Monday, May 30, 2016

The Toast, Ladies and Gentleman, is this:

Absent Friends


   I've been fortunate that I've only lost three friends fallen in the service of our nation. Considering how many friends and family I have that have served, I'm blessed. For those of you who have lost everything, my most sincere condolences and solemn thanks.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Brazos Evil Empire: OFFICIAL - GZG: 24 hour flash sale for Bank Holida...

Brazos Evil Empire: OFFICIAL - GZG: 24 hour flash sale for Bank Holida...: Hi all, a quick update: If folks on here could do me the favour of spreading this around all the usual websites, blogs and various sites...

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

North Africa Campaign, Day 1

   Last weekend the Clear Lake Area Wargamers Squad (CLAWS) kicked off our North African campaign using Flames of War. We managed to get in six games and rolled off the unfought battles for the turn, including an unsuccessful LRDG raid. Darn it. Overall, the first day went well for the Axis, unfortunately, but in our second turn... I predict the Allies will surge back. Personally, I lost a 4-3 and won a 4-3. So pretty close on both fronts.

A shot of the room. Three tables in play.

Some of Gerald's amazing Algerian terrain.

A sight to warm the cockles of every Desert Rat's heart: Jerry tanks brewing up.

Some of Gerald's Vichy French (Senegalese, I think).

   I have a British Indian infantry company as my base force, with a variety of add-ons. I made the mistake of choosing to use a special rule in my first game which allows me to attack at night. Unfortunately, my opponent had fielded a German Pionierkompanie, and they can hold like the devil. The night-time also kept my air off the table. Plus, he rolled a freaking Tiger I-E as his Firestorm unit (we are using a modified Firestorm Bagration ruleset), and I got a platoon of Crusader IIs. Not a fair trade. Ah well. It was still an interesting game.

   In the second game, my placement of artillery left something to be desired. Zach's Panzers almost made mincemeat of them, and did kill off the staff team and one gun crew. He also took out my only real armour on the board, a platoon of Grants. I did enjoy machinegunning down a platoon of his infantry, trapped in the open, with a patrol of India Pattern Scout cars, aka lightly armoured mobile MG nests. A separate patrol did fine work against his anti-air platoon as well. In the end, I managed to stave off defeat because we ran out of time. Otherwise, it might easily have been a 4-3 loss in my second game as well. I might have been able to keep the objectives contested long enough to pull off a victory. Maybe.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Zach's Been Busy, pt. II

  As promised the last time, more of Zach's progress. I'm showing off his, because I haven't made much. However, I am starting to feel like painting again, so maybe something good will happen.

   This first mini was painted in one hour of brush time. It's a 40K figure, supposed to be a Dark Angel Space Marine, I think.

Not bad for just 60 minutes of brush time.





Zach reminds us "Strong Tone Ink Wash is Your Friend."



   This next one is for Infiniti. She's not finished yet. Me, I don't even know exactly to which faction she belongs. He's used a metallic blue paint for her armor. Which prompts the poll question.




   Well, that's all for now. Hope you liked them. Today I am supposed to play in a Flames of War North African campaign game. (I'm scheduling this post for later.) I will try to get a few shots of my brave Sikhs and British Tommies fighting Rommel's Huns.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Zach's Been Busy, pt. I

   You've heard me talk about my buddy Zach before. He invited me around this morning to see what he's been up to lately. Lots of painting going on at Casa de Maloney.

   First up, some Rebel Minis 15mm Sci-Fi. Zach said that the owner was a really pleasant guy to work with in ordering everything.






These fellows bear a striking resemblance to mercenaries from The Fifth Element.

Unlike the movie version, these have orange skin. Why?
"Because they're mine and I can paint 'em any color I want."

Really like these guys.

Here are some skeletal robots armed with heavy weapons.


And with some regular weapons - phased plasma rifles in the 40 Watt range.


I really like how he did his bases. Very "urban ruin" feeling.

   Zach also had a little bit of 28mm stuff to show me, some unfinished. I'll post those tomorrow, maybe Sunday. Something to which you may look forward!