Verlinden 120mm General Bonaparte

Ended up finishing up this figure as my 3D print Landsknecht artillery crew is in USPS limbo. The USPS tracker shows they arrived at Seattle last Saturday, and were supposed to be delivered on Tuesday. As of today, it still shows them as "In Transit to Next Facility, Arriving Late" since last Tuesday with no new update. I'll give it another few days, and if it is still MIA, I'll see if the seller can either refund me or request a tracer on it. Maybe I'm not supposed to get these figures, as these were originally ordered from an Etsy seller in Poland almost 2 months ago, but after a long wait, the seller said he couldn't send it due to increase mailing fees. He refunded me, and I was able to find a seller in the US (Florida), which was quickely printed and mailed to me - but as stated above is now in the USPS universe.

Anyway, on to the this particular figure. A nice sculpt of Napoleon in his early career as a general during the Republic. The figure beside him is a Brigade Games 28mm figure with him in similar uniform during the Egyptian Campaign.

I think his jawline is a bit too broad and overall a bit too well-fed, as he is described during his younger years a looking gaunt and emaciated.

In any case, I'm still planning on hosting a Pike & Shotte Italian Wars game, with or without artillery crew, in the near future. Our bathroom rebuild/remodel is just about complete. Just waiting on new shower glass and some trim to touch up. The wife was finally able to use her bathroom sinks and bathtub for the first in about 5 months. Thanks for check the blog, and hope you all are doing well.

Verlinden 120mm Napoleonic Figures

Added the scabbard and sabretache straps to the Chasseur and Hussar. I made the round wooden bases at the post woodshop when I was stationed in Korea many years ago. I used scrap wood, so it was quite a bargain. :)

I used paper for the straps and glued the ends to the resin buckle attachments. The kits come with thin lead to use for the straps, but paper is easier to use.

The Hussar's sabretache is sculpted with the regiments design.

Here's the collection of 120mm Napoleonics to date. All are Verlinden figures except for the 4th Swiss officer with colors - can't recall who the maker was, but he fits in well with the others. A 28mm and 54mm figure for size/scale reference.

I still have the General Bonaparte figure to work on, but should be getting the Landsknecht artillery guys in the mail tomorrow, and might start on them instead. Thanks for stopping in, and wishing you all the best.

3D Print 1/16th Scale Achaean Warrior in Dendra Armor with Tower Shield

Here's the completed figure. I'm very pleased with this resin kit - minimal parts and very well-detailed throughout..

The interior of the shield is particularly well done - wicker work with support cross bars and sling.

EDIT: I've since rebased the figure on one with a smaller footprint; an oval one with the same width at the center. It's also a bit taller, so I used a thinner piece of foam over it.

I used the sponge method some folks use for AFV camo, but this was my first time trying it. Came out okay - I think better than using a brush which would've made the edges of the patches look too clean.

The detail of this sculpt is quite impressive - the leather edges of the armor have stitcing, and also securing staples. A lot of these details are the result from decades of academic research of the actual armor - which was discovered in a tomb in the 1960. The armor is dated to the 15th Century BC., and a couple of centuries before the Trojan War.

Below, he's next to a couple of 28mm Redoubt figures in the same type of armor. 

And on another note, FedEx just delivered my copy of "Death and The Landsknecht" - as well as the free figure of Richard de la Pole and few other things I added to the order to get the free shipping. 

Taking a cursory look at the contents of the supplement, it looks very nice indeed. Thanks again for visiting the blog, and hope you're all have a great summer.

Airfix 1/12th Yeoman of the Guard

While waiting on some 3D printed "Gendarmes" and cannon, figured I'd paint up this old Airfix kit that was picked up off of ebay a few years ago. This kit was originally released in 1959, and molded in plastic with just a few parts, with the expected need to fill seam gaps. This particular kit is a re-release from the 70's. He was block painted - trying to stay within the lines of the embroidery, and then given the usual brush on stain of Minwax. I only hightlighted a few areas, like his face. He's big enough to use natural lighting for shading, etc.

He joins the other Airfix 1/12th kits in the collection.

Someday this Henry VIII kit will get painted too. I used to have the Charles I kit, but either misplaced it or threw it away by mistake.

Well, so much for now. Thanks again for stopping by, and hope you all are doing well.

Verlindend 120mm Resin Leib Hussar

Added the plastic parts from the 1/16th ICM kit. The sabre blade is a bit flimsy, but good enough for a quick fix.

Painted the sabretache as plain black leather which appears to be common on campaign - and saved me some trouble to boot.

Glad to have finally completed this figure after so many years being "short-handed."

120mm Verlinden Resin Mid-14th C. German and Hungarian Knights

Finished up the two 120mm resin knights. The guy lifting his visor is supposed to be a Hungarian knight with the coat of arms based upon those of the House of Anjou in Hungary. The other one is supposed to be the German knight Otto von Orlamunde. Not sure of his coat of arms, so painted his shield in a gyronny cross, common to the period and area.

Used the cast bases that came with the kits. Retaining chains for weapons, shields, and great helms were common to the German and Hungarian knights of the period (14th C.).

I painted a modified version of the German knight years ago. I gave that one splinted and riveted forearms and also brigandinethigh armor.

