smythe-Clyde’s team raced past a lone Italian Stuka, hosing it with tracer fire as they went. Their route took them between three tasty targets, and their combined fire destroyed all that they aimed at, sending exploding ordinance arcing into the sky, narrowly missing their vehicles. <br /><br />With the flames settling down to a steady burn, it was time to leave. Having achieved four of five of their intended objectives, it was time to beat a hasty retreat before the alerted enemy arrived.<br /><br />The other LRDG team commander swept in and picked up the S.A.S. team and headed for their planned escape route, as the roar of engines and a plume of dust announced the arrival of a group of unhappy DAK soldiers. Watching their precious supplies go up in flames put them in a decidedly foul mood. <br /><br />The DAK heavy machine gun unit leapt out of their Krupps trucks and set up their weapons, intent on stopping the "Tommies" from escaping. As Smythe-Clyde’s team began turning their vehicles around to make good their escape, the DAK HMG teams opened fire, destroying every truck in Smythe Clyde’s team. Two men ran towards his jeep as he began to accelerate away from the killing zone, he nudged “Jock”, who slewed ‘round, braking and accelerating, then braking again as he neared the survivors. The two troopers jumped on board as “Jock” stood on the gas pedal, pumped the clutch and sent the jeep careening towards the other LRDG team’s location. <br /><br />As they drove, the soldiers could not take time to reflect on their grievous losses, instead focusing on getting clear of the area, hoping to fade into the desert as dusk approached. <br /><br />A rumbling in the distance announced the approach of another enemy unit. Drivers pushed their machines to the limits as they negotiated the unfriendly, yet familiar desert terrain. <br /><br />Ahead of the escaping LRDG, a DAK Panzergrenadier platoon leapt out of their trucks and hustled into position, hoping to block the oncoming juggernaut with a wall of lethal lead. <br /><br />The LRDG teams approached a route they had reconnoitered earlier around a patch of nearly impassable marsh, filled soft sand, when a sharp-eyed gunner spotted the Panzergrenadiers and opened fire. At nearly the same instance, every gunner on the remaining trucks and jeeps sent a fiery hail of tracer-laden machine gun fire into the scrambling grenadiers. Bullets struck flesh and bone with merciless abandon.<br /><br />As they eased past the marshy area, they could hear the cries of the wounded and dying. There was no return fire. Smythe-Clyde allowed himself the slightest grin, hoping that this encounter was a portent of their impending escape. <br /><br />The last gleam of the desert sun disappeared as the survivors pushed past the salt marsh and continued towards a wadi, which they hoped would shield them from enemy eyes and retribution. <br /><br />As darkness deepened, the teams were forced to slow their vehicles, for fear of becoming stuck or running into an enemy position. Smythe-Clyde and his comrades pushed on, relying on the cover of darkness and what speed they could maintain to cover their escape. He could just make out the entrance to the wadi they sought, slightly illuminated by the rising moon. If only their luck would hold a bit longer! They were in sight of safety!<br /><br />Suddenly another sound issued from the night. Again, sounds of engines, but this time mixed with the unmistakable sounds of tracks clanking across the desert floor. <br /><br />Smythe-Clyde took a deep breath and said a quick gallows humor prayer,”For what we are about to receive, we give thee thanks!”<br /><br />Two SdKfz-231 armored cars appeared like ghosts out of the darkness. They opened fire on the escaping LRDG teams, missing all but one truck. The team from the stricken Chevy leapt to safety, climbing aboard another vehicle. <br /><br />One of the “acht-rad”, or eight-wheeled armored cars was sitting directly in the entrance of the wadi, nearly blocking the escape route. Engines roared as the commander saw their only hope for escape slipping away. He shouted his command, “Get past ‘em, go, go, go!! Into the wadi, move it!.”<br /><br />The other armored car was on their right hand side, outside the wadi. If they were quick enough, and lucky with their shots, they might be able to bail the crew of the one armored car out, and dodge the fire of the second by entering the wadi. <br /><br />Smythe-Clyde ignored the command to enter the wadi, instead ordering “Jock” to slide past the second armored car while it was pre-occupied with the other team.