35+ years later!

That maybe a record for me. More of that later though.

While I have finished very little that is a long way from thinking I have not done a lot. Just most of it is not anywhere near finished! So let,s start with what I have done.

Here is a platoon of H+R infantry and transports. The transports are 6mm BMP 1's the infantry are equally small. Strickly speaking I need another BMP and a couple more stands of infantry for the HQ of the platoon. But this is a start.

OK so what has taken 35+ years. ? Yes I can hear you ask even from there so I will keep you in the dark no longer.  Yes my desert. This is how it was and as I have always been led to believe it might stay. BUT. And that is a big BUT with a capital B. I looked on line and found I can afford the nessercary materials. That being 10mm thick "Foam Board" so I ordered a pack. And Yes it arrived. So my 1/300th scale desert has taken a step forward.

As I only started with 2 A1 sheets buying 5 more sheets Should (I hope) be enough. Time will tell but I am hopeful. So expect desert to feature in upcoming weeks. (You are warned).


The spending continues ,while I work on some 28m figures, appearing soon on this blog. Firstly I squandered money for Pulp alley and bought a Clapper board. Traditionally in Pulp Alley the person with the initiative has a "Directors Megaphone" But at about £2.50 inc postage this was cheaper and will work just as well.

Finally I bought some MDF buildings for Pulp Alley wild west. Or Ghost town as I am currently calling it. The 2 Sarrissa buildings are exactly the same So I should be able to get them up and running in a week or three! The TTCombat "Grand Hotel" (on the left may take a bit longer! But at least I am on my way.

Until next time (and I hope) some 28mm figures take care good luck and remember everyones paint brush needs to taste paint one in a while.

All the best Clint

Pulp Alley started!

I have spent the last few days thinking (No jokes about "burning dust" please!).At the club we do have one player (Peter) who plays Pulp Alley at another club! So I know we are not totally adverse to the idea. (Some people will be no matter what  while others embrace the idea!) Anyway over the last few days I have been thinking we should play "Pulp Alley" at the club. But what kind of PULP I hear you scream in my head. Now there is the rub (misquote Shakespear). I want to do Dieselpunk. BUT I am away from doing this at present just because it will take some time.

So what about Western Pulp? Now I think it is a good idea. There is PLENTY of precedence for Western pulp. (Just do a very quick internet search if in doubt). And for this I am READY TO GO. I have about 75-100 painted figures and a model western town. So a standard western game is a possibility! A good and strong possibility.

BUT knowing that Peter (as mentioned above has a Vampire league (I know as I painted it for him) I was thinkin Wild West Horror!

So That is the plan now. Some of you I can tell are delighted.  This also allows other club members with amore historical bent to play  straight cowboys and Indians. (Should they choose, and some will). So I have now started to convert some of the wild west setting to more Horrific than normal.

Ghost town.

OK where to start.  I have started with  a derelict house. Yes this a pre-cut MDF building. (Sarrissa I think). I shall get some more and make them for my Ghost Town (in my head I am calling the town "Bitter-Creek!" but that is  subject to change. ) Anyway the Ghost town does not need many buildings. I think 5-6 is enough As "Pulp alley" is played o a 3' by 3' table and we are not looking for a metropolis!

 While I only have 1 building finished at this stage. I shall add more in the next few weeks.  I already have 2 more to add but at present they are still wrapped and pristine.

My "Pulp Alley rules!

Additionally I have 2 packs of Foundry cowboy Zombies (painted), so they are ready to go. Add the figures from "Draculas America!" and I have enough of a selection to get me going until a player wants something odd.... which is probably straight away!


Currently on the painting table

• 3 Wild west Mexicans in 28mm.
• 1 platoon of 6mm Middle-east Modern troops with transport. (BMP1s or BTR 70s not sure yet)
• 1 unit of 15mm Buffalo Soldiers (9th or 10 Cavalry) Then this force is finished.
• 1 squad of 15mm cold war Russians.  (Just starting these.
• Anything I get side-tracked onto!

Ok just a building finished for today. I am still struggling to get back into painting!

All the best Clint.

