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Friday, July 28, 2017

Late War German Infantry Painting Guide

Here is a painting guide for Late War German infantry that worked for me.  The figures are from Artizan Designs and the paints are Vallejo colors unless noted:


I prime with a spray can of Flat black and then do the Flesh with Ratskin Flesh (Games Workshop) Flesh wash and then highlights with Dark Flesh.


The uniform pants are done with German Field Grey.


The base for the Smock is German Camo Beige.  I then do irregular stripes with German Medium Brown followed by Flective Green.




Helmet: German Grey
Webbing: Black
Boots: Flat Black or Flat Brown
Gaiters: Khaki or German Camo Beige


Rifle: Flat Brown and Gun Metal
Canteen: Flat Earth and Gun Metal for the Canteen Cup.
Bread bag: Green Ochre
Ammunition Pouches: Green Ochre or Green Grey
Gas Mask Cannister: Catachen Green (Games Workshop) or Dark Green

 

The figures were based on Litko round 25mm bases and then I use hobby sand for the texture. I apply the sand with watered down white glue and once dry, I put on a coat of watered down white glue to protect the sand.  Paint and dry brush the sand with various browns and then finish with static grass from Gale Force 9.




Saturday, July 22, 2017

The Nightengale Expedition

The Nightengale Expedition of 1896 has not been officially organized yet for In Her Majesty's Name, but as I am planning it did give me an excuse to take some pictures of some of my favorite miniatures.



Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Battlefield in a Box: Desert Buildings

Wow.  I should have starting using these a long time ago.  Simply superb and adaptable for multiple periods in the 15mm world.

Items from the Desert Walls, Medium house, and Small houses box sets. 

First up is the Desert Wall box which comes with 4 tall wall sections, a tall gate, 4 low wall sections and a well.



All of the boxed sets were very well packaged with plenty of bubble wrap.

Contents of the boxed set.

Closeup of the high gate with a Bren carrier and Valentine tank for scale.



 The small Desert Houses box comes with one "long" small house and one square small house.

 The removable roofs are a nice touch to allow the placement of troops inside.

Australian infantry occupy the roof of the long house.


Here is the Medium Desert house.  My only complaint is the box on the roof which makes it difficult to put two stands of infantry on the top of the roof but two fit nicely inside.


 The three boxed sets, which are reasonably priced (I found a great deal on eBay) really spice up the battlefield and provide cover and key terrain to fight over.

 The jewel of the Desert Walls set is the well.

Bren carriers navigating between the walls of the village.


Monday, July 17, 2017

Romano-British Army and Arthur Dux Bellorum

 Arthur, Dux Bellorum of Britain leads the elite of Britain against the Saxon invaders.

My Romano-British army composed primarily of Wargames Foundry figures with some Old Glory miniatures is finished and battle tested.  They are mounted for Dux Bellorum on 120mm wide bases.  In Dux Bellorum game terms I organized the army as my own interpretation of King Arthur:
1 Mounted Companions: 5 points
3 Noble Riders: 15 points
2 Ordinary Shieldwall: 6 points
1 Mounted Skirmishers: 2 points

Of course I utilize the Experience Warlord and Imposing Horsemen option!


The assembled War host.

Shieldwall infantry #1.
Shield Wall infantry #2.

Arthur is the middle figure from Wargames Foundry flanked by Old Glory miniatures. Since he was also known as the "Bear" I added an extra flag to go along with the traditional Pendragon standard.
Okay . . . I'm showing off the dragon painted on the shield.
Another view of the mounted force.
One of the most useful units are my mounted skirmishers for making Saxon Warbands charge when they don't want to. I have also discovered that dismounted skirmishers with javelins are very useful.

I love the priest from Wargames Foundry.

One last look at the "overlooked" infantry of Arthur's army.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Captain John Good

 Captain John Good


A "short, stout, and dark" man Captain John Good is one of the heroes of King Solomon's Mines as narrated by Allan Quatermain.  Quatermain rightly suspects him of being a naval man upon first seeing him.  Good desires to help his friend, Sir Henry Curtis, find his brother, but he also seeks the riches of King Solomon's Mines.

Quatermain mocks Good's fastidiousness about his personal appearance. In one case, Quatermain attributes Good's near death by elephant to Good's refusal to dress appropriately for the African wild. Good's overweening pride in his appearance is dealt a blow when the Kukuanas first see him without his trousers, which necessitates a long journey without pants so that he might not cover up his "beautiful white legs."


 Quatermain and Good

The Kukuanas

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Quatermain Company for In Her Majesty's Name

I decided to repaint the figure I am using as Allan Quatermain and in celebration I put together some shots of the adventuring company I'm putting together that he will be leading.

 The Company so far.

Quatermain and Umslopogaas.

 Quatermain's war poodle near the porters.

 Hans.

 Quatermain's faithful dog (war poodle).
 



Sunday, July 9, 2017

Inspector Stanley Hopkins of Scotland Yard

Inspector Stanley Hopkins is a Scotland Yard detective and a student of Holmes's deductive methods, who attempts to apply them in his own investigations. A promising detective, in whose career Holmes had several times shown a very practical interest. He is the youngest inspector in the Yard and often is assigned what appear to be mundane and investigations that may be the figment of other's imagination.

 Inspector Stanley Hopkins

Nothing could be further from the truth.  Though inexperienced as an inspector, his mentoring by Sherlock Holmes and his unmatched bravery for Queen and Country have made him a rising star; however, others would like to see him fail.  He has recently be reassigned on "extended" service in the small parish of North Piddle in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire, England.

 Sergeant Ridgewell Hawkes of the North Piddle Constabulary with Inspector Hopkins

Here are the statistics for In Her Majesty's Name:

Name: Inspector Stanley Hopkins
Pluck: 3+
Leadership: +2
Speed: +0
Fighting Value: +2
Shooting Value: +3
Talents: Fearless, Impervious, Meticulous Planning
Basic Equipment: Pistol
Armor: Brigandine
Cost: 61

" Not exactly what I was expecting during a normal robbery investigation."

Thursday, July 6, 2017

My Afrika Korps miniatures featured in A Wargamers Guide to The Desert War 1940 - 1943

I'm honored to have some of my Afrika Korps miniatures featured in Daniel Mersey's latest book A Wargamers's Guide to The Desert War 1940-1943 available on Amazon and at other fine retailers.


It's humbling to see miniatures you have painted in the same company with Michael Perry of Perry Miniatures, Wargames Illustrated and Big Lee himself!  (If you have not seen Big Lee's Miniature Adventures, you are in for a treat!)

Afrika Korps 88mm Gun featured in the book

If you want to see the other photos, you have to buy Dan's book!  Here is the summary: Continuing this exciting new series of guides for wargamers, Dan Mersey gives a wargamer's perspective on the North African campaign of World War II. Dan gives an overview of events from the opening British successes against the Italians, to the famous duels between Monty and the Rommel (the Desert Fox), right up to the US-led invasion of Operation Torch and the eventual defeat of the Afrika Korps, and offers advice on how to recreate these on the gaming table. Daniel 


Mersey discusses factors to consider when choosing an appropriate set of commercially available rules, or devising your own, to best suit the scale and style of battle you want and to capture the flavor of the period. The relevant ranges of figures and vehicle models are also reviewed. Analysis of the forces involved, organization, tactics and strategies will help with building your armies and there are interesting scenarios included. Whether this is a new period for you, or you are looking to refresh your existing interest in the period, this handy guide is sure to hold much if interest for you.