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!

Pulp Interlude: A bug-eyed Monster

"For Heaven's sake Rachel! I told you to dress for the weather!"

 I grew up reading Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert Howard, H. Rider Haggard, Rudyard Kipling, Maxwell Grant and too many other pulp and adventure authors to count. Some of my most enjoyable games and campaigns involve elements of Pulp and Victorian Adventure. Some of my favorite rules for the genre are Astounding Tales, In Her Majesty's Name, Pulp! and Pulp Alley.

A mainstay and inexpensive resource for many figures of my figures is the Bones Range from Reaper Miniatures which are made with injected thermal plastic. I also think that this may be the first figure that I painted completely with Citadel Contrast paints. After looking at the pictures I am going to go back and lighten the rocks.

The Ankheg(?) from Reapers Miniatures (BWAH HAH HAH!)

"Spit out that Scotch you wee bastard!" Converted French and Indian War/Seven Years War highlander from Warlord Games.

A 28mm stalwart hero from Pulp Figures defends his lost love (also from Pulp Figures).

"Join the Army and see the Empire they said." A converted figure from Perry Miniatures with a GW Space Marine rocket launcher.

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 2025 Plan: 3rd 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. 

It's been another interesting, but satisfying year. Well . . . I had foot surgery that I knew was eventually coming from my distinguished (HAH!) career as an Infantry officer. Who knew that during a recovery that I would watch a moving about a bunch of singers in one family that would launch me on a project that is almost exclusively dominating my hobby activities! I haven't been this excited since I did my Pashtun project for the North West Frontier - and like all great projects it will never be complete.

Speaking of projects . . . 

"Growth", February 13, 2025.

I took up Watercolors 3 1/2 years ago (good retired foogie stuff) and for the second year in a row I took 1st Place in Watercolors at the regional Veterans Creative Arts Competition. The added bonus was also receiving "Best in Show" this year. Now I'm just waiting to see if I'll be moving on to Nationals later this year - I just missed the cut last year. Okay let's get back to my favorite subject: Toy Soldiers.

With the abbreviated plan (foot surgery) I am quite pleased with the results so far:

1. Take some pictures of my newly painted 28mm Ghurkas for the Northwest Frontier from Perry Miniatures and post them. I love the rules The Men Who Would be Kings as I am definitely a Hollywood kind of gamer when it comes to Colonial Gaming. 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 by Bob Murch (contact Bob Murch by email if you are in the states for updated pricing information with the new tariffs) for an exciting, adventure filled post! DONE! Note: I'm thinking of some new figures for next year to send this crew of intrepid heroes on a fun filled pulp adventure.

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

The Ogre Mark III.

Heavy Artillery.

Infantry in powered armor.

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. The Sikh unit from Perry Miniatures is complete with a bonus that it can also deploy for my new project. 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). The British mountain gun is on the back burner for now but when I get to it, it won't take long to do.

If there's a piper, I'll paint it. The unit is also 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. Another project on the backburner. I did start the bases for the Baden battalions and just need to add some static grass. I really want to do a big battle Napoleonic battle in the Peninsular by the end of the year.

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! This has really slid - but SHHHHHHH! Sam made have found a clue and the next chapter could happen before the end of the year.

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. Figure is from Copplestone Castings Russian Naval Command from the Back of Beyond Range.

It's been a while since I have been so excited about a new project and especially with figures (Imperial Japanese and Imperial (Qing Dynasty) Chinese. 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.

The Austrian-Hungarian Naval Ground Contingent.

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). Now the majority of the painting will shift to the Chinese forces, both Boxers and Imperial Chinese Army. My latest purchases are the new Kansu Braves from Crusader Miniatures and some Chinese banners.

The first infantry unit for the Tenacious Army of the Imperial Chinese Army. Figures from Wargames Foundry and banners from Crusader miniatures.

Captain General Nieh Shih-ch'eng of the Tenacious Army  Shih-ch'eng of the Tenacious Army. Figures by Wargames Foundry, banner from Crusader Miniatures and gong by Pulp Figures.

The first infantry unit for the Tenacious Army of the Imperial Chinese Army. Figures from Wargames Foundry and banners from Crusader miniatures.

Chinese Krupp mountain gun Model 1895. Figures from Wargames Foundry and gun from Askari Miniatures.

Next up and the unit I am currently working on will be the Kansu Braves from 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. No longer a goal this year.

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.