Brunehilde

Brunhilde was a Frank leader/chieftain of the early Germans. She is also a shield maiden in Wagners "Ring Cycle" commonly called a Valkyrie. So I thought it was a fitting name for  my carrier in aeronef.  It is so large I have had to make my own flying stand. (Still work to do on that). It is by Brigade models (LINK). They do not have any suitable bases either, so no short-cut there. At present it dips down slightly in the front, but that shall be rectified. The model comes as a multi part kit in both resin and white metal. But goes together easily . (except whan you loose 2 turrets)

I have included a pic of Wagners Brunhilde just so you know what I am talking about. The aeronef Brunhilde is quite the largest aeronef I have seen (as yet) and as such dwarfs many of the other nations carriers. I have yet to see the stats for the ship but am expecting Large medium and small guns as well as the ability to launch 2 wings of fighters each turn. (Assuming I have paid the points for them) and Can field them on the table. Yes I feel an order to Brigade coming very shortly as I feel I will need torpedo bombers!

 Showing the other side it only has one runway. Tis is not a problem as The aircraft (not shown) easily fit on it. matt has expressed some envy of it as it does make the British carrier look small. But as we all know size is only one solution. The whole model costs £9 but is a pain to paint. There is no where for it to rest. Theerfore you have to paint a bit and the Vanish it or else rub paint off with your hands as you handle it.  I suspect It has had 5 coats of varnish in all. Including a top coat when all the painting is done.

 Just to hint at how large it is the photo shows a small Patrol Aeronef sitting on its stand. As you can clearly see the patrol nef can fit inside one of the hangers (if put at an angle). It was a beast to paint and I am glad it is over. No Matt I do not want to paint any more!











Unrelated. I have had a mini spend on eBay. The books are to give me a bit of a boost with Lion Rampant and the Video with Pup alley. I hasten to add there will not be dinosaurs and cowboys in pulp alley this time. So forget that idea. But something to watch in the small hours when sleep does not come.

Next time some more Lion Rampant. And an accident with  a figure.

Until then have a good weekend and do something to reward yourself.

All the best Clint

Lights, camera, action...

Yes another bring and buy purchase by Peter that I have painted up. This time a 1920-30's film crew. These maybe Copplestone castings I shall let you know if I even find out for sure. Again these are to be used in "Pulp Alley" I am told but in what capacity I am not sure.

28mm in size they will fit in with most games of this era either directly or as part of the scenery. I do know they cost Peter a massive £1.50 at the Broadside show and IF I had seen them on the bring and buy I most likely would have bought them!

That#s it for today as it is due to get baking  hot here. And that means seek shelter for me and stay out of the sun!

Maybe Aeronef next time and maybe some more 6mm sci fi it all depends what I get finished!

Whatever happens take care and enjoy what nature brings. Even iof that means no painting due to the heat!

All the best Clint

3 old (new) Vampires!

Yes I have finished the last 3 Vampires for Peter at the club. I still do not know who made them but in my head Iam thinking "Black Tree Design"  but of course it may be someone else entirely! So if you recognise any of them please let me know. If you don't no worries.

I have mostly kept with the traditional vampire colours when it comes to clothes except the last lady. Who I painted in a blue dress. As I wanted them all to be different I decided on blue just because you rarely see it on Vampires. (And I hate painting Yellow!) I may well be wrong in painting a blue dress on a Vampire but I should get away with it.

They are 28mm in size and blue tacked (white blue tack) to MDF bases just so I have something to hold. The bases will be removed at a later date so do not fret about that.

The last pic is all 5 together so you can see the ensemble. All in all they make a very nice but dated group of figures. Yes the sculpts could have been better, which would have lead to better painting I am sure but overall I can field them without embarrassment and that is the test.

That's it for today. Loads of different things on the painting table so it could be anything next time. Sorry I have no idea at this stage.

Have a good day and thanks for stopping by! Cheers Clint

Vampires (First 2)

Well the weather has broken at least for now and rain has fallen from the skies.  So I tried to get some tainting done!

Al morning I have had relatives here so that put a ki-bosh on that idea! They left and then 10 mins laterthey realised that they had left something behind so came back!

Despite that and problems with Tesco's chillers but that really is another story! I have managed to get 2 Vampires done. They are both 28mm but I do not know the make. I suspect tey were made in the 1980-90 era looking at the sculpts. But It could have been earlier or later.

I am panting these for Peter at the cub and I have a few more to do. Painting vampires is a struggle with colour choices as you seem to be limited to very few options. Needless to say I want them to be distinctive and different each time.

