Random Musings and New Year Resolutions! I promise I'm not mad ;

So another year gone, output on the blog gone slightly lax, but real life does get in the way. And it has been an eventful year, if not a particularly great one. As some of you may, or may not know, was basically laid off with stress and depression, last September-partly work/leisure mix related and as such, it has made me reevaluate  priorities in life. Naturally, the triple evils of life (work, further work, home, transport and life-actually that's a bit more than three) are still there, but ultimately we have to remember we work to live, rather than live to work. Now naturally the odd hours work, do put strain on how rest of life progresses, but I think we need to remember that, provided we keep on progressing and striving to better ourselves, there is still room, outside this to pursue hobbies-it keeps us grounded, something to strive towards at the end of the day-ultimately something that doesn’t drive us mad.

Too True

As such, these need to be realistic and achievable. If you put too much on your plate, nothing gets done. If you put little by little onto your plat and finish it early, you have the surprise at the end of the project of going, what’s next.

So , with that tenet in mind, here’s New Year’s hobby resolutions:

a)      Finish the Hougoumont Diorama (54mm)

b)      Finish 28mm late 17^th century Covenanter  Rebellion/Jacobite/NYW project

c)       More blogging, maybe post fortnightly-comment on outside blogs as well-if not weekly, then fortnightly, as long as its monthly. As long as it’s something attainable-painting progress, rules review, battle report etc. Short But Sweet

d)      As transport is currently an issue both reenactment/wargaming wise, at least one solo wargame per month.

e)      30 minute a day painting challenge. It doesn’t need to even be that long or just painting. As long as it’s something hobby related for as long or short as is possible in an evening after you’ve finished work, that would be fantastic.

Pretty attainable I think.

Drums In the Deep

Recently painting and gaming time has been at a premium. Real life, job, driving tests and continuing research towards a new publication in the future have meant that hobby time has been severely limited. Who would blame anyone when their work involves umpiring wargames 6x a day, four days a week, the gaming mojo is going to come under fire.

However coupled with a recent spate of rereading Tolkien, plus a growing wargames calendar (three events and counting, with the possibility of more) growing, the paint brushes have been brushed off and the paint restocked.

Fantasy isn't my typical domain, the macho-impending doom, skulls, muscles and big guns of Warhammer never really floated my boat. However, reading The Lord of the Rings at Age 10, the advent of the film and the discovery of the then to be released GW game, with beautiful miniatures designed by my favourite Sculptors, The Perries I was hooked. Looking back now, this was the school of my painting (a lot to be desired back then), and certainly then with many of the models outside my price range, it is quite nice to return to these exquisite miniatures, albeit trying to avoid extortionate eBay prices.

Initially hesitant with the blending on the troll, I think I've done a rather good job. It might well be due to a now good source of natural light (ironic for a troll, certainly at a premium in Scotland) it may well also have something to do with a larger miniature.

This is a temporary lapse, I haven't converted completely to the Black T-shirt club, a recommencing of all things historical will be along soon, along with a semi regular book review section (Helion Century of the Soldier may be prominent) and maybe the odd battlefield walk. We'll see

Border Reiving and Bannockburn

Apologies for the lack of recent posts. My new job as battle coordinator at the National Trust for Scotland's new Battle of Bannockburn Heritage Visitor centre has meant that hobby time has indeed been severely reduced. Ironic that I spend a large amount of my day running wargames for members of the public/talking about the history of the conflict, but hey they are paying my wages. However if you're in the area anytime soon, would like to participate in a light approximation of the battle and see some cool technology at work, please come along, participate and say hello.

The Claymore Rampant day, run by the above manufacturer of all things Scots War of Independence, went very well indeed. Although low on numbers (only about six of us turned up) it proved to be a very fun, laid back and enjoyable event, largely focused on a series of cross border raids in the 1340's. I just fell short of pipping the top spot by half a point, but nonetheless the victor well deserved his position. I really hope some more similar events are run in coming months, I'd certainly be up for them.

Recently my painting efforts have been focused upon painting up Border Reiver's for Glasgow Phoenix Wargamings "Not Too Hot,or Too Heavy" (to quote GM Fraser, who I am reading at the moment as background research) campaign, using Osprey's new set of rules En Garde, the miniatures have been made by Hoka Hey, using the old Graven Images castings and they are very nice indeed. Crisply detailed, with lots of research into period details they almost tick all my boxes. Hard wearing and not prone to broken spears or bent weapons, I also found this was one of the miniatures down points as they must have cast the pewter with antimony as it made them extremely difficult to trim sparing mould lines off. Equally (and this is me just nit picking) there are a couple of instances of belt buckles and baldricks that can be clearly seen below the belt, but do not extend over the shoulder. Now maybe it is just me, or they are meant to be portraying a hanger rather than the above, but it is slightly annoying, but a good bit of modelling putty/plasticard will easily rectify this. A solid 4/5 from me.

