Birthday Gifts

This years birthday has been a little strange, but I have received these gifts from Sue, Flo and Holly. In addition to the presents above, I had my usual block of DAS (Christmas or birthdays just wouldn't be the same without a block of DAS).

I have also had a voucher for W H Smiths and a bottle of Tio Pepe - thank you Mum and Holly.

Stay safe.

Tony

The Chapel at Rofenburg - part three

Following on from this earlier post I have covered the newspaper reinforced walls with ready-mixed filler. I used a knife shaped, clay-sculpting tool but wasn't too careful in how it was applied as there would be subsequent layers of filler and DAS modelling clay later.

With the first layer of filler fully dry, I lightly sanded the walls before adding a second and smoother layer. Once again this was sanded before DAS modelling clay was used to define the edges of the openings.

These three images show the basic chapel after two layers of filler and one of DAS.

I like to keep some irregularities in the surface texture of the walls as I feel this adds to the realism of the model and makes painting a little more interesting.

As with my earlier posts, stay safe

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

Flintloque Regiment Lowland Dwarves - part three

Not much of an update today. I chopped off the eight Shako's with my model making clippers, not very technical or stylish but practical.

Hopefully, I'll move onto some sculpting later.

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

Star Trek Picard - series one

Last night Sue and I watched the tenth and final episode of Star Trek Picard series one. I have to admit to NOT thinking that much of episode one, but did get into the whole series and enjoyed the story - that is until episode ten which I though had loads of plot holes and was very, very predictable.

Over all I'd say it was worth watching but only a 6 or 7 out of 10 and could have been so much better.

I look forward to series two in the hope that it will be better.

Stay safe

Tony

Flintloque Regiment Lowland Dwarves - part two

Lowland Dwarves.

Following on from my earlier post here are my eight donor Dwarves, Most are from the Alternative Armies Limited Edition Princess Juliana Regiment - for details see this post, although there is one rogue with a blunderbuss.

I'll be carrying out the conversions over the next couple of days, however I am now well aware that my planning for the UK pandemic lockdown had one major flaw; I've only got about an inch of Green Stuff left and I'm not sure postal services will continue for much longer!

Stay tuned for more updates but remember stay safe

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

The Chapel at Rofenburg - part two

Both Sue and I have spent all day in the garden. No modelling today,  - instead Sue was sorting through some bean plants and I built two wooden troughs for planting vegetables, that is once we have some plants to replant and soil! Soil is the biggest issue as all of the DIY stores in the area have closed down due to the emergency. Our daughter Holly has volunteered to get some from the local allotments where her boyfriend has a large plot. Hopefully we can get some before the bedding plants are ready for sorting and planting out.

Back to the Chapel at Rofenburg.....

The corrugated cardboard walls were cut out with a snap-off bladed knife (my favourite knife is an 18mm snap-off bladed, heavy duty knife produced by Olfa, see this link) and glued together with my hot glue gun. It is obvious from the images above that there were even more amendments to the initial design (see marker pen lines). This is something that regularly happens with my terrain modelmaking. I am forever amending the design 'on the hoof'.

It is also obvious that I have used two layers of corrugated cardboard making sure to orientate the corrugations at 90 degrees to one another. A process that further strengthens the basic 'core'.

I then used torn newspaper (or in this case wallpaper lining paper) applied over PVA glue to both strengthen the box and hide the exposed edges of the corrugated cardboard. I have been using this particular technique for some years and can confirm that it produces very strong structures on which you can then add surface detailing or 'facing'. Normally I like to add at least two layers of the torn newspaper/PVA glue. Don't 'knock' this old school technique - it's simple to use, strong and in most cases free!

My aim when producing wargame terrain models is to cover every square inch of the model with some form of surface texturing even if this is just stucco.

I added some more strips of corrugated cardboard to the inner corners  of the box (more reinforcements from scrap cardboard) and then glued a cardboard roof in place with the hot glue gun. The core is already very strong and stable.

Once again stay safe and

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

New Flintloque Regiment - part one

Earlier this month I commented that I was looking to paint up yet another Flintloque regiment and was looking for inspiration. Well I've found it.....

