Back to Spain!

In anticipation of a return to the Reconquista and Spain, I pulled the 28mm collection from its boxes and laid out a parade.

Today's trooping features the Muslim armies gathering for battle.  Not all will take to the field but a goodly number of them will.  The collection has figures from a number of manufacturers including Black Tree Design, Artizan, Perry, Gripping Beast, and maybe one or two more.  The bulk of the figures are definitely BTD picked up ages ago.

The army will go from the parade ground straight into battle in a contest later today on the field of Huesca.

Today's battle sees me matching wits against an opponent fresh off a victory on the plains of Sumeria.  With a string of four defeats at the hands of four different players, which wily opponent will I face on the field?

Egyptian Chariot from BTD

I may actually be back to painting Biblicals for the time being.  Following up from the recent Nubian post, today an Egyptian chariot and crew muster out from the painting desk.  That is two Biblical Pass-in-Reviews in a row.  This chariot is the last of the Black Tree Design Egyptian chariots left in The Lead Pile. 

Astute readers may wonder if yet another Egyptian chariot is needed given that a HUGE Egyptian Army landed in my lap at Christmas (see: With a Friend Like This).  That is a reasonable question.  My answer?  Well, if I have it, I might as well paint it.  Right?

For unpainted BTD Egyptians, this is about it besides a few odds and ends.  A number of Egyptian infantry and chariots remain in The Lead Pile from prior purchases from Newline Designs.  With the acquisition of the Egyptian Army, motivation to paint them has dropped way down the list.

More Hittites will be forthcoming from the painting desk as well as Sea Peoples and Assyrians.  I had planned to begin another Biblical army in 2021 with thoughts of fielding Trojans.  Those thoughts have been derailed.  Now, my thoughts and recent purchases suggest that Sumerians may be the order for the year.  We will see.

On recent games, remote gaming is still in full swing.  Matt has already reported on the AWI Ambush at Elm Brook battle and he is planning a Breed's Hill fight very soon.

For the Monday Night Gaming group (that curiously meets on Tuesday!), the last two weeks featured the Battle of Tewkesbury (see: Tewkesbury Talking Points) and a battle during the War of the Pacific (see: A Short Break in Bolivia).  I may yet put my spin on these two battles but Graham provides enjoyable battle accounts available in the links above.  Besides, his in-person photos are much better than my screenshots from Zoom.      

Another Two-Fer Tuesday

Another Two-fer Tuesday is on tap today as I work to clear the unit backlog at the photo booth.  Neither of today's offerings are from projects that have seen a lot of attention of late so getting both into the painting queue was a welcomed change.  Both are heavy cavalry stands based either for Impetvs or To the Strongest!.

First up is a five figure stand of Gendarmes for the Great Italian Wars project.  Figures are from Wargames Foundry's venerable Renaissance range.  Still handsome sculpts with good casting quality.  Only enough figures for one more stand remain in The Lead Pile.  Today's recruits bring the total number of Gendarmes stands up to seven.  That should be plenty after I field the remaining five figures.

Next up is five figure stand of Spanish heavy cavalry for the Reconquista.  These five heavy horsemen are from Black Tree Design.  By my count, this unit makes the tenth such Christian heavy cavalry unit fielded for the project.  Ten?  Don't I show any self control?  Perhaps not.  One day, I ought to bring this collection out from its boxes and put them out on parade.  My fear is that the size of this project may be surprising even to me.  Actually, a quick check of the database shows the project is only about 500 figures strong.  

On the gaming front for the weekly Tuesday game is another new period and rules to sample.  Up today is a Far East, mid-19th Century battle featuring Graham's Taiping Era rules.  I will be going into this action with no preconceived notions on either the rules or the period.  I am a clean slate ready to be molded.  Wish me luck.

