I often set out plans for the coming year and invariably they dont come to anything. So, in the spirit of repeating the errors of the past and hoping for a different oucome, here are my plans for the coming year!
1. I'll make a record of every game I play during the year.
2. I'm going to document every figure I paint.
3. I'm going to try and make at least 5 trips down to Weymouth.
4. I'm going to finish my Samurai armies.
5. Also on the painting table will be Italians for North Africa, late war French for Squarebashing and Anzacs for Squarebashing,
a few AWI bits, mainly Hessians, and UC Cavalry and Indians for Western.
6. Contribute to the Mill
I'll try and report on this thread throgh the year. But dont expect much after January when I inevitably run out of steam!
Game total = played 2 umpired 1
Painted = 65 infantry 2 vehicles
Sean,
All very worthy aims, but also relatively achievable?
One thing on the Italians - if you're careful about certain colours, you can also use them for Spanish Civil War CTV?
From memory, it's largely a matter of green rather than yellow helmets for those heading for Spain? The former are also OK for North Africa, but I've gone for yellow for those not needed in Spain. I've also used a mix of yellow and green trousers and tunics, to make things a lot more interesting.
I hope that makes some kind of sense?
Simon
I don't make plans with wargaming. I find spontaneous keeps me active. I started painting a medieval army last month and it has stalled, so it will go away while I paint something else. Currently some AK47 extras and the rest of my PBI Japanese so that I can field them as raw.
I'd like to paint Samurai and PBI French Foreign Legion in 2025. Not sure what else at present. I'll see how the mood takes me.
It will be good to see you down south again though Sean.
John
All I can hope for is to complete and play with the following this year:
1. 18mm 2D War of Spanish Succession.
2. 15mm ACW big base boys.
3. 6mm FPW/APW
4. 28mm FPW
3. 28mm Arthurian Britain.
Any more than that would be wishful thinking, but at least all this lot are already underway, so it is not too daunting.
Here are my short term plans:
A. Build and paint the 3 Shermans and 2 Panther that came in the Achtung Panzer starter set my family bought me for Christmas.
B. Paint the PP shanty buildings and resin Toyota pickup wrecks I bought my self for Christmas.
C. Write a contribution to the 15 Mill.
D. Paint some additions to my existing collection for AK47 Republic Peoples Edition. (This could be combined with C above.)
As I didn't achieve anything off last years list don't hold your breath.
Best wishes,
Martin from a villagre near Grimsby
I'll be looking to complete my Rus (almost there)
Paint a couple more units of foot and mounted ECW
Paint some WoTR figures - maybe four units
Paint Spanish and Moorish Medievals
That should be plenty but I am sure life will probably get in the way and plans will change.
My short-term focus is on building a Longships Saxon army in time for the Society of Ancients day that will focus on the Battle of Maldon.
I then have a lot of finishing off of half-finished projects to complete:
- a White Star force for Vietnam
- adding to my SCW Italian force to be able to field a PBI North African Company
- adding more SMGs and LMGs to my Late War WW2 German forces.
After which (sometime in 2027?) I can attack the lead mountain for something new.
Simon
Well AK 47 is on my first to do list.
I want to finish off my A/cars for PBI day 25th January.
I ve got my SB Early British to do, especially as I bought the figures just before WWW.
I really need to get my DAK force actually painted rather in the Ferro Rouche trays primed and ready ?
Then I can actually field both sides of a PBI game !
Also start painting up and possibly basing my lorries I have for the AK 47 "big game" that I know Martin wants to run a bit later in the year ?
Miles
Oh yes - I need to do a few more AK47 bits and pieces for the new rules too...
Plus some space figures for TCR, when these come out - should be easy to paint?
Simon
For me its:
1. to get my 1:200 WW2 aircraft done.
2. To get more gaming in this year than the one just ending.
3. Paint 2 armies (period/nationality as yet unknown)
4. Finally get rid of the bits and bobs I have been promising myself I will sell on EBAY.
Derek
Ah yes...selling some unused bits. Basically anything not 15mm!
I'm like John W,
The first casualty of 2025 will undoubtedly be my best laid plans...
Having failed to unearth my Jersey WoTR figs from under my leadpile for a New Year's project, I happened across a past stalled one in 'the larger scale' - 150 plastic EM4 Dwarves in just 3 poses. The plan is to convert them into a viable army with multiple poses using just my extensive bits/parts stash and a fair amount of green stuff - different helmets, beard styles etc.
My mojo has somewhat eluded me of late in the wee scale and my figures are too numb with the winter cold to tackle 15s atm...