The only brief I had from Peter is to make the skin Pale. I am not sure I have done so sufficiently but I do hope so.

Anyway that is it for now. More Vampires in the week as I finish the last 3 (weather permitting)  so until then take care have fun and paint like crazy! All the best Clint

An easy paint

More talking than anything else today. I admit it I got side-tracked into real life. Maybe for a good thing maybe for a bad one! Who knows at this stage!

Here  are probably the easiest things I have ever painted. 2 Elephant tusks, or Mammoth tusks or if you choose really large alien teeth!

They are by Wargames Terrain Workshop WTW (Link) Thanks Dave. I really do like them simple and effective and can be used for almost all 28mm wargames. Maybe they were just loot or maybe they are objective markers of in my Back of Beyond just really large Mammoth tusks. Who knows at this stage.

I am continuing to paint 6mm sci fi vehicles but the seem to be going very slow at the moment, perhaps due to lack of sleep in the heat. But at least they are coming along and I shall have some to show next week. Until then a sneak peek into my mind...... AHHHHHH! Yeah I thought that would be both scary and unpleasant.

Subject changed:

Next year, I know it sneaks up fast! Anyway next year at some local shows I plan to run some "PULP ALLEY" games. At this stage I have 2 plans and here they are!

Option 1;
A Victorian Science fiction game set in a Victorian steam-punk dockyard.  Above is a Picture of Chatham Dockyard so you get an idea of what kind of feel I would be looking for,

here are my initial thumbnail sketches.

 At this stage all is likely to change IF I go down this route. So only take the layout as a rough guide and do not try to find the exact option.

All buildings would and should be enterable and as such all should have fully functioning interiors Which means in warehouses piles of crates,sacks and the like for loads of cover.

You will no doubt note,  as one of my players did the airship and the submarine. These ideas were seized upon and to those members of tHe club became for a very short while the most important parts. Where as I looked upon them as being added extras, there to be finished last so if they were not finished they would not matter.

I already have the figures and am happy to get a few more. So figure choice would not be an big issue.

Option 2:


The idea of a secret valley. Harder I found to sketch! I am deliberately not saying if \I would choose to make an Ice age  Crevice, an African rift or a South American canyon. If this is selected I hope to make that decision with the aid of club members. I do like the idea of an airship somehow being involved for 19th and 20th Century Pulp adventures, as well as a possible Tarzan type character.

As such I have all the figures OR am willing to buy a few more.  Again no reason why in a pulp setting German or Royal Navy could not be involved. Just think of "Doug Mc Clure" films and I am sure you will get the idea. Although at this stage I shall not be going full "Valley of Gwangi!" Unless players really want me to.  I am sure we all remember the T-Rex in Tomb rader though! Still brings a smile to my face

ANYWAY:
if  you have a strong preference let me know. I shall of course pay a lot more attention to my club members as they will have to play it.  Maybe try a few other clubs as well before a show. All depends on how soon I pull my finger out and get on with it!

If neither of those ideas appeal I am happy to listen (BUT it shall be "PULP ALLEY" ) to alternatives. I have learnt in the past though that the more options given the less decisions are made and the more debate is had usually by the people willing to do the least work and try to claim the most credit! So please stick to the above ideas unless you  have a really smashing, bursting to get out never been seen at a show before idea!

Medics (VBCW and more!)

I finally painted these 3 figures. They are Foundry 28mm from the set "Dumping the body!". However I intend to use them as VBCW figures. In fact they are painted as normal VBCW figures (with no particular uniform with the intention that they can be used by any side.  I am not sure why I purchased them originally maybe I was thinking of a grave robbing game (I know that was a plan years ago).  But now they shall function as VBCW medics. No that is not the best way to move a wounded person, before anyone says, but at least it will get them out of the area of firing so they should not be hit AGAIN!

Additionally I found this dead body. so I thought it only right to paint it at the same time. While I do not at this moment have a use for the figure I am sure that in the goodness of time a reason of its painting  will some to mind. I thought it might be best floating in the water as being a little different to just lying on a grassy knoll not least because I had a bottle of unopened GLOSS varnish I was eager to try.
Now all I need is a water filled area, maybe a Victorian docks, in which to leave the stiff!


