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 UPDATE

Updates for Feb:

Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - no further progress

Revell 1/144th Me-262 (2016) - no further progress

Artizan/North Star 28mm Dark Confederate Zombies x4 (2017) - main painting complete

Artizan/North Star 28mm Jackalope (2017) - no further progress

Newline Designs 10mm Roman Triarri x31 (2016) - details painted, varnished, based, COMPLETED

Additional items worked on:

Newline Designs 10mm Roman Hastati x31 (2016) - cleaned up, primed, main painting complete

Newline Designs 10mm Celtic Warband x31 (2016) - started clean up

Purchases:

Enough Pre-cut premium bases from Warbases to base all the infantry for the 10mm Punic Wars project. Total expenditure for the month £10.18 - get in there!

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 - 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 - October 2017 UPDATE

Updates to the October list:

• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - no further progress
• Minicraft 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (2017) - underneath painted and shaded, top surfaces base coated and weathered. Just detail painting and decals to do.
• Privateer Press Hordes Ravagore (2016) - some further prep work done. 
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm USA WW2 Parachute rifle platoon (2016) - COMPLETED

The priority for the month was to complete the parachute rile platoon which was achieved. And here's some shots of the lads on their snowy bases. 

Additional items worked on:

• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Maquis (2013) - cleaned, primed and varnished, awaiting basing.
• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - shield designs started (9 of 32)

These are the oldest figures that are outstanding. The Maquis were picked up very cheap from a Wayland Games stall at the Writtle Wargames show in 2013, with a whole batch of other Artizan WW2 figures they were selling off. I think it averaged about £2 a pack. I sold most but kept these, some partisans and the LRDG and i didn't really know what to do with them for awhile. Recently though I began to mull over an idea I had  about 6 years ago when I started to collect towards a squad level, early WWW2 game set in Nazi occupied Britain using AE:WW2 rules. This didn't go far but I kept some of the figures so I think I may resurrect this idea and the Maquis will fit well into this - they could as easily be British as French!. 

Stuff on the table - August 2017 UPDATE

Here's the updated list for August:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - painted, varnished, based COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Badger Mercenary (2016) - painted, varnished, based COMPLETED
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese Hohei platoon (2016) - foliage added to bases COMPLETED
• Battlefront Miniatures 15mm WW2 USMC rifle platoon (2016) - foliage added to bases COMPLETED

A clean sweep this month - I don't think that's ever happened!  All things in progress as I started August have been completed. It's very satisfying. I bought some grass tufts to do the Japanese and USMC platoons and liked the effect, which overcame my natural tightness and I bought more to really fill the bases up. I've now gone back and added some more foliage to my Burrows and Badgers bases 

Additional items I worked on:

• Artizan Designs 28mm Partisan (2013) - cleaned up, primed, painted, varnished and based COMPLETED
• Zvezda 1/144th Ju-87 Stuka (2017) - assembled
• Minicraft 1/144th Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero (2017) - assembly started
  

My order for the Dracula's America Nickstarter came earlier in the month than anticipated. Beautifully produced book and some nice figures. I opted for the Dark Confederacy posse and they look suitably grim. I was a tad disappointed with the book and think there could be much more background and options for the various posses, but maybe that will be covered in a later supplement. 

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. 

LRDG Pt.1 - 28mm

In December I finally got round to finishing the pack of Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG figures that I've had sitting around since 2013. 

Here's some shots:

I was pleased with these. My personal preference is for less beefy figures but for some reason I like Artizan and have a lot of the Old West range and some other bits and pieces. These were done just for a change and for the pleasure of painting.

I have the companion pack to these, which were the first 28mm WW2 that I bought and painted in 2007. At the time I was quite pleased with how they turned out, but looking at the difference it's tempting to repaint the old pack.

I don't game WW2 in 28mm. I started collecting when WW2 was either 20mm or 1/300th. And then I bought FOW for my Western Desert stuff before 28mm had the variety it has now. If I was starting out now I think I'd go for the Perrys 28mm range as it does look superb. 

What's on the table - December 2016 UPDATE

Not too bad a month, I completed 3 of my 5 key items and one of the additional ones:

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) - no further progress
• Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG (2013) - COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Fox Rogue (2016) - COMPLETED
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Shrew Warrior (2016) - COMPLETED
• Cromwell Models 1/76th Pz IV (2014) - significant progress
• Artizan Designs 28mm WW2 Partisans (2013) - no further progress
• Battlefront 15mm British LRDG Ford V8 trucks (2016) - COMPLETED

Additional items I worked on:

• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Rabbit Heroine (2016) - cleaned up
• Oathsworn Miniatures 28mm Burrows and Badgers Toad Animist (2016) - cleaned up

So that's it for this year. 2016 has been a strange old year in which the world has become a more uncertain place. Hobby wise it's been my most productive year since 2012. I've become more focused and I'm sure doing the blog has helped with this so it's served it's purpose and I'll be continuing it for 2017. 

I wish everyone a very happy New Year, all the best for 2017. 

What's on the table - November 2016

Here's what's in various states of completion as we start November.

• Newline Designs 10mm Greek Hoplites (2015) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Adder Mage (2016) 
• Oathsworn Miniatures Burrows and Badgers Otter Rogue (2016) 
• Artizan Designs 28mm LRDG (2013) 

A nice manageable list.  A couple of items that aren't completed but that have dropped off the list from last month, are the Peter Pig 15mm WW2 14th Army infantry and the dear old Cromwell Panzer IVH. The PP figs are all finished bar basing. I'm not sure whether they'll get based in teams or singularly yet. The Panzer IVH has been put in a drawer as I've lost patience fiddling about with it. 

I'll probably start my packet of PP WW2 Japanese Infantry alongside trying to complete the above. I do like these little fellows and will work out an order to build platoon sized forces for Bolt Action. 

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.