With a Friend Like This

Well, I imagine most would wish for a friend like this.  A few days before Christmas, my long-time gaming buddy, Jake (see: Dartfrog's Adventures in 6mm), let me know that he would be in town for the afternoon and we could exchange our traditional Christmas gifts.  This year with social distancing, I would leave my package on the porch and Jake would make the swap in a drive-by gift exchange.  I did not see him pull up into the driveway.  By the time I did, he was back in his vehicle, waved and was on his way.  What I saw deposited on my porch was a large sack having several boxes stacked within.  I did not know what they were until I returned inside.  When the items were pulled from the boxes, I found this.

Jake's entire 28mm Egyptian Kushite Army built to face my Assyrians.  What?  That's right.  Jake gifted me his collection of Egyptians.  Astonishing generosity.  I was gobsmacked.  What a spectacle!

Jake's Egyptians were part of a joint project built to face my growing Assyrians.  With lead time required to paint these armies, scheduling challenges, and finally this year, COVID, we only managed two games with our armies in three years.  Since we are separated by about 80 miles, our schedules have not allowed for as much gaming time as hoped.

With my pandemic-inspired layoff in June prompted by the collapse of the commercial airline industry, Jake said his Egyptian Army would make for a suitable retirement commemoration.  I should say so!  Besides, he added, "you will have more time to game now and I have no plans to build an opposing army."  One funny note from this is that my Hittite build for 2020 had fighting these Egyptians on the field of battle as its primary goal!

Chapeau to you, my friend.  One day, you be able to command these troops, once again, on the field of battle.

Amazing, huh?  What a great friend and a pleasantly surprising end to an unpleasantly challenging year.

Clearing Out The Bins

As mentioned in an earlier post (see Cretan Archers & Survey Time) on the need to consolidate and organize The Lead Pile, work on that front sees progress.  Continued digging surfaced the following three candidate bins for completion.

First up are two stands of Assyrian heavy slingers from Wargames Foundry.  As expected, this venerable range of figures continues to set the benchmark as a superb range of Biblicals.  While more Foundry Assyrians remain in inventory, these represent the last of the slingers.  Being out of slingers is good since already more slingers are present than recommended for most Army Lists.

Next off the painting desk are more skirmishers.  This time, I switch gears to field Celts for the Punic Wars project.  One stand each of slingers and bowmen can take to the field.  Perhaps when conditions allow for a reconsideration of Telamon these lads will see action?  These eight figures are from Crusader Miniatures and Black Tree Design.

Finally, I dug out six Cuban Rebels for the Spanish-American War project.  While not enough on their own to form a BMU, I can add these two stands to existing formations to bolster numbers.  Figures are Old Glory.

Besides these half-dozen rebels, the Spanish-American War project is seeing increased activity at the painting desk.  In work are a couple of units of Spanish infantry and a couple of units of American volunteer infantry.

Old Glory's SAW range of figures is always a joy to paint.  The figures are big and easy on the eyes.  Few uniforms are as smart looking as the American uniform during this conflict.  Quite a practical outfit too.

After allowing my Old Glory Army Card to lapse several years ago as I moved away from projects based on Old Glory figures, I renewed my card recently.  After considering my options, I moved on an impulse to expand an existing project using Blue Moon figures.  I am sure to find other Old Glory products to add to The Lead Pile over the coming year.  No matter how fast I paint, my Lead Pile may never shrink...

Cretan Archers & Survey Time

While no gaming on tap besides a few solo dabbles, my attention has been drawn to rummaging through The Lead Pile.  In an effort to consolidate and organize the bins of figures, I spent time inspecting the stockpiles of figures for each project.  The Punic Wars project likely already musters enough Cretan archers for the field armies but these dozen figures were left over and taking up space.  Grabbing these dozen 25mm BTD archers and pushing them into the painting queue frees up some space in the storage bin.  I get three skirmish stands too.  It is very good that I stockpiled a number of figures divisible by four since my BMUs are four figures strong and BTD has withdrawn the ancients ranges from the catalog.

