Quar Expansion

After finishing a squad of Toulmore marines, perfect for small games of Rhyflers, I decided I wanted to expand them so I can use them in other games such as Bigger Battles and Xenos Rampant. So first up it was to add an officer and marksquar, these are both 3d prints provided by Mitch.

The next additions were a pair of light mortars, these are also single piece 3d prints provided by Mitch. They will add some much needed punch, especially against enemy tractors.

Mitch also provided a selection of 3d printed bodies that I can use with all of the leftover weapons from the Crusader sprues. So far I have done 4 extra rhyflers as a start of the 2nd squad, the other 6 have just been built and undercoated. These are all in a running pose so they are a little more active than the plastic models.

Now every force needs at least one tractor. So for the Toulmore that is in the form of the Twaenhyr, one of my favourite models in the range. I went for a blue and cream colour scheme, using the cream for the stripes. 

I've got the last 6 rhyflers on the painting table and should get them completed over the next couple of days. I've also got the start of a 5th faction for Rhyfler games, the Gwynt. Mitch has provided me with enough 3d printed heads, I'm just waiting for a couple of plastic sprues to arrive, In the meantime I built 3 from left over Coftyr figures and I'm busy working on a colour scheme for them.

More Quar

After enjoying a couple of games with the Quar, I wanted to get a couple of extra figures done to complete 2 small skirmish forces. The first of which was the Fidwog. I had picked up an extra sprue and cracked on getting them painted up.

Completed Fidwogger

 So a force completed, 12 rhyflers and a couple of squad tractors. They should make a fun addition to our games. The other force I've been working on is some Toulmore marines. I got another 4 rhyflers done to complete a basic squad. I also converted a couple of models to act as either gunners for a HMG or to act as ammo carriers for the 2 LMG gunners I have.

Completed Toulmore marines.

I am definitely looking to expand both of these forces with a second squad and some support options. Mitch is already printing me a tractor and some extra rhyflers for the Marines, including light mortars and a marksquar.

More Quar and Heroquest

A few more additions painted up for Heroquest, this time some  Orcs and a pair of Zombies. Actually quite enjoy painting these up in small batches. Just over 20 figures to go.

Next up was another small batch of Quar for my Toulmore marines. A mix of plastic and resin parts. I do have another 6 figures I can put together to complete the squad. Mitch will also be 3d printing a few extra bodies and some of the more specialist weapons such as the Harlech and light mortar. I also have another small batch of Fidwog that needs painting up.

Lastly I refurbished the last piece of old terrain I had. Gave it an extra 2 coats of dry-brushed cream and some extra grass tufts.

Maybe it's time to get some more Punic war stuff done to keep that ticking along. There is also talk at the club of organising a game for the Border Reiver show, possibly a fictional Franco Prussian war. Not sure if I have the energy as it will be down to me to organise it.

How many projects is to many?

So after spending some time clearing the painting decks I seem to have found myself with a number of projects on the go. I still need to add a couple of regiments for my FPW collection, I also have the Punic Wars on the go and now seem to have switched my attention to adding some more Quar and Painting up the figures from the Heroquest boxed game. Well they are all different enough and should keep me occupied over the coming months.

The first 9 figures from the Heroquest game, some Abominations, Skeletons and mummies. These actually have plenty of details and were a treat to paint. Simple grey bases.

I also did a couple of test figures for another Quar faction, Toulmore marines, Went for a greyish blue for the coat. Quite happy with how they turned out. I also finally got around to weathering the Ailthean tractor as it was looking to clean. I also refurbished an old piece of scenery which I have an idea for use in a future game.

I've now got another 6 Quar and some more heroquest figures undercoated. There are also some additional Gauls for the Punic wars.

Painting update

Well I made a bit of an effort to try and clear some unfinished figures from the painting desk. I didn't get them all done, but did make a bit of a dent. So first up is a T-26 tank for my Spanish Civil Ward collection, this was a 3d printed model from paint and glue miniatures. I have left off markings so that it can be used for both sides, it can also see service with my ww2 Russians.

Next up was a resin model for a well, I can't remember where I picked this up from. A nice enough model and quite generic to cover a variety of periods.

Last up, taking inspiration from our recent game, I completed a sprue of Fidwog Quar including their tractor. I also re-painted 3d printed vehicles for the Crusaders. I was never happy with the original paint job. I think the new colour suits the Crusaders better.

