2nd Quarter Update for 2026

Summer! Grandchildren! Travel! Oh . . . and doing some gaming and painting as well! With celebrating 250 years of Independence and freedom I've been focusing on the American War for Independence. So, how are we doing?

1. Phase 3 of the Boxer Rebellion Project for The Men Who Would be Kings. To complete my Chinese Field Force for the Boxer Rebellion I'm going to add two Boxer units of 16 figures each. The Boxers will be from Crusader Miniatures Boxer Rebellion Range. I anticipate doing this in the 3rd Quarter.

Figures from Wargames Foundry.

Kansu Braves from Crusader Miniatures.

2. The American War for Independence in the South. Wow. This was the big progress so far this this year as I jumped into the AWI again using the Epic Revolution figures from Warlord Games. I spent an inordinate amount of time pulling out my old papers and research as I purchased and designed the armies I wanted:

a. Army Commanders:

Continental Army Commander based on MG Greene.

British Army Commander based on Lord Cornwallis.

b. Other Commanders:

LTC James Webster.

Colonel late Brigadier General Daniel Morgan.

c. Units:

1st Maryland Continental Line. How can you do the Southern Campaign without the 1st Maryland?

Light Company, 71st (Frasier's Highlanders) Regiment of Foot.

Continental Artillery.

Webster and the 33rd Foot. Webster wears the uniform of a senior officer with the red facings of the 33rd Regiment.

South Carolina troops muster. This unit can represent either SC Continentals, State Troops or Militia. The mounted figure is the Daniel Morgan resin figure from Warlord Games.

Musketeer Regiment von Bose.

The 2nd Spartan Regiment of Militia.

Hessian Jägers.

In addition I have painted a Royal Artillery gun and crew plus a unit of American Rifles. Once I get some pictures, I will post them. Upcoming for the British will be the 71st (Fraser's Highlanders and the 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers). Next up for the Americans will be a generic Continental Regiment in brown coats and some American Dragoons and Militia Cavalry.

3. Games. Listen up! Yep; played quite a few games! The next game will be on the Northwest Frontier circa 1898 with the Army of the Raj facing a (ahem) Metallic menace:

"When will they ever learn that they are no match for Doctor Fu Manchu!"

4. Terrain. When I started my AWI project I suddenly realized that I did not have any 15mm terrain. Hmmm . . . I have started some buildings and trees that I will post.

One of the pre-painted MDF buildings from Micro Art Studio and the first batch of trees.

On with the Third Quarter!

Favorite Units I painted in 2025

 

Wow. Where to begin?

1. Ogre: Infantry in Power Suits. These were not a challenge to paint but I think they look so cool!

2. Austro-Hungarian Naval Brigade from the SMS Zenta. Who would have thought that the Patriarch of the von Trapp Singers (The Sound of Music) was decorated for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion. Copplestone Miniatures Back of Beyond Russian Naval converted to Austro-Hungarians.

3. Imperial Japanese Infantry, Boxer Rebellion. Imperial Japan had the largest contribution of forces to the 8 Nations Alliance and I am really liking Crusader Miniatures new Boxer Rebellion range. Naval ensign hand painted by me.

4. Imperial Chinese Unit, Boxer Rebellion. You can never go wrong with figures from Wargames Foundry. Banners are from Crusader Miniatures. Flag hand painted by me.

5. Kansu Braves, Boxer Rebellion. Another winner from Crusader Miniatures and banners from Crusader Miniatures.

6. Imperial Chinese Krupp Mountain Gun. I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Figures by Wargames Foundry and gun by Askari Miniatures.

7. Musketeer Regiment Von Bose. I'm returning to an old favorite, personally and professionally (it's hard to take the history out of the military historian after numerous thesis', articles, dissertation, ect.) the American War for Independence. Proving to myself that I could still paint small figures in gaming detail, I'm going to use the Warlord Games Epic Revolution range in 13.5 mm. First up is the Musketeer Regiment Von Bose which famously fought back to back at the Battle of Guildford Courthouse.

Now it's time to get ready for the 2026 plan.

