British Sixth Airborne Division - Part Two

Finally finished and based a unit of six Para’s advancing with Lee-Enfield Rifles by "Friend and Foe"; part of my planned British Sixth Airborne Division. I managed to crack on with these whilst listening to the November 2008 Memoir44 Podcast that actually covers the Pegasus Bridge scenario. It’s a pity the show stopped with Scenario Seven in August 2009. Here’s the link http://memoir44podcast.blogspot.com.

COMING SOON – I’ve based the second of my FM1 ‘Barbarian Heroes’ by “Copplestone Castings”. This time a female warrior who seems an ideal representation of Robert E. Howard’s Red Sonja. I’ll need to get cracking on these in the New Year as the range is expanding quite quickly and I’m way behind already. In addition I’m working on a Radio Operator for my British Sixth Airborne Division, as well as Major John Howard himself. As you can see the head I’ve chosen for him has a fault over one eye, which I’m hoping to turn into a monocle in order to give the DSO awarded war hero a touch of ‘stiff upper lip, wot’.

The Battle of Marengo Project - Part Four

Finished the second base of four French Fusiliers from the 28mm plastic boxed set ‘French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807’ by “Victrix”, and I have a third well on its way. Unfortunately my progress on these plastic models has been slightly delayed after I realised that one of the straps at the back of the soldiers should have been brown (as it was on the front of each Fusilier) instead of white. As a result some careful repainting has taken place.

In addition, the sculpting on one of the models appeared to have the soldier’s left turn back melt into some strapping and leg. My white colour scheme just made the site look odd, so I’ve subsequently glued a black pouch over the area and this has adequately hidden the problem from view.

I’ve glued together another drummer for the Command base, having thought of a simple way to paint the drum and all of its ropes etc. A coat of Khemri Brown and Devlan Mud wash has really brought out the instrument’s detail, As the model will be tucked away beside a standard bearer at the rear of the stand, I think that’ll suffice (with the odd blue piping etc). I’ve also changed my mind regarding the composition of the Command base, and now plan for it to consist of a drummer, standard-bearer, officer and Porte-Aigle.

COMING SOON – In order to see how easy my painting style copes with the new “Victrix” Napoleonic Austrians, I’ve ‘boxed in” all the white areas on these four Fusiliers. I don’t plan to finish painting these until the New Year, although with just a couple of hours more work I reckon they could be finished.

The Battle of Marengo Project - Part Three

Finished the first base of four French Fusiliers from the 28mm plastic boxed set ‘French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807’ by “Victrix”. I plan to field four such bases (amongst a mixture of Voltigeur, Command and Grenadier bases) to form a Line Infantry Battalion; and then field two such battalions along with one Light Infantry battalion in order to create a French infantry Brigade (having been inspired by the Army organisation structures found in "Napoleon At War" by "Man at War Miniature Games").

Painting is steadily progressing on a second base of Fusiliers, as well as the Command base; although my plans to have a drummer present alongside my standard bearers has fallen to the wayside, having spent a far portion of my time yesterday trying desperately to paint a drum and all its ropes etc. Instead each base will consist of an officer and two standard bearers instead.

COMING SOON - Despite my initial intentions to have this project be simply an all-infantry (and all "Victrix") affair, I've succumbed to the temptation that is "Perry Miniatures" and bought two boxes of their absolutely awesome "French Napoleonic Dragoons 1812-1815". I initially kidded myself that I was simply buying them in order to be to field a brigade of foot Dragoons. But having seen them in the flesh, the French will shortly be able to supported by a Heavy Cavalry Brigade consisting of one Dragoon Regiment (Elite Company with bearskins) and a second which can be fielded either as mounted or foot.

The Battle of Marengo Project - Part Two

Managed to finish the white areas on the Subaltern and two of the Fusiliers. To give some simple shading to the white uniforms and straps etc I’ve used a simple wash of watered down Astronomican Grey. I’ve also painted the tops of Junior Officer’s boots with Calthan brown and Devlan Mud.
To break up the monotony of white I’ve painted another Fusilier with Khemri Brown and Devlan Mud in order represent them wearing a pair of ‘marching/town’ trousers.

COMING SOON - Painting is slowly progressing on my unit of six Para’s advancing with Lee-Enfield Rifles. Hopefully this part of my planned British Sixth Airborne Division will be finished by the weekend.

The Battle of Marengo Project - Part One

Inspired by blogs such as “Napoleonic Wargames Project” (albeit some months since it was last updated) and the batch painting method beautifully demonstrated at “WAB Corner”, I’ve actually started to try and paint a ‘battalion’ of French Napoleonic Infantry at the same time.

The ‘battalion’ will consist of twelve French fusiliers, four grenadiers, four voltigeurs, a drummer, standard bearer and officer from the “Victrix” 28mm plastic box set ‘French Napoleonic Infantry 1804 – 1807'. They’ll be painted to represent the Infantry of the Line as shown in “Austerlitz – The Empire at its Zenith” by “Histoire & Collections”.

As the majority of the soldiers will be white, I gave them all an undercoat of Skull White, and then painted a second coat over the trousers, waistcoats and straps etc. I then picked out the collars, cuffs and epaulettes that will be red with Mechrite Red. I then gave these areas a wash of Baal Red. I used a combination of Iyanden Darksun and Gryphonne Sepia for the Voltigeurs’ collars.

My painting style is based upon separating the different colours with Chaos Black, and then giving those areas an appropriate ink wash. As a result I’ve started to 'box off' the white areas from the rest of the models using Chaos Black, and also ‘cut in’ around the red areas as well; tidying the collars, cuffs and epaulettes up with Mechrite Red as and when needed.

