Photostats of the 1st Gonzales Foot

A small patrol of the 1st Gonzales Foot on Patrol. Note the native tent in the background. Careful search of the premises yielded no contraband, and the nomadic Martian family was left in peace.

Twenty minutes later, one member of the patrol, Private Ferdinand Schlinke was killed by sniper fire from the rocks.

Regimental Sergeant Major Cox accompanied this patrol at the request of Colonel Ernest Anderson. Anderson was concerned for the safety of the patrol and the relative inexperience of Lieutenant Harald Godwinson, nominally in command of the patrol.






Lieutenant Godwinson, pictured above, distinguished himself in the brief action against the sniper, receiving a serious wound to his left arm. He continued to direct his troops and himself moved across open territory, firing his revolver in order to draw the sniper's fire, and allowing Sharpshooter Rogelio Resendez to flank the sniper. One gunshot later, the sniper had been eliminated.



Upon returning to camp, Lieutenant Godwinson refused treatment until his men were cared for. RSM Cox's report to the colonel recommended no further 'babysitting' was needed for young Godwinson.



Additional photostats are now available of the Venusian primitives.




In the background can be seen 3 Platoon, C Co., the 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch). Apologies for the terrible photostat composition - it was rushed and straight off the workbench.

Finally, before I go, I want to wish a Very Happy Birthday to Susan, the lovely wife of my good friend Jim whom I mention on here frequently. She is exactly one day older than myself.

Two projects done! (well, almost)

Greetings friends.

This journal is becoming something of a bore for many of you, I fear. But, in the hopes that some of you enjoy the "What I am Working On" nature of the journal, I shall continue. Perhaps in the near-ish future I will also add some more to the Publications area. I know that a few things have been modified since last I posted documents to that section. Maybe this weekend.

The Texicans are finished but for their protective clear coat. Twelve stout Republic of Texas lads, ready to march onto the table. I'll post photostats soon.

The first of the Venusians is ready as well. These fellows fight in both scales that I game in. They make HUGE Venusian lizardmen for the 15/18mm VSF and sort of small ones (if a bit heavily built) for the 25/28mm VSF. For these troops I used Games Workshop Skinks that I purchased already painted some months ago from a telephonic auction site that is quite the rage these days. A few touchups, some base work (very little) and there you have it: ten Venusian Lizardmen of the more primitive sort.

One tent for the Martian nomads has been prepared quite satisfactorily, and a second is in the works. Still waiting to get started on that second Johnny gun. Where does all the time go?

I have looked as well on a new telephonic auction site, http://www.wargamesmarket.com/. Please take a moment to check them out, as they are quite specific in supporting this daft hobby of ours. I've bid on a few things, though, so please don't take them from me! It would be terribly rude, don't you know? Not - perhaps - sabers at dawn, but certainly Something That Simply Isn't Done.

Also, I have been re-reading the novels of Mister H. G. Wells recently. My eldest son has a long-term assignment through the school to read several of an author's books and do a variety of reports and projects of sorts over the various novels. Greyson (the eldest lad, that is) chose Mr. Wells as his author. Other than that poppycock about tentacled Martians (Good Lord! Everyone knows Martians are red skinned humanoids! What nonsense and stuff!), I have quite thoroughly enjoyed the tales of Prendick, Moreau, Griffen and the rest.

Good rest to you all.

P.S. Jim, please wish Susan a 'Happy Birthday' for all of us if you read this tomorrow. I know Chan plans to call her tomorrow, but Dane is off to the dentist for a few extractions and fillings. She might get too wrapped up in that and forget to call.

The Texicans are Coming!

Friends,

I am sure you will be utterly shocked to learn that I have begun another project, with one or two still unfinished projects on my workbench.

But I have. I am working on the first unit of ten Texican infantry, from the late 1800s. They are in the new 'butternut' uniforms that you and I would name 'kharkee.' You know, the same color our good Sikhs wear on the Northwest Frontier. Ah, Peshawar... What? Oh, never mind that. What happens in Peshawar, remains in Peshawar.

