Building Wargaming Terrain

Yesterday, I completed the last of the 'scratch built' models that will feature in my book - How to build Wargame Terrain.  Last year I promised myself that in 2013 the book would be published and although a little behind my initial plan, things are moving along well.

I have purposely not published or included any images of either the work-in-progress or finished models as I want the content to be completely new.  The bulk of the content, ten chapters feature novice to intermediate level tutorials. The plan is that I will produce a second book with more intricate models should the first prove successful.

Work is now concentrating on page layout and checking text. My Son is due to check and then help with the layout later this month. The book is something I have wanted to do for some time, I doubt it will make any money but for me the satisfaction will be having completed it.

Anyone new to the Blog, can see various 'scratch built' terrain by just browsing back, there is rarely a month that goes by without some piece of home made terrain being featured. Also see this post.

I will keep this Blog updated.

Tony

WMMS 2013 Alumwell Wargame Show

After a day out at the 37th West Midlands Military Show, I'm back home with a huge mug of tea still trying to get warm!

I arrived late - about 10.45am - driving up to Wolverhampton in light sleety rain which meant that all the queues had disappeared by the time I paid my £3.00 entry. I was therefore very surprised to see the hall very full and busy. I had worried that the poor weather would force people to stay away.

I spent the first twenty minutes walking around the outside exhibitors, before browsing the Bring and Buy stall where I was pleasantly surprised to see this wooden box full of first-edition Flintloque Miniatures. Disappointingly the figures were being sold off after the passing away of the original collector - for just 50p each. Any figures left at the end of the day were 'ear-marked' for melting down! I picked up £12.00 worth of figures, supplementing two planned regiments of Ferach Guard and Orc Green Jackets. I searched for some Flintloque Dwarves - but no joy.

As with previous years there was a very good display of WW2 vehicles, here are just two photos to give an idea of the display.

Although I believe visiting numbers were good. I do think they were down on last year, there were also a couple of empty tables. So maybe the weather did have an effect.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will post images of the displays and games, but for now here are two that caught my eye.

Apart from the Flintloque haul, I picked up a couple of metal pigs from the beautifully sculpted Lead Adventure Miniatures range (BRU-17 Pigs). I intend using them as character pieces in my Flintloque Games and to inhabit my newly built and painted pigsty (details to be published in my planned Wargame Terrain book).

There were many opportunities for meeting old friends - however with the threat of even worse weather forecast, I left a little earlier than usual.

Other purchases include some resin pots from Baueda, some metal scenery items from The Bits Box and a pack of 40mm premium bases as I have run out and I need them for my 40mm Flash Gordon miniatures projects. I also bought a couple of modelling magazines, reduced for a quick sale.

Thanks to Sue for allowing me to visit the show on Mother's Day.

Tony

Lantern City - a Steampunk trailer

I recently saw this trailer over on Pat G's Blog/Google share account and thought it was worth sharing. Originally shown here. Thanks Pat.

Enjoy.

Tony

Monkey Business the latest Foul Mouth Freddy adventure

Craig Andrews of Barking Irons Online has just updated the site with the latest Foul Mouth Freddy short story and scenario called, Monkey Business which was written by me.  The story and scenario was originally intended to be featured on BIO on St. Davids Day, but regular readers will know that Craig is a little busy planning his wedding to Emma. On the eve of the wedding Craig has posted this story and scenario to BIO. Now that's dedication!

The image above shows Freddy sneaking into the Catalucian port town of Atria while trying to avoid the unwanted attentions of either Ferach Marines, Catalucian Guerrillas or some unfriendly Drug Barons. In the background a small force of Orc Redcoats from the Albion port of Hartlesspool and led by that inept character Josiah Wedgit have just begun an assault against some very angry Ferach Marines.

For full details go to this this link.

Foul Mouth Freddy stories and scenarios have been featured on this Blog many times. The inspiration for the character was my Uncle Fred. I sometimes wonder what he would make of his Orc Sargent alter-ego?

I hope you enjoy this latest adventure.

Tony

Tarragin for Flash Gordon - part two

A quick update on progress so far.....

