Another big (well small)gun

I continue with my alien 15mm army of Snakemen (Astragar). Just a few figures painted. The are of course 15mm CRITICAL MASS Games.  Yes I do have some more ordered. Not too many, just a few.

This is a second gun team. I have decided to group all the heavy weapon teams together. The reason for doing this is that it is different from current 21st Century human thinking in Most armies.  As such some different organisation level thinking seemed just right as I want an alien force. And I imagine Aliens would think slightly (or completely) differently.

Not a huge amount painted but as they say "Every little helps!"

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend.

All the best Clint.

28mm Crimean war figures.

Here are some wargames Foundry 28mm British Infantry of the Crimean war. Firsty I know VERY little about this war or the uniforms and units so If I get anything wrong 10 Please tell me, so I can learn and 2) Bare with me as I am all at sea in this period.

Not knowing Matt provided me with pictures \nd I have copied them as best I am able in the hopes that they are right. A total of 6 riflemen each 3 to a base now ready for action. I have 12 more to do so you shall be seeing more of them soon. Well soon(ish) as I shall start the next 6 tonight.

 In addition to the 6 foot-sloggers I have 1 mounted officer done. One more to do. I showed it last time unfinished. But now it n is finished better to reveal it complete and with the first stands of infantry.  With luck this will give some leadership to the men and allow some games to better be played. But on this score time will tell.











I had more than 1 enquiry about the make of the robot last time.  As such I went up the loft. Straight away I found the box the kit came in now stuffed with old decals. None the less it does show the scale 1/35 and the name "Crusher Joe" of the kit but as yet I am unable to find any ore of them. So if you are looking good luck and comments below on where to get them would be appreciated. (Not holding my breathe though)

Until next time, good luck, good gaming and may  the dice e favourable  to you and also hinder your opponent!

15mm Robot ( and sneak peek. Historical)

Firstly here is a robot model from about 30 years ago. RE-PAINTED. At the time I was using it as a 28mm model but now I feel more of a 15mm model. The joy of Fantasy/sci-fi is no one knows so it can be whatever you want it to be. No one knows and few (if any) care.

I am afraid I do not know who makes it or what it is for. I remember that our local toy store got some and as such I bought 3 (the other 2 are in pieces and are missing heads. But rebuilding them is for another time/post!

This was a very easy re-paint. Almost too easy, or embarrassingly easy. Just 3 colours of brown on the legs and a thin brown was overall. It really was that easy.  About an hour in all including drying time. In fact the base took longer!

I look forward to finding the missing pieces and getting the other 2 finished now. Obviously this will bulk out my 15mm sci-fi army and give them some mech support.  And we all lke a bit of mech support. The only conversion work is the adding of a gun to the right arm. Way back in the day (no not quite when dinosaurs walked the earth) GW used to do separate weapons and arms. Not for a long period, but they did, Anyway the weapon is a cut down "Lasgun" I just chopped it about and added it on. Mech  with guns is usually a good idea!

Just the mech and a random 15mm alien, (on the to paint pile)
and a random 28mm figure. Just as a size/scale cmparison.

 Ok all Historical nuts can breath now. Finally some 28mm Crimean war WIP. Nearly finished ths mounted officer still got the face and the flesh and a few other bits to do, and a tidy-up. But it at least shows what I am working on for Matt. And that perhaps I have not been as lazy as I appear to have been. This is a 28mm Wargames Foundry and I have needed the practice in 28mm as it seem to have been a while. So I had best do some 28mm figs next!

Thanks for looking and more again in a day or so. Okay 2-3 days more likely!

All the best Clint

A Week has past!

Good Grief a whole week! I am slipping and big time! Yes the wargaming MOJO has gone Yes the painting Mojo has GONE.

Trying to get it back I have painted a few things. Here is an Alternative Armies 15mm Scout bike! not brilliant but as it had been waiting about 15-20 years a relief to get done. No I am still not happy with it but at least it is finished and can (for now) join the other 15mm sci fi figures. Yes I still have some to get done. (Several posts, most for the aliens but at least 1 for the French Foreign Legion (in space).

