Entry for April 13, 2008

Just a quick post about the Flames of War Tournament I went to at Aero on Saturday <4>. I made it through all 3 rounds (it was a very HOT day in the store) and won at least one battle, the last one. And of a possible Minimum 3 / maximum 18 points, I got at least 8, maybe 9. Not bad. I had a couple of tactical mistakes, but I learned alot.

Mark made it round 2 and had to leave (too bad). Harold didn't make it even to watch. My other troops didn't do too badly, but the M13/41 tanks I need to find a better use for. Their gun isn't up to the task of dealing with American tanks, at least on front-on shots. I have the maximum amount of Semovente 75/18's SP guns I can have. HHhmmm......

TTFN

Entry for April 03, 2008

BOOK REVIEW!

"Imperial Vanities - The Adventures of the Baker Brothers and Gordon of Khartoum" By Brian Thompson.

This book is about the entwined stores of these 3 Victorians. 2 of them were brothers, Samuel & Valentine Baker and of course Charles "Chinese" Gordon. Mostly about the Baker brothers, very much the "Gentlemen Adventurers" it is a interesting look into the events that shaped them and Gordon. The fate of Valentine Baker and Gordon were entwined in the Sudan, Samuel in Africa. Also making an appearance is Fred Burnaby, also a "Gentlemen Adventurer" in his own right, who dies at the battle of Abu Klea in 1885.

Overall an interesting book for insights into the Baker Brothers & Gordon.

*** PATROLS IN THE SUDAN 15MM**

A little bit more done. The 4 stands of British Foot Scouts are 90% done, and the Officer stands are 75% done. Then I need to do the Gardner Gun stands. I am also making extra Fuzzy Wuzzy stands from the figures Hugh gave me. I got some Egyptian Infantry to make later, in case I want to use them with British Officers or battles from the Egyptian Revolt in 1882.

***THE SWORD AND THE FLAME 25MM***

The next to last batch of FW spearmen are 90% done. Then the Command and Riflemen. I am also working on my Tuareg Arabs from Askari. They are maybe 70% finished.

***FLAMES OF WAR 15MM***

I need to put my Italians back in to work schedule. I have my 88's, finish up the DAK tanks I got from Tim, my German AT guns and the extra Italian tanks I have. Also several aircraft are whining at me. After I finish the Fuzzy Wuzzys, the Italians need to be put back in.

TTFN

Entry for March 25, 2008

Book Review!

"Operation Albion -The German Conquest of the Baltic Islands" by Michael B. Barrett
Very interesting book on a little known operation in WWI. The Germans perform a amphibious operation to invade the Baltic Islands of Osel, Dago, Moon & Worms. This operation involves German Battleships, torpedo boats, Zeppelin's, bicycle troopers. The Russians are currently suffering during a provisional government just before the Bolshevik Revolution, and army morale and willingness to fight is very low.

Well written with enough info for wargamers, I recommend it for WWI fans.

***Patrols in the Sudan 15mm***

All my Dervishes are finished (for my starter army) and the British are almost finished. I made a small boo-boo as the British units can be up to a maximum of 7 bases, PLUS the Sergeant & Officer stands. In the Dervish units the Leader stands are counted toward the maximum number of bases allowed in a unit.

I have a lot of Fuzzy-Wuzzy's in 15mm (Hugh gave me a bag of them) and I might use Old Glory for more Brits, Egyptians & Sudanese to add more bases in case I want a larger battle.

***The Sword and The Flame 25mm Figures***

Almost all of the spear armed Fuzzy-Wuzzy's are done. The next to the last batch is 80% done and then one last batch of 8 remain. Then a group of 8 rifle armed figures (do I need more riflemen ) and the Command figures, the Leaders, Drummers and flag bearers. I need to try to get better pictures of them. If I want more figures for this army I might use figures other than Perry Miniatures, such as Castaway or Old Glory (for more Dervishes, Sudanese & Egyptians).

***Flames of War***

Tim went up to a private tank museum up north (Lucky Dude) and is in a FoW mood. I need to get back to my FoW figures to pad out my Italians . I have more aircraft, 88's, and other AT guns. After I finish my 25mm Colonials, I will get back to them. Need to list what I have & need to do in what order....