Searching the Web I came across these two illustrations;

Half breed Orcs by Alexander Shatohin

and

Lowland Dwarf by Jodi Mest

I've decided that my next Flintloque inspired regiment will be a group of eight Lowland Dwarves following the illustration by Jodi. I've already started searching out some suitable donor Dwarves and will post details later this week.

Please note, I have NOT just copied the illustrations but have included these links as I do not want to infringe on any copyright.

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

The Chapel at Rofenburg - part one

Today I have had a really productive day tidying up the shed-at-the-bottom-of-the-garden and getting to Skype both grandchildren. The weather has been glorious and I've enjoyed being in the back garden working hard and listening to music.

In these troubled times I have decided to search through by back catalogue of articles/tutorials and revisit them with new and revised comments. The first is this model of The Chapel at Rofenburg which originally appeared in Miniature Wargames 355 and 356 in 2012.

The original inspiration came from a tourism brochure that I picked up in a local charity shop. The brochure had many images of Lichtenstein and this quaint white-washed chapel inspired me to build a Flintloque scaled model.

The image below was cut from the brochure and I sketched up this rough plan. Even back then I was always trying to build models that would fit in a 6 inch x 6 inch x 6 inch box! I should also add that I have dozens of sketch books filled with similar images and plans - many more than I could even hope to model.

The doorway height and windows were scaled against a Flintloque RifleOrc as I find this easier and more realistic than sticking to predetermined and strict door measurements. In the past I have been criticised for not including detailed measurements of such features, but as I don't stick to any detailed measurements - I'm OK with the criticism.

The layout (below) was drawn onto corrugated cardboard and as you can see - there were some adjustments.

In my next update, I will show how the core building shape was cut out and glued together. In the meantime - stay safe and

Keep Calm and Carry On Modelling

Tony

Keep Calm

The new government guidelines have placed the UK in lock down and I for one am not that surprised. I'd been expecting it for some time. Luckily the extended family are OK and long may that remain the case. I don't work as a key worker although my daughter has volunteered to continue working as a teacher during this emergency looking after the children of key workers and although I am obviously worried for her health, I am also so proud of her.

I am already missing my grandsons but with Skype and Facetime, I'm sure we will survive.

For the last three months, I have been working on a number of gaming board commissions and models which were originally planned for SALUTE 2020. However with SALUTE cancelled I'm not sure these boards or models will be seen any time soon. Unfortunately, due to non-nondisclosure agreements, I am NOT able to give any details but as soon as I have the all clear I will be posting images and details on the Blog.

In addition I have been working on a number of magazine articles and once again with the issues surrounding Coronavirus I'm not sure when these will be published. So what is my plan now?

I'm going to be posting details of a new Flintloque regiment - expect details later this week. I just have to confirm what regiment? I'll try for weekly updates, but also look at more regular posts to keep interest.

I will also search back in my back catalogue of articles/tutorials to see if there is something I can post on the Blog. I'm sure I will be able to find something that will keep the spirits up (even if a little).

Expect more information tomorrow.

Keep Calm and Carry On Gaming

Tony

Stay Safe - Stay Home

Stay Safe - Stay Home.....

Tony

SALUTE Cancelled

I have read that Salute 2020 has been cancelled/postponed until 2021. I was thinking of attending this year as I had been invited by a number of companies who are showing terrain or gaming boards built by me.

I think I was lucky to have attended Alumwell earlier this month. This may be the last show I attend for some time.....

Tony

Joss Whedon's Firefly

Sue and I have enjoyed re-watching the 2002/2003 TV series Firefly on Prime. We were avid followers when it first came out but are now watching it again and there is so much that I/we missed in the first showing. It's a pity that there was only one series.....

For more information see this link.

There was also a film called Serenity.

Tony

Practical and Simple Wargame Terrain - part three

Miniature Wargames magazine issue 444 (April 2020) has the third instalment of my series of scratch-built terrain articles showing how I build and paint simple wargame structures from easily obtainable and cheap or scrap material. Part three - a Log Cabin once again sticks to my self imposed rules of;

1 - The model should be constructed from simply sourced or everyday materials.

