Project Review, Fall 2016: 25/28mm

A recap of what's going on:

    With the start of fall coming on, I decided I need to survey my madness. To wit, I am looking at each wargaming project I have ongoing, and what the status of said project currently is. 

   To define, a 'project' is a faction or force for a particular genre in a particular scale. Therefore, 15mm British WW2 and 28mm British WW2 are two different projects, as would be a 15mm DAK force, as would a British Paras vs. a British 8th Army force. Since there are so many and in so many scales, this shall be a short series of posts rather than one mega-post.

   For status, I shall use 'planning' (want to buy minis), 'active' (not playable but I am currently working on it), 'inactive' (unplayable but on to-do list), 'dead' (can't play, not doing anything, don't plan on it), 'playable' (enough to play, still adding to it), and maybe rarest of all, 'finished' (can play, no plans to add to it).

   I've already done the Small Scale projects, and the 15mm projects, if you missed those.

25/28mm

1. VSF Eureka Pond Wars: dead
2. VSF Lizardmen: inactive
3. VSF/Colonial British: playable
4. VSF German: playable
5. VSF Automaton: finished
6. VSF Martian: inactive
7. VSF Vardu: inactive
8. VSF French: inactive
9. VSF Russian: dead
10. VSF Japanese: dead
11. VSF Turkish: dead
12. VSF Parrotmen: inactive
13. VSF Characters (HM Victoria I, others): playable
14. Skyrunners VSF Racing: dead
15. EOTD/IHMN Werewolves: finished
16. EOTD/IHMN Gentlemen: finished
17. EOTD/IHMN Police Constables: playable
18. IHMN Lord Curr's Company: playable
19. IHMN Servants of Ra: playable
20. IHMN Society of Thule: playable
21. Colonial Boers: dead
22. Gutshot Cowboys and Lawmen: finished
23. Gutshot Banditos: dead
24. Terrain Old West: dead
25. Terrain Sci Fi: inactive
26. Terrain VSF: inactive
27. Terrain Fantasy: inactive
28. SAGA Normans: dead
29. SAGA Vikings: dead
30. SAGA Arabs: dead
31. Roleplaying Heroes: playable
32. Roleplaying monsters: playable
33. Doctor Who Daleks: inactive
34. Doctor Who Doctor and Companions: active
35. Doctor Who Angels: active
36. Doctor Who UNIT: planning
37. VBCW Free Welsh: playable
38. Warmachine Cygnar: playable (marginally)
39. Hordes Circle Oroboros: inactive
40. Hordes Minions: inactive
41. Warhammer Empire: inactive
42. Warhammer Lizardmen: inactive
43. WH40K Imperial Guard: inactive
44. WW2 British Paras: planning
45. WW2 Germans: planning
46. AT-43 Therians: dead
47. AT-43 UNSC: dead
48. AT-43 Red Blok: dead
49. Star Wars Prepaint: dead
50. Warhammer High Elf: dead
51. Warhammer Bretonnian: dead
52. Highland Badgers: playable (old and need re-paint)

Note: EotD is "Empire of the Dead," IHMN is "In Her Majesty's Name," VBCW is "A Very British Civil War."

   As you can see, there are a lot of dead projects in this scale. Ambition and ooh shiny got the better of my good sense over the years, and I almost never get rid of anything. Most are things where I have only a few figures, just testing the waters really. Which is good, I suppose. It's also by a fair margin the single longest list, which honestly surprised me. I thought the 15mm list would be the biggest.

   Also, I am shocked to see that I was considering up to 20 (!) different VSF projects in just 28mm. Twenty! I'm a sick man, really, I need help.

A few things I am not sure I have shared yet...

A Wold Guardian for Hordes

A Mutated Plant Man for Doctor Vardu

(Actually Reaper Bones)

Another Hordes figure, the Blackhide Wrastler

He is a mutate of Vardu for VSF - or will be one day!

More painting finished...

  I know that you have all been awaiting this post with bated breath (not baited, right? That would smell fishy, I think... anyway, sorry about the ADD kicking in there). More painted stuff! Yay!

