Terrain WIPs

For last Sunday afternoon's paint-and-chat session, I decided to tackle some rocky terrain pieces. A couple of months ago, Graham handed me a ziplock bag filled with wood bark, and I had some leftover 115mm x 90mm oval artillery bases perfect for the foundation.

Wood bark - rough terrain

After letting the glue dry, I slathered on my favorite Vallejo Earth Texture paste. I plan to leave the natural look of the bark as-is, but I'll add tufts and flocking to complete the scene. They’re going to make great line-of-sight obstacles for 15mm games. A bit small for 25mm IMO

Of course, as with any completed project comes the classic challenge: storage. While hunting for a suitable container, I stumbled across a box that fit the new rocky outcrops perfectly. Inside were some "magic" mushroom miniatures I painted over 30 years ago while sitting at my kitchen table in Halifax. I’m pretty sure today is the very first time they’ve ever faced a camera lens!

Mushroom Forest - Resin Pieces

The other forgotten treasure I unearthed was a GF9 Crystal Forest set. This set will fit right in as terrain for either Space 1889 or my18mm HOTT Barsoomian army. To bring the stand to life, I used a package and a half of Gamer’s Grass Alien Fire tufts to spruce it up.

GF9 - Crystal Forest with Alien Fire Weeds - Mars or Barsoom

All in all, a very successful afternoon at the hobby workbench.

SPACE 1889 - Martian Gashants - Part 2

 I have completed 11 figures which arrived on Wednesday and the work was posted as my first entry into the AHPC XIII.

There appear to be two types of Gashants. The domesticated variety equipped with European tack. I painted up three of them and kept it to a simple uniform look. I have another 24 of these figures to paint.

Then there is the second, wild variety, which appear to be used by the various Martian tribes. I had 8 of these figures and painted them all. I experimented with 4 different skin colours, as well as two different beak colours (red or yellow). One of each for the four different skin colours used. For lack of a better term the wild gashants seem to display some sort of comb. Again I used a different colour to go with each of the skin colour variations.

SPACE 1889 - Martian Gashants

 Wow, just in time for the AHPC XIII, I received this evening a package containing 35 RAFM martian Gashants. I now have to patiently hunt down 35 Martian riders for these mounts.

Ral Partha 01-080 Lizard and Rider?

 This is a small rebasing project that has been sitting on the back burner for a couple of years. I picked these 16 figures up fairly inexpensively at the CanGames Marketplace pre-pandemic. They were based on what seemed to me be odd size bases (25mm x 75mm) and were obviously being used for a gaming system in which I did not indulge. Once debased they were clearly identified as a Ral Partha (c) 1977 product. The best match I could find online for them was Ral Partha 01-080  Lizard and Rider. 

 I have rebased them to the standard DBX game systems with a frontage of 60mm. Due to the depth of the figures I have mounted them on an 80mm deep base. Sixty wasn't going to be enough. The previous bases were mixes of carboard  and plastic. I have replaced all with MDF bases with a magnetic bottom. Other than being cool looking figures I am not quite sure where they fit into my gaming needs. Perhaps in a Daredevils Lost World setting, or somewhere in a Space 1889 context on Venus.  

Sacred Martian Grove: Blood Crystals

Battlefield in a Box: Blood Crystals (BB541)

Last weekend I received a belated birthday present from my cousin. This is certainly not an item that I would normally purchase for myself but would be happy to find them in a deleted item bin or at a deep discount sale. I immediately thought that these would make a perfect Martian terrain piece for Space 1889 as a Sacred Grove.

In this photo I have included my standard 25mm Griping Beast Roman figure for scale and a Space Wolf  in terminator armour. I will pick up some autumn foliage to provide reds and yellows Martian plant life.

The bases were covered with Liquitex Resin Sand, that included a paint mix of  roughly 1 part red to 4 parts Raw Sienna. I then lightly sprinkled on some brown/red  ballast, which I think was a Woodland Scenics product. After drying overnight I painted over the soil with a watered down GW dark flesh.

