The 2025 Plan: 2nd Quarter Update

Each year I make a plan for my (primarily) miniature painting activities. The year 2023 was the year of "The Big Move" and my plan for 2024, well, fizzled. Not that I'm complaining. Hey, when 4 grandchildren arrive in less than 2 years it's time to celebrate! I'll pause on my hobby activities to spend time with those bundles of joy. I now consider myself a professional grandfather.

With an abbreviated plan I got off to a great start in the 1st Quarter:

1. Take some pictures of my newly painted 28mm Ghurkas for the Northwest Frontier from Perry Miniatures and post them. DONE! 

The 1st Battalion, 3rd Ghurka Rifles are ready to leave the depot. Figures by Perry Miniatures.

In addition, I need to take some pictures of "Team Chase" (okay, it's Jonny Quest) from Pulp Miniatures for an exciting, adventure filled post! DONE!

2. Finish painting the Ogre miniatures for Honorable Son #4 (The Flying Engineer). DONE!

3. Paint a Sikh unit and British mountain gun for the Northwest Frontier. If I have more time also a British Infantry unit and another group of Pashtun tribesmen. Not yet but still coming. I now have an incentive for painting a generic Sikh unit for the Northwest Frontier. Not only will it see duty on the Northwest Frontier but will do double duty as the 1st Sikh Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force in China (See Paragraph 6).

Test figure for my generic Sikh unit. If there's a piper, I'll paint it. The unit will also be from Perry Miniatures for the game The Men Who Would be Kings.

4. Finish my "German" Division for the French Army for the Peninsular War. I'm currently not on planning any artillery. Not yet but still coming. I currently now have all of the figures/units I want courtesy of WoFun Miniatures. All units have been put together and based - I just need to finish the bases. You can see below how the units will look and how I am doing the bases with the picture of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt). Net up will be the contingent from the Duchy of Baden with future posts with a little history attached.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt), converted Dutch Infantry from WoFun Miniatures.

5. "The Search for Charlie". Okay, it's time to get this campaign started and find out what really happened to Charlie - and Sam is pissed. Coming soon! This has slid a bit to the back burner - though I did purchase some recent, secret terrain for the adventure!

Sam has the Nazi goons right were he wants them.

New Goals:

6. In addition I have decided to paint a new unit of an army I have never done before. Time to pick one out.

Ta Dah. I did exactly that. While recovery from foot surgery (technically I still in the recovery phase - 3 weeks to go!) I watched a historical drama about the Von Trapp Family singers. Yep, the basis for the Sound of Music. I knew that Georg Von Trapp was a naval war hero in the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I, but that was the extent of my knowledge. So with a little research . . . GREAT SCOTT!!! HE FOUGHT IN THE BOXER REBELLION AS A NAVAL CADET IN THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY! New Period.

Cadet Second Class Georg Von Trapp which I accidentally painted as a Koverttenleutnant; but hey, it looks cool. Figure is from Copplestone Castings Russian Naval Command from the Back of Beyond Range.

What's great about doing the Boxer Rebellion is that I basically have all of the forces I need for the 8 Nations Alliance. By adding Austro-Hungarian Sailors and Japanese Infantry, I can give the 8 Nations Alliance the right look for a generic force using the rules The Men Who Would be Kings. Speaking of Japanese Infantry:

Japanese Infantry from Crusader Miniatures.

I'm almost done with my Austro-Hungarian Sailors; most of the British Forces of the Relief Expedition were Indian so the 1st Sikhs, Punjab Frontier Force will join and my already painted Bengal Lancers will be along for the ride. I already have Russian forces so for now the Relief Expedition is done (though I'm sure I'll add more forces for the Legation). The majority of the painting will shift to the Chinese forces, both Boxers and Imperial Chinese Army. I think I might purchase the new Kansu Braves for Crusader Miniatures.

 

7. I'm also going to work on my forces for Xenos Rampant. I have more figures - not sure when I'll get around to them.

I did however painted a Strike Force Commander and another figure for my Mobile Infantry that looks remarkably like a Space Marine.

"As a Space Marine officer, I prefer not to wear my helmet into combat. Heads up displays, thermal imagery, communication nets, real time location and the status of my Marines - plus the protection it provides are for sissies. Plus I can see my chain sword better without it.

I painted this guy too: 

8. Why not; time to do some more armies for One Hour Wargames.

We also got a game in against Mr. Babbage on the Northwest Frontier!

Now that I can sit and paint again, the production line should start speeding up.

That's the big (abbreviated) painting/hobby plan and so far so good! There will be games, more Warhammer 40K Fire Team (yes they sucked me in), some French and Indian War action, Pulp fun and of course a return to the Northwest Frontier. 

The 2025 Plan: 1st Quarter Update

Each year I make a plan for my (primarily) miniature painting activities. The year 2023 was the year of "The Big Move" and my plan for 2024, well, fizzled. Not that I'm complaining. Hey, when 4 grandchildren arrive in less than 2 years it's time to celebrate! I'll pause on my hobby activities to spend time with those bundles of joy. I now consider myself a professional grandfather.

With an abbreviated plan I got off to a great start in the 1st Quarter:

1. Take some pictures of my newly painted 28mm Ghurkas for the Northwest Frontier from Perry Miniatures and post them. DONE! 

The 1st Battalion, 3rd Ghurka Rifles are ready to leave the depot. Figures by Perry Miniatures.

In addition, I need to take some pictures of "Team Chase" (okay, it's Jonny Quest) from Pulp Miniatures for an exciting, adventure filled post! DONE!