  I finished up some more Nordlander spearmen, so I took a picture of the unit so far. I just need to paint up three more spearmen and the champion, and they are all currently on the table.

   I also finished two more Combine Ogres, a Mk. I and a Mk. II. The Mk. I was manufactured in the Houston autofac. The Mk. II is out of the autofac near Mexico City, in Toluca. It's designation BTOL led to the nickname "Beetle."

HOU-65-I-22

BTUL-69-II-2, aka "Beetle 2"

"Beetle 2", a Mk. II Ogre.

   SOme more assistance for my fledgling Cygnar Warmachine army. This is a Squire, a very special and really helpful little warjack, although useless in a fight.

   Last of all, a couple of figures for the Lord Curr's Incorrigibles Company for the VSF skirmish game In Her Majesty's Name. These will go along with Mohan Singh, whom I introduced a few days ago.

"Mad Mick" McFarlane

Sam Warburton, 'ard 'un.

Recently finished: Empire, Warmachine, IHMN

Pictures of some of the work I have finished recently:

Mohan Singh, of Lord Curr's Incorrigibles

Musician and Spearman, Nordland

Warmachine Mercenary Gobber. Notice the shorts.

Purple shorts, green skin??? Who is that?

Nordland Artillery

Nordland artillerist

Nordland gunner

Church at Dzibilchaltun, Mayan ruins in the Yucatan.

How did that get in here?

   I'm also working on my Mk. I and Mk. II Ogres, nearing completion, along with more spearmen!

Store Report: The Game Closet

The Game Closet

3122 Franklin Avenue

Waco, TX

254-751-7251

   Whilst in Waco, visiting Baylor University as a prelude to my eldest's impending college departure (only one more year!), I followed up on my habit of checking into the local gaming scene when possible. In this case, a quick internet search brought me to the door of The Game Closet. I duly spent an hour on the premises during the day on a Monday. Granted, this was during the summer, so I expect that one or two of the patrons (there were five there, other than the owner, who I shall mention momentarily, the entire time I was present) would probably not have been there had it been a school day. Besides the five 'regulars' and myself, two other men came and left in the space of time I was there. So, a fairly busy place, I would say. The regulars were playing and discussing and organizing their Magic: The Gathering card games. Two of them were friendly enough to say "hi" as I walked through the play area to the sales display area of the store.

   Layout of the store was pretty good, with an ample space for playing games, available terrain for wargamers, that sort of thing. It was all well-lit, and the a/c worked well - this is critical in Texas summer heat, folks. I would say about a 50-50 split in gaming to retail area. The retail area carried a large amount of Games Workshop product (no surprise), but also a good selection of Reaper, Warmachine and Hordes from Privateer Press, and less-well-known games (Malifaux, for example). In addition, there were a few bookshelves dedicated to RPGs, mostly the standards (D&D, GURPS) but also again some of the more uncommon as well (WFRP). There was s section of board games (pretty wide selection there) and the ubiquitous CCGs in display cases. I'm not knocking this practice - it makes the stores some much-needed bread and butter money. Just not really my cup of tea, that's all.

   I looked around for a few minutes before I was approached by Dequan Watson, the owner. Dequan was really nice to talk to, and had a lot of knowledge about the gaming industry, it seemed. In fact, he related to me something I had not heard previously: that it appears Citadel was abandoning Crapcast, er, Finecast that is, and returning to plastics. Good news, that. We talked a little bit about how business was in Waco, how long the store had been open (as a child, I spent a  lot of time in Waco, and the store was not open back then), that sort of thing. He also mentioned that the store was helping to sponsor a convention in Waco on the last weekend in September. I think I might have to return for that! The store hosts other events on a weekly basis as well, including Magic tournaments, Warhammer nights, painting nights, D&D roleplaying nights, and more. They keep a schedule on their website.

   Overall, I give The Game Closet a solid "A" rating. The only thing I can say would improve the store would be additional space and inventory. This, however, is a function of business volume, and so can't be held against them. If you live in the area, it's definitely worth checking out.

"A"

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...