The "lump" to the left is an old unused part of a robot, but it makes good scatter terrain if nothing else. And it was quick to paint  and easy to finish.

Cold War update. Slowly getting my head around it. in 15mm I shall start on the Russian/soviet force first as that is what I have bought. Sent off for some more stuff as well from an unknown (to me ) company and I hope it will arrive in the week. Assuming it does, happy days and I can start>

Until next time take care good luck and I shall try to FORCE myself to paint as well.
All the best Clint

Three little (well big actually) robot walkers

I have waited for the Salute hubbub to die down. It will not be out of everyone's minds yet, nor would I wish
 
it to be. Personally I am in a wargames limbo at the moment  with lots started and little finished and absolutely NO desire to paint at all.

So I selected 2 old models and painted them for my 15mm sci fi Alien force. While 3 are in the pics the one on the left was already painted and has been seen on the blog before.

These are Brigade Models (LINK) old 15mm figures. So old They no longer have them on the web site. Yeah well forget that as I have some! And am determined to paint them.  So I have 3 of these now and they are actually an easy paint! (Yippee!)

Elsewhere on the painting table I have some 28mm "Wild west" figures. Which I really do need to get done. AND some 15mm US cavalry that I really do need to get done. So those 2 projects are in the works! I shall most likely do the 28mm Wild west next as they are most of the way done. But be warned I may just skip back to 15mm Sci Fi, It's the kind of logic I have at the moment! Or just to be perverse some 1980's 6mm figs that I am umming and ahrring about. You are warned.

Until then all the best  Clint

Sci fi heavy weapons 15mm

Just a quick post of the Astragar heavy weapons. They are of course 15mm Critical Mass Games . At present I have just 1 of these my dilemma (although dilemma is far to dramatic word) is Do I a] have one with each squad or b] have them as separate things. I do have enough APCs to do either so that is not an issue.  It is just that I have an option in the "gruntz" rules and have no idea what will be best. Squad support or a weapons Squad. There are advantages to both approaches. and also drawbacks. Finally I could do both! Doing both seems wrong but I just do not know at this stage.

If you play "Gruntz" and actually know what plays best I would be delighted to know. If you don't play "Gruntz!" (probably most of you still feel free to comment and I shall take it from their.

Finally started some more 15mm vehicles so with luck the next post will be on Sunday.


Until then take care and paint if you get the chance. All the Best Clint

Smoke gets in your eyes. (and WIP)

Ok these were made for Peter Pigs PBI rules. That said  there is no reason not to think they could and will not be used for other rules. However I wanted something a little "better" than cotton wool. I know most of you will use cotton wool without issue But I wanted something different.

Therefore I created 5 smoke clouds. (5 more are started and 10 should be enough for me!). They were simple to do just "clump foliage" then sprayed white (3 coats) and then the bases painted and they are good to go. I must  say I am very happy with them. You only need 1 in a PBI square to represent the whole square being filled with smoke so they are indicators only and not realistically modelled terrain. I am  sure you shall do better on your own with a little thought.

 Aztec farm (2) WIP

 As you can see I have started the second part of my sci fi farm. So I HOPE  to get that finished in the week. More details when I do. Please don't try to hold your breathe it is still several days away at the very earliest.

Donner vehicle ! WIP

Yes more WIP, and this is a while off so really don't try to hold your breath (that would be a very bad idea! Continuing my dieselpunk obsession I wave started a donner vehicle. All I have done so far is break things up. Ok saw things but you get the idea! On this model (thanks eBay) I need to rebuild the radiator and the headlights. remove (that's done) the side wheels and rebuild the running boards. And then either rebuild the rain cover or rebuild the back seat not sure yet and add some MGs and some other bits and bobs, like maybe a new hood ornament.

So expect this to take weeks and not days to do. The chances are I  shall get bored and throw it away before I finish so PLEASE don't suggest anything to do with this car. But at the very least you know it is a live project.

That's all for now folks have a good Sunday and try not to get too much done or I shall be disappointed in myself.

