Summer Gaming Plans, Ver. 1.0

   We all know how 'buggy' a version 1.0 can be, right? So don't hold me too strictly to these plans. But in a few weeks I will go on summer vacation, and have significantly more time for gaming as a result. The thought occurred to me that some sort of plan might help with gaming productivity in my slow time. Thus, the following:

• Send 20 Kroot to painting service for Venusian Parrotmen.
• Send the boys' frogs to painting service.
• Obtain and paint about 15 Victoria Miniatures "Ood-like" figures.
• Paint eight 25 pdrs plus crew and staff for FOW.
• Paint an Indian mortar platoon for FOW.
• Obtain and paint more Cygnar figures ( a unit of trenchers and at least 2 warjacks).
• Finish painting Dragonfly Lancers.
• Finish painting 10 Empress Miniatures British.
• Obtain and paint replacement VSF British from Victoria Miniatures.
• Finish 5 German VSF figures.
• Obtain 10 more Prussian infantry. Paint all 20.
• Paint 10 more Aetherbattalion figures.
• Complete Volume 3, Issue 1 of The Aethergraph.
• Play some Star Frontiers RPG with the boys.
• Attend Historicon.
• Obtain a lot of terrain for 15mm desert and city.
• Obtain a lot of terrain for 25mm desert, jungle and city.

Ummmm... I think that's probably it. Look for updates, though. This is only v. 1.0, after all...

Other goings on...

Work continues apace on the recruitment dirve for Martian askaris [RAFM Space 1889 miniatures]. An additional five recruits are nearly through their training.

We have located another tribe of gex warriors, red of hue and fierce of heart. Ten of these fierce tribesmen are nearly ready to threaten the peace of Venusstadt.

General Sir Edmund Blackadder [Minifigs 25mm mounted British Officer] has recently arrived in the Royal Martian Colony as well. As soon as his baggage is sorted, I shall provide a photostat of his arrival, mounted upon his favorite steed, Baldrick.

Three small but stout-hearted reinforcements have arrived to complete a platoon of British regulars in the colony [Stone Mountain 15mm].

Once basing is complete on these figures, the Pledge shall be updated to reflect this progress, the first in weeks.

New work started.

Gentlemen,
News of a new 25mm offensive by the Hun has prompted painting. A German officer, Count Hauptmann Otto von Sickle (Parroom Station) has been seen training Martian askaris (19 x RAFM Space 1889 Martian Sepoys). Her Majesty's government will certainly be watching this development with care, as we have no wish for those dastardly devils to interfere in our legitimate colonial entitlements! The very idea!

To that point, 20 miniatures of 25mm scale have been mounted on steel washers and primered white. A bit dull still for photographs, I think. These shall become red Martians in a wonderfully non-colonial-power-specific kharkee uniform. And, of course, a dashing, bald, monocled (aber naturalische!) Prussian junker to command them in dictatorial style. While I am enamored of the miniatures produced for the Space 1889 line, I am still not convinced of the ochre Martian. Perhaps if I ever get those boxes of High Martians, they may have the traditional ochre-hued skin.

Well, enjoy the polls. The uniform question ends soon, so vote quickly, chaps!

Flags Flying High!

Well, I think I have a winner in the flag department, at least for now.

The design was given to me, essentially, by a truly decent chap and fellow TMPlar, who goes by the mysterious nom de plume of Grognard. You can see the banner in all its glory above. Please, leave comments on it.

I managed a bit of painting today as well, as I had a holiday from work today. God bless the three day weekend. Mostly just got some touch-ups done, and a bit of basing. I have started my British lancers, since I have the askaris done.

Speaking of those native troops, I consider that the term 'askari' sounds a bit like what the Hun might call his colonial troops. Perhaps I should substitute the more Britannic sounding 'sepoy' for them, what? Again, your input on this weighty matter is, of course, most welcome. Perhaps a new poll?

Askaris at Last!

A full platoon of the First Albertport Native Foot has been finished. Lieutenant Geoffrey Higgildy and Sergeant Buchsley have 18 Martians trained and ready for battle. Electrostatic phototypes can be seen in the scrapbook now, in the Martian section of the 15mm VSF Album.

All that is left is a bit of basing and a custom flag for the colonial unit. Still working on that design.

But, this means I can finally officially update my painting log, as well!

Just a quick note tonight. The hour grows late and my eyes are weary.

Paint to Brush at Last!

Today I finally held a paintbrush in my hand for the first time this year. Nothing earthshaking, but still! I may actually get to update my minis painted count this weekend! And I will include photos for you all, of course, in my scrapbook.

All I did was brush on some MinWax, to be honest. I had tried at the very end of December to use Kel's Magic Sauce (Brown) to shade my Martian askaris, and was not best pleased with the results - just not enough depth, I guess. Multiple coats may have done the trick, but I am in a bit of a hurry. I want some Martians ready to die for Her Majesty! I am already happier with the MinWax 'Magic Dip" result. Bit of a misnomer, that, as I didn't actually 'dip' the figures, but brushed the stuff on with an old large brush.

I am quite excited, though. My next quandry is the unit flag. I am thinking something squarish, with a canton on the upper left (fixed-edge) quarter showing the Union flag, and the rest some sort of Johnny Martian rubbish. It's the Johnny Martian rubbish I am unsure of. Any suggestions? I'll take the question to TMP as well.

That's all for tonight. The memsahib demands I spend time with our progeny. Something about developing self-esteem or somesuch nonsense. She probably read about it in some book. Alienist drivel, I say! Rotting the Empire! High time the lads were sent to Rugby, what?

Until next time, esteemed colleagues, I remain your humble journalist.