Hello it's me

After just over 2 years I've decided to re-start the blog. The CV-19 lockdown (albeit almost a year in) but as I'm permanently working from home saving hours a day commuting and not being knackered all the time I've had time for hobbying. And that means time to blog again.

Stuff on the table - March 2018

Here we go for March:

Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017)

Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016)

Artizan/North Star 28mm Dark Confederate Zombies x4 (2017)

Artizan/North Star 28mm Jackalope (2017)

Newline Designs 10mm Roman Hastati x31 (2016)

Newline Designs 10mm Celtic Warband x31 (2016)

The 10mm Punic Wars project is progressing steadily. The aim was to complete 30 a month so I'm slightly ahead on this. Similarly to this time last year I've been spending more time playing guitar than painting. But it'll even itself out as the year goes on no doubt. 

Stuff on the table - February 2018

Blimey where did January go? Here's what's on the go for February:

Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017)

Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016)

Artizan/North Star 28mm  Dark Confederate zombies x4 (2017)

Artizan/North Star 28mm Jackalope (2017)
NewlineDesigns 10mm Roman Triarri x30 (2016)

Stuff on the table - January 2018 UPDATE

Here's what I got up to in January:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - no further progress
• Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016) - assembly completed
• Newline Designs 10mm Roman Princeps x30 (2016) - painted, varnished, based COMPLETED

Additional items worked on:

• Artizan/North Star Dark Confederate zombies x4 (2017) - cleaned up and primed
• Artizan/North Star Jackalope (2017) - cleaned up and primed
• Newline Designs 10mm Roman Triarri x30 (2016) - cleaned up, primed, main painting complete

I've set myself the target of 30 10mm Punic Wars figures a month which means I should complete by October/November time. I'm slightly ahead as I'm just completing the details on the Triarri as we finish January. They'll be varnished and based ealy in Feb. Probably wise to switch focus and then gear up for another batch at the end of the month.

January Purchases

Privateer Press Cryx Bloodgorgers. These were an absolute bargain at £17.60 for a painted unit of 10. They retail at around £60! The paintjob is ok. I'll leave the metals and redo the skin and bases. 

6xArmy Painter washes. My stockpiled Citadel ones are finally running out so I thought I'd give these a go. I also restocked a few essential Vallejo paints and bought a set of Javis fine sable brushes to help with all that 10mm painting.

And that was it, quite restrained. I'm happy with what I've got on the go so no need to buy anything more.

Stuff on the table - January 2018

Happy New Year to everyone let's hope it's a good one! Here's what I've got on the go as we start the year:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017)
• Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016)
• Newline Designs 10mm Roman Princeps (2016)

I only have 28mm or 10mm figures outstanding at the moment having painted up all the 15mm last year. The plan (and we all know what happens to plans) is to crack on with the 10mm but also have a few 28mm on the go as well to give some variety. I find that when you'be been painting a smaller scale and then when you work on a 28/32mm figure they seem really easy to paint.

Stuff on the table - December 2017 update

Here's the final update for stuff on the table for 2017:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - no further progress
• Privateer Press Hordes Ravagore (2016) - COMPLETED

Additional items worked on:

• Battlefront 15mm Panzer Grenadier platoon (Winter) (2016) - cleaned, primed, painted, varnished, based COMPLETED 
• Newline Designs 10mm Roman Princeps (2016) - cleaned, primed, started painting
• Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016) - started assembly
  

And that's it. I'll do a summary of 2017 early on in 2018 and I wish everyone all the best for the new year and beyond.

Stuff on the table - November 2017 UPDATE

Updates to the items in progress during November:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - no further progress
• Minicraft 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (2017) - COMPLETE
• Privateer Press Hordes Ravagore (2016) - painted and based, final assembly and details to complete
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Maquis (2013) - COMPLETE
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)  - COMPLETE

November was a good month. Completing the Maquis and Hoplites was a landmark as they were the oldest outstanding figures. They'll be a separate post about those hopefully but here's some shots of the Zero.

