Dry Dock

Lots of 15mm ships under construction in the Lair's dry docks.

Ship building is messy business - very messy business.

AHPC IX: Submission 3 French Marines and British Limbers

 My third submission this year is also 15mm Napoleonics in the form of two units of French Marines and some British Limbers.

All of the figures are from Old Glory's Blue Moon Line.

 One of the real attractions of 15mm is the scale of the army that can be fitted on a reasonable table but you can still see the figure details.  I find painting limbers to be a bit of a chore but worth it given how they make a table look.

 There are 56 French French marines organized into two units of seven 4 figure stands

Lastly some 6 pounder British field guns.  Submission Four will likely be a good bit more aquatic in nature.

AHPC IX: Second Submission - British Marines, Wagons and a Gunboat

 The second submission for this year's challenge is proof that while AB miniatures are superb nothing can beat the combination of good quality and great value from Old Glory's Blue Moon line - especially if one purchases the army Card 40% discount card.

 First up are 56 Old Glory British Marines organized into two units.

 These are really nice figures but I found painting them to be a bit of a struggle.  That's solely due to my limited skill set and not the quality of the minis.

 Next up are some Wagons - one never sees enough Wagons and general logistics on a tabletop!  Like the Marines, these minis are from Old Glory and are superb.

 And lastly, we have a simple gunboat from Thoroughbred Miniatures.  I've got six more much bigger ones to finish over the next few months!

This submission netted a tidy 238 points, and was a good jumping off point towards my trek to 3,000.

Analogues Hobbies Painting Challenge IX: First Submission

 My first entry into this year's painting madness is a pair of commands stands for my 15mm Spanish Army.

All three figures are from AB Miniatures which really do make some of the finest 15mm scale figures out there (ok, so technically they're "18mm").

There will be a lot of 15mm scale Napoleonic stuff during this years challenge.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from S Michaels, MD!

I hope you and your families are having a joyous holiday filled with good cheer and companionship.  Here in the Lair, Christmas has been wonderful as we're all together in good health.

All the best for a Happy New Year, too.

It's a Christmas Miracle!

Crisis averted as my re-supply of Winsor & Newton Series 7 brushes has finally arrived.

That's right guys no need to call off Christmas this year as I'm sure all of you were planing to show solidarity to those of us who might not have received their brushes on time.

And here are my new Pigment Warriors!

Very Shiny

Disaster!!!!!

Sound the alarm, call out the guard and hide the silverware - disaster has befallen the Lair on the eve of the eve of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge commencement.  What foul fate has been visited upon your hapless correspondent?

I have been informed by those scoundrels at Amazon that the delivery my recently ordered set of Winsor Newton Series 7 Brushes will be delayed a few days.

Shocking isn't it?  I'll give you all few moments to compose yourselves.

........

Ok, everyone ready?  Traditionally, I start every challenge with a new set if W&N Series 7 brushes - sizes 0, 1 and 2.  By the end of our three month painting adventure these majestic brushes provide exemplary service and then are retired to an idyllic life in the country as scenery making brushes - you know just like valiant Roman Legionnaires.

But not this year, as delivery of those precious pigment warrior armaments has been delayed until Dec 22.  Naturally, once the shock of this unjust and unfair fate has worn off, one searches for why - why did this happen to ME?  After a careful, balanced and emotionless analysis of the facts, I was able to completely exonerate myself and the placement date of my order on 12/18 - nope no error there.  Sadly, my deliberations lead to only one logical conclusion - CONSPIRACY!

It's obvious to me (as I'm sure it's also to you) that my fellow Posties Rejects who are participating in the "Postal Strike" side challenge this year have gotten together and bribed Jeff Bezos to delay my shipment.  It's really the only logical answer.

Will this foul act of treachery prove fruitful to these evil doers OR will justice and right triumph over adversity.  We will all find out over the next three months.....

Challenge Prep (yet again)

One of my goals for this years Challenge is to build 7-8 15mm scale Napoleonic ships.  Theses are not First Rate ships of the line but a few will be frigate class.  The models I'm building are from the wonderful Sea Eagles line from Thoroughbred Miniatures.  The kits are fantastic but have a lot of parts!

There are two ships in the picture - if you squint you can see a simple gunboat armed with a single 32 pounder cannon.  It's about 5 inches long.  At the bottom is the 17 gun USS Onieda which is a bit more involved.  I do love building ship models but have my work cut out for me right now.  Not sure if I'll fall the Oneida as British or French but lets see how the fleets shake out.

These ships will be part of my upcoming 2019 Historicon which will be a very fictional battle simulation Napoleons invasion of Britain.  The scenario will have the British player trying to affect the escape by sea of King George.  I still need to find some 15/18mm scale miniatures for to use for his Royal Highness and coach - any suggestions?

Challenge Prep (again)

 Some more 15mm Napoleonic fun - Some generic wagons for an Army train, six British Limbers some six pounders and, of course, more French Infantry.  Everything in the picture is fro Old Glory except the Infantry - those are AB figures.

Speaking of French infantry - here are a few more...

There will be a large number of Austrians in the near future...

Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge IX: Prep Work Commences

The start of December brings joy, excitement and industry here to the Lair.  Joy and excitement as December 1st marks our official start to the holiday season.  Industry as the early days of December are filled with prep work for the upcoming Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.

You will see A LOT of 15mm (technically 18mm) Napoleonics this year as evidenced by the painting bench.  There are some Old Glory  War of 1812 US Marines in the upper left and next to them in the back row are some British Napoleonic Marines (also from Old Glory.  I'm going to paint the US troops to be French Marines - don't tell anyone OK?

In the lower left we have some standard French Ligne troops from AB miniatures.  The AB stuff is slightly better than the Old Glory ones but Old Glory has a crushing advantage in terms of price - especially if one gets the OG Army discount card.

You may notice some wagons in the picture also.  I've got some supply trains to build up and a lot of limbers, I hat painting limbers!

My 15mm Nappy's number in the 2,300 figure range in terms of painted and based and I'm shooting for close to 3,500 for the Historicon game in July, 2019 so there's a good bit to go here.

Oh and I MAY have a bit of a terrain bomb to set off over the three months of the challenge.....