All the best Clint.

2nd squad

 Yes here are my 2nd squad of Snake-men. (AKA Atragar) The vehicle comes from Brigade Games but is currently not available (unless you talk VERY nicely to the guys at a show! Bringing Cake helps!!!) While the Snake men are from Critical Mass and are actually "Astragar" should you  go looking for them.

As mentioned this is my 2nd squad and 2nd Vehicle (I have 1 more to do) so expect them next month most likely. But do not hold your breathe!

I have yet to sort out stats for them and the vehicles as I have been busy. I do have a heavy weapon team as well (currently undercoated but no further) I am tring to decide if they belong at squad level or as a separate support section. I'll let you know when (if ever) I decide. IF I decide on squad level I shall need to buy 2 more.

Elsewhere I am working on a couple of things which I hope to show next week. Some historical and some (like part 2 of Aztec Fram) sci fi!

As you see slowly I am getting it all done. (OK very slowly)

Until next time take car, have fun and paint if you can. All the best Clint

First troops

Yes the first actual troops for this project as opposed to "vehicles"! This morning  I have finished my first squad of "snake-men" (Astragar as Critical Mass games call them.  Here is a LINK)

I find painting Sci Fi Figures hard. Yes you are right what ever colour you paint them is "right" there really is not a "wrong!!" So for now these will do and do well. There is some tidying up to o..... when is there not? But overall I am happy with their progress and finished look.  They are not perfect but non-the-less I am happy with them.

The vehicle is an APC or Battle -bus by Brigade games (see previous blog posts for a link and know that they are no longer easily available). It is an organic breed in a tank "Vehicle!" As such  factories might well be very different from our assembly plants. They might be so different that it might be easier to transport to a new world. (something to think about!)

This APC seems to fit well with my concept of the race and how they are. As such I shall say no more about them I have yet to stat them for the Grurntz rules so perhaps my initial thoughts might change. At present I have 3 of the APCs so that limits me to the size of the force. (Just 3 squads.... what ever I decide a Snake-men squad is.

This picture shows what I have painted so far in the vehicle range by Brigade  Models But I have 3 more varieties of vehicle yet to paint before I get sidetracked. (And I shall soon like it or not! I know what I am like)

The last pic just shows me that I have at least 2 more squads to paint (possibly more) and I have at least 9 more "vehicles" to go (Not pictured). Therefore I have enough 15mm sci fi to keep me going for a bit.

With luck I shall do the next lot quicker as NO decisions or re-paints need happen (although I bet they shall as MY typically hap-hazard way of doing things unfolds)>

Until next time take care, have fun and get some painting done!

All the best Clint

AZTEC FARM

A scratch built 15mm sci fi farm. No this is not a farm for growing Aztecs! Nor is a farm built by the ancient Aztecs. It is just the name I was using as I built this.  Nor is it complete. as it would require several further tunnels to finish it. But it will do for now!
Below is a step by step guide on how it was made.

Firstly I needed a concept. It needed to be easily built and cheaply. So I used only Items I could either scrounge or had already I am sure there are beter options and I look forward to seeing them.

This was actually the hardest part. Using "Grey board" (extra thick cardboard) I cut out some semi circles. I cut them the wrong size. Feel free to laugh andI am sure many of you will. This is actually quite gruelling and requires some effort. So Rather than re cut them to the right size I went with it. Not Ideal but what in wargaming or I life is!

I used  some spare 6mm MDF to make a base board. This was easy and straight forward and I was able to use power tools so little effort bu some time was required. For the actual tunnel I decided on an old "Pepsi" bottle. Feel free to use something else. I nearly used "7UP" as the bottled were lime green in colour and I thought (and still do) that might make them more sci fi in appearance. But I had a pepsi bottle so that was pressed into service.
There are molding lines and I used these as a guide to get some pieces hemispherical and using the molding lines was accurate enough.

I did a dry assembly first and then once I was "Happy" (BTW I am never happy) first stick the end pieces in place and then set about making the interior. The interior was first painted then dry-brushed and then commercial "Tufts" were added to reflect crops.  Again |I used what I had and the next version will probably be cheaper! Yeah I am a skin flint!


