Red and White spearmen and SELWG plans.

Firstly I have finished my next unit for "Lion Rampant". This time Red and white spearmen. You probably worked all that out from the blog title. Oh yes you did! Anyway these are 28mm Plastic Perry miniatures,  from the box  "Agincourt French Infantry" there is enough in the box for a unit of x bow as as well. And if I buy another spure  a total of 2 crossbow units and 2 spear units can be made. It would be rude not to!


By painting them red and white they can fit into either of the two forces I am building so quite versatile. I will like wise do the same with the Crossbows and then I shall change colours, Perhaps Green and yellow I am not sure yet.

 I  did not paint the faces well, but well enough. I found the spears and helmets were just too much in the way. And I do not regret painting then as I have done.

CHANGE OF SUBJECT

I have several "Plans" for Selwg show. Yes a show report soon and Zombtober entry SHALL be late. Sorry real life and all that. I have started it and HOP to finish today or MAYBE tomorrow but it may need to wait until Monday.

Here are my planned spendz, I wonder how tey shall compare to what I actually buy.

• Crooked Dice. Maybe if I am feeling flush buy 7TVe2 and 2 starting casts.
• GZG I only desire 2 packs from Jon Tuffneys 15mm Stargrunt range. Saying that is one thing but maybe I am looking at a lot more.
• Brigade Games. Again some 15mm Sci fi stuff. IF I do not get it from GZG.
• Peter Pig, the Spanish Civil War rules. and a pack of heads, (All pre-ordered!)
• OPTIONAL
• Tumbling dice, some 1/600th scale aircraft! And maybe a Check you 6 rule book
• Too Fat Lardies. Maybe a "Bag the Hun" rulebook.

Well those are the plans at this stage. but I am sure I shall bet some impulse buys as well.

I was going to meet an old friend, but he cannot get time from work so that shall be a miss.

Thanks for looking. More again soon.
I hope tomorrow with a loot post and Zombtober figure finished!

Take care, hav e fun and paint if you can. All the best Clint

 
 

Spiders don't bite! 8 Legged freak!

I had to have a few days off blogging. It's funny nothing gets finished then everything gets done at once.

Firstly here is an ALIEN Male ARACHNID from WTW (Wargames Terrain Workshop LINK ). It currently retails for £10 and to be honest with you is pretty hard to put together as I have, but worth the effort in the end... although the air was blue with profanities at one point!) All I shall say is it does SHATTER if dropped onto concrete from a height of 3 or more feet! So do not try that at home!


I know there is nothing to show scale in the first pic so I Have rectified that in the next! The figure is a 28mm Perrys miniature. To be fair at this stage the money is on the spider!

Needless to say you can (and most Probably shall) paint this any colour you choose. But I wanted it dark and menacing and able to scare a few people I know. (Maybe in the future I may grow up..... No plans though). And I do know at least 2 people who would freak if it actually moved. (Muhahahahaha!)

So here is a 15mm GZG figure. (This is my intention). Why in Sci fi or fantasy games do we need to stick to the proscribed scale. On an alien planet maybe this is the norm. Now that would scare me witless. I am aware that in Australia they would think of this as a baby no matter what the scale or true size.

It is perhaps worth mentioning that WTW do make a bigger version for £15 if for some reason this is not big enough! Personally I think it is.

I do have several ideas for it raning from Straight sci fi wargaming, through 7TV "Land of the giants" and even Home brew "Creature that ate Cheboygan!". (An old SPI game) . Yes I am that weird and yes I am that sick! Therefore I think all the ideas are great. Although I shall admit I purchased it originally for 15mm Sci Fi games.

What else has or is happening behind the scenes?

I have found an old template. Ok it's only a hexagon. BUT this template will allow me to work on my desert in 300th scale and thus get my "Crimson Skies" game underway. Yes I could have used the paper printed maps in the box. But seriously If you know me that was far to easy and simple and convenient and the kind of thing everyone would do. So As there is a harder way I shall go with that! So expect that in a few weeks time. (fingers crossed)

In 2 days I HOPE to have the next unit finished for "Lion Rampant" It's mostly done at the moment but needs finishing off!

