Reinforcements from Mabuhay Miniature Painting Service

Late last November I placed a relatively large order for 28mm Napoleonic figures from Mabuhay Miniature Painting Service (MMPS).  MMPS is located in the Philipenes and is run by a gentlemen by the name of Fons.  Stop right there, I don't think he looks like Henry Winkler and goes around saying "Heyyyyy...".  Anyway, this was a fairly large order: 200 British Infantry, 3 British Guns crews, and 24 French Dragoons - all 28mm plastics (Perry for the infantry and Calvary and Victrix for the Artillery).  The entire ordering process was very easy and Fons was very reasonable in pricing in some special requests I had.  He was also very clear on delivery timeframes and set the expectation of a late February delivery which was acceptable to me.  I placed the order and then received several update emails showing the progress of my commission which allowed me to both confirm the details and get some comfort that I would receive the figures.  I was very pleased to be informed that the order was ready and posted on January 6th.  It arrived in Maryland intact on January 20th.  Hmmm, lets see MMPS sets realistic timeframes for delivery (and in this case exceeded them) and provided updates along the way - two big positive marks there!

Like a small child on Christmas morning, I eagerly opened the the shipping box and found inside four boxes like the one pictured in the first photo.  I also found a short note instructing me to open with a vacuum cleaner nearby.  Why would that be?  It seems the MMPS packing material of choice is miniature styrofoam balls that range in size from a 28mm cannon ball to a 28mm beach ball.  I soon realized the having a vacuum cleaner ready was very sage advice.

As I shifted through the first box and started to take out figures I noticed that in addition to getting some great miniatures,  MMPS had arranged a refresher course for me in the properties of static electricity - how very thoughtful!  I set up a little process where I'd remove a figure from the left, shake it over a trash can in the center / pick out any clinging balls and then place the figure on a tray to the right.  While I tried to be careful, I had stop and vacuum up balls at least four times.  One note wherever you unpack do so in a spot that is not subject to air movement.  Sneezing while near an open box with the styrofoam balls is also not recommended - trust me on that.

Unpacking the four boxes of my 240 fig order took about an hour and a half, which wasn't that bad.  Now here's the amazing part - there was no damage, not even a bent bayonet or flag pole.  Those styrofoam balls may be a bit annoying, but they sure do work.  Another big positive check mark for MMPS.

I hear some of you out there moaning, yeah, yeah, yeah this packing report is boring, lets get to the heart of the matter - how are the figures??  The figures are superb and way better than I could manage on my own.  The picture to the left is of the two French Dragoon units (12 figures each).  I really like the guys in the back with the pink facings - very French.

Here's a close up of the 2nd French Dragoon unit.  The painting quality is as good or better than the pictures on the MMPS site.  Truth in advertising, yet another big positive check mark for MMPS

Here are the 200 British infantry figures, in 5, 40 figure line battalions.  Please note I put these groups together very quickly and some on the fig are with the wrong uint.  Still, they look sharp and will hopefully prove to be worthy opponents to my US and French armies.

A close up of one of the infantry units.  The painting quality is superb - the drummers came out fantastic.

Last picture is of the three artillery batteries.  Fons said in an email he swapped out some Perry heads for the Victrix ones to improve the look - I agree these crews look fabulous.

As for pricing, it's the standard rate advertised on the MMPS site plus a very nominal charge for my basing style which wasn't the normal MMPS method.

So what's the bottom line on MMPS.  To put it directly, they exceeded every expectation I had:

- honest / realistic delivery expectations  CHECK
- flexibility / reasonable pricing for special requests CHECK
- periodic project updates CHECK
- careful and effective packaging CHECK
- superb painting quality CHECK
- great pricing CHECK

All-in-all, I am a very happy customer and will be ordering more figures from MMPS in the near future.  I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a quality painting service.  Well done Fons!!!!

A Return to Napoleonic Naval

 Last weekend's Peninsular game at Ernie's re-ignited my Napoleonic flame - what's not to like about big battalions?  One of the first era's I've ever gamed was Napoleonic naval and I just love the 1/1200 Langton models.  They are the most challenging miniatures I've ever done.  The first picture is the start of my British squadron.  Now I need to admit I did cheat with these guys as I had them built and painted by my US Langton supplier, Rob from Waterloo Minis.  Rob did a great job and his quality / prices can't be beat.  I plan on using his services again as I build out my fleet and will likely be in a position where half the fleet was built by him and half by me.  Give him a try,

 The pride of the British fleet is the 1st Rate HMS Victory.  While she might be on the slow side she does pack a wallop with her four decks of guns.  These ship models are about three inches long and you can see they have a great deal of detail.  While challenging, they are a lot of fun to build.

 The Vanguard of the squadron are a pair of 74 gun 3rd rates (know as 3rd rates, large)  These were the most numerous of the capital ships and have a nice balance of firepower and speed.

 Here are some of the ships that I've done and had on hand.  The one of the left is a recently assembled and painted French Third rate (74 guns).  Once the paint has set, I'll seal the model and complete the rigging.  If you try and matt coat a rigged model it becomes and awful mess.  The ship in the middle is a recently started French 74 gun third rate.  Lastly, the one to the right is the USS Constitution, which was the first Langton I ever completed.  The Constitution is classified as a frigate with 44 guns but she was unusually large and could take on larger ships.  She's a beautiful ship up close.  The Constitution model has brass sails rather than cast metal.  The brass sails look a lot better but are very difficult to put on and a bit delicate on the tabletop.

Here's a staged shot of the USS Constitution tangling with two smaller British Frigates.  It's an even contest (at least with my rules!)  I have a number of other completed Langton models (mostly US ships including the USS Ben Franklin, which was a rare US 74 gun Third Rater.  I also have a number of unbuilt French and Spanish ship models to complete.

My goal is to build out 12-15 ship fleets for the British and French / Allies and a 7 ship US fleet for some "what-if scenarios".  I've tried gaming Napoleonic naval with 1/2400 ships and while they are nice models, it just not the same as seeing the Langton's on the table top.

Hopefully I can convince Ernie to stage a combined Land / Sea Napoleonic or War of 1812 campaign using his game room and my fleets.

Reinforcements!

My little French force continues to grow.  The picture to the left shows the completed units (well mostly completed).  In the center of the picture are 3 infantry battalions, the first two were discussed in the previous Army Painter post.  Towards the rear is the battalion of grenadiers, which brings my little force to six battalions of infantry.  The only remaining work is to finish apply ground cover to the bases and touch up a few details.  You can also see the command base I've put together.  I'm not that happy with the painting of the officers so I might go back and redo them.  The third line infantry battalion, which has a mix of regular and great coat infantry, hasn't been "dipped" yet.  Here are some close-up pics:

 

I also received 2 cavalry units I had painted by a local painter.  His name is Mike Marchant and he can be reached via email at: allahedin@gmail.com.  I discovered him via e-bay when I purchased 12 cuirassiers and thought I'd get him to finish up my remaining cavalry (12 other cuirassiers - Perry plastic, and 20 light cavalry - Perry metal.  I think the figures came out really well and I recommend his services.  Here are some pictures:

I'm just about done with this phase of the french.  I need to finish up a 2 guns and crews and one more command stand.  After that, it's to the tabletop on Jan 23rd for a club event and then perhaps some Prussians or Austrians.