A Sad Realization

Sitting here at work during my lunchtime, reading The Western Desert Campaign 1940 -41 by Glenn Wahlert (courtesy of the Army War College...thank you, Inter-Library Loan!), I came to a sad realization: My great miniatures/war gaming projects will have to be measured out in weeks instead of days, months instead of weeks, and years instead of months. :( So many things I want to do, so little time.

Now, I was warned about this. The grizzled (and gnarled) war gaming vets who are my friends pulled no punches when it came to these matters. But today it finally sunk in. It might be time to apply some project management to my hobby. :)

On the brighter side, this weekend was a banner one for war gaming and hobbying. I participated in a very fun WWI in the Middle East game and manged to finish putting spackle/pumice/gunk on the bases of my WW2 U.S. infantry!

Adventures in Basing (or Fenders and Files)

As somewhat expected my progress on my dogfaces has slowed a bit AND I haven't been keeping up with the blog :( However,  a gentle reminder from a friend has brought me back to the blog with an update...of sorts.

The past month has been a little hectic - new job, sick for a week, etc. But during that time I made a hobby purchase that filled me with joy: I bought a box of Fender washers. OK, OK, you might be old hands at wargaming and the thought of Fender washers probably doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. However, I'm still new to the hobby and let me tell you I was SO excited to get those washers! I felt like I was in the big leagues! I'm basing figures with the big boys! :)

Before I based, I knew I had to file down the bases on the figures. This was the start of The Great File Search of 2010. I knew I had a large metal file- but where was it? Between work, night time with the fam, and searching the nooks and crannies it took me a good 4 or 5 days to finally find the file. It was basically right in front of me :(

The next step was getting figures on the Fenders. I did my research and decided upon hot glue. I'm happy to report there were no burnt fingers...but it turns out I used a low temperature glue that didn't really work. My GI's were on the base, but one fumbled pick up and they would have been dislodged. So, time to call up the big guns and use bona fide glue.

I've started to put spackle/pumice/whatever it's called onto the Fender bases to build up the base. Things are moving slowly but moving!

At least I'm on my second reading of the new General de Brigade rules! ;)

Paper or Plastic? Or Resin?

Unfortunately no new painting update - last week was hectic at work and I still haven't found a good two hours at night to do some painting. However, it will happen!

Right now I am mulling over exactly which route I should go for WWII terrain. Should I go the scratchbuilt route, cutting and putting together foamcore? Or should I just go the plastic/resin route? I know that I, technically, can do both, but I'm a little anal about uniformity (as well as my ability!) and I'm concerned that combining the two might not look that great.

I'm tempted to plunk down some dough on this from Model Train Software. I saw a nice use of this over on the Lead Adventure forum. My biggest concern is how quickly I would go through colored printer ink!

The debate continues.....

Some progress...

Well I was able to paint at work today (during my lunch hour - I only wish I could get away with painting all day at work!)

Today I was able to do almost all of the helmets on my WWII US Infantry from Crusader. Yesterday (I was able to paint yesterday as well - but only for a half hour) I prepped their eyes. Right now with their eye sockets painted black they look like a bunch of soul-less beings! Hmmmm...I really do want to do some Pulp/Weird War II :) But not with these dog faces!

It is a bit frustrating that in one hour I was only able to do most of the helmets - geesh! I must be really slow!

Too many hobby interests, too little time: The Project Wish List

Here's where the "rubber meets the road" - pinning down what I am going to work on! The first project I'm going to tackle is getting my 28mm Crusader WWII US Infantry painted up, based and ready for action. I have roughly two platoons worth with three support weapons (2 .30cals and a 60mm mortar).

Given time and talent constraints I only ever hope for tabletop worthy mini painting. I'd like to use these figs for some  Disposable Heroes/Coffin for Seven Brothers (DH/C7B) gaming at my club. I hope to post pics of them soon (maybe some WIP and finished product).

So what else is in store? In no particular order:

• Terrain for DH/C7B  - I'm hoping to make some "generic" Western European (read: France) houses, roads (dirt and tarmac), some basic "built up area/village" base areas, hedges, bocage, hills and so on.
• Painting up at least 3 battalions of 28mm Napoleonic French ligne infantry
• Painting up my Brigade Games PacWar US Marines and Japanese infantry
• Developing and producing some easily transportable terrain boards for use at my gaming club
• Researching the Kingdom of Italy and painting up some Italian line infantry  for Napoleonics (gotta love the Italians of any era...but I'm biased. Viva L'Italia!)
• Paint up some WWI US Infantry

Easy enough, right? :)

Humble Beginnings

After having been out of both painting miniatures and historical war gaming for almost 2 years I've decided to get back into the hobby. I've started this blog to motivate me to both paint and game. It will also nicely serve as a chronicle of my "accomplishments". :)