The 'Fighting Forty-Firsts'

My complete Flintloque Section - 'The Fighting Forty-Firsts' based on a Commando Comic called Days of Daring (number 3765), for full details go to this link. While this Blog. contains more details of how the initial miniatures were re-based and painted, search the Flintloque Label on the right of the page for more information or go to this link.

I am attempting to raise a small Flintloque section using Flintloque Third Edition rules and following the same formula as this post by Gavin Syme and featured on Barking Irons Online.

The Northshires or Forty-First Foote Regiment are light troops serving under 'Olde Nosey' in Calalucia and employed to harass the Ferach and defend their allies, the Algarvey Goblins and the Catalucian Dark Elves. This is the regiments first taste of action, although a few career soldiers have already tasted blood.

Section Title; 'The Fighting Forty-Firsts'
Fantasy Race; Orcs
Section Size; Eight Characters
Troop Type; Light Troops

Photo Two - Show Luke Benson - Platoon Commander (second from the left) and his section of light troops. Detailed from left to right they are;

3. Private Perkins / average / light troop
None
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

2. Lieutenant Luke Benson (our hero) Platoon Commander / experienced / light troop
Sharpeshooter, Raised from the Ranks, Good rider and Does not like dogs (frightened by one as a young boy).
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

4. Private Blister (back row) / raw / light troop
Youngest in the group (called Nipper), Jamminess
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

5. Private Blakey (front row) experienced / light troop
Sauce
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

6 Private Blewitt (bugler) average / light troop
Wind, Musician
Bakur Rifle, Bayonet and Bugle

7. Private Boxer average / light troop
Pub Brawler
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

Photo Three - Two more characters;

1. Colonel Charles Devonish Regimental Leader experienced / light troop
Heroic Courage, Loved by his Men, Hold the Line, Professional Officer
Umbrella and Sword

8. Robert Benson (Luke's cousin) Amorican experienced / light troop
Scoundrel, Military Experience (guerilla fighting against Indians), Nerves of Steel, Flash Waistcoat (like Dazzling Uniform, but with only -5 modifier)
Nock Seven Barrel Volley Gun and Pistol

The 'Fighting Forty-Firsts' have built a very good reputation against the Ferach invader in Catalucia, Luke is seen as one of the very brightest new officers, but his cousin Robert is a scoundrel and although he would never do anything to endanger the squad he should be played with extreme caution.

I have yet to play a game with this section, but have enjoyed putting it together and developing the stats and background story based on the Commando Comic. I hope you enjoy reading about them.

Tony

Citadel Washes for sale!

Last Friday I posted that I had been lucky enough to find four new pots of CITADEL WASHES in a toystore call Your Place in Alcester. I have decided to keep these pots for my own use. However earlier today Sue and I visited Stratford upon Avon and passing Alcester I stopped at Your Place to see if there were any more pots of Citadel Washes.

There were;
Three pots of Badab Black and one pot of Devlan Mud. I bought all four and have placed two of the pots on E-bay with a starting price of just 99p. At this moment they are available to view at this link and this link.

The two images show the two pots and the receipts to prove that they are NEW, bought on 27.08.2013.

Happy bidding.

Tony

Building Wargame Terrain by Tony Harwood - a retrospective

One month after the last signed and numbered Limited Edition book was posted I thought I would give a quick update of the situation to date.

The initial batch of 100 signed and numbered books are now all sold, the Normandy Cafe model has been posted to Big Lee, see this link for full details. I still have a (very) limited amount of un-signed books available for sale, if you are interested please go to this link for how to order.

Last week I visited Parabellum, Birmingham and was surprised that even regular followers of my Blog had not realised that the book had been published and was available for sale. I took two books with me and sold them both.

When I was planning the first production run, I decided to have 100 published, this 100 actually turned into 112 as the publisher informed me that on any production run there are always extras or spares. I have been asked if there is to be a second production run - and at this moment in time there are no plans, however this may change when I am ready to launch Book Two. Similarly I have been asked if there is to be an electronic or PDF version. The answer is yes, but once again I am not sure when this will happen - the truth is that there is still work to be done on this planned electronic publication and other projects have taking priority.

Work on Book Two has already begun - four building project have been finished but still need to be painted. My plan is to build one or two more while the weather is good (and I can work in comfort in the shed-at-the-bottom-of-the-garden) and spend the winter months painting them. I will post more details as and when I have them.

Thank you to everyone who bought a copy - I hope that you have enjoyed your book.

Details of how to order can be found here.

Tony

Citadel Washes - a lucky find

Yesterday Sue and I visited Pershore to see the Pershore Plum Festival and have a picnic at the side of the river. On the way back we stopped at Alcester (pronounced Ulster) and after a quick stop at the Roman Museum walked up the High Street.