Stuff on the table - November 2017

Here's what's on the table as the start the month:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017)
• Minicraft 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (2017)
• Privateer Press Hordes Ravagore (2016)
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Maquis (2013)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) 

As we go into the last two months of the year it's all about trying to clear up the pre-2017 stuff. So the Ravagore, Maquis and Hoplites are the priorities for this month. The Maquis just need basing, so once I decide on a basing scheme these will be completed. The Hoplites are in a similar state but I also need to complete the shield designs.

The Ravagore has some awkward parts which can only be painted prior to assembly. This will be quite an involved process of paint a bit, assemble a bit and repeat. 

Current state of the Ravagore

Stuff on the table - April 2017

Here's the starting point for April:

Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 

Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 

Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016)

Privateer Press 30mm Hordes Gatormen (2016)

Of course April is a big month as it's Salute month. My wargaming year starts with Salute and I like to try and get as much cleared up so I can justify buying shiny new things! The plan for this month is to concentrate on the Gatormen and if time allows press on with the remaining two Oathsworn anthropomorphic miniatures.

Stuff on the table - March 2017 UPDATE

March was a productive and satisfying month. Here's March's updated list:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - all painted, awaiting basing
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - primed ready to begin painting 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) - completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) - completed
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - 2 of 6 completed 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - primed ready to begin painting 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016) - completed

Once I had completed the two Artizan Partisans, I decided to focus on only one Burrows and Badgers figure at a time. This worked very well and I got into a good rhythm completing five in the month. I only have two left to do now. I don't think I'll manage to complete them by Salute which was the original plan but I'm ok with that.

Additional items I worked on:

• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon - started clean up
• Peter Pig 15mm WW2 Japanese infantry - completed
• Peter Pig 15mm WW2 14th Army infantry - completed
• Privateer Press 30mm Hordes Gatormen - Cleaned up and assembled 

I finally made a decision about collecting Far East WW2, which I've been wanting to do for many years. At Salute 2016 I bought two packs of Peter Pig figures to see how I got on with them. I then picked up a platoon each of Battlefront Japanese and USMC cheap off eBay in the summer and then was in two minds whether to go with BF or PP. Due to the fact I already have them I'm going with BF. In my opinion PP are the better figures but at 15mm it doesn't matter too much. So to cut a long story short I based up the PP figures to finish them off.

Stuff on the table - March 2017

Can't believe it's already March, here's the starting point:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)  
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) 
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016)

A few of the above just need basing so they'll definitely be finished this month. All of my Oathsworn figures are now on the table. I really want to get them done by Salute as that'll be the anniversary of when I bought them. Having seen that Jo and Michael are releasing a whole load of new goodies that's a great incentive. 

The six Artizan partisans were picked up for a couple of quid a few years back. They're very generic rifle wielding figures that would fit into many eras. If I can find some muskets I may even shoehorn them into my make believe 19th century Old West collection. They're nice and easy to paint with a lot of character like all Mike Owen's figures.

Stuff on the table - February 2017 UPDATE

Here's February's updated list:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - painted & varnished,  awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - painted & varnished, awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - no further progress 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016) - no further progress 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016) - painted & varnished,  awaiting basing 
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016) - no further progress 
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - 2 of 6 painted & varnished, awaiting basing 

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - cleaned & primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Hare Warrior (2016) - cleaned & primed

I didn't get round to that much hobby stuff this month. I was very tired after work and there was another distraction in the shape of a lovely new guitar to play with. However, I was pleased with what I did do. And I didn't buy anything more to the lead pile. 

Stuff on the table - February 2017

Here's February's starting off point:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016)
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013)

I'm trying to complete as much of my Salute 2016 purchases before this year's show. I'm not doing too badly at the moment and if I can crack on with the above Oathsworn miniatures I'll be well on the way. 