SECRET PROJECT no 2)

I also needed to make some flying bases. Mostly for Aeronef. Obviously the helicopter is NOT aeronef related so I shall talk more of that another time. To get the 6mm (1/300th scale )Helicopter "right" I shall need to finish the base. I will also need to cut the rotor disc more accurately. But the ideas work fine I just need to execute them better, so expect that to be done soon! When I say soon It all relates to a pre-order I have made with Brigade Models for pick up on Sunday at the Broadside show. I have some pre-orders already in place but most of my spendz will come down to what money I have once I sell a few things. But we can save that for a show report on Monday and a LOOT haul report on (I hope) Sunday night.

Until then take care have fun and paint and game  as much as you are able.

Monkey Business

The Blog title seems to be appropriate. Over the weekend I went to a boot fair and purchased 3 Planet of the Apes DVDs No not the Charlton Heston version, but the newer ones. Ones which I have not at the time of writing seen. The princely sum was £1.50, having not seen them I have no idea if this is money well spent , but if they are as good as the originals (I doubt it) I shall not be disappointed.


In addition I have been painting some Lucid Eye Simians! Just the 4 but I have both a Tarzan (and Jane) figures to go with them If I choose as well as some rather large apes. So If I choose I can have a "Pulp Alley" crew/gang/mob up and running in no time at all. They can of course be used in many other games, 7TV or Judge Dredd or well anything you want to think of.

They are 28mm but are quite small and despite the sixe of human comparison would struggle to fin into many other games, although one could see a giant ape in New York city if one really tried to think about it.

I must say a joy to paint and with no flash or mold lines or other casting defects. I could and would recommend them to anyone who waned some model apes as they are really easy to paint.

I am in 2 minds about what kind of base to give them so I settled on just desert. In addition as they carry weapons I was thinking they should also have a primitive marking maybe a red hand. At present I have decided against as this way they are slightly more versatile.

That's it for today thanks for popping by and I hope you liked  them but that is it for now.

All the best and enjoy the sun and weather if you can but no skin cancer. Next post in 2 days time. Until then, take care have fun and enjoy yourself.

Faith and Trust and some going backwards

Original board

But finally going forwards. It is easier to start again sometimes and yet sometimes we have a spark in the original that makes us stick with it. After a sleepless night I decided to strip the original board down and use what I could so with a panel saw and a hammer I saw the initial work destroyed. Not wanting to sound either cynical or complacent I knew it was not up to it and I knew I could do better.

Theerfore the new board will be 3 foot square and on several (not sure yet 0 levels. This is what |I have decided so far.

It is Important to recall that most wargames boards are FLAT! I just did not want that. This board is to represent a hidden "Canyon" perhaps packed with mysteries. As such I dismantled the back wall of the original board. It as would the other pieces not be free standingand thus be able to be moved into different board positions. As such I created a separate base and back for it. This allowed me to address the straight board edge and instead go for something slightly more natural looking. Noy perfect but working with the materials at hand.

 Creating an L shaped (in section) base also allowed me to enhance the cave areas and incorporate the caves onto the boards. The cave as seen to the right is embryonic at this stage and as such does need a LOT of work. But now at least I have a framework to work with.  You can see on the bottom right a second cave area drawn out but not implemented. Several attempts at planning and only one out come. That is the way of it.

From the side it is a total mess and some level of faith in my ability is needed sometimes it is lacking as I am filed with self doubt.
I do use a variety of different polystyrenes mostly to get a variety of thicknesses to try to create a more natural feel. It does not always work.

 To be honest Sometimes I need to walk away and come back a day or a week later. Then when you do you kind of guaranteed that you will either not have the time or the weather will be dreadful but eventually you find you can overcome these issues and move to the next stage.

And this is the next stage. I mixed up filler from Wilkos and using it coated some bandages.. I will know later today if these have dried out sufficiently well. Early indications are that they have. If so I can and will move on to the next stage over the weekend. .

By the way if I have not mentioned it I hope-plan to have this all (3 foot board) finished by February and shall enjoy blogging each step be they forward steps or backwards steps.

I thought to do this as a beak from painting Tanks. but be waned there are more of those coming. With luck I also plan on getting some Victorian Science fiction done as well.

Until Sunday when I plan to post again, take care and paint if you feel like it
all the best Clit