Painting at last

Well as promised in my last post I thought I would post some pictures of some of the figures that I have manged to get painting this year. First up is a small group of Dwarf warriors that actually inspired me to get painting again. 1 is from the Citadel Norse Dwarfs range and the other 5 are from the original plastic regiment set that GW brought out in the late 80's.

Dwarf warriors

Sorry it's not the best picture as I took it with my mobile and the light seemed to reflect badly of the metallic areas. I also need to locate some shield s for these guys. So far I have found 2 of the originals, just 3 more need so will probably end up browsing EBay.

Next up is a unit of Austrian Jaegers for my Napoleonic collection. These figures are all from Warmodelling. In the end they didn't paint up to bad despite my misgivings while painting them

Jaeger firing line

Jaegers

I also manged to finish off the 2 battalions of infantry to add towards my Friedlingen project. The figures are all from the Dixon Miniatures range and are lovely figures to paint. They are the Baden-Durlach and Reischach battalions.

This just leaves 2 infantry battalions and a regiment of Dragoons to complete the Imperialists for Friedlingen. I can then concentrate on finishing off the French figures. As i was in the mood for WSS I have arranged a club game for Thursday night using the Black Powder rules. I will post reports as the battle progresses. it sees my Imperialist and Saxons facing off.

A quick update

I have finally managed to get my painting mojo back. I started off on a couple of old fantasy Dwarves that I have had lying around in a box from my teenage years, then I quickly painted up the remaining 11 figures of my French infantry regiment for the French Indian War. I found that by picking up random figures and just painting brought my enthusiasm back though this got sorely tested when I finished off some Austrian Jaegers. I found these a pain and just did not enjoy painting them, forcing myself to get them done so I can get back to painting up some WSS figures. I will post some pictures later when the light is better for taking them.

Those with sharp eyes will have noticed that I have updated the paint plan for the Friedlingen project. I was quite surprised at how much that I have actually painted, especially for the Imperialists. Some of the regiments I am still a little unsure of, especially among the French. There are 3 regiments of Dragoons present but so far I have been unable to trace their names. There is also the Infantry regiment de Robecq and I can find no record for these. Any help appreciated.

I now have 2 more battalions on my painting table and expect to have them finished by the weekend. On checking through the lead pile I have enough figures for a further 3 battalions before some purchases will have to be made. Luckily with the York show coming up I might make the trip down as Dixon Miniatures always have a stand on.

As mentioned earlier I hope to get some photos up at the weekend just to prove that I have been painting.

1809 Westphalians

I still haven't lifted a paint brush this year but hope to remedy that at the weekend. These guys were all painted up in early December and I have only just got around to posting them. Sorry that the pictures don't seem the best.

First up is the Guard Regiment. I couldn't find suitable figures with gaiters, but I feel that these guys were close enough. The figures are from Warmodelling and didn't paint up too bad in my view. They are from their French range of Guard Chasseurs. The flag as usual was taken from the Warflag site. In comparison to the other units I have an extra base, just didn't want to waste the 4 figures.

Westphalian Guards

The second unit completed is that of the 2nd battalion of the 1st infantry regiment. These figures are all from Eureka and were won as a blog prize from Dux Humoncularum. These chaps are lovely figures and were a joy to paint.

2nd battalion 1st Regiment

I did paint up 2 brigadiers but unfortunately the pictures have not come out. I did manage a couple of group shots before the battery went flat.

Westphalian Brigade

Westphalian Brigade

I know that the Westphalians did not have the best of reputations during the Napoleonic wars, but sometimes I enjoy using troops that are of low quality as it can really sharpen up your tactics and any successes you have with them are to be savoured. I do intend this year to paint up a second brigade as they have some Guard Jaegers and Chasseurs that I want to do.

X Wing - Capitol ship

On Thursday night I made it to the club and we decided to put on a game of X wing using a new Capitol ship that John had picked up from EBay, a Tantive IV. The model even came with some home devised rules for use in X wing games. As we were unsure of the full capabilities of the Tantive IV we just decided to field a variety of ships but no special characters.