Additionally I am thinking of what to build for 7TV. Currently thinking of a St Serle's board but trying to come up with a better idea. I shall chatit over with the Crooked Dice team and see what they think!

That's it for today. Thanks for looking and chat soon if possible.
All the best Clint.

Zombtober 18-02

Patrick (Singleton I believe) now finished and ready to join the ranks of the Survivors as my latest Walking Dead All out war figure by Mantic . He is Hard plastic and 28mm in size so fits in well with the rest. I know the Pics are dark. It's raining and I am in need of natural light so if you can't see him I apologise. But As I shall do a Pic of them  all at the end of this years Zombtober I feel sure in the long run you shall get to see them OKAY.

Not sure who or what will be painted next for Zombtober so It is a surprise to me as well.

What I can say is that My spears for Lion Rampant are coming on well and should be finished this week. Then I may start the Crossbows That I am sure you all want to see and then another Men at arms unit on foot. Although a lot depends on what I spend my pennies on at the SELWG show. (The list keeps Changing)

 I shall be doing some (1 or two) preorders just to make sure I have the bits and bobs I need for some future projects but a LOT depends on what I feel like on the day.

Anyway that is it for today thanks for looking and more again soon. All the best Clint

Post script I may take the photos again when it gets lighter! WEll only if enough complain and make me feel bad about it!

Problem solved.

No not a dramatic all singing all dancing issue but one that has vexed me.  Back on the 11th September on this blog (Here is the link) I admitted than I had lost a set of arms. I still have before anyone says.

Cutting a long story short as I am now assembling (Prior to painting, expect them next week or the week after, a unit of sergeants spearmen. ) As they are being assembled I came across another set of arms that I thought "They'll do!" I have 1 spear too many and I think 6 sets of arms to many. A natural solution was formed. Simply take the arms from an Unmade spearman and give them to a man at arms.   And that very quickly/simply is how I solved the problem.

I personally think he fits in very well and while the spear is slightly long I have no issue with that at all.

Currently on the painting table:

• Alien arachnid. 28mm (or is he!)
• Lion Rampant spearmen. 28mm (in construction.
• Zombtober figure. 28mm.
• Pendraken Spanish Civil War 10mm Light MGs (possibly with a view to buy "Bayonet and Ideology!" next Selwg show.

So lots Started, BUT alas not lots finished. But at least I have this unit finished now (other than a varnish).

Thanks for looking. No idea what I will finish next. You never know it may be Crimson skies (still reading rules so VERY unlikely).

All the best Clint

They came from benethe the waves

As I still have relatives here. Painting has been quiet. So rather than start something new I have been re-painting! These are Crooked Dice "Conch Kin". I have of late gotten back into 7TV and in 2 weeks time shall contenmplate buying the rules again. (2nd Edition, I currently have 1st)

So why re-paint these. Well let us just say "Long term plans". I shall talk (I hope) to Carl at the SELWG show  and with tremendous luck get a game in. Just a small skirmish to re-ignite my interest. If all goes well I shall make a board in which these shall feature.

All terrain making has ground to a halt due to awaiting a delivery. But the mentioned delivery is but a few days off.  So back to making terrain , I hope< by the weekend.

Meanwhile I am finally reading the rules for Crimson Skies. The old FASA game. Yes I am looking to play some of this game. But I cannot say for sure UNTIL I finish reading the rules.

That's todays update. Not huge I know but relatives have slowed me down no end. All the best Clint.

ZOMBTOBER 18-01

Yes another Zombtober. So a chance to paint more zombies and survivors.

This is a figure by Mantic for their Walking dead all out war range. You have guessed it! It came in the box set, the starter set. The base set.

As such it is hard plastic 28mm and does have a character card.

I went for a very simple survivor paint scheme as I have had relatives here all morning and wanted to get him done before I missed the first blogging post of Zombtober. As that is now I have made it with time to spare.

It was painted in a hurry but looks OK so no repaint is immanent! Sometimes you just have to be content with how it turns out!

That is a very quick one for today, more again soon and so Catch you later guys!

Male Alien Arachnid (WIP)

Yes I have had a few days off from blogging, I needed a break, nothing major just the I can't be bothered. BUT work continues behind the scenes.

