Bits and pieces part 2

So this bank holiday weekend has definitely seen an increase in output as a number of figures were cleared off the painting desk. First off there was a return to the Franco Prussian war and my second regiment of Landwehr for the upcoming campaign. As usual these are all from Outpost/Reiver castings.

I think these will be the last Prussians for a while. I may return in the future and add a French infantry division to 4th Corps.

With the ongoing games of Midgard at the club, it was a chance to add some more Italian infantry. This time figures designated as Samnites from Museum miniatures. 

This brings me up to 3 units of Italian heavy infantry, I do have enough figures from Essex miniatures for a 4th unit. I can see myself adding more units in the future, namely some heavy cavalry, medium infantry and some skirmishers. Then I can field them as a stand alone force.

Now I also added a few figures to the Warhost collection. Namely three more Dwarf warriors and an Air elemental for the Elves. The Air elemental is a 3d print provided by Mitch. He is also busy printing me an earth construct for the Dwarves.

I've got a couple more things on the painting table that I should get completed before I go back to work on Tuesday. They are some Roman velites and Spanish light cavalry, then a couple of more Dwarves before starting on some Elves.

Bits and pieces

As my mojo for painting is slowly returning, I've found it best to keep the painting queue as varied as possible. Seems to be helping so far. First up was some bits and pieces for the Punic Wars, some Carthaginian cavalry and a single base of Triari for my 4th Roman legion, this will be combined with the base from the 3rd legion to create a unit for Midgard. The Romans are from Museum miniatures and the Carthaginians are from Forged in battle.

I really struggled with the shields on the cavalry. When the new glasses arrive I will try again. The next batch of figures were some Oathmark Dwarves for my Warhost force. Only another 5 figures to do on these before deciding if I want to expand the force further.

While rummaging in the pile of unpainted shame I came across a box of the Oathmark Elven warriors. I knew I had painted a few up years ago, so assumed they had come from this box, guess I was wrong as it was a full unopened box of 30 figures. I must have picked up a few sprues first. So I guess I'll be adding an Elven force to the Warhost collection. I even dug out the 8 I had painted previously, touched up the paintwork and freshened up the bases.

At the club we gave the Midgard rules another run out using my Punic War figures, just a few pictures as not much of a report as we concentrated on learning the rules.

The game is in balance. After a rather ropey start by the Romans, they have slowly ground their way back into the battle, eventually dispatching the troublesome elephants, which had been causing havoc amongst the allied Italian infantry. Next week I should see my 2 legions engage the main Carthaginian and Gallic infanty. Should be fun

Numidians and Goblins

Quickly following the last post I had a dig around in the unpainted pile while I wait for my orders. I managed to find a handful of Numidian cavalry. These are resin 3d printed models from Cromarty forge. They come in just 2 poses, which is a shame as they are nice figures and easy to paint up. I'll definitely need more in the future and will likely add some from Forged in Battle and Museum miniatures for extra variety.

I went for simple hide shields as I wanted to be able to use them as allies of both the Carthaginians and Romans.

The other batch of figures I completed were the 6 goblins from the Heroquest boxed set. Just simple paint jobs, a mix of browns for the clothing, but it gets me nearer to completing the set, just the 2 Chaos warriors left.

Now I can start on the first 2 bases I have of some Carthaginian infantry while my orders make their way to me. Should have plenty to keep me busy when I get back from Normandy.

Heroes for Heroquest and forming some ideas

First up with a trip to Normandy in less than 2 weeks, I had promised to bring the Heroquest board game to help while away the hours at night. I also committed to painting the figures, so time to get a move on. These are the 4 heroes of the game, Dwarf, Barbarian, Elf and Wizard. Despite the details they were surprisingly easy to paint up.

This just leaves 2 of  the Chaos warriors and 6 goblins to do, already made a start on the goblins. I doubt I'll be able to make a start on any of the furniture/scenery.

Now to ideas and deliberations. At the club we had a good discussion on our game for the Border Reiver show. We had finally agreed on Quar, but not a scenario, 1 or 2 games. Also the rules are split across 3 different booklets as we await the new version, this makes it a bit of a pain when trying to look up rules in the middle of a game. I also felt we were not really organised and leaving it too late, also my OCD was kicking in and causing some unwanted stress. Last year with the Marston Moor game, I had led on the project, I had a plan and spent the whole year preparing for it. Thankfully Sean had decided to run a Chain of Command game, he already has everything he needs including a scenario and will run a practice game next week.

So with that stress relieved my thoughts turned to 2026 and Punic Wars. This had been one of the suggestions for 2025. This time I've committed to it. So I first need to decide if I do one of the more familiar battles or something lesser known which gives me some freedom on what troops to paint up. In the meantime I took advantage of the Forged in Battle 20% sale and ordered the Carthaginian starter army. That will provide 4 bases of Punic cavalry, 8 bases of African infantry, 4 bases each of javelinmen and balearic slingers. I've also put in an order to Cromarty forge to make a start on some Spanish troops to support the Carthaginians. While I await the deliveries I have begun prepping some Numidian cavalry and 2 bases of armoured Punic infantry from Cromarty forge.

By my reckoning this will go a long way to filling out the Carthaginian army. Obviously I will need at least a couple of Elephants, additional Numidian and Spanish cavalry. Thankfully the Romans are almost done with 3 of the 4 legions completed. I may add a few allies to them if needed.

A mixed bag and the Last of the Quar

As I hinted yesterday I was getting a little Quar'd out, so I decided to start mixing in some figures from the Heroquest boxed set to try and mix things up a little. So here are a batch of the fantasy figures, including Orcs, Chaos warriors, a demon and Necromancer.

The Orcs

Chaos warriors

Demon

Necromancer

These were all quite quick and easy to paint up. I think the Necromancer is my favourite in this batch. I had  a look in the boxed set, all I have left to paint is the 4 adventures, 2 more chaos warriors, 6 goblins and then the furniture.

The next model I completed was a pig/animal pen from Warbases. A pretty basic structure but will see lots of use across a multitude of periods, including the Quar.

Next was the last of my Quar figures. These were 3d printed bodies provided by Mitch. I simply equipped them from the spare arms I had left over from the various sprues in the collection. So an extra 5 trench raiders which I can either operate as a second small unit or combine to a full strength squad.

I think I'll try and get the rest of the Heroquest stuff done and then back to the Punic Wars.

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.