Soldiers of the Queen: Royal Artillery Part II

I was torn between blogging about the Soldiers of the Queen or adding another entry of Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts. Ross Mac, a fellow gamer and all round good chap sent some Ral Partha Colonial Artillery crewmen my way. It came up in an email discussion about what we were looking for.

The Field Force's Original Gunners

When I purchased my original colonial army it came with quite a few guns but almost no crews. I trolled eBay for a couple of months without success before purchasing three packages of Wargames Foundry British Colonial Crewmen, not realizing how grossly out of scale they would be compared to the older 25mm Ral Partha equipment. (See my original posting)

Gift from Ross Mac

With the figures Ross provided and another eBay win I had close to 43 (4 Indian, 10 Egyptian and 29 British)  crewmen to paint. I utilized a dark blue (Valleja 70930) over a black undercoat for the Imperials. It gave me the look I was aiming for without ant hassles. I now have to make a decision on how best to display these figures. Do I mount them on individual bases or do I glue them to the bases that already have the Guns Mounted? It would not be a problem for me to use casualty markers.

Egyptian Gunners: An eBay Win

Cangames 2013 Day 1 Friday May 17th

Paul, Mike and I didn't leave Montreal until noon on Friday so it wasn't until almost 4:00 PM that we arrived on the site. I had hoped to sign up for a Samurai Battles game hosted by Mike Abbott, but with my late arrival time, it was not to be.

I like the format that Cangames offer. The doors open Friday at noon and close Sunday about midnight. The convention is organized into 4 hour time slots with an hour break between sessions. These sessions can be sub-divided into 2 for shorter games. Thus we have two sessions Friday and three on each Saturday and Sunday as the first games start each morning at 9:00 AM.

The first game I looked at was a recreation of the Battle of Put-in-Bay, Sept 10, 1813, hosted again this year by Patrick Laffey. Last year was the 200^th anniversary of the start of the War of 1812, and the theme of the convention was Flames Across the Border. This game certainly fits the bill. The rules are Rocket’s Red Glare and the objective is for the British to sweep the Yankees (or our American cousins) from Lake Erie. Our friend Joseph who arrived earlier in the day was deeply involved in the fray when we showed up. 

It was a scenario that I played last year and enjoyed immensely. I believe the model ships used for the game from the Pirates of the Spanish Main by WizKids. I am not a fan of the collectable card game genre but this clearly illustrates how one arm of our hobby can utilize tools of another branch.

Martian Temple

Friday afternoon is not that busy. The crowd really begins to arrive after 5:00 PM. The evening session commences at 7:00 PM and I was looking forward to a leisurely dinner. However Joseph’s game went to almost 6:00 PM.

I wrote to Pat Gilliland earlier that I looking forward to taking part in his Space 1889 (Soldier’s Companion rules) scenario, "For the Honour of Mars". Pat wrote up the scenario on his blog, Irr Wb (F). He forgot to bring his camera along so I provided him with access to the photos I took. Unfortunately, they tended to be from my POV, or at least my side of the table.

Ben, Pat (Our GM) and Paul

I played the part of the commander of her Majesty’s Forces. Paul although he held (that is to say lost) the left flank was my right hand man. We were joined by a young gentleman by the name of Ben who took charge of the right flank held (that is to say lost) by a unit of colonials (Canadian).

My Unit occupying the Monorail Track with HQ in Reserve 

The objective of the scenario was to be the side in control of a Martian Temple, located near the centre of the table at the end of the game. Between it and my command was an embankment with a primitive monorail system. (see Pat’s Blog). The embankment provided us initially with cover, and later the advantage of high ground.

Paul's Command Waits for the Order to Advance

I have a copy of the rules and have read them. This was the first time I played a game with them.They remind me of The Sword and the Flame, especially in how units are structured. My only real complaint was with the initiative system. Even with a plus one to the British die roll for being regular, we rarely had the initiative. This results in our forces sitting there, unable to move and only ordering defensive fire.

