40mm American War of Independence

While browsing the Internet, I came across this post of a 40mm AWI game set in the Fall (Autumn). The table has a number of beautifully painted 40mm resin buildings that were originally sculpted by me and available from Grand Manner. For full details go to this link.

Tony

Making Model Trucks by Gerald Scarborough

I picked up this book for £1.00 at a local car boot sale on Sunday. The book includes the usual - what tools to use but concentrates on building 1/72 or 1/76th scale models in plastic and white metal. Written by Gerald Scarborough the style is similar (if not identical) to the articles you find in early Airfix Magazines and there are even a couple that are re-prints of features in the Airfix Magazine Annuals, a series of books that I particularly enjoy reading. Even so I am very pleased with this bargain find.

Making Model Trucks by Gerald Scarborough
Published by Patrick Stephens Limited in 1980
ISBN; 0 85059 438 3
Original selling price - £7.50

Tony

I miss the old Patrick Stephens books and believe it is worth asking;
"Did PSL ever produce a bad book?"
 I don't think they did.

Blast-Tastic just one week to go

Just one week to go to the inaugural Blast-Tastic wargame show, Bristol. see you there next Saturday. for full details go to this link.

It is my intention to have some spare copies of both Building Wargame Terrain and More Wargame Terrain for sale, even a couple of numbered and signed copies, for those who get there early. (Details of how to order can be found in the upper right hand corner of these pages).

This evening I have been building a brand new miniature display stand for my 40mm Flash Gordon models, more of this in a later post - look out for details next month. Tomorrow I plan on getting the two scratch-built scenario boards updated - the Rock Kings Throne Room and The Crashed Rocketship Board which will feature on the display table.

Tony

The 3o Bella Manicotti Regiment for Flintloque

Todoroni On-Line Build for September - part six.

With the latest group of Toads painted, based and finished, I set up this little vignette to show the 3o Bella Manicotti in a game setting. Remember that this particular set of Toads was a Limited Edition Unit and only 100 sets were cast up, all of which have now been sold. For details check out the Alternative Armies page here.

The image was taken outside and in natural light (but not direct sunlight), the groundwork is my Railway Scatter covered polystyrene gaming board with some tree units and the new Bread Oven model that will feature on my Blog very soon.

I really enjoyed painting up these Todoroni models, they are great fun to paint and full of character, as I have said before, I can see me painting more in the future.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how I have painted them.

Tony

Making Money by Terry Pratchett

Earlier this year I read the Terry Pratchett book Making Money, this was the first Pratchett book I had read for some time. 

I really enjoyed my return to Discworld and after putting the book down I realised that I needed more.

I therefore searched out my much earlier copy of Monstrous Regiment and re-read a book that I had first read when it originally came out. This book had always been one of my favourite Pratchett books and had been one that (in my minds eye) I thought I knew well. To my surprise and pleasure I really enjoyed re-reading the book and found that I still laughed out loud - even second time around.

So there you have it - two Terry Pratchett books in two months. The first of the pair, Making Money, was a great read, but the second was like re-visiting an old friend and because of this I think Montrous Regiment was my favourite of the pair.

Tony

Todoroni On-Line Build for September - part five

My latest On-Line Build, a group of eight Todoroni from the 3o Bella Manicotti Limited Edition boxed set - finished.

I have both Gloss Varnished and Matt Varnished the miniatures before flocking the bases. The standard bearer has a scratch-built sticky-backed label flag painted to represent the Kingdom of Italy (Naples) during the Mordredean Wars. The central motif was a WW1 aircraft decal of a prancing white horse.

I think the Red/White/Green colour scheme works well with this particular regiment - the miniatures were a real joy to paint, they are so full of character that they almost paint themselves and I would recommend all Flintloque/Slaughterloo players to have at least one regiment of Toads.

As usual, you can click on any of the images to see a larger view. Finally, thanks to Craig Andrews for the figures. I hope that you like the finished group.

Tony

More Wargame Terrain - sales to date

Earlier this week book number 75 was ordered and posted. There are now only 25 signed and numbered books left of this limited edition publication. Should you wish to order a copy, please go to this link where you can also read a number of reviews.

It is my intention to be at Blast-Tastic (Sci-Fi Wargame Show) on Saturday 4th of October. I will bring a number of copies of More Wargame Terrain and Building Wargame Terrain with me. For full details please go to this link.

Tony

Todoroni On-Line Build for September - part four

The painting of this small group of Todoroni is now finished. My next post will show them varnished and flocked.

Most of the work was detail painting, the Flintloques and general touching up. As stated in earlier updates, these Toads are great fun to paint, so full of character. I can see me painting up a third group.