Neil
New one to add to my list bow:
Bought a 3d Printer pen as the xmas shop was selling at half price. So new entry to my list
figure out how to use it. LOL (or more likely give up in disgust and add it to the pile of other half baked ideas I have had about another way of making "stuff")
Derek
I bought a 3d printer last month mainly for scenery pieces. I'm not overly thrilled with it at the moment :(
3D printing is definitely a bridge too far for me.
watched some vids by a guy that knew what he was doing this time.
I am thinking about stuff like rows of sandbags and suchlike. The 3d printer pen isn't much more than a hot glue-gun with a fine nozzles and better control but this guy seemed to make so much more of it. Its all practice I think. That and having the idea of what you want to make.
Derek
I've had a rather sedate New Years Day, re-painting the bases of my Mexico figures. I'd forgotten just how much I'd got. But I do like it when all of the bases in my armies look the same.
It's a fools errand to be honest. I've been doing this across several collections. It bothers nobody but me. And it takes away painting time. But there's no denying the overall look of each army is vastly improved.
In the main the issue has been my use of the 'ready base' mixtures of flock sand and grit where you just dip your bases in and they're done. The problem being I've gone off the look and the look of my figures is important to me.
So, Mexico is done. With PBI out, its time for my WW2 armies. I have a largish late war German army, quite a lot of Russians and a late war US army. My newly finished 14th army are done in my new style which are very nice and my recently purchased Italians are yet to be sorted.
Oddly, so long as the base is nice, an average paint job on the figures is ok...which is good as I'm an average painter 😅
The base is not just there. Like your figures it needs work to it.
Firstly the 3-4 figures I feel need to be interacting with each other ? Looking the same way, running in the same direction or a couple running past as the other gives supporting fire ? To name a few things.
After that putting down your ground.
Stones, grit and logs ?
Then paint, ink wash(es) then dry brush. Repeat if necessary?
Then grass,sprinkled and prepared and maybe the clumped bushes as well if in a Jungle type.
Allowing drying time between each stage.
Miles
Exactly this Miles 👍
Totally agree, chaps.
When looking from above, we probably see more base than figure, so bases are well worth doing as nicely as we can.
Then the bases in turn set off the figures. All a worthwhile investment of time and effort.
Simon
Quote from: Sean Clark on January 01, 2025, 11:38:35 PM>
...I do like it when all of the bases in my armies look the same.
It bothers nobody but me. And it takes away painting time. But there's no denying the overall look of each army is vastly improved.
>
>
Oddly, so long as the base is nice, an average paint job on the figures is ok...which is good as I'm an average painter 😅
Same approach here, Sean. Having similar bases has an extraordinary effect out of all proportion upon the overall look of an army.
My painting is also 'average', so the bases do the hard work.
Remember it's not about Average or above average painting, it's about Presentation. If the overall bases looks Good then it's good. Like you say make them look all the same ? The figures and the bases are all part of the same thing.
Layering and keeping things continuously and constant, makes them look "Together"
Remember look at a lot of Martins PP bases that are used for the show games ? He puts a constant basing to all of the bases and they look good. Even when you look deep down they are relatively simple to do.
Miles
Not a blistering start to the year with the brush as I'm trying to tidy up some unfinished bits. But here are 8 bases of Union troops who've been nearly finished for a couple of years or more.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yJFcB76z/20250106-083419.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJFcB76z)
And not the most essential of things, but lovely all the same. Two film crews for the Mexican Revolution. Again these have been part done for some time. It's nice to get them finished and added to the soldier box.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBQtqth9/20250106-083549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBQtqth9)
Sean also useful for SCW ?
Miles
They all look very nice, Sean!
Simon
I've been prepping for game 1 of the year on Friday.
The Germans have been sorted and basically use the 1944 list from the Architect. However, I've subbed in 2 Panthers and a Jagdpanther in place of Tigers. Martin may recognise the tanks as he kindly donated them to me a few years ago.
(https://i.postimg.cc/c6SxsPMc/20250107-201412.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c6SxsPMc)
I have quite a bit more German stuff, but only realised today I have no support weapons so today ordered some mortars and MMGs. I'm also oddly lacking in dead figures. 2 US dead are substituting for dead Germans here. I've added a couple of packs to the order.
I've also made up some partial counters, but they're still drying so no picture yet.
(https://i.postimg.cc/D84BBpHt/20250107-202439.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D84BBpHt)
I've also painted up these pinned markers from Peter Pig. No idea why I've got 9 of them 😂 but I don't ever remember more than 9 squares being pinned at the same time.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YLMMbmqP/20250107-204632.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLMMbmqP)
Here are my partial markers. Made use of a few Peter Pig odds and ends, twigs and some rubberised horsehair I had lying around.