With these done, I want to make a start on the figures from the Heroquest game before going back to the Punic Wars and some more Quar.

A clash of Rhyflers

 So on Thursday at the club some last minute changes to the games had to be made, so instead of a large game of Alpha strike, Myself and Mitch dug out the Quar for an impromptu game. So a squad each and a quick table set up we cracked on with the game. It didn't take long to pick up the rules. No report as such as we just had fun. My glorious Crusaders once again delivered a bloody nose/snout to the tyrannical Coftryans.

Brave crusaders advance into the village

Sneaky royalists hiding behind a fence

The village to fight over

Crusaders and Royalist exchange fire

Royalists advancing through the woods

Withering fire from Crusader Rhyflers take down 2, including the Yawdrel

Fighting intensifies

Watch the flank

Royalists running for cover

It was a good couple of hours of fun. Mitch who is re-known at the club for rolling low dice, suddenly began rolling high, often 13 or more on 3 dice. A shame in this game when rolling low is better. But we had fun, so much so we'll give the game another run out next week.

 

Punic War additions

So with the FPW game out of the way I turned my attention back to getting some more stuff done for my Punic Wars project. First up was 2 bases of cavalry for an allied legion. I made a decision that for the shields the majority will be red with a few dark greens mixed in. This will help differentiate them from the Roman cavalry. These were the last of my Z sculpt figures from Museum miniatures.

As my Roman forces are currently at just over 3 legions it was time to add some troops to the Carthaginians.  I did an order with Plastic Soldier company for some of their Cromarty 3d figures, more to see what they painted up like. So a pack of their Gallic warriors arrived. I must say they are nicely detailed and didn't take much cleaning up. The designs on the shields are superb, a shame my eyes are getting worse as I couldn't do them justice. You get 32 figures in a pack and as I am using 6 to a base this left 2 spare figures. Luckily I still had 4 old painted up Essex Celts which I simply added to one of the bases.

Overall, happy with how they turned out and will look fine at 3 ft away on the table. So another few of their breaker packs ordered to give me another 4 bases. Should be enough as Carthaginian allies. I may expand them into their own army sometime in the future.

FPW - Battle of Louvigny (Part 2)

Or as the players quoted, a hard fought Draw. So Thursday provided the chance to complete the game (We had to clear up the table at the end of the night). However the first spanner in the work hit, Robbo was stuck at work and wouldn't be able to make. No problem we had Andy, the dashing French cavalry commander from previous battles to step in. The second spanner, message from Andy, he couldn't make it. So a quick re-jig of the French command. Sean would now take over III Corps and IV Corps. XII Corps would pass over to Thom who had I Corps. They each took a reserve cavalry division each.

So the game began and another spanner, this time on the Prussian side, Neil B had been struggling with a foot injury since his holiday and had to abandon. So a re-jig of the Prussians with Mitch now taking over VI Corps, added to the Hessians and Mecklenburgers, Neil G kept the Wurtemburg division and took over The Baden division and Bavarian I Corps. 

Now both sides set at each other in what can be described as a bloody onslaught around the town of Solgne. Eventually the exhausted Prussian VI Corps punched through the French I Corps, but even with the Hessians and Mecklenburgers in support they were running out of steam. The attrition on both sides was horrific with heavy casualties mounting.

The defence of Solgne

11th Division heading direct into the french

Both sides trading blows

Over on the other flank the Baden Division began to push out from the woods into III Corps, but began to suffer under the withering fire from the Chassepotte. The Bavarians though were gamely hanging on and with the arrival of the Wurtemburg division on their right had steadied things. Though the Wurtemburg cavalry brigade was roughly handled by french cavalry and forced to withdraw.

Baden Division emerges from the woods

IV and XII Corps moving on the Bavarians

French and Baden infantry engage

III Corps deploying against the Bavarians

Wurtemburg division arrives

A shame we had to end the game with time running out as we needed to pack away. The unfortunate loss of 3 players slowed the turns down as there was a lot of combat going on. Would we have come to a conclusion? I'm not sure as both armies had a lot of fight left in them in some fresh divisions while others were fought to exhaustion. Overall 2 days of great gaming with good and dice rolls. One thing I will say is that Fire and Fury as a rule set copes very well for large games, especially when most players are familiar with the rules.

Will there be a 4th game? possibly, as Thom wants to paint the cavalry division for the French I Corps and it would be rude not to get them on the table, it'll be a while though as planning the 3 games has been exhausting.