I dropped in to a new toy shop called Your Place and picked up these first edition Citadel Washes for £2.00 each. They were not on the fully stocked paint rack but in a small plastic tub to the side. I know that these Washes are currently going for 'silly money' on E-bay and I consider them a true find. Badab Black and Devlan Mud being two of my favourite washes along with Gryphonne Sepia.

I now have enough to last me some considerable time. A really lucky find!

Tony

Harpy - part five

Photos Two and Three - show before and after of these two Flintloque miniatures.

Photo Four - The whole group of 'Fighting Forty-Firsts' as featured in the Commando Comic 'Days of Daring. This is the first time that these figures have been together as a group since the initial post which can be seen here.

Each of these figures were either e-bay purchases or picked up second-hand at the Alumwell Wargame Show earlier this year. I have re-based them on 2p coins before giving them a new paint scheme. I find it very satisfying to take unloved second-hand minis and repaint them.

Photo Five - Finally, the Commando Comic that inspired the group. Days of Daring (3785) which tells the story of Luke Benson (figure on the left), his cousin (character in the background) and the Rifles of the 41st while fighting in the Peninsular War.

It is my intention to produce custom stats or a roster sheet for Flintloque third edition in the coming days.

Tony

Harpy -part four

Luke Benson's cousin now matt varnished and fully based. I have used Galleria Matt Varnish (three coats) and some mixed static grass to decorate the base. He still looks a little glossy, but is now very well protected.

Photos - Two, Three and Four - Show different views of the same figure. I have already commented on how I found it difficult to paint non-military colours but now think they came out OK. This was one of the most involved Flintloque conversions I have done for a while. In my next post I will take some images of the whole group of 'Fighting Forty-Firsts' inspired by the Commando Comic Days of Daring, see earlier posts for details; here, here, here and here.

I know that Flintloque miniatures are either loved or hated for their chunky styling and cartoon features. I think they are fun to both model and paint and always bring a smile to my face. My Flintloque miniature collection is now in the hundreds, with themed terrain and gaming aids.

Tony

Harpy - part three

The converted miniature (Luke Benson's cousin) was given a coat of black undercoat. For details of the inspiration go to this link and this link.

Photo One - I used a cheap 'rattle can' spray paint and touched up the rough or missed areas with diluted Chaos Black from Games Workshop.

Photos Two and Three - The flesh areas were the first job and built up from Snakebite Leather from GW and highlighted with a Snakebite/Skull White mix.

Photo - Four - I found it difficult to paint the non-military uniform colours but tried to stick to the Commando Comic cover illustration as close as possible.

Photo Five - The painting is now finished and the miniature has been varnished with Ronseal Hardglaze Gloss Varnish. I just need to Matt Varnish and add some static grass for this figure and the whole group of 'Fighting Forty-Firsts' to be finished.

Photo Six - The figure from the rear. I am pleased with the conversion and like the way that the 'pork pie' hat  and Brown jacket has come out.

This was the most involved conversion of the whole group of eight Rifle Orcs and my plan is to write up a Flintloque (third Edition) roster sheet for the small group, sticking to the Days of Daring (Commando Comic No. 3765) story as close as possible.

Tony

Captain Hawk and the Stone of Destiny

I recently came across this illustrated children's book called Captain Hawk and the Stone of Destiny by Jim Eldridge and illustrated by Janek Matysiak. The book is a well illustrated book with a one-dimensional story. Even so the simple story and fantastic illustrations have already given me a number of gaming adventures or scenarios for my 40mm Flash Gordon collection.

I am reminded of Starhawk, see this post and this post for further details. A Hans Solo type character accompanied by his Robot sidekick. I can see this theme being the basis for some Space Opera type roleplaying games in years to come.

It would be wrong to even suggest that this is a book to go and search out, it is just good comic book fun and an easy read. Further research has however, identified Janek Matysiak as a 'serious' comic book illustrator and one worth checking out. See this post for more information.

The book was picked up for a few pence at a charity store last week. Full details are;
Captain Hawk and the Stone of Destiny by Jim Eldridge
Illustrated by Janek Matysiak
Published by A&C Black, London in 1997
ISBN 0-7136-4710-8

Tony

Harpy - part two

The next step in converting Harpy to Luke Benson's cousin was the 'pork pie' hat. In this image you can see my first attempt, plasticard disc and some Milliput.

Photo Two - The second attempt, the hat has been removed and I have sanded the top of Harpy's head so that the hat is both lower and at an angle, sloping from front to back. Finally I have added a hat band and smoothed out the sculpting with a mix of white acrylic paint and filler.