Stuff on the table - January 2017 UPDATE

Here's the updated list for January:

• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014) - COMPLETED (AT LAST)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - main painting completed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - cleaned and primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - cleaned and primed
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - cleaned and primed

I don't need to say anymore about the Pz IV, there's five separate posts devoted to it. The Greek Hoplites were the first 10mm that I'd painted. They've been sitting on the table for months, but I finally got stuck in and have enjoyed doing them which is just as well as I have about 300 10mm Ancients to do! They just need the final details such as shield designs and basing and they'll be complete.

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Marmot Mercenary (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Huntress (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Otter Mercenary (2016)

These were all cleaned up and primed with the usual thinned down Humbrol Enamel Matt Black brush painted on which I keep coming back to. The first 6 Oathsworn I did were primed with Army Painter Matt White primer but I think I work better over the black undercoat.

This month I feel that I spent too much time working on the blog rather than painting. That sort of defeats the object as doing the blog was supposed to focus me. But perhaps it was just the cathartic nature of getting the Pz IV done finally. 

Stuff on the table - January 2017

Happy New Year - here we go again. After quite a productive December there's not too much stuff in progress on the table:

• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016)
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013)

The Pz IV is all but done just last details being added as I write this. I'm going to do a separate post on this model. It became a real problem at one stage but has turned out rather well.

 The Artizan Partisans are the last 28mm historical figures that I've got left and will be done as and when purely for the pleasure of painting. I have some Hordes and Burrow and Badgers left but nothing historical. For historical figures I think 2017 will be the year of 10mm to 20mm and nothing bigger. Well until someone releases something drool worthy in a larger scale that is....

What's on the table - October 2016 UPDATE

Updates to the original list:

• Cromwell 1/76th Pz IV H (2014) - no progress
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - flesh areas painted
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Adder Mage (2016) - main colours blocked in 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Otter Rogue (2016) - main colours blocked in
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Weasel (2016) - COMPLETED
• Revell 1/76th Comet (2014) - COMPLETED

Additional items I worked on:

• Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG (2013) - cleaned and primed
• Peter Pig 15mm WW2 14th Army infantry (2016) - cleaned, primed, fully painted and varnished.

We were away mid-month so I didn't do too much. The highlight of the month was completing the Comet, which the infamous Pz IVH aside was my oldest outstanding kit. You can read more about that on my post here.

I had a bit of a WW2 renaissance when I saw the lovely SBS Mike Owen figures for Gorgon Miniatures advertised on TMP. I promptly dug out the old packet of LRDG that I'd picked up for a couple of quid back in 2013 and started on them straightaway. I have been very close to getting shot of these on many an occasion, wondering what I was going to use them for as I don't game WW2 in 28mm. However, I am partial to Mr Owen's work and already had the matching pack which I finished in 2007. So they've now on the table and will be painted just for the joy of it.

Also, without really planning to, I  did a packet of Peter Pig WW2 14th Army that I picked up at Salute. I got these just to see if I could still paint 15mm what with the bifocal blues. Happy to say I still can and I'll do a full write up on these once I take some photos.

What's on the table - October 2016

So we're into the last quarter of the year and here's the list of what's on the table as we start October:

• Cromwell 1/76th Pz IV H (2014)
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015)
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Adder Mage (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Otter Rogue (2016)
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Weasel (2016)
• Revell 1/76th Comet (2014)

Oathsworn Adder, Otter and Weasel primed and ready for painting

Ah, the Cromwell Pz IVH bless it. Stlll there and still not much happening. I periodically inspect the ultra-flimsy badly fitting turret shurtzen, scratch my head and then put it back on the table again. It's a pity that overall it's such a nice model as I'd be tempted to use it as a wreck otherwise. I'm also tempted to hybridise it with an with a poor old Fujimi Pz-IVJ that has seen better days. If I put the two together I may get a half decent model.

The Matchbox/Revell Comet has been a nice kit to do and that should be finished this month. I think I bought it with an idea of a 1946 Red Army v Brits "what if" scenario. This will be the third British tank I've built this year and will do a write up on the 3 kits at some stage.