<br /><br />As he glanced back, he could just make out the flashes of fire from HMGs. He wondered if it were the same lot that had killed most of his team. To their side, he could see sporadic fire, apparently from another panzergrenadier platoon. <br /><br />The other LRDG team commander and his trucks entered the wadi and raked the side of the armored car, unfortunately to little effect. <br /><br />Then, with a lurch, Smythe-Clyde’s jeep came to a bone-jarring halt and burst into flames. He and “Jock” were both thrown from the vehicle. In the flames, he could just make out the team he and “Jock” had rescued, apparently dead from machine gun or cannon fire. Smythe-Clyde and “Jock” leaped to their feet and ran onward, hoping to escape in the darkness. <br /><br />Inside the wadi the other LRDG team’s luck ran out. With their vehicles destroyed by HMG and 20mm cannon fire, three surviving teams attempted to assault the armored car in the wadi. A series of rushes and assaults using sticky-bombs failed to produce results, and the return fire from the armored car killed the remaining men. <br /><br />The clank of tank treads on desert track grew noticeably louder, and then ominously stopped. “Jock” and Smyth-Clyde looked at each other and slowly stood, throwing their weapons and Arabic headgear to the ground. Ahead of them, five Panzer Mark III “Specials” loomed, all guns trained on the two survivors. Behind them, the turret from the armored car swung around to cover them. A hatch opened in the lead Panzer, and the tank commander climbed out, motioning with a raised MP-40 for the pair to approach. <br /><br />As they walked cautiously up to the Hauptmann, they heard in surprisingly clear and nearly unaccented English, “Welcome into the “bag” Tommy. Cigarette?”<div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11187459.post-40378542240108695912009-11-17T17:10:00.012-05:002009-11-18T09:38:38.851-05:00The Greening of Canis WolfborneIn an earlier post, I mentioned that I had happily acquired the new <a href="http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp">Games Workshop</a> model, <a href="http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat1310001&prodId=prod60017a">Canis Wolfborn</a> for my Space Wolves Warhammer 40K army.<br /><br />I was so excited by this acquisition that, although I was completely awash in pre-convention painting projects, I took time to clean the model and put him together.<br /><br />I will reiterate that I have never seen such an imposing hunk of metal designed for the tabletop! Canis is a "mere" Space Marine, his size alone is inconsequential - unless compared to a "mere" mortal! However, his mount, the cybernetically enhanced Thunder Wolf, Fangir is another story altogether.<br /><br />I have not done actual measurements so cannot provide an accurate size for the model; let's just say it's really big!<br /><br />Unfortunately, when I built Canis and Fangir, I was out of "green stuff" modeling putty and could not fill the cracks left between larger bits.<br /><br />I finally got some green stuff and went to work on Fangir - and here are a couple of photos showing the results.<bk><bk><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/SwMfh-NK4_I/AAAAAAAAAGc/gEtRxBLkQ3E/s1600/Canis_Headshot.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/SwMfh-NK4_I/AAAAAAAAAGc/gEtRxBLkQ3E/s320/Canis_Headshot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405198646269109234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fangir and his rider, from the front<bk><bk><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/SwMf6DSZowI/AAAAAAAAAGk/k97QIwxnGaY/s1600/Canis_Tail.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__meJbOKa6Jg/SwMf6DSZowI/AAAAAAAAAGk/k97QIwxnGaY/s320/Canis_Tail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405199059950084866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Looking down at Fangirs' tail end<bk><bk><br /><br /><br /><br />As I worked with the model, it became apparent that the spaces left between Canis' arms and his torso did not require putty. However, poor Fangir had a few spots that needed a bit of help.<br /><br />I mushed up the yellow and blue parts of the green stuff, squished it around till it was nicely blended, then rolled it out in long strips that would nearly fit into the crevices. Using a dental pick, I pressed the green stuff into the cracks, and poked it into a similar appearance and texture as his fur.<br /><br />I also learned a bit about photography while getting the shots for this posting; Note to budding miniatures photographers - when using the Super Macro setting on your camera, using a flash will leave a large black shadow in the shape of your lens! DOH!<br /><br />I have begun the <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/han-solo-frozen-in-carbonite-desk/">carbonite freezing process</a>... umm.... I mean the priming process, and hope to begin painting Fangir and his pet space marine soon!</bk></bk></bk></bk></bk></bk><div class="blogger-post-footer">google1d46db00d8eb4940.html</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2