Warmachine Game Photos

My Ironclad takes down a Khador Heavy. First kill of the game! Burn, you Russki! BURN!

My Charger and Lancer taking on the other Khador.

Same fight, other side. This picture is funnier.

   Obviously, Zach is still in the process of assembling and painting his Khador 'jacks. And his infantry. And his war caster. I didn't take any pictures of the second game of the day, where my 14 year old brought Cygnar another stunning victory against Trollkin Hordes. Sorry about that, Noe.

One thing I noticed about this game is that the first few turns may go a little slowly, but the last three or so turns, there is massive snowballing carnage. I like that. It's a fun game, and I imagine I will invest in a few more models. I am looking at the Grenadier and the Defender. But if I do the Grenadier, I will definitely want to get some Trenchers, too. Maybe the Trencher Artillery, since that would mean a total of four Area of Effect templates in one turn. Add the Master Gunner, and I can call it in on top of my own troops with impunity...

Cygnar Wins!

   Just finished playing my first game of Warmachine. Lots of good skirmishy fun.

   And I won!

   It all came down to the warcasters fighting in hand to hand, and Cygnar's Coleman Stryker slaughtered the Khadorian female warcaster with his sword. Chivalry may be dead, but she had it coming after wht she did to my poor Ironclad warjack.

   I also had a completely untouched Lancer warjack, while my Charger was also destroyed by the Khadorian warcaster. The last Khador warjack had only one damage box remaining when I took down the warcaster, ending the game.

   A few pictures were taken, and will follow, soon.

Putting Birthday Gift to Work

   My wife got me an awesome minis carrying case from Dave's Baggage Train. If you recall, I got an aluminum case from them a few years ago, but it is just about an inch or two too large for carry-on luggage, so I asked for a smaller, more airline friendly one for my birthday this year. This one holds twelve inches of trays. I think I had it loaded with 2x 1.5" deep, 1x 3" deep, and 3x 2" deep. Each with foam and magnetic insert in bottom. Yeah, she's awesome.

Complete with trays.

A little custom foam cut for my Cygnar Warjacks.

A 3" deep tray.

Part of my FOW Indian Infantry.

Now using almost two trays. 1.5" deep, IIRC.

Warmachine Update # 4 Plus Handgunners

   I managed to finish a few things tonight: the Cygnar Warcaster and a unit of twelve Empire handgunners from Talabheim. The handgunners have been languishing on my painting table for several months now - maybe even a year. So I am glad to be done with them. The warcaster also finished off the starter box of Cygnar models that Zach gave to me. Early, no less! I had promised to try and have them done by the end of March, and here it is with a week left to go in February. Miracles never cease.

   Enjoy the photos, and, as always, any tips or comments are appreciated.

Cygnar Warcaster - Don't recall the character name, honestly.

A view of his Steam-Magic Armour Powerplant

Command Group (Flute and Standard)

These are added when not using the unit as a detachment.

The "Violent" Violet Regiment

A Sharpshooter takes deadly aim...

   I think the handgunners will normally serve as a detachment, but I wanted to be able to field them effectively as an independent unit, hence the standard bearer and musician.

Warmachine Update #3

INITIAL THREE WARJACKS FINISHED

   I guess that sort of says it all, huh? The Battlegroup box's Warjacks are done: painted, based and sealed. I still have to finish up the Warcaster, but he is coming along well. Here are a few pictures of the finished 'jacks.

Cygnar Charger

I bored out the barrels with a small drill.

Cygnar Ironclad

The Heavy. The shading on the top of the carapace looks better in person.

Another shot of the Charger.

Cygnar Lancer

Finished shot, with basing done.

   Tomorrow I will show you the newest of the Car Wars cars finished, the '68 Dodge Demon. And, later this week, I have some Flames of War Indians that are just about done to show off, plus one of the three Grant tanks.

Warmachine and Car Wars Update, Part 2

   Okay, update time - with pictures! We'll start with the Car Wars cars. They are mounted on some gray-sprayed Litko wooden bases, measuring 1.5" x 3" x 3mm. This is triple the size of a standard counter, so all distances in the game are tripled as well. I even have two triple-sized turn keys.

