Tajima Miniatures' Static Grass Tufts

After seeing several bloggers rave about Tajima Miniatures' (website) static grass tufts, I figured I ought to give them a try.  Although a U.K. vendor, shipping is free for international orders exceeding three tuft packs.  With that incentive, I ordered five packs on 05FEB2014.  Imagine my surprise when the box from Tajima arrived in Washington State on 10FEB2014!  Wow!  That is fast delivery!  

Each pack is individually boxed.  I ordered two samples: Wild grass tufts (left) and Large grass tufts in mixed colors (on right).

Of course, I wanted to try this out so I pulled some of the recently completed Spanish-American War stands out for a test.  What makes these tufts so appealing is that they are self-adhesive.  No need to apply tacky glue to either the figure stand or tuft underside before affixing to the stand.  That is a time savings and "no muss, no fuss."  

The boxes ordered should be sufficient to finish off the rebasing of my Spanish-American War Spanish.  Nice product!

Ashigaru Spear - Can you ever have too many?

One more 22 figure stand of Ashigaru spearmen rolled off the painting desk over the weekend.  The project now fields Ashigaru eight spear/sword units.  These Peter Pig spearmen are all sporting the red lacquered armor.  With this unit, the project total reaches 22 stands plus a handful of commanders.  While the mix of troop types might not yet be optimal, I should be able to field both sides for most of the Samurai Battles scenarios.  I could use at least one more archer unit and one more teppo to allow greater flexibility in OB preparations.  Perhaps one more mounted Samurai too? 

Battle of Santiago Harbor, 1898

With my recent return to the Spanish-American War project and Monty's excellent recommendation of Dan Carlin's American Peril (Podcast), I pulled old photos from the wargaming vault and set about reconstructing the naval Battle of Santiago.

The following chronicles the first outing for my 1/1200 Houston Ships collection.  If I recall, the rules used were Shipbase and was completely computer moderated by the American fleet commander.  In addition to being outclassed by the larger U.S. ships, the Spanish fleet was hampered by poor powder and suspect gunnery.  Shipbase modeled all of those inefficiencies into the game. 

With the safety of Santiago Harbor in jeopardy after the Spanish defeats at San Juan Hill and El Caney, Admiral Cervera was given the order to steam-up and make a run for open water.  Unfortunately for Cervera, the American fleet was blockading Cervera's fleet and awaited just outside the mouth of the harbor.  Escape was unlikely.  Cervera prepared his Will and letters to family and sent them ashore.

Spanish fleet exits Santiago Harbor.

American fleet lies in wait.
USS New York and Indiana have yet to join the blockade

USS Brooklyn prepares to open fire as the Spanish emerge.

Destroyers Furor and Ericsson mix it up
after Gloucester takes a torpedo.
USS New York attempts to catch up to the battle.

Spanish run for open for open water

As Cervera's fleet exits the harbor,
Oquendo is hit and begins to burn

Oquendo burns as Cervera races along the coast

USS Texas takes damage from Spanish gunfire and turns
around under the protection of Iowa.
Oquendo is stopped dead in the water
while Vizcaya takes major damage.
USS Brooklyn suffers torpedo damage from the
destroyer Pluton.
Cristobal Colon suffers damage.

In  a matter of minutes the short running gun battle is over.
All Spanish capital ships have been either disabled or sunk.
To reduce loss of life, Cervera had his ships run aground. 

Samurai Warriors

17th Century Japanese continue to roll off from the painting desk.  This single stand of 15 Samurai on foot will be used in Samurai Battles' games as well as my exploration of hex-based Impetvs.  The Peter Pig figures for this element are partially from a Christmas gift exchange.  I had a few remaining dismounted Samurai but needed a resupply to field a complete element.  When the order came in, they were offered as a Christmas gift.  Great friend, eh?

One more element of Japanese are on the painting desk.  When finished, I will be able to field one more 22 figure stand of Ashigaru spear.  One can never have enough spear men, right?

State of the Painting Desk - Lighting Upgrade

I increasingly require more light by which to paint.  A number of lighting solutions have been explored and all seem to fall a bit short.  All, that is, except for the lamp I currently use.  While the current swing arm light works satisfactorily, I am always searching for a source to provide additional light and illuminate my work space even more.

Given my near constant search for better lighting, I was intrigued to see Monty's review of the Daylight Triple Bright lamp.

      Monty's Triple Bright Lamp Review

What could be better than a "Triple Bright" lamp?  Although a little on the expensive end of lamps, I ordered the piece and waited.  Well, the lamp arrived in Tuesday's post and quickly was installed at the painting desk.  This lamp is huge!  That means that much more of the painting desk can be illuminated by it.

Painting under the new lamp

When I flicked it on, I was surprised that the entire game room was not flooded in a bright light.  This lamp produces a softer, less harsh light than does the current swing arm but the painting area under the light was illuminated and free of shadows.  I painted for about 30 minutes using the Triple Bright and the softer light may take time to allow my eyes to adjust to painting under the less intense light.  I will have a better feel for its usefulness after spending a few good sessions working under its glow. 
Thanks Monty for the recommendation!

Spanish Mountain Gun and Crew

Back to resurrecting the long forgotten Spanish-American War project.  Off the painting desk this time are two Spanish 8cm mountain guns with crew.  The figures are from Old Glory's 28mm Spanish-American War range.  While head positioning and facial expressions are somewhat exaggerated on a few of the figures, these details are not unfamiliar in Old Glory sculpting.  For these artillerymen, the animation works.  Once I receive a resupply of ground covering tufts, I intend to place a few bits on each base to help camouflage the figure's  base.

British Infantry for Narvik Project

Despite activities on the Home Front this weekend including a reorganization of the Game Room, I managed to push a few 15mm figures for my WWII Narvik project off the painting desk.

Off the workbench are 26 15mm Command Decision British infantry.  This force represents one early war company and includes:
6 x 3 figure stands of riflemen
2 x 2 figure stands of 2 inch mortar (one stand showing deployed status; the other showing in move mode)
2 x 2 figure stands of LMG (one stand showing deployed status; the other showing in move mode)

British company with weapons teams

Riflemen

Weapons teams

The addition of this company brings my one British battalion up to its full complement of four companies.  With the recent efforts on the Narvik project, I am very tempted to develop a small scenario to get this project back onto the game table.  For rules, I will likely give WTJ's 1943 a run.