I was in a minor horseless coach accident again last night. For the second time in three weeks, some fool failed to control his own vehicle and plowed into mine, which was sitting at a complete stop. Twice, I say! Damned fools on the roads today. The children and I are fine, as was the driver of the other coach, a cargo vehicle of some kind. Fortunately, he was at least financially responsible enough to insure his inability to properly conduct his vehicle!

Enough for now. The lady of the house is calling and there are Things To Be Done. An update of the Pledge count is imminent - keep posted if you're of a mind to track progress liek I am this year.

A Pledge Update

Martian reinforcements are ready for action, with another nine that should be ready tomorrow! Check the updated Pledge count!

This means that I can purchase more lead, right? Well, not really, as I still have a huge backlog of Martians to paint. Probably another 30 or so until I have all that I currently own painted. Plus Jim's Scots, who are currently being worked into the rotation. All coats are red, all helmets white, stockings white and black and red checked, kilts blue (plaid not completed), sporrans white with three black tufts... on their way to Black Watch plaid!

Also worked on some 15mm Texicans. Not quite finished with the first 4, but I'll be presenting you lads with photostats of a firing line in a few days, I believe. Perhaps even by the next journal entry, as they seem to be running one every two or three days at this point.

I would like to take this chance to thank you for your continued readership, but please make some more comments. I crave feedback, on anything at all that is posted. Tell me if this journal has gotten ho-hum. If my painting lacks refinement, disparage it! have any good ideas of your own? I'll be glad to post them and cite you as a reference.

I need to find a way to allow others to post on here as well. I have a few people whom I trust not to ruin my little project here that I think would be a welcome and fun to read addition.

Historical Accuracy? Pfaugh! We're playing on Mars!

My good friend Jim and I were talking this evening over port and cigars after a fine meal, and the topic of 'historical accuracy' in uniforms came up. I thought perhaps you fellows (and ladies!) might be interested in my thoughts on this matter.

Certainly, it should be apparent which side your small lead soldiers are on - this is quite important. But I feel that a dogged insistence on absolute accuracy in painting is a bit too much to ask. For some of our noble fellow-hobbyists, it seems that it is all that matters. Not I.

In particular, I pretty well always paint Colonial-era (and as an extension, VSF) British in the red coat and blue trousers. I know perfectly well that Her Majesty's infantry changed from that uniform in 1879-80 to the kharkee coat and trousers. I acknowledge that the kharkee (or butternut, as our Southron friends would name it) is much more practical than the red coat. But dash it all, it lacks style. So, unless I purchased the miniatures previously painted (something I rarely do), my British soldiers will be in red. Sepoys and native contingent might appear in kharkee, and the Martian Sepoys are in fact, uniformed thusly. But their British officers and NCOs are in glorious red.

I have even been known to mix Sudan-era British with Zulu War-era British, who lack puttees of all things! Now, not in the same unit (that way lies madness, I assure you!), but within the same army, most certainly!

Jim is a big fan of Napoleonics as well, and we will probably move into that era in the near to middling future. Perhaps 2009. And we have agreed that we shan't overly worry if the lace on the 18th Foot is yellow rather than white and the piping that was supposed to be leaf green is, in fact, more of a kelly green. Good sense shall prevail.

Naturally, just to be contrary, I am constantly asking what the right colors are for a certain period of this or that. But just because I know what the proper colors are does not mean that I feel bound to use them - I may opt for an earlier or later color scheme.

Finally, for the record, I got nothing finished today. I did get a bit of basing worked on, and actually applied a bit of paint to those 25mm Minifigs Scots of Jim's, but nothing finished. For that reason, the Pledge Counter remains unchanged - I only modify it when a miniature or piece of terrain is ready for the tabletop.

Good evening gentlemen.