Well, enough for now - I have an old army buddy visiting me this weekend. He's a former SF Medic and sniper, and also a recently retired surgeon. We knew each when we were roomates back at Fort Ord in the early 1980's. He taught me how to play guitar and we saw the Clash, Who, and Ramones together back then. He also writes science fiction stuff on the side - he has a series of books out on Amazon. I think it's based upon a Green Beret who somehow gets transported to another dimension - here's a link to the site in case anyone is  interested:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08YC2Y6MV  He gave me one of this books, Tier 1000, but haven't read it yet. I'm not really into scifi. Anyway, plan to host a few games once his visit is over - namely a Gempei War game using Tribal, and also a Siege of Ulsan game with the Imjin War figures. Not sure of the rules for the siege game, but might come up with some kind of home brew rules. Until then, thanks again for dropping by and wishing you all the best.

McFarlane Black Templar Space Marine - Abhor the Witch.

Sticking with the black armor with bluish-white highlighting like the earlier Order of Our Martyred Lady Sister of Battle, did up this Black Templar.

The edging does look a little too strong - and not the most realistic highlighting; probably should've lightened it up a bit.

The purity seal is another separate piece from ebay. It actually came as a freebie with a weapon order.

A fairly simple paint job, with the Maltese crosses on the pauldrons and helmet being the standouts.

This is likely the last Space Marine in this type of armor I'll paint up. However, I do have several pre-ordered figures in Phobos armor that are supposed to be released in December. I also ordered a couple of of Sisters of Battle Combat Patrol sets - couldn't pass up the discounted price on ebay and Amazon. Plan to paint them up in black armor too.

I'm running out of shelf space for these big figures, but they're kind of fun to paint up. Anyway, thanks again for stopping by and checking out the blog. Oh, and I am playtesting a Black Powder Austrian vs. Bavarian Napoleonic game my buddy James is hosting this Friday. Will post pictures when done. Until next time, best wishes to you all!

Another McFarlane Sister of Battle - Order of the Sacred Rose

 Another McFarlane "action figure" that was given a detailing treatment, and a resin head.

The little stand that comes the figures is usually not needed for the bigger footed Space Marines, but the Sister figures are bit more dainty toed.

She may look like one, her name isn't Karen.

I saw blue used as shadowing for white on some GW 'eavy metal painted figures, so gave it a try.

I was initially going to paint this one up as an Argent Shroud Sister in silver, but thought the white was a nicer contrast to the silver edging and gold icons.

Well, thanks again for checking out the blog, and best wishes to you all.

McFarlane Sister of Battle - Order of Our Martyred Lady

Here's another articulated McFarlane "action" figure; this time an Adepta Sororitas Sister of Battle. I added details over the basic pre-paint job.

Not very up on Sisters of Battle, but I think this one is belongs to the Order of Our Martyred Lady - which I ran twenty reds light in her honor. 

The figure comes apart for painting, but a little different than the Space Marine figures - which is no surprise as they aren't in power armor.

Added a 3D resin head I picked up from a separately ebay vendor.

Next to a 28mm Chaplain and the previously painted McFarlane Salamander.

Another size comparison with the two McFarlane figures. For the record, I pre-ordered their soon to be released Reiver Space Marine figures wearing Phobos armor. Yeah, I know I'm kind of making technical references way above my pay grade.

Anyway, just a quick update to blog to keep it moving along. Appreciate your stopping by and wishing you all the best in health and hobby pursuits!

McFarlane Blood Angels Lieutenant

I basically just added highlights and details to this pre-painted figure. Went over the red with a stain and added the usual GW-style highlighted edges on the armor. Also gave the gold areas a wash and then highlights. .

The power sword is the only thing that required any actual painting - my second attempt at a power sword. Not completely happy with it (nor the earlier one on the Imperial Fist guy); still trying to figure out the process. I don't think painting these by brush can looks as good as airbrushed ones.

I do like the overall look of the figure with all the extra "bling" for the Lieutenant. The lore has these guys ever-ready to take over if the CO goes berserk with rage. I am getting a kick out of learning 40K lore.

On the gaming scene, I did get in a refresher Bolt Action Franco-Prussian War game yesterday thanks to a couple of buddies. One of whom returned from Afghanistan as a contractor back in May on leave, and was told not to come back. Finally, thoughts and prayers to the real Marines, Army Paratrooper and Navy Corpsman who we recently lost over there. Until next time, best wishes to you all and thanks for stopping by.

McFarlane Space Marine - White Scars

Yet another 7" McFarlane Space Marine - this one painted up as a White Scars. I managed to pick up a few of these from the local Target store. In fact, the Power Chainsaw and Bolt Gun are from an Adeptus Sororitas (Sisters of Battle) box, also from McFarlane.

I should add that I never heard of the Sisters of Battle until seeing them by McFarlane. Besides enjoying painting up these large scale Space Marines, I've been learning about the different chapters and their lore. The White Scars lore is loosely based upon the historical Mongols - very funny stuff!

The armor was sprayed with Krylon Satin Ivory as I didn't want it too white as a base coat. The edges of the pauldrons and highlights are painted with Vallejo Game Color Artic White - noticeable brighter than the ivory color.

A hairdryer was used to curve the Chainsaw to reflect their "Mongolian" heritage. The addition of Yak hair would really enhance the look too.

The "heraldry" was painted freehand; as most of these are geometric shapes, they weren't too difficult. I sketched the basic patterns with a pencil directly onto the figure.

On the gaming front - a refresher Bolt Action Franco Prussian game is scheduled for this Friday. Next weekend will see this game hosted at Enfilade on Saturday night. As for convention attendance, it's already projected to be much lower than previous years. The Canadian border is closed to recreational travel, so our British Columbian brethren will not be able to make it. A lot of others have cancelled due to the recent rise in cases from the "variant." Our state has gone to mandatory indoor mask wearing as of yesterday. It'll be interesting GMing while wearing a mask, but with a lighter attendance, should be manageable. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best.