The Left Flank Finally Advances

After repeated attempts by my sub commanders to take initiative I was finally forced to leave my tent and deal with the situation myself. Success, we were finally on the move.  At one point the Martian players had 5 turns in a roll. At a couple of other points in the game, they had 3 turns in a roll each time. It hurts.

Skillful use of the native terrain.

My unit, in line takes command of the embankment, overlooking the walled Temple. My HQ staff forms reserve. Paul’s command, with his Landship await to advance on my left flank, the Canadians under Ben's, in open order, do so on the right. 

Canadians in Open Formation Hold the Monorail Line

They immediately come under fire from the Martian guns. The Martians make good use of the brush to mask their advance. Enemy flyers on liftwood dominate the skies.

Martians High on Liftwood

Former Confederate Guns sold to the Natives.

Once Paul has occupied his high ground I order my unit to advance on the temple. Paul's command is assaulted by a Martian horde. As is mine.

Martians close to hand to hand Fighting with Imperial Forces

Paul guts the enemy in front of him, but fails his morale. His unit breaks and runs for cover leaving the Landship alone on the hill. My flank is hit by Martian cavalry which I beat off. The Canadians have finally taken enough from long distance fire and an assault from the air by Martian flyers.

Colonial Infantry Breaks

My right flank scurries for cover. Fortunately, on the far right a train enters with an artillery piece as our reinforcements. Ben will have something to command. In spite of these reversals I continue my advance to the temple courtyard walls. 

Despite an offer of Honourable Surrender Martian Cavalry Fights to the Last 

I announce that I have seen the movie Gunga Din and I expect hordes of natives to come steaming out of the temple and over the walls towards my troops. I was not disappointed. The Guardians of the Temple hurl themselves, for naught against my valiant line. They are quickly swept away. 

Hidden Guardians of the Temple about to Spring their Ambush

Martian Horde Fails at the Temple Walls

Our Gracious Opponents 

It is 10PM, and the game is called. I am disappointed with the results. The Martians still control the Temple. I am confident in the ability of my command to successfully assault the courtyard and to take control of the structure. I am also certain in my ability to hold off the remaining Martians. Alas it was not to be.

Thanks to Pat for putting on a great game. I enjoyed following his preparations for the scenario on his blog and it was great to see how it all came together. Everyone enjoyed themselves and there were exciting moments for all the players. I look forward to another attempt…

While our game was going on Joseph was taking part in Garth Elliott’s Ogre game. 

The other game that had my interest was Operation Chastise: The Dambusters 70^th Anniversary, run by Bernhard Holmok. 

There were so many games to play and just the one of me.

Space 1889: USMC on Mars

When I last blogged in August I wrote that I had some officers and troopers to paint to finish the British Colonial Lancers. I got distracted and decided to paint this bag of what I think were sold on eBay about 5 years ago as Old Glory, dismounted cavalry. There were a total of 30 figures to paint. I decided that in keeping with my interest in Space:1889 I'd photograph them on the red gaming mat.

Note : In the third photo you can see the Lancers in the background. 

On the Workbench: Colonial Lancers Vol 2

Since August of last year, my concentrations have been on my studies. I did work on some miniatures, but I have not had the time to blog. I completed my internship on Friday and will receive my complete my program on Tuesday. I will now try to catch up on the blog.

Shortly after my last post on the Colonial Lancers, the bases I was waiting for arrived. I based two figures per stand, while I kept a few single stands in order to be able to remove causalities. The photos were taken on my red gaming mat. I am thinking of joining the ranks of Space :1889.

Legions of Mars

In addition to the 20 British Lancers that have stirred my interest in the colonial era, there is also an opportunity to explore Worlds Away and struggle against new Adversaries, while in the service of Her Majesty,  the Queen-Empress on distant Earth.

Earlier this year I received three boxes of the above troops. There are no limits to where the Soldiers of the Queen, under my command may serve. I am not sure when these figures will reach my painting table. My studies take up most of my free time. Perhaps painting them will be my Christmas project.

