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.

Panther, panther, burning bright?

Mostly military modelling, rather than wargaming today. WW2 isn't generally a theatre I would usually go to for this, it's drab colours have a tendency not to jump out at you. However, having perused Tamiya figures for a while (they are beautiful) and the majority of model stores reverting to this conflict, rather than Napoleonic, it seems a natural stepping stone.

 This was an impulse buy at our local HobbyCraft. Seeing the size of the hull in the box made me ask the question could I do justice to that. I hope to some extent I have. It has certainly allowed me to pursue new modelling techniques e.g applying camp net from gauze dressing, applying zimmerit with a soldering iron, buying an airbrush for future projects. And for a lot first produced in the 1970s, it's not half bad, minimal rebuilding was needed to fit the underside of the hull and track arches.

It depicts 116 Panzer Division with an added section of Pander Grenadiers, on one of the limited Panthers in Normandy. So not a bad 10 months work. Although I am now considering whether it needs a case or diorama base. Any thoughts on display?

We haven't the proper facilities for your surrender...sorry!

Painting continues apace. Before too long need to get back to Covenanter/Scots Army Late C17th project.

However in the meantime, have been painting up plenty of WW2 for Bolt Action.

Firstly a star attraction I've wanted to add to my British paras for years. Based off of the amalgamated character of Major Carlyle from A Bridge Too Far (or the real life Digby Tatham-Warter), I've painted up the model of him from Artisan Designs. A lovely little model with tons of character. He carries an umbrella due to his tendency to forget passwords and prove he was a n English Gentleman. That said, still think a mad order from Stoessi's Heroes is in order before long.

As well as that, adding some much needed firepower to my German Heer, an 81mm mortar.

More soon☺

Bounty Hunters?... We don't need this scum!

Two posts in two days...must be on a roll.

So going along with the general Star Wars hype back in December (deserved the previous two years, a bit of a let down last year), and wanting a project tat I could try varying military modelling techniques, I splashed out on the Revell model of Slave 1. Who wouldn't want Boba Fett's Ship?

En-route to collect the bounty on Han Solo

I'm relatively pleased with the model. Easy to put together, detail is crisp, the model easy to put together and paint. Was going for an image of the engines being lit, but a previous blackwash bled into this. Something to watch out for. Also frosting on the canopy means from now on using Tamiya Thin Cement from preventing this from happening next time. A solid little model, I've now got eyes on their model of the snowspeeder. Watch this space.

Elrond Halfelven, Ereinion Gilgalad, Elendil the Fair "Elf-Friend" and Isildur

Wargames painting continues anew, with the leaders of The Last Alliance making it to the Table. Sculpted by Brian Nelson, they were an absolute joy to make, the detail absolutely stunning. Finished off with gloss varnish, picking out the shine of the armour, these are still some of the best minis I've painted in a while.

Detail on Gilgalad's cloak.

Finally, to fill in a hole in my 28mm WW2 German collection, I've painted up a downed Luftwaffe fighter pilot. More for Scenario play than general wargaming, the ability to basically play capture the flag with pilots is quite common. Now need to find a reciprocal RAF fighter ace. Lovely model to paint, again the leather jacket and goggles have been picked out in gloss, to show their shine.

Finally WIPs. Currently finishing off a 28mm German Heer 81mm mortar and needing to take the final steps with my Tamiya 1/35 Panther Ausf.A with Panzer-Grenadier crew. Just need to make up some scrim to cover a slight fault. Still trying to decide how to display- diorama base, plain display base, or no base. Any thoughts?

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

A New Start

So reports of my death have been exaggerated. A combination of work commitments, moving house and generally real life getting in the way, have meant that hobby pursuits have been on the backburner.

Obviously, with free time being at a premium, priorities need to be made. Currently looking for wargames clubs/modelling clubs that meet during the day over weekends. Currently leaning towards GDWS to fill this niche. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be very interested to hear. Can't say I'll be a regular, but can make up in enthusiasm☺

Having treated myself to a tablet over New Years, I feel the gap in filling out progress in modelling and wargaming commitments can be more easily fulfilled on the go.


In terms of wargaming projects, as a large amount of it still remains boxed up 6 months after the move, reliance has indeed turned to Peter Dennis and Helion & Co. Paper Soldiers series. Hopefully some posts in coming weeks about rapidly finishing Norman Conquest project. I'm particularly looking forward to their Scots Wars of Independence book due in February (I provided a bit of Inadvertent Advice on this)

Hopefully will be posting up here on a weekly basis. Miniatures bug still not sated though, so for your delectation, a WIP 1/35 Tamiya Panther Tank Crew 116 Panzer Division. Enjoy

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.