With all this new stuff Sean, maybe you should get down to Entoyment on the 25th for the desert games??
martin :)
I'd love too Martin but Lisa is away. However, I've now added all of the Piggie Game days to the family calendar. My aim is to make 5 this year, plus the Weekender.
I do like your partials, Sean.
And applaud your efforts to organise the ladies in your life to allow time for some critical gaming!
Simon
A man after my own heart when it comes to Partials ? Bits and odds on a 2-3 inch square/circle ? These look a lot better as it takes the flatness out of the battlefield look ?
Miles
I am also keen on those. I use bushes and rocks to mark out zones on the less conventional grids, such as the Bloody Barons.
I'm rather looking forward to our first game with the official PBI tonight. Late war US v Germans; Figures that have fought across now 3 editions of the game 🤣
Just hope all 4 players who are booked in can make as we are currently at -5!
Unfortunately my print on demand rule book is yet to arrive🙁
On the plus side my order from Peter Pig has arrived!
GAME 1 Umpired
Two players were ill last night so it was Kevin and Neil taking on each other. Due to various factors we didn't get the game finished so its been left set up for next week.
Both Neil and Kevin seemed to enjoy it, though both were under the weather themselves. Neil likes the familiarity of mechanics from Ak47. I did explain PBI pre-dates AK! He also said how well the game flows once things got going.
As explained elsewhere, mortars confused me. Totally my fault as I'd given Kev a support company of mortars for the US.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZCB4r9kT/20250110-195956.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZCB4r9kT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bG8Pc3ZJ/20250110-205558.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bG8Pc3ZJ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5X8JRZNT/20250110-211435.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5X8JRZNT)
Forgot to add my hardcopy print from Dox came just in time.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MfB3GJ48/20250111-125803.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MfB3GJ48)
Good coil binding Sean. I like that.
martin :)
Your table looks good.
Makes all the difference to players and lookers.
I will attend to the mortar video.
martin :)
GAME 2 Played
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YG2pJpr/20250117-202810.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YG2pJpr)
We reset from last week using the same scenery to save a bit of time. Keith joined Kev with the US who were attacking against me as the Germans.
A 47pts to 3pts victory for the Germans who held all 3 objectives at the end having lost only 5 bases.
All agreed it was a good game and looked very nice too. Both Kev and Keith are Flames of War players and were discussing how they could use their collections to play PBI which is a good sign I think 😁
The Germans were obviously very talented in filed craft.
Looks good Sean.
martin :)
It did loom lovely, helped by my new S and A Scenics hills and templates.
To be honest trying to attack an objective over open ground is very difficult. It takes some careful planning and consideration and a little bit of luck.
Looking forward to our next game.
I'm home alone for most of the week apart from Wednesday. Lisa is on her annual holiday with her mum skiing in the Austrian mountains.
I do have a 14 year old to taxi around to her various activities. But in the free time I have, I'm planning on painting and maybe having a solo game or two.
The Little Wars TV YouTube channel has started a small competitonn to film a battle report that lasts 10-15 minutes, including historical background and/or some rules chat.
I'm going to try this out. I want the game to look good, so I'll be using my bestest S and A scenery bits.
This for the moment rules out Conquerors and Kings and Bloody Barons. I'm ordering bespoke sets of scenery for both games from S and A, so I can do these at a later time.
My painting will be US Cavalry and Plains Indians for Western as I only have one army for this at the moment. So Western is out. And I'm still slowly painting Samurai, so Battles in the Age of War is out.
However, every other RFCM period is a possibility. But which should I do?
I leave it for my RFCM friends to decide. Whichever is the most popular by close of play tomorrow night I'll play on either Tuesday or Thursday.
Sounds an excellent use of time.
You might consider a gamette, you have the WW1 full setup Sean.
SCW is also very different?
PBI is always easy to make a short game of too.
Good luck
martin :)
Not sure if I'm jinxing it saying this, but now the weather has warmed up a tad my gluing-bench and undercoating workshop (the garden) is looking more attractive. I've prepped some zebra to become desert asses, some Museum miniatures pavises and French mounted archers for my Jersey campaign. It is even time to get the Milliput out and get thatching...
Neil
Currently 2clouding" up bases for my aircraft, got 20 done, or in the process, so far but ran out of steel rods.
Derek
(https://i.postimg.cc/grBrR6GT/IMG20250119122232.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/grBrR6GT)
Sean,
How can you possibly consider anything other than MOCB?
It should look really good in a video.