Tony

The XIV Legion invade Droitwich Spa, Worcester

This weekend Sue and I visited the Droitwich Spa Saltfest, a living history and salt heritage display that is held every year in the town centre and Vines Park. The highlight for me was the Roman Military Research Society and their display of warmachines, which were re-built as full size and quarter scale replicas. Here are some images.

They also had a working Roman soldier camp complete with kitchen/bakery and workshop. The XIV legion, dressed in their blue uniforms with blue shield motifs were very easy to talk to and showed a real interest in question that were asked by me and other members of the public.

Tony

Todoroni On-Line Build for September - part three

The painting is moving along apace. I have finished most of the uniform, detailed the shakos and even painted the bases. I choose a Red/White feather for the plume as this works well with the Green cockade - giving the Red-White-Green of the modern Italian flag.

I have started on the metalwork, the epaulettes and sleeve buttons which were painted over a dark brown base and built up with Citadel metallics.

The Toadies are coming along.

Tony

Todoroni On-Line Build for September - part two

Progress has moved on quite quickly with this group of Toads. I choose to paint the miniatures in a dark Bottle Green tunic with Orange/Red epaulettes and uniform turnbacks similar to the 3o Bella Manicotti featured on Rob Alderman's You Tube feature, see this link for details.

These are colours I very rarely use and they should make these figures stand out. As regular readers will know, I am more of a Dwarf and Orc Redcoat man, but cannot help having a huge smile on my face when I paint these Toads, they are so full of character.

As usual, you can click on the images for a larger view. More to follow and quite soon.

Tony

BLAST - TASTIC less than a month to go

Less that a month to go before the first ever Blast - Tastic show in Bristol. Full details can be found here.

Blast - Tastic

Filton Community Centre

Elm Park

Filton

Bristol

BS34 7PS

Saturday 4th October 2014

10.00 - 4.00

Admission £2.00

See you there.

Tony

Napoleon - The Campaign of Russia

Yesterday - the Freeview TV station is showing a two part documentary called Napoleon - The Campaign of Russia on Thursday 11th September at 10.00pm. For details go to this link and here.

Tony

On-Line Build for September - Todoroni from Alternative Armies

My On-Line Build for September is this group of eight Todaroni from the 3o Bella Manicotti Limited Edition box set from Alternative Armies. I have supplemented the miniatures I have with an officer Toad from the 56505 Todoroni Militia set.

The miniatures were cleaned up and mounted onto 2p coins. The bases were built up with Milliput Fine White epoxy filler.

NOTE; These LE sculpts are no longer available - being part of a 100 boxed sets limited run after which the moulds were destroyed. I was lucky enough to have been given these by Craig Andrews of Orcs in the Webbe - thank you Craig.

I further textured the bases by adding some sieved sand over uPVA glue.

and undercoated the figures with spray paint Black, touching up any areas I had missed with Chaos Black from Games Workshop.

The first proper painting was all that green flesh. The colour was built up over a Forest Green and highlighted with Forest Green and Yellow. In these images I have washed the flesh areas with the green wash from GW.

In this final image, you can see how I have modified/converted one of the musket wielding Toads to be a standard bearer, adding a paperclip flag pole and some Green Stuff.

More to come.

Tony

Warhammer Online - the collector's edition

Sue saw this boxed set at a local charity shop and bought it for me as an  anniversary present. I had not been aware of this until I saw the box and was very surprised at the quality of the presentation.

The hard card box contains the video game (unlikely that I will play it, but you never know), two hard bound books, one showing the artwork of  the game and the second having a couple of graphic novels. There is also a mouse mat and a limited edition metal miniature.

At first glance I am sure there is lots to inspire me in my quest for new wargame terrain. However, I'm not sure I will paint the metal Orc, so this may go on e-bay.

Thank you Sue
XXX

Full details of the game and box set can be found here.

Tony

LOTR Statue

Another new month and another new terrain model, this time a Lord of the Rings statue that was picked up at a bring-and-buy. I think it is part of a pair.

The model was slightly modified, adding a cocktail stick hammer handle and re-mounting the hammer with superglue, I have built a new plinth from a wooden block wrapped in plastic card and mounted it on to an oval of 3mm thick plastic card. The base has been textured in my usual manner. The new plinth has been detailed with more plastic card and further textured by pressing a rough stone into the plastic and then building up the surface texture with modelling paste.

I painted the plinth in the same colours as the LOTR model, adding just a little bit more Bronze and a Green wash. The model stands 150mm tall.

I have a number of similar statues, which I like to add to graveyards or town centres.

Tony