2 - The model should be generic and able to be used in a wide variety of different games or genres.

3 - The model should be robust enough for wargame club use.

4 - The model should be finished to a good standard and resemble the building it represents.

5 - Finally, it should fit into a 6 inch x 6 inch x 6 inch box - for easy storage.

The log Cabin was built over a corrugated cardboard core with egg box card detailing and a lollipop stick roof. It was painted with various craft paints and homemade washes and hopefully shows what can be done with scrap materials and simple modelling techniques.

For full details of the build, see issue 444 of Miniature Wargames (the Salute edition).

As stated earlier, this is the third of my series of builds, and I have included images of the two earlier models to show a comparison. Firstly the Storehouse.....

And then the Thatched Hovel.....

I have one more article in the pipeline, but hope that I can continue with this novel theme for some time. Should you have any suggestions for future models/articles, please comment below.

I should add that the self imposed restrictions of using simple materials has helped me with my modelling Mojo. I would recommend similar projects to all gamer's. They are great fun to build and very rewarding.

Tony

Flintloque - What Next?

It's been a while since I painted a regiment of Flintloque miniatures. I'm having withdraw symptoms and am thinking it's about time I got back into the habit.

Just one problem.....

What regiment, what figures, what background?

Any suggestions?

I'm looking for something a little different from just a group of Albion Orcs or a squadron of Ferach Elves. So any thoughts. Maybe another piece of themed terrain?

Tony

Wargames Terrain & Building - North Africa and the Middle East latest update.....

Exactly one day after the West Midlands Military Show (Alumwell) the author's copies of my latest Pen & Sword book Wargames Terrain & Building - North Africa and the Middle East arrived. It would have been very difficult to have attended Alumwell as an exhibitor without at least one copy of the book to show - so I think I did the right thing by not attending as an exhibitor and just having a fun day out.

More details about this latest book can be found by following this Blog link or going to the label to the right. I have included an image of the contents page to give prospective purchasers a better idea of what to expect.

I would say this - but I think book two is even better than book one Wargames Terrain & Buildings - The Napoleonic Wars.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show - Alumwell Wargames

I have just returned from a very enjoyable day out at the West Midlands Military Show, Wolverhampton, hosted by the Alumwell wargamers.

Given all the newspaper reports about Coranavirus, I had expected the show to be quieter than usual, but as I arrived it was buzzing with what I thought was a fuller hall than last year. It did slacken off after lunch and I didn't stay till the end, preferring to be home in time for a late lunch. here are some of the photos I took.....

My purchases were mainly gaming supplies and in particular paint. The selection below was quite a haul and should keep me going for some time (although I bet I have missed some colour or other and will have to nip out to Hobbycraft next week!)

Thank you to everyone who takes the trouble to organise and attend this show - my plan is to have an exhibit table next year.

Tony

Wargames Terrain & Buildings - North Africa and the Middle East is now shipping

Earlier today, I was informed that my latest Pen & Sword book - Wargames Terrain & Buildings - North Africa and the Middle East is now being shipped for review and pre-orders. Ironically the book should now be available for this weekend and in time for The West Midlands Military Show, Alumwell. If I could have guaranteed availability, I might have reconsidered my decision not to attend as an exhibitor!

For full details of the book see this Blog link.

I have been told that my authors copies are now on their way to me. Once I have my copies, I will post again.....

Tony

West Midlands Military Show - Alumwell

The West Midlands Military Show - Alumwell Wargames will be taking place this Sunday. My plan is to be there for part of the day but I will NOT be exhibiting as I have other commitments this weekend.

For full details of this very friendly show, see this link.

Tony

Twelfth Anniversary of Dampf's Modelling Page

Friday, February 28th 2020 was the 12th anniversary of the Blog. I'd completely forgotten and it was only today - three days later that the penny dropped. I would normally have produced a wordy post looking back over the last year/twelve years, but you will have to be satisfied with a short post saying that I have been working on a large commission (details to follow soon) and a couple more magazine articles.

How quickly time flies.....

Tony