2. Finish painting the Ogre miniatures for Honorable Son #4 (The Flying Engineer). DONE!

3. Paint a Sikh unit and British mountain gun for the Northwest Frontier. If I have more time also a British Infantry unit and another group of Pashtun tribesmen. Not yet but still coming.

Test figure for my generic Sikh unit. If there's a piper, I'll paint it. The unit will also be from Perry Miniatures for the game The Men Who Would be Kings.

4. Finish my "German" Division for the French Army for the Peninsular War. I'm currently not on planning any artillery. Not yet but still coming.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt), converted Dutch Infantry from WoFun Miniatures.

5. "The Search for Charlie". Okay, it's time to get this campaign started and find out what really happened to Charlie - and Sam is pissed. Coming soon!

Sam has the Nazi goons right were he wants them.

New Goals:

6. In addition I have decided to paint a new unit of an army I have never done before. Time to pick one out.

7. I'm also going to work on my forces for Xenos Rampant.

8. Why not; time to do some more armies for One Hour Wargames.

We also got a game in against Mr. Babbage on the Northwest Frontier!

That's the big (abbreviated) painting/hobby plan and so far so good! There will be games, more Warhammer 40K Fire Team (yes they sucked me in), some French and Indian War action, Pulp fun and of course a return to the Northwest Frontier. 

The 2025 Plan (Sorta and Late!)

Me and the "gang" working on the plan.

Each year I make a plan for my (primarily) miniature painting activities. The year 2023 was the year of "The Big Move" and my plan for 2024, well, fizzled. Not that I'm complaining. Hey, when 4 grandchildren arrive in less than 2 years it's time to celebrate! I'll pause on my hobby activities to spend time with those bundles of joy. I now consider myself a professional grandfather.

On with the plan:

1. Take some pictures of my newly painted 28mm Ghurkas for the Northwest Frontier from Perry Miniatures and post them. In addition, I need to take some pictures of "Team Chase" (okay, it's Jonny Quest) from Pulp Miniatures for an exciting, adventure filled post!

The 1st Battalion, 3rd Ghurka Rifles are ready to leave the depot. Figures by Perry Miniatures.

From left to right: Raider (Bandit), Professor Chase (Dr. Benton Quest), Sidhu (Hadji), Mike Mason (Race Bannon), (Jonny Quest)

2. Finish painting the Ogre miniatures for Honorable Son #4 (The Flying Engineer).

3. Paint a Sikh unit and British mountain gun for the Northwest Frontier. If I have more time also a British Infantry unit and another group of Pashtun tribesmen.

Test figure for my generic Sikh unit. If there's a piper, I'll paint it. The unit will also be from Perry Miniatures for the game The Men Who Would be Kings.

4. Finish my "German" Division for the French Army for the Peninsular War. I'm currently not on planning any artillery.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt), converted Dutch Infantry from WoFun Miniatures.

5. "The Search for Charlie". Okay, it's time to get this campaign started and find out what really happened to Charlie - and Sam is pissed.

Sam has the Nazi goons right were he wants them.

That's the big (abbreviated) painting plan. There will be games, more Warhammer 40K Fire Team (yes they sucked me in), some French and Indian War action, Pulp fun and of course a return to the Northwest Frontier. Now to get started!

2024: The Plan

"This is what we will do in 2024."

When I retired from the U. S. Army as an Infantry Officer I was a Joint Operational Planner. Having said that, I have had more success with my hobby by developing a plan over the last few years and 2024 will be no exception. As with all plans, it will be adjusted as the year goes on but I believe I now have the basic framework. On with the plan:

Last known photograph of Charlie.

1. The Search for Charlie. During "Operation Big Move" last year Charlie disappeared. Sam, his partner, suspects foul play. Little does Sam know that his life will change - and possibly his quest will have world shattering effects.

Sam.

     a. Pulp Campaign: Hard boiled detectives, dangerous dames, returning heroes, menacing mechanical monstrosities, Nazis, The Canine Corps of Justice, unnatural science experiments, ancient and mythical beings, and evil geniuses eliminating the competition so they can take over the world! Globetrotting Adventure! What more could you want?

"It's time to eliminate Mr. Sam once and for all. (BWAH HAH HAH!)"

"The return?"

     b. Sam needs a car; he is tired of walking.

     c. Figures need to painted (TOP SECRET).

     d. Scenery and terrain need to be made. (TOP SECRET).

2. The Northwest Frontier Uprising of 1897-1898.

"Death to the Infidels and hopefully he's a slow painter."

The tribes are ready. The Indian army is on the frontier - but they need reinforcements:

    a. One British (Anglo) infantry unit.

    b. One Gurkha unit.

    c. One Sikh infantry unit.

    d. One British (Anglo) mountain gun.

    e. Tribal Cavalry if @#%& Wargames Atlantic ever releases their hard plastic Afghan Tribal Cavalry.

"Colonel Sahib. The Political Officer was right. We will hold and be true to our salt!"

f. Major General Pavel Ivanovich Mishchenko of the Imperial Russian Army wants to know when his Cavalry Brigade will show up for the ongoing Anglo-Russian War.

"When will the Trans-Baikal Cossack Brigade get here?"

3. The German Division in The Peninsular War. I plan on using WoFun Miniatures: Hesse-Darmstadt, Baden, the Dutch, minor German States and maybe some Poles just for fun.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt).

4. One Hour Wargames. Easy to learn and always a tactical challenge. One Hour Wargames is one of my favorite set of rules and I haven't played it in years. I used it to teach a history class for several years but I donated all of the armies I had to the school. I think it's time to play again - the big question is which period. My tired brain will have to ponder.

That's the big painting plan. There will be games, more Warhammer 40K Fire Team (yes they sucked me in), and hopefully some French and Indian War action. Now to get started!