When ready (and left over night) I used a cheap (Bought from the 99p store) Uhu glue To hold in all in place. It is not perfect but did the job I required cheaply and efficiently.The interior was painted black on the walls and any other colour would have been acceptable, Personal choice and what, in this instance, I had to hand. Thick card board (actually Mounting board) was used on the sides. Again UHU was used but feel free to use any other general glue.



At this stage all the inside was done and a coat of grey paint was applied to the appropriate areas. As I had not been super neat (such s my way) I used thin strips of "Plasticard" as a junction between the "clear"  and the grey walls. Yes I split glue more than a few time and If working commercially would have taken more care. Superglue was used to hold the plasicard in placeas my "Mekpak" had all dried up and superglue was all I had handy! Again more care should have been taken but it was not and I have learnt not to beat-my-self-up about it.

Finally I painted to finish ad blogged it. I added a solar panel from the "Blotz" company (LINK) and a figure for scale. The solar panel and the figure are separate and can (and will) be used for other things!

Yes lots to get "right" in the future, but at least my sc fi 15mm people shall not starve straight away.  Yes I need to build a few more (and in different sizes) or supporting life will not be easy and shall be expensive. But not a bad place to start.

Below are some more finished pics just do you an see all the mistakes. Don't bother pointing them out I am already aware of them and all it does is make you look stupid!

Thanks for looking and no doubt see you soon. All the best Clint

more 15mm SF

Not done a huge amount of painting. But a little is better than none!

Here is another "Brigade Models" 15mm Cimexian Bugs. As mentioned previously not easily available as they no longer appear in this scale on their web site. It is called a Walker Bug, so may be a robot or maybe a walker suit. either way it bothers me NOT one jot.

Clearly there is a weapon in the left hand and a claw in the right. so it could be quite versatile (if it actually existed). From my point of view it will add to my "Snake-men" army without any difficulty.  I only have 1 more of these in my box of goddies and this one was selected Just as a sample to get the colours right! Which I now think I have done.

More again as soon as I pull my finger out and stop procrastinating. Until then take care ave fun and paint if your heart desires.

All the best Clint

the VERY very first of my next force!

These are for "Gruntz" 15mm sci fi. They are on the 4th repaint that I know of one by the person I got them from on e Bay and 3 by me. I am finally happy with they way they look.

Top photo a little blurry and the "chassis" is the wrong way around! Now these figures I am not sure are still available! They were originally from Brigade {LINK} Models. They used to be part of the 15mm Cimexian Bugs range which is not part of the web site in 15mm but is in 6mm. So if you want any good luck and you may need to speak to the Brigade guys at a show.

I got these on eBay some years ago when I was looking at doing a game set inside the human body in a "Fantastic Voyage" kind of way. But waste not want not and they can be used as part of my new force of Alien Gruntz!  (hence at least 1 of the re-paints!)

There shall be more to follow but at present they are all I have finished. I have a variety of models so expect some more soon.

Until then take care and have fun. All the best Clint
 

The Re-Paint continues.

Yes the repaint continues. Today I Have finished these 3 sdkfz 234/1 . The 20mm armed heavy scout car used by the Germans in WW2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sd.Kfz._234
Only 3 models (ok one finished day before yesterday. ) But none the less a step forward. They are 15mm "Forged in Battle" figures and were a pleasure to paint.. and dare I say re-paint. I only have the infantry to paint new before I can start. Oh and make some terrain. But Terrain wise I can use a club members before I start. Which is good but I still need to make my own as well.

Meanwhile back at the ranch!

These have arrived Via eBay. they are  the start of my second 15mm sci fi force. I could have gone for another Human force but decided that "Snake-men" were better suited. Each figure while they claim to be 15mm are a tad on the large size. As we have no idea what size aliens would be this is of course no issue. As such I shall start painting this evening and maybe (if the paint gods smile) get something done ready for blogging tomorrow.

Until then good luck and paint and roll dice as much as you want!
All the best Clint