Photo One - Shows the Basing complete. I have added some sieved stones and fine sand over a layer of dilute uPVA glue. I use Unibond uPVA glue for this as it is less likely to be effected by water based paints/acrylics as painting progresses.

Photo Two - A close up image of the unpainted base.

Photo Three - The Tarragin undercoated. I have used Vallejo Game Color as I did not have any Black spray paint. The miniature is painted with Very Dark Blue and Black, applied with a large, soft bristled brush.

I choose the dark blue as I did not want yet another green skinned Lizardman. My intention is to paint it with a blue body and a lighter, possibly ivory coloured tummy area.

With the prospect of even more cold weather and Dave (at Grand Manner) wanting some bits and pieces prior to the Allumwell show (see earlier posts), I expect this model will be moved to the 'back-burner' for the next couple of days.

Tony

The Regimental Spoon

There are times when searching for a suitable 'hook' to build a gaming scenario or background story upon is a hard and thankless business, while on others it just falls into place.  On a recent visit to W H Smiths (a newsagent and book store chain in the UK) I came across this Commando War Comic - The Regimental Spoon (issue 4579 from February 2013) which just cried out to be re-worked into a Foul Mouth Freddy or Flintloque themed story and scenario.  For full details of the issue go to this link where it is possible to preview the story, just 'click' on the preview issue button.

"A soldiers lucky charm! A Regimental Spoon, someone has the same warped imagination as me!"

Commando War comics have many story threads that just 'cry out' to be re-worked as gaming scenarios and in a game system like Flintloque or Slaughterloo the more outlandish the better.  In fact the next time you are struggling for a new gaming scenario, what ever the genre try searching Commando War Comics on Google or e-bay. Operation Hammer, Bailey's Raiders, The Fighting Cowboys, The Lucky Helmet are just a few of the titles that just cry out to be converted to gaming scenarios. There are also such titles as Save the Eagle - a Romano-British based story or Nazi's in Space to get the creative juices flowing or even Gladiator Challenge for the more Sci-Fi orientated.

Remember that Starblazer - the pulp Sci-Fi alternative is also full of great inspiration. So the next time you are looking for a not-so-original gaming scenario, Commando Comics maybe your best friend and offer that illusive thing called fun. In addition they are usually great, reads.

Tony

Update
The Regimental Spoon is not a Napoleonic story. It is a story that has its origins in the Peninsular War, but the story develops from modern Afghanistan, back in time to the Napoleonic War, and then via the India Mutiny, the Zulu Wars, WW1 and WW2. It is actually a story of a family of British soldiers through the ages rather than just about the Napoleonic War.

There are however dedicated Commando Comics that are just based during the Napoleonic War as there are others for the Vikings, Romano Brits and even the American Civil War not to mention Vietnam, Korea and The Gulf Wars.

If I ever win the lottery I would love to see a Foul Mouth Freddy story drawn as a Commando Comic strip.

Tarragin for Flash Gordon

My On-Line Build for March 2013 is another single Flash Gordon themed figure. A Tarragin (a Lizardman or Reptilian armed with a classic or Pulpy raygun) from Steel Crown Productions and part of their Exodus Wars range. For further details go to this link.

Photo One - Shows the miniature, Tarragin with Blaster Pistol and Bone Knife (code number SCP SKU312).

Photo Two - The wrong way around! Shows the miniature still in its blister pack. The Mini was picked up last year as Games Expo, Birmingham and bought for £2.95.

Photo Three - The miniature was mounted onto a 40mm round, lipped plastic base (Privateer Press) with superglue and the base built up with small sections of cork (from a used wine bottle) also glued in place with superglue.

Photo Four - A close up of the cork on the base and showing how I use the small pieces of broken cork.

Photos Five and Six - The base was built-up with Milliput (fine white).

Photo Seven - Another close-up, this time showing the base ready to have some fine sand sprinkled on. I have had to do some remedial sculpting to both feet, to make them appear to be walking over the rocky base rather than buried in the base. The miniature stands just over 40mm tall.

The main reason for choosing another Flash Gordon figure is that I had it sitting on my desk!

More to follow.

Tony