On the gaming front, a solo AWI replay of the Action at Mill Creek remains to be tackled.  With some luck, I can get back to that little scenario later this week.  With even more luck, a F2F session is scheduled for Saturday evening outside on the patio.  Commands & Colors Ancients is on the slate using my 6mm collection.  With proper protocols and facing off across a table in the Great Outdoors, any risk should be minimal.

Finally,  01 August signaled the return of the Great Wargaming Survey by WSS.  Again, I plan to be performing some of the data wrangling for this venture when the survey closes.  Some of the questions have been tweaked just a bit from prior years to better enable analysis.  At least, that was my plan when I submitted my requests.  I added a couple of questions too.  Stay tuned to death by analysis once the surveys are in. 

If you have not already completed the survey, go to,

GWS 2020

and have your preferences counted. 

Distractions

Distractions.  Many experience the same, I am sure.  A painting plan is set in mind.  A vow is sworn to stick to it.  Spontaneously, attention veers off into another direction.  Rinse.  Repeat.  Sound familiar?

Such is the situation today.  

Having made a pledge to myself to lay down a dozen element Hittite Army for 2020, the first quarter of the year saw no progress on that task.  Elements from a number of projects have crossed the painting desk during the first quarter of 2020 but no such Hittites.  Until last week, that is.  I finally set to work on two handfuls of archers for this new army.  Only just started, I was almost immediately distracted by a series of Chain of Command games presented on a couple of very good blogs.  The Tactical Painter's blog is a wealth of CoC information and engaging battle reports.   One can learn a lot about employing proper tactics by reviewing these battle reports.  Similarly, Musings on Wargaming and Life, has been focusing, of late, on CoC and Bolt Action solo actions.  Great stuff all!  My distractions are justified, I think.

WWII CoC is not the only recent distraction.  Blunders on the Danube has been parading a seemingly never-ending stream of 28mm Napoleonics from his workbench.  Sigh.  Yet again distracted.  Why not push a battalion of 28mm French legere into the painting queue?  Yeah, that's what I need!  Coupled with the reorganization and rebasing of all of the skirmishers for my 28mm Peninsular War project, Hittites are pushed farther back into the queue.           

To satisfy the CoC urge, a WWII gun and crew jumped into the painting queue ahead of the Hittites.  Off the painting desk today is a German 75mm Infantry Gun by Black Tree Design.  The 75mm IG is a nice model characteristic of BTD's WWII range.  Will this piece ever see action on the gaming table?  I don't know.  If needed, there it will be.  OK.  Back to some Hittite work.

What is your latest hobby distraction?

Spanish Crossbowmen and Spinning

Following closely behind the Moorish crossbowmen, a stand of Spanish crossbowmen departs the painting desk to oppose them.  Crossbowmen are Black Tree Design and the spearmen are two leftovers from a pack of Casting Room Miniatures' Normans.  Fine figures all but the CRM figures are especially characterful. 

Next off the painting desk will likely be a small variety of 15mm WWII armor.  Some are newly built; others are newly rebased.

On the cycling front, just as the leg break has mended and light indoor training can begin, the State shuts down almost every business to reduce risk of spreading the virus.  For indoor cycling in a controlled environment, the gym was my preferred venue.  No more.  Until my foot and ankle are fit for cycling outdoors (no cycling outside until I can safely and painlessly unclip from the pedals), I turn to a gadget Nancy presented to me for my 60th birthday.

While I set it up a year ago in the garage, the torture device remained unused.  Well, I finally made the effort to reacquaint myself with the machine, attached the bike, and gave it a whirl.  You know what?  This fluid trainer works great!  The machine is super quiet, rock solid, and provides a great workout.

How do I overcome the potential monotony of indoor cycling?  Audio.  Typically, my listening tends toward the Great Courses when riding indoors.  This week, I turned to Dan Carlin's Supernova in the East.  I am up to episode two and Dan's storytelling is as riveting as ever.  Recommended!

With the arrival of Spring and temperatures warming, perhaps, I can venture outdoors next week?  That is, unless we are all ordered into lockdown.   