Photo Three - From the rear, the angle of the hat can be seen better.

Photo Four - The base has been further textured with some sieved stones and fine sand applied over uPVA White Glue.

Photo Five - All ready for undercoating.

I would hope that these work-in-progress shots show how I approach converting and sculpting figures, for details of part one please go to this link and for details of the whole group and inspiration go to this link.

Tony

A Painted Welsh Dresser

And now for something completely different! With my daughter Holly back home from her two year teaching contract in Thailand most of this week (and last week) has been spent decorating her flat, painting cleaning and repairing furniture.

While on a day out in Cheltenham, Holly saw a Welsh Dresser in the Sue Ryder charity store. Sue and I then drove back to Cheltenham to pick it up (Holly's new car being to small).

Within hours we had stripped it down and started to clean it. I used sugarsoap and some old T shirts.

As you can see the back or shelving unit is removable.

The metal bits were then left to soak in white spirits, I did not want to either sand or paint these fittings.

After cleaning, the unit was sanded with sanding pads - the cheap four for a pound versions, remembering to sand with the grain.

Then undercoating.

On the day we undercoated, the weather was so hot that we had to water down the undercoat - it was drying too fast and leaving brush strokes. It took two coats.

Water based quick drying undercoat and primer.

I sanded the undercoat with fine sandpaper (actually a decorators sanding sponge) before applying two coats of paint, as you can see the inside was painted as well as the outside.

Using a 2 inch brush I started on the inside or back of the units and worked forward to the front.

Matt Silver Mist, it looks grey in some light and then pale blue in others.

Within a week the cleaning and painting was done.

Then the time consuming job of waxing. I used this Annie Sloan Soft Wax, which I applied with more old T shirts.  This is a messy and smelly job that took all day, wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off!

The unit finished and ready to be transported over to the newly painted flat. With the exception of the small glazed window on the left, the unit went together well and the cleaned up metal work was not to stark.

The Dresser at home in Holly's flat. The dresser has not been distressed in any way, Holly wanted a clean, pristine look.

And decorated with jugs and plates. (I am aware that a Welsh Dresser is usually built of pine).

Not one of my usual painting project, but a very satisfying one. the whole project took just over one week from start to finish.

Most of the techniques are available on-line, see You Tube - How to Shabby Chic by Simon Powell for details.

Tony

Away-day 2013

The away-day (actually away-days) for 2013 was a tour of Shropshire. Starting with the town of Shrewsbury Sue and I had a great day out visiting shops and taking photos of the wooden framed building so prominent in the historical town.

Photo One - Is an image of the market hall, all ready for the Shrewsbury Flower Show. (Taking place this weekend).

Photos Two - A leaning town house, there were a number of these.

Photo Three - Tucked away from prying eyes this wooden framed end wall showed construction techniques.

Photos Four to Eleven - Our Roman Banquet, 16 dishes of (traditional?) Roman food celebrating the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Beef Consume with Beef strips.

The first platter.

With edible dormice.

The fish courses.

The ribs in fish sauce.

Dessert. All washed down with white wine (watered down and served with honey) and red wine (again watered down).

The Banquet was preceded by a brief lecture giving details of the Roman invasion of Britain and then a history lesson about Wroxeter, the ancient Roman city. We stayed at the Wroxeter Hotel where this is a regular event.

The whole event was great fun and informative, while the couple who dressed in traditional Roman garb helped with the atmosphere.

Day two was a drive to Chester, another day photographing building and visiting shops. We used the park and ride which meant that we had a whole day to enjoy this historic city.

Photo Twelve - Just one of the many timber framed shops.

I called in to Modelzone, having heard about some of the closing down deals being offered but was disappointed, 20% off model kits and 50% off books, books that I felt were already damaged. I picked up some paint and Balsawood but actually found better bargains in the Oxfam book shop!

Photo Thirteen - The Roman experience, with a Celtic boar sign!

Photo Fourteen - The Chester city wall. Well part of it anyway.

Photos Fifteen to Seventeen - Some images of the Roman Museum at Wroxeter, including the reconstructed Barn/Villa that was the main attraction of a recent TV documentary.

Photos Eighteen and Nineteen - The Wroxeter Church (next to the hotel we stayed at) with obvious Roman influences.

Photos Twenty and Twenty-one. On out third and final day we drove to Bridgenorth and once more some images of wooden framed buildings.

On our journey back I stopped at The Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster and searched through some old railway magazines for cheap (and informative) bargains. Three days and two nights away, plus a Roman Banquet. A great holiday treat and one of my best ever away-days. Thank you Sue for finding and booking it.

Tony