Soldiers of the Queen, North West Frontier

In my previous post I wrote, that I purchased a NW Frontier force that came up for sale a number of years ago. The main advantage was it was already painted and I would not have to lift a brush. That wasn't quite true. This Field Force came with a dozen pieces of artillery, lacking crew, as well as numerous pack animals. These are mostly mules laden with pieces of dismantled artillery. They still have to be painted. The artillery crews, were blogged about last year.

Mounted Native Troopers (15 Figures)

In addition to the unit of 14 mounted troops, there were three units of native infantry. One unit wearing red tunics, with painted turbans (20 figures) and two units dressed in khaki drab. One unit consisted of 24 figures and the 2nd of 20 men. Twenty is  the traditional unit size for TSATF (the Sword and the Flame) rule set, as well as the unit size that was chosen for the Soldier's Companion  (Space 1889 Miniature Rules).

NW Frontier (India) Native Sepoys Unit Unknown

Khaki Drab,  Unit of 24 in March Column (4 Wide)

Native Sepoy Troops

Khaki Drab, Unit of 20 in Line (3 Deep)

Native Sepoy Troops

Since I had the colonial army on the table, it was time to finish the bases of all the infantry units. That way I can "claim" the project is complete. Origanally, the infantry figures were  mounted on government issued metal copper disks. Even the native calvary figures were glued to two. Their outline can be clearly seen through the flocking, on the GF9 magnetic bases.

I found the copper base to be slightly smaller than I liked. I also wanted something that would attach itself to the flexible magnetic sheeting I lined the floor of the tool box with. The infantry was then glued to 1 inch, steel washers. Canadian Tire sells them by the hundred at a very reasonable price.

Soldiers of the Queen

I have gone through a number of phases with my on again, off again love affair with the mid to late Victorian colonial era. I received my first two figures as a gift. A fellow gamer, Joseph Lappin, had gone on a summer pilgrimage to the old country, and when he returned he presented to his friends in the local gaming club two figures. One was a hills-man and the other, a member of Her Majesty's Forces. One of the two figures I received still survive in my collection, sans bayonet.

Colonial Highlander (painted I think by John Saranic)

In the first incarnation in the early 1980s I built a small force of British and Zulus with 15mm Mike's Models. I based 4 figures per stand, and I don't even know what rules I had in mind. Nor do I know what became of the figures. About the same time I picked up two packages of either Ral Partha or RAFM colonial Egyptian Infantry for sale at a local Halifax gaming store.

Egyptian/Sudanese Colonial Infantry

I decided that I wanted to increase the scale of figures I was using. About the same time ESSI came out with both British Colonial Infantry and Zulus. I bought three boxes of each and spent a summer painting. They were the last soft plastics I painted, but they allowed me to run a good number of the Sword and the Flame Colonial Skirmish games.

The ESSI figures were retired and sold on eBay. Part of the proceeds were able to cover the cost of two boxes of the Space: 1889 Soldiers of the Queen. These troops were sculpted by Bob Murch, and produced by RAFM for GDWs Space 1889 RPG.

Soldiers of the Queen First Company Forming Firing Lines.

I know I am going to take some heat on these figures. The colour is wrong, the facings should be on the collar and not the shoulder straps, etc, etc, etc...I admit that I am not a historical purist. Like the song goes, " Wargamers just want to have fun." I look at my figures as toy soldiers to be played with.  In that, my armies succeed.

Soldiers of the Queen, 2nd Company

(notice different colour painted on the washer)

I have had these figures for a while and I cannot say that they are a new project. But recently my interest in the colonial period has been stirred. I won at auction, 20 British Colonial Lancers, which are my current painting project. I have been meaning for some time, to finish the bases of Her Majesty's Forces. In addition to the two boxes of Soldiers of the Queen, I purchased a NW Indian frontier force that was for sale about 5 years ago. At the time it was a very good investment (cost vs already painted) and it filled the spot that was open due to the sale of my plastic Zulus.