1.  I do have an AAR to share, but as it is one of my least favourite periods I may not.
2. Been thinking  quite hard Yes I am sure you could all smell the dust burning!
3. Contacted a couple of people following an email exchange with Brummie (Simon Quinton). More of this I am sure at a future date.
4. Been frustrated by an male Alien arachnid. (See photos.)

 The arachnid is by Dave Stone of Wargames Terrain Workshop. (LINK) it CURRENTLY retails for £10.

There were a number of thins about it I did not like, BUT I am sure others will. In the second Picture for example there is a skull shape on it's back. This was not for me so I had 4 options. 1, Do not buy/make it! 2.  Grumble and live with it! 3. Fill it in. OR 4 And perhaps the hardest. flip the body upside down .

Now as I went for Item 4 it did give me some problems. Firstly the head did not fit. My solution was to put the head on upside down. Easy to say but harder to do. But not very hard and when painted it shall look OK.

Italso meant the legs were no longer the best fit. So each one was drilled and pinned. Followed by both milliput and superglue to hold it in place. Finally I used Milliput to hide the leg junctios that were now pinned. Yeah it was a bit of a faff But in the end it all turned out OK>

You shall see more of this later in the week when I apply paint.

That's it for today thinks for looking and more again soon.

All the best Clint

Scientific survey team 15mm Gruntz)

Actually 2 things in one post. Firstly a repainted gift. These are the figures that were given to me a couple of years ago. I have now repainted and rebased them to better  fit with my sci-fi world. 15mm GZG (I am told). I went blue as they will then pop on my boards which I must admit are lacking any form of blue! 8 figures in 4 different poses and while they do all carry pistols combat is not a primary role. As such I shall use them as survey teams just plotting and mapping the planet.

That should be more than enough  of non combatants doing science things for now and I hope for the future.





Terrain!
I feel a bit cheeky calling this terrain. So 4 Solar panels.
As you can see they are Blotz Solar arrays. They come in a pack of 4 for £4 (at time of publishing) . (Blotz Link) As for price and scale they can't be beaten. Thes solar panels could be equally used in 28mm or 15mm They really are that versatile.

The pack consists of 4 clear acrylic panels and 4 stands. There are no instructions but you would have to be quite challenged to assemble them in a different way. Having typed that I just know someone will! They do come with a plastic film which covers the clear acrylic as you can see in the picture. I found this covering to be easily removed with a finger nail. Assembly was equally easy1 base and 3 uprights which all fitted together very easily.

I wanted a different look to the panels so I sprayed everything matt black. When I look at solar panels I do not see them clear, but being sci fi fell free to have them clear.  You can see where the panels are attached to the stands. Being Black it does help to minimise this. .

The last pic shows the stands/panels from each side so they will need some ground colour/texture to fit into the boards. Quick and easy and they shoud fit on the boards in both civil and military modes. It all depends on what I put with them. As I do intend to make a "farm" I can clearly see these as a power source.... and therefore a target for my opponent!

That's it, have a good weekend and with luck more again on Monday.

Leader and Fitters Truck (15mm sci fi)

For those not interested in 15mm sci fi I do apologise, but a break is due soon. As I continue to work on my Gruntz force. here are 2 more specialists.

Fitters Truck. (15mm GZG)
 A Fitters Truck is vital to all  mechanised troops. As without it you cannot keep vehicles going. This  one is by Ground Zero Games (GZG ) although it is not sold as a Fitters truck, the robots (I am told) are also by GZG (Link) while the actual engineers are by Brigade Models (Different link) .
Stated out as follows.
Fitters.
Base cost 1 Point
scout size. (4 hits)  4 points
Guard Average (3 points)
Soak Light  (3 points)
Shoot trained (1 point)
Assault Seasoned (3 points)
Mental Seasoned (3 points)
Skill Trained (1 point)
Total 19/2=10
Laser Pistol+ energy hand weapon (power tool) +4
Perkz Engineer 4 Points
Total per infantry base (18)

Fitters Truck
Base cost 1 point
Size Light (actually a medium vehicle but treated as a Light) 12 Points
Wheeled (really quite fast) +1 Point
NO WEAPONS +0 points
Skill ( as above)
Cost 14 oints

leader.
Making the most of the fact I had 1 crew casting left! I decided it MUST be a leader. It will ONLY be used IF the vehicle is destroyed and I need an escaped crew member.