Back to the Reconquista

After a very long hiatus from the painting table (almost two years!), a unit for this long neglected project was pushed into the painting queue.  Why so long of a layoff from the project?  Good question.  I suppose so many projects and not enough time.  Coupled with my more active projects, du jour, and the long time since the Reconquista troops last saw the gaming table, this absence is really no surprise.  

Off the painting desk today is a BMU of twelve Black Tree Design Warriors of Islam figures.  The seven crossbowmen are flanked by two spear-wielding guards to discourage enemy cavalry while they ply their trade.  Up next is a similar unit of crossbowmen but for the opposition.  

Last of the Assyrians (for now)

The recent parade of Assyrians finally comes to an end with a bang.  Up today is a four-horse chariot with its complement of spear-wielding supports.  

The horses, chariot, and crew are from Newline Designs.  The infantry support are from Black Tree Design.  Say, did anyone notice that BTD has pulled all of its ancients' ranges for retooling?  I wonder when we will see these figures again? 

The chariot is the first Newline Design chariot I have built and fielded.  I think it looks great; big and beautiful.  It will make an impressive sight when arrayed for battle.  I may want a few more of these beasts.  There is a lot of metal in the cab and horses.  When this piece gets up to speed on the table, it may be difficult to stop.   

Staying on the topic of Newline Design chariots, a three-pack of Hittite chariots will be in work soon.  Hard to believe that it is nearly the middle of March and I have yet to complete any units for the month.  A few units are in work but time down at the painting desk has been limited of late.  Do you supposes there is a correlation between my wife retiring two weeks ago and my hobby time dropping off?  Perhaps, I need more data?  

That, and the 15mm SYW Bavarians, front and center on the painting desk, are not painting themselves.  For some reason, working this battalion of Lancashire infantry has become somewhat of a chore for me.  I should be able to kick it into gear and get them off the work table this weekend.  After that, time to push some Hittites into the production line.  

Celts on Parade

Having worked on churning out one Celtic unit per month, on average, in 2019 and with the stash of Celtic figures exhausted, time for a parade. 

Figures are a mix of Crusader Miniatures, Black Tree Design, and 1st Corps.  There might even be some Renegade figures lurking about too.  A few chariots from Newline Designs are on the way but beyond that, The Lead Pile is now devoid of Celts. 

Totals for this sub-project thus far are:

• 162 foot in 12 warbands
• 2 chariots
• 28 cavalry

Looking at the size of this force, I think the Battle of Telamon is now finally attainable.

With the SYW battle of Kunersdorf in work on the gaming table, recreating Telamon must wait until Kunersdorf clears the deck.  That could be months away.  When I am ready, the Celts will be too. 

Last of the BTD Celts

"Last of the BTD Celts" is only momentarily true.  While this dozen represents the last batch of BTD Celts in the The Lead Pile, a recent BTD sale including Celt chariots and cavalry prompted an order to resupply the Celts.  Just when I think I have conquered and cleared-out a small portion of the figure bins, BTD holds a sale and I relapse.  Sigh.  On a positive note, the newly raised Celts could use an additional chariot or two and cavalry.

The problem I have with BTD cavalry is that they are simply huge.  Outside of Renegade, no other manufacturer seems to match them in size and heft.  Perhaps, BTD Celt cavalry would be a good match to Renegade but I have yet to receive any.  Some 28mm cavalry look like little ponies or colts next to the big BTD and Renegade cavalry.  I sure regret not buying more Renegade figures when they were both available and cheap.  Ah, those were the days.

With BTD's recent announcement of order fulfillment challenges, it may be awhile before I see an  influx of this BTD lead.  Patience is a virtue.  Until then, a Celtic warband from Crusader Miniatures is in work at the painting desk.

More BTD Celts/Gauls

A slow but steady stream of Celts continues to emerge from the painting desk.  The recent painting process seems to include a Celtic/Gallic warband for every four or five other units painted.  This measured pace will not allow fielding of a Celtic force quickly but it does keep units working through the painting queue.  Figures are from Black Tree Design.  