Favorite Figures I painted in 2025

 It's that time of year again for lazy writing . . . I mean showcasing what I have done this year.

Mike Mason aka as Special Agent Roger “Race” T. Bannon: A special agent from Intelligence One assigned to safeguard Jonny 24/7. He is also Jonny and Hadji’s tutor, companion and all around watchdog. He is an expert in judo (are we seeing a pattern?), having a third degree black belt and the ability to defeat notorious experts in various sporting techniques including sumo wrestlers. An expert with weapons he is also an excellent pilot. Rumor has it that there is a mysterious woman in his past . . .

This great figure comes from Pulp Figures and is part of the "Team Chase" pack. At first it looks like a simple figure to paint; but, if you want to replicate one of your childhood heroes, you better get it right!

"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 love Space Marines. This is my new commander of my heavy strike force for the game Xenos Rampant.

Naval Ensign of the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

My big project this year is the Boxer Rebellion. When I found out the von Trapp of the Trapp Family singers had participated and was decorated for bravery during the Boxer Rebellion, I knew I had to have the Austro-Hungarian Navy. And I needed a flag. I am particularly proud of this flag as it is entirely hand painted by yours truly. The figure is a converted Russian Navy guy from Copplestone Casting's Back of Beyond range.

Did I mention I was doing the Boxer Rebellion? For the Chinese forces, I decided to concentrate on the Chinese Imperial Army and this is one of the infantry officers. Figure from Wargames Foundry.

Standard bearer from the same unit and also Wargames Foundry. The banner is from Crusader Miniatures.

The great thing about Chinese armies is that you can never have enough flags! The officer with revolver has an open hand so I added a banner which is also available from Crusader Miniatures. The flags for the Kansu Braves are described as primarily yellow and red.

Shiba Gorō (柴 五郎, June 21, 1860 – December 13, 1945) was the military attaché assigned to the Japanese Legation in Peking. A warrior of exceptional ability. Figure from Crusader Miniatures.

"Growth", February 13, 2025.

I took up Watercolors 3 1/2 years ago (good retired stuff) and each year I participate in several shows; some are judged and others are not. My favorite show is sponsored by the Veterans Administration (United States) and for the second year in a row I was awared 1st Place in Watercolors at the regional Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The added bonus was also receiving "Best in Show". On to Nationals!

The Boxer Rebellion Project, Part 21: Phase 2 Complete

Captain General Nieh Shih-ch'eng of the Tenacious Army 

Huzzah! Phase 2 of the Boxer Rebellion project is complete. Phase 1 was the building of an 8 Nations Field Force for The Men Who Would be Kings based on the General Gaselee's Relief Force and Phase 2 is the Imperial Chinese Army component of the forces that opposed them.

1. Chinese Imperial Infantry Unit.

    Irregular Infantry: 4 points.

    Poor Shots: - 1 point.

    Total: 3 points.

2. Chinese Imperial Infantry Unit.

    Irregular Infantry: 4 points.

    Poor Shots: - 1 point.

    Total: 3 points.

3. Chinese Imperial Infantry Unit: The Kansu Braves. How can you not have a Chinese army without the Kansu Braves!

    Irregular Infantry: 4 points.

    Poor Shots: - 1 point.

    Veteran: +1 point.

4. Imperial Chinese Artillery.

    Well drilled: 6 points.

    Total: 6 points.

5. Phase 3 will be two units of Boxers of 16 figures each. They will either be metal Boxers from Crusader Miniatures or hard plastic from Wargames Atlantic:

Chinese Boxers x 2.

    Tribal Infantry: 3 points.

    Fierce: 1 point.

    Total: 8 points.

Total Force: 24 points.

I'm not exactly sure when I will start Phase 3 as I promised myself I would finish what I have started with Leval's German Division for the Peninsular War and the planning of a return to an old favorite but in a new scale for me. I'm sure I'll start the Boxer's no later than the beginning of the new year.

Confederation of the Rhine Battalion Number 3 (Frankfurt). Figures from WoFun Games converted by me.

Commander of the 3rd (German) Division: General Jean François, Baron Leval.

On to the Iberian Peninsula!