Hover Jeep.
base Cost 1
Scout  size +8 points
Hover motion +2
 Weapons vehicle Light Laser +4 points
Skill Veteran +5
C-Tek +6 points

Total 26 points


 I fully realise I have made some howling mistakes in the list so far and any Grunts player is more than welcome to point them out. But until I play the first game or 2 how shall I know. Yes I could have tried to mini-max the points to always end on an even number and in my youth that is what I would have done. But now older (if no wiser) I have decided to go with what  feels right and not what gives me the most points!


I also know that not many will use this set of rules. Indeed I have not tried them yet! Therefore I am not expecting a massive response n how to do the points properly.

Next time..... maybe some more sci fi, but this time maybe terrain. Several things started but not as yet finished.

Until then take care have fun and roll dice a few times if you can.

Deathmatch Day

Kind permission of Dave to photograph
To be fair he did send me the original
in a format I just could not open
So this is a photograph of the front cover.

I attended a "Deathmatch Day" at the local store. Dave Stone was due to come up and I was happy to see him. BUT I dislike Science Fiction Gladiators. So I was not looking forward to it! It did not help that the shop had forgotten all about it and thought it was in a months time. We can all complain, but these things do happen!

I was wrong! The game is actually very good. The Mechanics work very well and I am inclined to pick up a hard copy in the weeks ahead.

When money allows I think an order to Wargames Terrain Workshop is very likely to happen. (LINK). I shall admit I did buy a beastie but I do not intend it for this game.

As it was not advertised due to the shop forgetting I watched one game. Played one game (kids interrupted that one and dragged the parent away and did final get to have a game myself.

Here is what happened.

Game 1 (Observed)

A lizardman versus a giant of a Gladiator

Creatures in the light grey section are waiting to come on.

They bothe charged towards each other in an unthinking way.

 It was quickly over and while the first and even the second beast were released
The game was almost a forgone conclution. With the Lizard man dying and the large Gladiator hardly taking and damage at all.

While theye were present the game was over before the beasts got to do anything interesting.

At this stage I was thinking "It#s OK but nothing out of the ordinary!"



Game 2 (Interrupted)


My first game

Having the advantage that I had already seen a game I gave "Tory" my oponant the first choice of models. So she took the large brute again.
Therefore I decided to take the Lizard man again. Just to see if it was all about the brute strength of the Giant.

 As I won the initiative I steped back as far as I was able and let fly tith my "Punch pistol". It did not have much effect but it did some damage and for that I am grateful.

The giant was able to close some of the distance and did let fly it's ranged attack. I was lucky and it missed! The second round was much as the first except a Lavabeast was released from it's holding cell and made its way out onto the Arena floor.

I moved the the right and put the opponent between the lava beast and myself. I am not fussy I will use the beasts to weaken/kill y opponents if I can.

The gigantic gladiator charged. I was unable to avoid fighting any longer. But at this stage I had taken a lot less damage than my opponent.

Lizardman card

I was all set for a victory (well that is the way I shall tell it despite the truth) when Tories youngest got very disruptive and in the end the game was stopped. Seriously I was in the advantage and I could have won given more time, but only just. Therefore I have to  accept a draw!

 Game 3:
I wanted to try something different. I had at this stage played 1/2 a game and watched 1 game. So Rob (I think that was his name, sorry if I got it wrong) was given the choice of what to play, He chose the Lizard man. Suprising to me te lizard man was picked in all three games.
That being the case I took a HUMAN.

I had decided to play very differently.

When Rob stepped back and fired his punch pistol, I just took the damage and "Showboated!" . Rob continued to win the initative in the second round.

I had moved out of range of his pistol. So Rob was forced to close the ground. before firing a second time. Again some damage but I had a plan (not a very good one) so I stuck to it. I moved when it was my turn to the right. This should put the beast directly behind rob. And Showboated once more.

Random monster pic!

