Galleys

 Possibly one of the smallest ships I have painted for some time (around 1cm long) , these galleys have been in my collection for 10 years or more as a sample purchase for looking at scales for galley warfare during the Greek wars. I have painted them for “The Wargamers Forum” summer build which finishes next week. I hope to also complete some other naval pieces for the build also. 

Not sure what rules to use, but will complete my larger ships first before I dive into researching rulesets as I would prefer small fleet actions rather than huge battles. 

Cheers

Matt

Photo Booth upgrade

You may of noticed over the last few weeks I finally updated my Photo Booth which I have been putting off for some time. We happened to be in IKEA recently and I spotted a ideal box size and when I returned home I decided to order some model railway backgrounds terrain, buildings and sky.  When they arrived I placed them onto cardboard backing and printed a science fiction one also while I was at it. 

I then purchased some daylight serial led light strips form our local €2 shop. I assembled the box, added the removable backgrounds, and then tried a few photos and worked out I needed to lift the models to blend in better with the shrubbery or buildings in the background. So I then decided to build a platform to lift the models to blend in better with the backgrounds, adding flock the base to match my basing. Also I built a small pin platform so my aircraft and space ship models could be lifted up too. 

Really happy with the improvements, although I could of purchased a bigger box for artillery limbers and large regiments …… next one I guess. 

Cheers

Matt

Prussian Artillery

 Completed a Prussian artillery battery from the Prusse Regiment, the white epaulettes are the only distinctive element from 1812-14. Miniatures are 28mm from the Elite Miniatures range and are part of my second Division for my 1812-15 army.

Cheers

Matt

Scottish Archers unit 4

 Scottish archers 

My third unit for my later Scottish HYW army, again plastics from Perry Miniatures, based for impetus or Test of Resolve. Two more units to go, then onto man at arms and nobles. 

Cheers 

Matt

Scottish Archers unit 3

 Another archer unit off the desk, for this unit I have painted a Saint Andrew on the cross on the banner, not historical at this time (much later). 

Two more units to go, again perry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

Norman casualty markers

Casualty Markers 

I have commenced holidays for two weeks and now have an opportunity to complete some workbench projects. First up some Norman mounted casualties from conquest games, they have been in my project drawers for a long time! 

 

Wip Wednesday ww2 buildings

Work in Progress Buildings 

 Back to upgrading some buildings this week as I want to start basing and adding walls and outbuildings, gardens etc to my layout. I have about thirty to refurbish for my Mayenne/city table, some will not take much, other need a lot of work. I have been breaking up bricks, cork and tinting kitty litter with washes to make bags of rubble. 

First up a old warrior, possibly 20 years old, I have a number of these I think from Queens Hussar (could be wrong) I will bring the brick up to the normal bright red orange of our region, then add a few bits of interior pieces, damage, rubble, signage then add the yard and out buildings on a base to fit my town tiles. 

Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday - Hay Stacks

 Hay Stacks 

I have been meaning to paint these for some time, the first 4 are complete and I have 16 more to complete the lot. Quite happy with the result and they match my fields (door mat) much more to come 

Cheers

Matt

HYW Scottish Archers unit two

 I have finally commenced my Scottish Archers for the battles of Fresnay, Baugé and Verneuil. I have 30 to complete them before I start the MAA. 

Again from the Perry range of miniatures, I have painted them with the recorded badges of red field with yellow saint Andrew’s cross. I am planning a big anniversary game next year so

I had best get a wriggle on and complete some more foot. 

Scottish Archers

Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday -modern courier station

 Courier despatch building 

Completed the first of my model train HO scale modern buildings, I am quite happy with the result, I would like to add signage from 1980s West Germany, I was thinking Hermes perhaps. Also thinking about a magnetic one so I switch it out for several locations . 

I commenced by painting the brick with red and and the concrete in grey. I then used a sponge to put splotch's with lighter colours. Then a ink wash to bring it together. I then use Tamiya weathering paste and made a heavy wash to push into the brick work, then wiped off with a QTip working in sections, the guttering, down pipes and windows then were done. Finally a green wash to show moss then some flowers and shrubs. I made the roofs removable for figure placement. 

I am considering also building a security fenced yard and carpark, plus add box’s pallets etc and a garbage bin. 