***AT-43***

I have almost eveything I need for my Therians, a couple of more types of Golgoths, a couple of Infantry types & I have enough. Time for a list....

TTFN

Entry for February 28, 2008

***28MM Sudan Up-Date***

Approximately 40 Fuzzy-Wuzzies infantry are done, with one Leader figure. About 30 more left, then 6 riflemen and Command figures (Leaders, drums & flags bearers). My painting job is good for gaming but not "Golden Demon" winners but that's OK as I'll them done a decade earlier. No "eyes" on them either. All my British (except the Gardner Gun) are currently standed and the test figure looks good. They will be easy to paint and I should have them done in short order.

***28mm Other***

Askari miniture test figure underway (Tureg). Easy to paint, Blue or Black headwear and white undershirt. Modeling of Askari figures are OK, but not great. However, they are about the only figures of the type, French Foreign Legion and their enemies.

***15mm Sudan Up-Date***

All the Dervishes I need for my list I believe are done (have to double-check!) and have gotten most of my British infantry painted. Three stands of riflemen with sargeants are almost done. Then the Gardner Guns & crew and Command (Officer) stands.

Painting the 28mm figures has helped me with the 15mm and vice versa. I need to get WGoE Basti done as they stare at me sitting on my painting bench. As well as the unit of Ancients sitting there as well.

TTFN

Entry for February 01, 2008

***28mm Sudan Update***

Well things are moving along on the Fuzzy-Wuzzy front. The first batch (approx. 35 figures) are ready to be sprayed with Gloss and then with Matt - Thus are finished! Which means they are only 40 (approx) figures left, as well as the 3 mounted Emirs I just got today (back order from The War Web). Then the British are the next to be painted. I also got the last of the British I ordered last year (Bloody Perry Mini's from the UK). Those spears from The War Web helped alot, as opposed to making them myself from scratch. I'll need more of those for those Roman's I am working on to sell on e-bay.

***15mm Sudan Update***

I have also started working on my 15mm Peter Pig Sudan figures. I have to finish the British, which are very nearly done. Then check on what else I have to do in 15mm - I have some mounted figures (camels) and make some scouts. Then I am ready to play with the 15mm figs.

***AT-43 Update***

All my AT-43 figures now are marked so I know they are mine...a red "L" on the bottom and the edge has been painted with GW Codex Grey. I need some more "Red Blok" figs and the "Red Blok" army book to round out my force.

TTFN

Entry for January 16, 2008

A quick one, it's late (2am). The Fuzzy-wuzzies are coming along well and maybe a quarter of them are almost finished. I'm awaiting more stands and magnetic bases from Litko to finish basing them, as I have gone with magnetic bases for my Colonials. After the FW, it's the Britishers turn for a paint job. I'm also get a boat load of French Foreign Legion from Hugh (Askari Minis) at Orccon. Here Bunny...bunny....

The 2nd play testing of my game for the Con went very well indeed on Sunday the 13th. Tim (Feds again), Harold and Harold's son Byron (Klingon's). Klingons lost this time but it went much better and some ideas on improve the ship sheets came out which I have since done. Making a few more asteroids. I have enough ships.

TTFN

Entry for January 04, 2008

Another year gone...it's 2008!

Everything is ready for the Con. I have all the ship sheets done, Space Dock is done, wall posters are done. I may or may not make a stand-up sign for the game. I can handle up to 6 players per side (12 total)! However, Ed is running a "All Things Zombie" game the same time I am, so I may/may not not get too many players running against brain-eating zombies. But at least I am more ready for the Con at a earlier date than ever before. I have everything of the "Temple of Caltiki" and plan to start on them soon, as I am well into painting my Fuzzy-Wuzzies & British right now.

Speaking of the Fuzzy-Wuzzies, painting a white on their robes I like is still difficult. However, from 2'+ away they should look fine. Right now they are getting their robes painted, then weapons & shields done. Spears are on order from Neal at the War Store, and should be here soon. Need more bases from Litko (25mm squares) I'm almost out.

Off with Kirstan to a Anime Con for the day tomorrow, then back to painting (hopefully).

TTFN