The third round I won initiative and changed. I was lucky The charge hit home and Rob took sufficient hits to be driven back towards the beast. Unfortunately he was not knocked down. ready for the beast to go MUNCH MUNCH. That was my plan.

But I had done enough to win the applause of the crowd and with 2 bounts of Showboating and the crowd on my side I was the winner.

There are t ways to win "Deathmatch!"way 1 is to slay the opponent, way two is to win the crowd to your point of view.  yes perhaps I was sneaky to use the second way, but it did mean taking the hits first without fighting back.

Overall I diod enjoy the game and Shall play it again as it is very quick and has as much action as you could want. Unless some idiot decides to "Showboat" his way to victory!

The Moon's a Diarylea carton (Part 2)..... and relax

Well as you may remember just 5-6 days ago I posted (Part 1) and this is part 2 the final part. Well at least final for now.

Most of the rest is repetitive to do and needs to be left alone overnight. Perhaps longer if you applied the sand paint and glue mixture to thickly. THEREFORE do it somewhere it will not et disturbed, that is dry and no one  else wants to use and NO ONE minds if it gets dirty. IT WILL>

You will need 3 or preferably 4 (or more ) coats. It all depends on how much repair you are willing to do and how roughly they are to be treated.

Mix up the paint, glue and a small drop of water. You will know how much water with experience, and the only way to get experience is to do it! As a staring place I would suggest a LITTLE water. As it is just to thin the paint and the glue. I Try to use about 1 part water to 6-8 parts paint, it all depends on how much glue is already in the mix.

Paint the boards with this mixture. And then using a sieve sprinkle sand on the boards, making sure to cover all of the boards with first the paint/glue mixture and then again with the sand.
DO NOT try to brush the sand off!
Wait overnight (at least 25 hours preferred). For some people (Author looks sheepish) this is the hardest part

Repeat as mentioned above a MINIMUM of 3 times. (each time does make it stronger, BUT you do lose a little definition. So Plan on it taking 4 days  MINIMYM.


Remove excess sand at each coat. I find simply tipping it works very well. Repeat the tipping on all sides to make sure you have all the excess sand off before starting the next coat.

Keep the sand safe and use again on later coats.

If it is clumpy It has not had long enough to dry. Which means It has had too much water in the mix! If it is clumpy leave it alone for 2 more days (Perhaps longer is the weather is wet>.

While each step only takes 30 minutes or so, but drying time is MUCH longer.

When you are satisfied (remember a minimum of 3 coats and ample drying time). Paint it with emulsion paint your base colour. feel free to water the emulsion down a LITTLE as it then gives better coverage. If you water it down to much it will need 2 or perhaps more coats. (But usually not)

Leave it to dry (Again) overnight.

The final stage is to dry brush the op colours on. I use a 3"  or 4" brush for speed Bought in a pack from Poundland.

You will need to work up through the layers until you get to the highlight coat. So while you do TRY to keep brush marks out it is not a complete disaster if some occasionally show in the early stages.

Later coats will make any brush strokes less visible. feel free to work the colour into each and every contour. The boards if done properly should at this stage be strong enough, unless you are very heavy handed or super strong and determined.  But if you are maybe making terrain is not for you.

This stage should not take long if you have all the preparation done. If you start to early the sand will clump and you will struggle to get a good result. But I honestly finished the painting of both boards at this stage within 30 minutes. Preparation is the key and waiting for it to dry properly is VITAL.

DESIGN: When I made my first boards I had too many craters. So be aware of that. These boards have far fewer and are designed to allow other terrain features to be added later.

I decided on some open areas for 2 reasons. Firstly I did need some additional terrain , such as buildings (I will start a Farm in a week or 2), 2 because not every inch of the moon has been hit by a meteor, 3) some open spaces make a better game I have found.  (too much cover leads to a certain type of game and too little cover also leads to a certain type of game.

Finally:These 2 boards bring my moonscape (as I call it) up to an area of 6 foot by 4 foot. And if need be I could make it MUCH larger, limited only by time, storage and money. Ido not at this stage need a larger area so 6x4' is where (at least for now) I will stop.

Thanks for looking. All the best Clint