'71 Hemi 'Cuda

Note the twin MGs protruding low. 

Also has a discharger of some sort in the rear (minedropper?).

The Mach 5

No weapons. No top armor. But fast? Oh, heck yeah!

I plan to use it as a NPC car, more mobile target and distraction than anything else.

The Blue Viper

A Hot Wheels fantasy car. Greyson loves it.

No overt weapons, but rockets are concealed in the fenders.

  And now, we move to Warmachine. I already related how Zach (he corrected me) conned me into getting involved in a new game by cleverly giving me models for it. Here is the first one, nearly finished, a Cygnar Lancer. Of course, the base is unfinished for now, but I am reasonably pleased with the paint job.

Glowing Vortex coil (or whatever it is called) on the carapace.

Can you see the fire glowing in the grate?

Big pig sticker.

   The Dodge Demon is almost done - just waiting for paint to dry thoroughly before I apply the gloss coat to the turret. Also, the heavy warjack that came with the set (don't know the name for certain, still new to the game) is almost done. The last light warjack is only about 40% done, maybe, and the warcaster is still bare plastic. Still, a good jump on the project.

  Finally, I bought a few toys today. Three painted 15mm Grants for FOW, another platoon of Indian infantry, four India Pattern Carriers, a subscription to EasyArmy.com's North Africa company builder, a 2-pdr portee, and a set of templates for Warmachine. Ouch.

Warmachine and Car Wars Update

   As predicted, I have partially assembled the warjacks and sprayed them with black primer. We'll see if any actual paint gets put on the pieces when I wake up in the morning.

  For Car Wars, I got the Mach 5 based. Which is all it needs, because hey, it's the freakin' Mach 5. I also got a green '71 Hemi 'Cuda based and with a pair of MG barrels poking out the front. Easy stuff, really. Next step is to get on the '68 Dodge Demon and paint the turreted Vulcan I want to glue on it's roof. Pictures when I get a couple of more finished and I am not so tired.

   So, anyway, I am trying to get some hobby stuff done, and do some blogging. I think, so far so good for 2013. We'll see if I can keep it up.

   Oh, one more thing, OwlCon is coming up in February, and Historicon in July. I plan on going to both. Let me know if any of you guys are going to be attending.

   And remind me to do a store report on Skirmish Games, too.

And now, for something completely different.

  My friend Zack (dude, how DO you spell it? with the k, the h or just the c?) gave me the above boxed set for Christmas this year. Now, you might be thinking "What a generous friend." And you'd be right.

   But he's also a lawyer. And that means he's a devious son of a rattlesnake, too. How? Because this means he wants to start playing Warmachine, another new game! So, now I have been conned into promising to have this starter set painted up by the end of March. Anyone who has read this blog knows that deadlines and me, we don't usually meet up, at least when you are talking about gaming stuff. To quote that great robot philosopher, GIR: "Hooray! We're doomed!"

   I purchased two pots of Cygnar paint yesterday, however, and intend to manfully pursue this goal, regardless of the near certainty of dismal failure. My forecast is that today I get the plastics cleaned up, and perhaps  even get a spray of black primer upon them. Tomorrow (a holiday), I might even get some paint on them. And then they will sit for a month. Come the end of February,  will be reminded I need to get back on this. And I will spend an hour or three working on them. Spring Break in March is probably my only real chance to make this happen.

   Wish me luck. I'm going in.

Tomorrow is First Game

  First game of the year for me, and the first game in which my FOW Indians will at least make an appearance. Wish the British infantry luck!

  In other news, I got a late Christmas present from my buddy Zac. The Cygnar starter set! He wants to play some Warmachine, so he got me started. I promised to have them painted by the end of March. We'll see.

  In other other news, I also received a shipment of the first game purchase I made this year: some bases for Car Wars! Huzzah! I can finally put some cars on bases, add the guns, and get down to plastering fools with HD Ammo death!

Good night! Must rest up to tackle Jerry in the desert, what?