Equally, a lot has to be said for the En Garde ruleset, it has the feel of a mix of RPG, a bit of Mordheim with a dash of Dumas. Play alternates via an IGOUGO system, whereby the model/individual in question can do one of a series of action, move, attack or shoot. Very simple in nature, combat is based upon a combat pool, with the individual of the higher rank taking priority. Points in the combat pool can be spent on individual fencing actions that might get an individual out of a sticking situation which is quite innovative. With often only singular attacks available, a clear strategic undercurrent lies in the game. Morale falls after half a side is killed, and indeed in this respect it can prove fast, furious and indeed bloody. Needing only 6-12 miniatures a side at the most, it works perfectly for a quick game or for those strapped for time. I’m certainly going to be using it for the ECW.

I’m certainly now looking at raising a force to act as government march wardens to oppose my reivers, as well as raising my stock of livestock. However focus is very much on getting my ECW collection finished now without interruption. I am hugely looking forward to Bicorne Miniatures/HelionPublishing’s The Kingdom is Ours, so major time is now going to be set on finishing my favourite period. Incidently anyone rearranging their storage facilities for miniatures may well be interested that Poundland is currently selling magnetic tape. I have based about half my collection with it and it works perfectly. Check it out.

More soon.

Objectives for 2016

So a bit late I know, but thought it would be a useful endeavour to cover what I actually plan to do wargaming wise and timetable projects for this year. Since the New Year a couple more projects have come to the fore, so this is expanding on existing projects.

1. Lion Rampant Army for Earl of Mar-Using Perry Miniatures Plastic HYW miniatures, this will be a lowland Scots late medieval force for the Claymore Rampant wargames day event being held by Claymore Castings. Predicted end of project 22nd March

2. ECW-With the spate of English Civil War rules being released including The Kingdom is Ours, Bicorne Miniatures, Baroque Impetus, The Pikeman's Lament, En Garde and the Pike and Shotte Supplement, a working army for the period is essential. Other projects keep on getting in the way, so a finishing preliminary date pushed back from originally is May 1st. 

3.May Zulu-Forming forces for the The Men Who Would be Kings rules for the Zulu Civil Wars, this has been on the painting books for some time, hopefully being expanded into the Zulu wars/Boer Wars at a later date. 7th October

4. 17^th century-Scots government Army for the Pentland/Covenanter Risings/Killing Times. Expected time for finishing, new year.

5. After this occasional work throughout the year will also be put into building a series of earthworks and other terrain features such as 4' walls, a gate and breech, minefields, Rommel's asparagus, vinyards, pontoon bridge, tank traps, marsh, Bulwarks 3’, Damaged sconce, Minehead, Industrial Complex, Winter trees, Winter bushes, ravelin and batteries.

In between, there is a thought towards building a small Border Reiver force. But I think this timetabling is a good way of keeping track of where projects are going.

Mini Mania pt. 1 WW2

Apologies for lack of blog posts recently. Finishing work on the English Civil War military manuals book, produced by a notable military history publisher, more news before long regarding its contents, material, and stuff of interest to the historical wargamer. Equally, also recently walked the battlefield of Auldearn, a stones throw away from Culloden, as part of an SBT evaluation in the face of imminent expansion of the A9 motorway, soon to be the subject of a joint blog post highlighting features of the battlefield and how you can arrange it on your table.

In the mean time, I have noticed recently, those of you who are connected via Facebook, that I have not photographed any of my painting/modelling endeavours for the past two years and as such, a major update on projects and finished materials is in order. Therefore, here I shall present a relevant Gallimaufry of the best of that collection for your delectation and delight. Apologies for varying quality of photographs. Getting used to not using an SLR means varying zoom/quality of image, something hope to rectify soon.

First off a Jagdpanther for the Battle of the Bulge. From Pegasus Hobbies, 1/72. Haven't actually made up any forces to go with this yet, although likely to use Neil Thomas Wargames: An Introduction as a starter.

An Airfix 1/72 Tiger, again likely to be used for Operation Barbarossa, using the same system as above.

A change of scale here with 28mm Crusader Miniatures Officers/NCOs section of Fallschirmjager for use for Bolt Action. Not sure whether going to make up a German paratrooper section for Italy/possibly advance into Germany, but I really like Warlord Games recent set which is on the shopping list, so who knows.

Lastly a 15mm platoon of German Stug III's. These were originally bought with the original Flames of War original box set. Since playing them, although it is a fun set of rules, I don't feel it mirrors Battlegroup scale WW2 action well. On the other hand it is very popular, so may build up a Plastic Soldier Company force around it. Eye is being drawn by Battlegroup Panzergrenadier though.

Next post Military Modelling 54mm and beyond. Also need to start posting up some reviews to the books I read and also a Wargames New Years resolutions list.