Only a dozen BTD Celts remain in The Lead Pile; just enough to field one more warband.  After the BTD supply is exhausted, attention can turn towards a large box containing a number of packs of Crusader Celts I picked up from a recent clearance at North Star Miniatures.  My long range intention is to muster enough Celts to refight the Battle of Telamon.  With each recent issue of Slingshot containing a report or two from the 2019 Battle Day featuring Telamon, my interest in refighting this battle increases.  Given my preoccupation to mustering out units of Celts, the Roman contingent has been neglected.  Soon, I must assess my capability of fielding the Romans for this battle.  With luck, enough Romans have already been called up that no additional units need thrown into the painting queue.    

In other news, I received an email from Chris at Sash & Saber saying my 28mm FIW Kickstarter shipped yesterday.  Looking forward to seeing the figures and buildings in a few days.  

BTD Celts/Gauls - Another Batch

Another stand of a dozen Celts/Gauls makes it off the painting desk.  Looking at the Painting Log, six such BTD stands can be fielded for battle.  Two dozen more BTD Celts are slowly working their way through the painting queue in between other projects.  With a small box of Crusader Celts arriving in-house recently, plenty of work remains on building this army.  After having painted a number of the BTD figures, it will be fun to switch it up and tackle some Crusader Celts.   

When Society of Ancients announced the 2019 Battle Day Game on Telamon, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to ramp up work on the pile of Celts/Gauls languishing in The Lead Pile.  While I knew that fielding a Gallic force in time to participate from afar in this year's Battle Day was unlikely, the battle announcement and background material found in Slingshot provided a motivation for more study on the battle while my army grew.  Knowing that battle reports of others' Telamon exploits will begin appearing in future issues of Slingshot, I plod away on my army to come to grips with this battle.

How many Gallic warbands will be needed for Telamon?  The answer to that question remains unknown.  Much depends upon the approach I take on the battle.  Still more research and painting remains.  Until then, expect a scattering of Celts/Gauls for Telamon throughout the painting queue. 

Some More Celts/Gauls from BTD

Another batch of BTD Celts works its way off the workbench.  Today, a second dozen warriors ready themselves for battle.  As with the other BTD Celts, a mix of poses, clothing, and weapons imparts a sense of an unruly warband.  Perfect for my image of Celts or Gauls charging into battle.

With this arrival, I can now field four Gallic warbands in battle.  Not enough for Telamon but the addition of the three stands of Germans could augment the Telamon army.  Even with the Germans taking to the field, more recruits are needed.  Back to the painting desk to work in a few more Celtic warbands from the pile of BTD figures remaining.  A shipment from NorthStar arrived containing more Celtic lead including enough figures for unit of cavalry.  Perhaps enough figures for two or three more stands of warbands too?  We will see exactly would I received in NorthStar's recent Collection sale.  I plan to work in the occasional dozen Celts in between work on other units.  Before long, I may be able to field my own Telamon Gallic army.  First, though, work returns to 18mm Napoleonics for the 1799 project.

Some Celts/Gauls from BTD

The recent game of Telamon has motivated my painting aspirations back toward the Punic Wars project.  With that new found inspiration, a dozen Celts from Black Tree Design were pushed into the painting  queue.  Strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.  That is exactly what I did.  Off the painting desk today is the first of two such stands suitable for either Impetvs or To the Strongest!  

The BTD Celts (or Gauls) have good animation as expected from BTD.  I went with simple painting schemes and simple shield designs.  As can be seen from the photos, a dozen of these figures are tricky to fit onto 120mm x 60mm stand especially when many are wielding long spears.  A good change of pace from recent painting work and provides a slight kickstart return to the Punic War project.  Enough figures remain for four more such Celtic stands of warriors.  A second stand, as mentioned above, is presently in work.  Perhaps if I produce enough Celts/Gauls, I could produce my own Telamon forces.  I would need some Gallic cavalry, though.