More Guardsmen

This next set of models were not part of the Challenge, since I had started them years ago. I finished them up while I was working on the 21 models for the last Challenge entry.

A rifle squad and a heavy bolter team

Entry 3 - Painting Challenge - 21 Imperial Guardsmen

My next entry in the Challenge was 21 Imperial Guardsmen from GW. These are 28mm models, mostly plastic. I can't stand the 40k rules. I bought an army of these guys before I realized that though. They've sat, assembled and undercoated for years.

A friend and I are planning a campaign for 2016. We'll see if it gets off the ground, but if it does, these will be the core of my ground forces. We'll be using the Chain of Command rules for the ground combat. To start we'll just play them out of the box. Once we have a handle on them we'll mod them for Sci-Fi, things like hacking, ECM, teleportation. They are candidates.

The full group

2015 in Review and Plans for 2016

2015 was a good year for my hobby. My goals and predictions for the year were not far off of reality. I accomplished a lot but did not play as much as I had hoped. I think things are well positioned for a good 2016 though, even better than the year past.

I'm terribly, terribly excited about this.

First off, a retrospective on what I planned for the year.

Entry 2 for the AHPC. Twelve 28mm Celts

My second entry of the Challenge is 12 Celt warriors from Warlord Game. These are 28mm miniatures. The three heroes are metal, the rest from their Celtic Warriors plastic box set.

Twelve Celts, angry and dirty.

Entry 1 of the Painting Challenge - 28mm Uruk-Hai from GW

In keeping with tradition, my first entry is six models. It's a nice easy number that breaks the rust off without being overwhelming.

A free book

I am getting Osprey's Fighting Sail for Christmas. My wonderful wife thought I would enjoy it so much that she ordered me two copies of it. Amazon does not want it back.

X-Wing with the boys

The boys and I have gotten some more gaming in. This time around they both wanted to play some X-Wing. All things Star Wars are popular in my house right now.

The boys plotting their nefarious schemes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gaming with the boys

I've been playing a few games during the last few months. My main opponent for X-Wing moved to New Zealand. I haven't had a lot of time to get down to the shop. My main opponent has been Rhys.

Rhys, prior to deployment. He set up the terrain.

Accepting the challenge

It's that time of year again, the annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.

I've thrown my hat in again this year. It will be my third go around. My first year was acceptable. Last year I seem to have had assistance from painting elves in the middle of the night; blowing through my goals several times. Counting on the same elves to show up this year I put myself in for 1500 points, even though the Challenge is slightly shorter this year.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the spectacular models my fellows will produce, and hoping not to bring down the general tone of the affair too much.

Time Travel

I looked up today and realized that it is the last day of October. I'm flabbergasted at how quickly this year is passing. I have not been hobbying a lot this summer. The extent of it has been reading blogs, playing a few games with Rhys and assembling and priming models for the winter, in hopes of Curt running another Analogue Painting Challenge.

I need to get back in the habit of posting here, clearly. That means I need to get in the habit of playing games and painting, which seems like a pleasant obligation.

Conway Castle

So as a place holder, here's a picture of Conway Castle, looking out over the river, taken from the highest point of the town walls.

A blog prize and some insight

I recently won a blog giveaway from Jon at the Palouse Wargaming Journal.  Jon is one of those very generous gamers that you always hear about.  He has personally broadened my hobby horizons, beyond the first class content of his blog.

The prize I selected was Henry Hyde's The Wargaming Compendium; a book I've heard a lot about, but never seen.

Rebel Minis release the Widowmaker

Rebel Minis, a company that I talk about quite a bit, has a new release this week that looks perfect for 15mm mechs.  The Earth Force Widowmaker.  These are being released as 28mm battle suits, but look to be well sized as light/medium mechs for 15mm.

Picture from Rebel minis.  Used without permission.

Visiting Blighty

Off to the airport for a visit to England and Wales.  At least for the next week and a half I'll have an excuse for not posting much.  If I get to a computer then I'll put up some pictures of whatever we're visiting, though castles in Wales are a given.

Cheers!

Memorial Day

It is Memorial Day in the United States.  It's a three day weekend and Americans traditionally go camping and have BBQs on this day.  It's also the day we honor those who have fought and died for us.  As always today I'll be presenting you with my friend John Maloney.

An amazing gift

I recently received a box from Japan.  I have ordered a couple of models from over there before but this was something very different. Aaron from Here's not great matter saw my interest in some of the Japanese models for 15mm Sci/Fi and picked up a bunch of stuff from his local model store.

Plastic goodness from across the Pacific.

Entry 20 - "It's Alive!" Curt Geld and Anti-Hero bonus round

This entry is both my entry for the Anti-Hero round and my Curtgeld.  I did quite a bit of research on this one.  First off was just making sure I had a good definition for anti-hero.  Once I had that it was a matter of researching the available models to find one that was appropriate for this theme.  While I had great fun perusing the catalogs of my favorite manufacturers I didn't find anything until I got to Eureka USA's site.  As soon as I saw this set I knew it was my entry.

Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster.

Entry 19 - 24 Celtic Warriors

This entry is twenty four Celtic infantry as a four element warband for Hail Caesar.  These 28mm figures are a mix of Black Tree, Warlord and Wargames Factory.

24 Celtic warriors with spears.

Entry 18 - 3 Wargames Factory Celt Chariots

This week's entry is three 28mm Celt chariots from Wargames Factory.  This is the contents of a single box, so good value for money, but craptastic sculpts.

Three chariots for Hail Caesar.

Entry 17 - 12 Fireforge Men-at-Arms

As a change of pace, this next entry is 12 28mm Men-at-Arms from Fireforge Games.  I've painted these up for Lion Rampant, but with another eight models they'll work for Bretonnians for Warhammer as well.

Fireforge Games 28mm Foot Sergents.