Simon
I agree, Vietnam.
martin :)
My first completed figures of 2025. 65 late war Germans for PBI. I still need another pack of MMGs, but other than that I've probably finished my Germans now.
(https://i.postimg.cc/t7SJMPRL/20250119-160335.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t7SJMPRL)
I really liked new Company Commander base. For years my poor old commander has had to footslog it around with the PBI. He's now upgraded to a Kubelwagon and is riding in style :)
(https://i.postimg.cc/w7nv6pm2/20250119-160357.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w7nv6pm2)
I have just about finished my Japanese. I can now field 4 platoons of raw. Considering starting the Ramcke Brigade fallschirmjaeger next.
John
Very nice, Sean.
My Company Commander has a Schwimmwagen. Race you? :D
Simon
I ve been doing AK 47 Arabs.
raw and most of the Regular just finishing off the professionals as I did start these some of these about 12 years ago?
Including 8 flag bearers as well ?
I ve got to grit and paint the bases as yet.
Also done 6 General bases including the Lion King !
Miles
(https://i.postimg.cc/jWp2rX7J/IMG-5043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWp2rX7J)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bsgZ2kKK/IMG-5062.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsgZ2kKK)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V5YrsKhj/IMG-5021.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V5YrsKhj)
That is very good progress since Christmas, Miles!
Simon
200 figures since Xmas, that includes striping a load of them too.
Being off work has helped with getting these done !
Miles
They have shaped up nicely Miles.
Good to see them on the table soon.
martin :)
I must admit, I now need to do their own vehicles for them. The End of February I need to do a biggish order to make this properly happen ?
The 3 phase payments with PayPal is a great way of buying large orders, hopefully gain myself some Armies over the next few months etc.
Miles
Sounds like you're all in Miles! Looking forward to a game with you soon.
They look very good Miles
Stewart
So I'll film a Vietnam Quick Strike video and let you know how I get along..
Quote from: Sean Clark on January 20, 2025, 05:38:33 PMSo I'll film a Vietnam Quick Strike video and let you know how I get along..
It will be a winner, Sean!
Simon
Hi Miles are the green figures with Radios in the last photo, conversions?
Howard
More adapted rather than converted. PP has a few radio figures in the AK range ? Yes some are converted. Green stuff to make or adapt a "back pack" and Brass Rod for an Ariel?
Miles
(https://i.postimg.cc/yDRm5sBg/20250124-231911.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDRm5sBg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SXp6b3NZ/20250124-231916.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXp6b3NZ)
Well, I didn't get the solo Vietnam game played, but I have managed to paint up my Plains Indians and nearly finished my US Cavalry, all for the Western rules.
Hopefully I'll get the Cavalry finished tomorrow. I need to buy some wounded/dead which I'm missing for some reason but happy with the overall progress.
That is most excellent progress, Sean, and they're looking great. I love the blue of the US Cavalry.
I bet you're popular using the kitchen trays for spray painting, though ;D
Simon
Its just slapped me in the face like a wet lettuce that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Consequently there are likely to be some big celebrations in the Netherlands as most of the country was not liberated until 1945, including my current home town, which had to wait until April for the Canadians and British to do their thing. As I find out more I'll keep people posted.
That would be interesting Andy. I expect lots of information coming out regarding the approach to VE Day and VJ Day.
There was an interesting interview on LBC as part of their holocaust day.
The chap was a child in Holland when the Germans invaded.
He made the point, that immediately after the invasion the Dutch all went back to work as normal. He said this was because the invasion was so quick that not much could change. The difference/change was that there was a lot of "reporting" of Jews and gypsies et al from that time on.
martin :)
There was also a lot of hiding of Jews by Dutch families, particularly out on the more remote farms. As the war progressed the Dutch resistance increased, especially after large numbers of Dutch men were rounded up and taken off to work in German factories. Then there was the Hunger Winter of 1944-45, owing to the failure of Arnhem and the continued Allied blockade, which resulted in many deaths from starvation. As a child, Audrey Hepburn used to ride out into the countryside on her bike to find food which she then helped to distribute to families in her area.
Of course there was a fairly large Nazi party in the Netherlands prior to the war, known as the NSB. It expected to run the Netherlands for the Germans, but was relatively quickly sidelined by the Germans who installed their own Austrian governor of the Netherlands, who was a nasty piece of work. Nevertheless there were still some Dutch who joined the SS. The recent film on the Battle of the Schelde in Zeeland illustrates some of these odd contradictions in the Netherlands during the war.
I think there is a certain view of the war in Britain owing to its position as an island and not having experienced occupation by the Germans (other than the Channel Islands).