I'm still thinking about the 'Nam project, just finished reading Matterhorn and waiting for what Peter Pig release before taking this any further. I believe that PP are revamping their 'Nam range November time. I have a couple of packs of PP WW2 figures that I purposely bought at Salute just to see if I can still paint this scale so I'll try and fit them in during October which will help my decision making. 

I've also been mulling over finally redecorating and revamping the room where I do my painting and modelling.  I bought a filing cabinet off eBay a while back for the purpose of organising my 15mm and 20mm collection and it's sat there empty. With the weather and light changing I think it'll be good to start sorting that out. I'm also playing with the idea of seeing if I can find a nice old desk to replace my current uncomfortable painting table and chair. It's all towards the greater good.

What's on the table - September 2016 UPDATE

Updates to the original list:

• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Mouse Knight - COMPLETED
• Cromwell 1/76th Pz IV H – no progress
• Revell 1/144th Hawker Hurricane – COMPLETED
• Revell 1/144th Bf-109E – COMPLETED
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites - no progress

Bf-109 bouncing a Hurricane - Revell 1/144th Microwings

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Adder Mage - cleaned and primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Otter Rogue - cleaned and primed
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Weasel - cleaned and primed
• Revell 1/76th Comet - main assembly complete, base coat applied

I more or less stuck to the plan for September completing my third Burrows and Badgers figure and the two 1/144th planes. I'm not going to say too much about these as I want to post separately on each. 

What's on the table - August 2016 UPDATE

Updates to the original list:

• Privateer Press Hordes Satyr Shadowhorn – COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers - Mouse Knight - some progress, base textured
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Ferret Rogue - COMPLETED 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Fox Brigand – COMPLETED 
• Cromwell 1/76th Pz IV H – no progress
• Airfix 1/76th Cromwell Mk IV – COMPLETED
• Airfix 1/76th Opel Blitz – COMPLETED
• Revell 1/144th Hawker Hurricane – good progress, just detailing and decals to complete
• Revell 1/144th Bf-109E – good progress, just detailing and decals to complete
• Revell 1/76th Sherman Firefly – COMPLETED
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites - no progress

 Additional items I worked on:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites - additional 23 figures cleaned and primed

August was quite productive considering I spent a lot of time watching the Olympic cycling and gymnastics and Team GB generally being very impressive. How refreshing it was to watch what appear to be intelligent, normal, well-rounded people represent their country with pride, dignity and integrity.  The contrast couldn't be greater to the Euros debacle. Rant over and back to the important stuff.    

All of the 2014 purchased figures are now complete which is a milestone I'm pleased to have achieved. And for the first time since I started this blog I don't have any Privateer Press figures on the table. I love these but I take a lot of time trying to do them justice. For the time it took me to do the five figures that I've completed this year I could do platoons of 15 or 20mm figures. I've still got a Gatormen posse unit and the Carnivean/Ravagore/Scythean kit to do but they were 2016 purchases and are well down the schedule. Once I've completed the 10mm Hoplites that'll be 2015's purchases completed as well. I think that the blog is serving it's purpose of keeping me focused.

Punic Wars goodies

My Newline Designs Ancients order came through last week. As ever good service from Newline, they really are very easy to deal with. A good, easily navigable website, easy and clear order and account system, good postage rates and always speedy to get your goodies to you.

My order consisted of 1 pack (30 foot/12 horse/3 elephants) of each of the following (codes in brackets):

Roman Hastati (10R12)
Roman Princeps (10R11)
Roman Triarri (10R10)
Carthaginian Elephants (10CA04)
African Heavy Infantry (10CA01)
Libyan Heavy Infantry (10CA02)
Numidian Cavalry (10NU02)
Numidian Infantry (10NU01)
Samnite Infantry (10SA01)
Celtic Warband (10CE01)
Spanish Scutarii (10SP01)
Greek Hoplites Advancing (10GR02)

That gives me around 300 10mm figures to paint.

To support this new project I've been raiding the county library service and digging out the few titles from my collection.  Here they are in all their glory.