John took on the Rebels and backed up the Tantive IV with an escort of 2 X-wings and an A-wing. As the game progressed it became apparent that the Rebels were under strength and at least 2 further X-wings should have been fielded

For the Imperials, we had 3 players each with 4 ships each. Myself, Tom and George. Between us we had 2 Tie Advanced, 2 Tie Interceptors, 2 Tie Bombers and 6 Tie fighters. Our objectives were simple. See how long the Tantive could survive against the onslaught.

Tantive IV with escort

George's Ties

The game opened with the the Imperial squadrons trying to close with the Tantive. John initially kept his escorts to one flank of the capitol ship and this was to prove his undoing. As Tom's squadrons advanced they engaged with the escort damaging both x-wings for the loss of the Tie Advanced. George meanwhile swarmed in with his basic Tie fighters and managed to knock out 6 of the 10 shields of the Tantive in the first turn of firing. Due to the number of Imperial ships John continually split his fire, coupled with some poor dice he was unable to inflict much damage against the Tie fighters, finding them difficult to hit.

Escort engage the Imperials

Ties begin their attack run on the Tantive IV

After his initial attack run, Georges' squadron swept over the Tantive and engaged the rear of the escort. in quick succession the overwhelming firepower of the Imperial ships brought down both X-wings. This left the poor A-wing pursued by a veritable storm of Ties. The Tantive continued to split its fire again to little effect as the Imperial ships easily avoided any hits.

A new meaning to being swarmed

A-wing makes a run for it.

With the Tantive being isolated I sent in my squadron which quickly reduced the remaining shields. Next the 2 Tie Bombers let fly with advanced proton torpedoes and knocked out one of the turrets. It was at this point we called it quits. The rebels were well and truly done for and only 1 Imperial ship had been lost.

We did take a few learning points for the game. Apart from recognising that a second group of fighters for the rebels would have made the job extremely difficult. 2 Tie squadrons were able to fall on the flank of the Tantive while its small escort was engaged by our 3rd squadron.

Splitting fire is bad for capitol ships. As they don't have focus Ties were able to continually use their evade tokens which kept them alive. If more than 1 turret had targeted the same Tie, once the token was used up John would have a greater likelihood of inflicting damage. Also John forgot to use his Target lock for the Turrets to allow him at least 1 re roll for missed hits.

Overall an enjoyable game and with a few more tweeks it will give the Rebels a greater chance of success.

A look ahead to 2014

After my last post it is time to try and set myself some wargaming goals for 2014. My main aim is that I want to play more games. When it comes to my wargaming hobby I am a gamer first, I get most of my enjoyment from this side of the hobby, pitting my wits against my opponent, seeing a battle unfold etc. The painting of figures and scenery building has always been a secondary part of the hobby. Compared to some figures I see in blog world,  I know my skills in these areas are only modest but sufficient for my needs. However this can often mean a lull in painting when I am not gaming.

So far sometime in May I will have a trip up to Mick's for a re-fight of the Battle of Ramillies, though there will probably be an earlier game to refresh ourselves on the rules and iron out anomalies. I am really looking forward to this as the War of Spanish Succession is a period that is my first love. I am also making it an aim to get down to the club more often.

So on to projects for 2014.

15mm Napoleonics - I want to complete enough troops for both the Austrians and Westphalians to allow me to run some divisional level games at the club. This will equate to an extra brigade of infantry for each side with some supporting artillery and cavalry.

15mm FPW - Once again I am aiming to try and get the Bavarians up to corps strength. I know Mick is painting up the Saxons and with a possible large game at the end of the year would give this project some impetus.

10mm Crimean War - I need to complete 1 more Russian infantry division and some cavalry. That would finish the Russian Order of Battle for Alma. I also have a hankering to painting up a Turkish infantry division.

15mm WSS - The Friedlingen project needs a bit of a kick start this year, I really would like to get it finished, so much so I am going to draw up a painting plan as I did for Ramillies for the required troops. This will give me a progress check and provide some focus for my efforts.

Well you may have noticed that 28mm is missing from my list of projects. This is mainly because I can no longer justify the costs of new projects in this scale. This does not mean I will paint none, I am sure some will cross the painting table but mainly for skirmish gaming or to top up some existing collections. I already have large collections in 28mm for VBCW, F&IW, El Cid, Arthurians, Late Romans, Germanics and Huns.