Truth be told, I wanted to see what a ‘detachment’ of four fully painted Fusiliers on a 40mm x 40mm base looks like, so as a mini project I’ve been working away on them as well. The more ‘advanced’ fusilier is the fourth one of these soldiers.

I’ve almost finished the white areas for the officer, whom I’m painting as a Subaltern from a Fusilier company.

My hope is to get this ‘Battalion’ finished in just under three months, working on the rate of two models per week (as I do have a few other painting projects on the go), with the ultimate goal being that for Christmas 2012 I’ll have enough painted French (and Austrians) to field two ‘Battalions’ per army in order to ‘replicate’ the battle of Marengo using some homemade rules.

British Sixth Airborne Division - Part One

These 20mm metal ‘British Para’s with Stens’ come from the “Friend & Foe” bag BP5. They come with the option of either wearing berets or camouflaged helmets. The models are somewhat crudely sculpted (e.g. large paw-like hands with tiny heads) but have a definite charm to them, and certainly look good on the table once fully painted and based.

The models base uniform colour is Calthan Brown washed with Devlan Mud. However to ‘fudge’ the impression of a camouflaged jacket (in order to get the miniatures on the table fast), these areas were also then washed with Thrakka Green. The ankle armour was painted with Dheneb Stone and Devlan Mud, whilst the soldiers’ webbing and pouches were painted using Knarloc Green, Thrakka Green and Devlan Mud.

The sten guns were simply painted Boltgun Metal, and then washed with Badass Black, whilst the flesh areas with Tallarn Flesh and Ogryn Flesh. The berets were treated to a thick coat of Mechrite Red before being given a heavy wash of Baal Red. The helmets were painted with Orkhide Shade, with the camouflage fronds being picked out with Dark Flesh. These areas were then washed with Thrakka Green and Devlan Mud.

Next in the queue are a unit of six Para’s advancing with Lee-Enfield Rifles; part of planned British Sixth Airborne Division I’ve bought in order to capture Pegasus Bridge. The eagle-eyed amongst you will spot that the models are sat upon some Hexon Terrain by Kallistra, and that can only mean one thing… I’m starting a project in order to recreate the opening scenario for Memoir ’44 by Days Of Wonder in 20mm. Utter madness.

COMING SOON – I’ve always wanted a 28mm Napoleonic Army, and finally at Warfare in Reading in November 2011 I bit the bullet, and bought some plastic Austrians and French by Victrix. Further inspired by David Brown’s battle report in this month’s Wargames Illustrated I also purchased enough Hexon scenery to recreate the Fontanone stream and viola… The Battle of Marengo will be coming soon (even if it does mean breaking my sacred law that thou shalt not game with unpainted miniatures).

Colours 2012 - "Micro Armour Marathon Begins"

Held on 10th and 11th September 2011 at Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, “Colours 2011” lead to a series of purchases I’m determined to have fully painted before the annual show returns in 2012.

The show has also resulted in several subsequent purchases, most notably from “Wargames Emporium” and “Pendraken Miniatures”. In addition I’ve also added a collection of 15mm fantasy models from “Copplestone Castings” as they arrived through the post at the time of “Colours”.

This means that over the next twelve months I plan to ‘paint up’:

(1) ‘Modern British Combat Team’ and ‘Modern Mujahadin/Al Qaeda Combat Team’ Micro Armour boxed sets by “GHQ”; as well as several additional infantry packs I’ve bought from “Wargames Emporium” in order to bulk out the forces for a game of “Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat” by “Mongoose games”.
(2) ‘British Expeditionary Force (WW2)’ 10mm packet and some accompanying ‘Bren Carriers’ and resin scenery; as well as some additional infantry and vehicles I’ve bought from “Pendraken Miniatures” in order to start battling for Norway in 1940.
(3) A selection of 20mm ‘Arnhem’ British WW2 models (including personality commanders) and German Gebirgsjäger from “Friend or Foe” figures.
(4) 6mm ‘Middle East Buildings’ set from “Baccus”.
(5) 32mm ‘Bushido – The Savage Wave’ starter set and ‘Bobata, the Bell Ringer’ from “GCT Studios”.
(6) 15mm ‘Barbarian Heroes’, ‘Northlander Warriors with Swords’ and ‘Northlander Warriors with Axes’ by “Copplestone Castings”; inspired by the excellent “Crom” homemade rule set and articles that can be found over at ‘Matakishi’s Tea House’ website (http://matakishi.com).

The ‘Conan the Barbarian’ figure is one of the several male models found within FM1 ‘Barbarian Heroes’ by “Copplestone Castings”, and seemed an ideal representation of Robert E. Howard’s fantasy warrior. The majority of the model was simply painted using a combination of Tallarn Flesh, followed by a wash of Devlan Mud. The loincloth and fur boots were also treated to a liberal helping of Devlan Mud, having been painted Dark Flesh first. The bracelets were picked out with Dwarf Bronze over a Dark Flesh undercoat, and then also washed with Devlan Mud. The sword was simply painted Boltgun Metal, washed with Badass Black and then drybrushed with more Boltgun Metal.

The Micro Armour British Infantrymen will represent the Corporal in charge of a Rifleman Section for a planned confrontation between one of the best trained military forces in the world and the Middle Eastern Alliance using “Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat” by “Mongoose games”. The models were simply undercoated with Knarloc Green, before being washed with Devlan Mud. The faces and hands were then picked out with Tallarn Flesh and the boots and rifles with Chaos Black. Ogryn Flesh was then washed over the face and hands.

COMING SOON - I'm currently painting up another company of Russian Regular Infantry (with Machine Gun and Mortar Support) and Panzer Mark I tanks for the second battle of Operation Typhoon. Plus more British Micro Armour Infantry, and another barbarian hero to accompany 'Conan' - Robert E. Howard's Red Sonja.