Onto the next lot, iconic WW2 DDay buildings next. 

Cheers

Matt 

Wip Wednesday

 Working on some bridges I purchased at Partizan and a building I picked up at a local Model Railway swap meet for modern gaming. 

A A shipping business, I will strip off the flower beds, base coat the brickwork and roof and add details 

Bridge will be painting to suit our area and western Normandy 

Cheers

Matt

Dust and Shadows part 9

 Additions to the gladiator collection, again foundry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

Dust and Shadows part 8

 More additions to the gladiators, again foundry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

Dust and Shadows part 7

 My next additions to the gladiator collection, again foundry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

Dust and Shadows part 6

 I purchased these at Partizan this year, some more Foundry miniatures Gladiators, the miniatures really do stand up to the time test. More  to come this week. 

Cheers

Matt

Praetorian cohort - Imperial Roman’s

 Praetorians!

These chaps have been hanging around at the rear of my painting desk since February awaiting Foundry shields and transfers from LBM. I purchased both while I was in the UK at Partizan and I completed them last week. I have a second cohort which just needs the command to be painted and they will join my Imperial Roman's also. The figures are from the foundry range. 

Cheers

Matt

Baden Guard du Corps

 Baden Guard du Corps

The next instalment really is a bit of a folly for my Baden Army is the Ducal squadron of the Dukes bodyguard. The two companies accompanied the duke throughout the duchy and did see action in 1809, rounding up prisoners of war and guarding the river at Strasbourg.

Uniform 

Black leather Raupenhelm, white metal fittings, ducal badge. White comb for Officers and Ors,  red comb for trumpeter. White coat in a Prussian cut, with two rows of 5 bottoms , red facings, collars, cuffs and turn backs, white epaulettes piped in red, buff breeches,  white belts, red leather cartridge pouch with ducal badge in silver, tall black boots, white sword knot. Officers, red and gilt sash for officers, epaulette fringes and Aigulettes, sword knot gilt, white breeches. Trumpeter red epaulette fringe, five laced pointed gallons, five inverted chevrons, red cords to trumpet, buff breeches.  

I have four figures to convert from the eureka miniatures Garde du corps, I have added them to the line up to be painted in the next month or two. 

cheers
Matt

Napoleonic Prussian Artillery battery

As a homage to Waterloo I decided to complete another battery of artillery for my Prussian 1813-15 army. The miniatures are all metal Elite miniatures, which for me have a certain charm about them. I have painted these as first division guns with red epaulettes and turnbacks, I have a second battery underway which will join the second division. As the “Les Squigs” Laval Wargames Club is kicking into high gear this year for Napoleonic Wargaming (due to a cunning plan by Phillip and myself) we have regularly 6 of us playing games.  I am planning on adding another brigade of Prussian infantry and cavalry to my collection. 

I do need to take a better photo, I am in the middle of building a new light box as I hated my cardboard one….

 It has been good for the mojo getting back to uniformed troops that is for sure, as I have been slogging away on a large batch of HYW archers…..which should be off the table during the week. 

Cheers

Matt

Roman Italian Triarii Allies

 As I get back to my table I have been completing a few more pieces from my project drawers, a unit I commenced before going on holidays in April was a unit of Triarii for my Italian Allies for my Republican period Roman’s. I have a few Italian allied units to do (10 plus) that can be used as Allies or enemies of Rome for our upcoming campaign at the club. 

This unit represents triarii Italian spearmen based for impetus, hand painted shields, figure manufacturer  Agema minuatures 

Cheers

Matt

Medieval farm and buildings

 Medieval bits 

First up a few buildings from Tabletop Workshop plastic 28mm range to add to my medieval building collection. 

I spackle finish (pre mixed plaster) the gaps between the collombage. I mask the collombage (paint on mask all) then add the plaster, let set a little, go back and then dapple with a tooth brush to give it texture and to hide the tabs that they come with. I then undercoat and paint with artist acrylics , then add washes etc. I have also done some interior work as I can then use them for skirmish gaming. 

When I complete my castle build later this year they will be put on village bases that slot onto the castle board for instant city scape. 

Farm out building 

Manor house

Stable

Cheers

Matt