No doubt I will not stick to this, I never seem to as always something new and shiny will grab my attention.

All that is left is to wish you all a Happy New Year and may the dice Gods bless you in 2014.

2013 review

Well with 2013 nearly over I thought it was about time I did a little review on the progress of my numerous projects and to set myself some goals for 2014. A quick look back at a post from the start of the years highlights my aims for 2013. So how did I do

28mm Greeks – I was determined to get these done, but sadly there has been no further progress made on these. Not a good start, though I do put that down to nobody else in the club showing an interest in Ancients so I have had nothing to spur me on with these.

28mm FIW – I wanted to finish this project, adding some civilians and provincials. I did finish off a few more Indians and some settlers so I could say it is completed, but more could still be added.

15mm FPW – I wanted to add at least one more French infantry division and expand my Bavarians up to corps strength. Well partial success as I have added a 3^rd French division, but I am yet to start on the Bavarians.

15mm ACW – With only a handful of figures to do, these should have been easy, but it took until a couple of weeks before the clubs Gettysburg display that motivated me to get these done.

15mm WSS – I wanted to complete the units requires for Friedlingen, namely the French. Well I did complete 2 battalions but then got sidetracked into completing the British contingent for the Battle of Ramillies. So at least they were for the correct period.

So what distracted me from my targets. Well, apart for the WSS British I can think of a few more. GNW Swedes, due to picking up a bargain from E bay I did a few battalions and squadrons. Next there was the 10mm Crimean War figures for which I blame Neal. So far I have done 2 Russian Infantry divisions. Lastly there were some 15mm Napoleonics. Always a period I have shied away from, but this year decided to take the plunge. So far I have some Austrians, Brunswickers and Westphalians, nearly enough to put on a game at the club using Black Powder.

On the gaming front this year I have seen a significant reduction in the games that I have played. I did manage to get to Mick’s for the Re-fight of Flodden as well as a large FPW game. At either Neal's or Dave's I had some great fun trying out General de Brigade and Black Powder for Napoleonics as well as a few games of Bolt Action. However at the club I only managed to be involved in a few games mainly because I just haven't been a regular attendee like I used to be.

My painting totals for this year have rather exceeded my expectations, though in 28mm I seem to have lost a little enthusiasim for painting these, where as I seem to enjoy painting 10 and 15mm scales.

2013 PAINTING TOTALS

10mm Artillery - 3

10mm Foot figures - 233

10mm Mounted figures - 4

15mm Artillery - 32

15mm Foot figures - 914

15mm Mounted figures - 235

15mm Vehicles - 3

28mm Artillery -

28mm Foot figures - 29

28mm Mounted figures - 1

Bye bye for now, I will post up details shortly of what my plans are for next year.

X-wing and an update

Sorry that it's been a bit quiet on the posting front, mainly down to not having much time or energy for gaming. I blame it on these dark nights, I just want to sit in front of the fire watching TV. I have done some painting, mainly at weekends but haven't gotten around to taking pictures of any of them. I completed 2 more battalions for my Westphalian Napoleonics, some mounted brigadiers and a couple of figures for my F&IW collection.

Last week I even turned up at the club for only about the second time in a couple of months. Luckily they decided to put on a X-wing game which gave us a chance to try out a couple of the new ships, a B-wing and the Tie Bomber. To accompany the B-wing the rebels took an red squadron X wing and the Imperials took 2 extra tie fighters, one academy and one obsidian squadron pilot.

The game did not start out too well for the Imperials as I lost the academy pilot to the heavy payload of the B-wing. I did manage to even the score as a combination of the tie bomber and fighter put paid to the X-wing. The game then settled down to a game of cat and mouse with the B wing. Unfortunately the Bomber took a critical hit which prevented it from using abilities, i.e. no target lock preventing me using its valuable payload.

Eventually the rebels accounted for both of my ships the the B-wing was also reduced to its last hull point. I must admit these 2 new craft add an extra dimension to the game. So much so I went and purchased a B-wing to add to my rebel fleet. I did manage a few pictures of the game.

Tie fighter evades the B-wing

Bomber and tie hunting the B-wing

B-wing fires and misses

Tie fighter fires and also misses