Cruel Seas - Gluing Together PT Boats

So I was weak. I have already been distracted by something shiny and new.

Last week I bought the January edition of Wargames Illustrated that included some articles of interest, along with two free US PT boats for Warlord Games' Cruel Seas game. I liked how well they went together that a day later I bought the US Navy PT Boat Flotilla box set to give me a total of four Higgins and four Elco PT boats.

Overall they were pretty easy to put together, though due to the small parts there was more flash than I would've liked. They also didn't include an instruction sheet, so I had to watch some YouTube clips and search through historical photos to see which way round the torpedoes and rocket launcher were meant to be positioned. But these are just minor criticisms once you see what the flotilla looks like all lined up.

One thing that wasn't too easy to do was add a magnet (as I'll be storing these in a tin) to the bottom of each boat. Although there was a cavity, this was sloped on an angle. The simple solution was to add a little block of card about 7x7mm to the deeper end and then glue a strip of sheet magnet strengthened with card so that it was flush with the bottom of the boat. (The photo above also has all the boats with a magnet strip added.)

Painting-wise I'll keep things simple - the Higgins and two of the Elco boats with be in a simple grey scheme similar to this:

While the remaining two Elco boats will have additional camouflage:

Hopefully they'll be done in a few weeks. I also have my first game of Cruel Seas lined up next Sunday and have been watching a few of the play through videos that are online.

Edit: you can see part 2 here and part 3 here.

LAF Build Something Contest 2019 - Part 4 (Knees and Sushi Lids)

As stated, I've glued toilet tissue paper to the head (and tested it on a leg). Here's what it looks like.

I like the look it achieves, but I'll need to start gluing from the bottom body part and then move to the top to achieve the right look with the overlapping. I think (hoping?) it's going to paint up really well. The current plan is dark greys for the body, with the face and/or head like the cat mascot I posted previously. I still don't know if I should paint over the eyes or leave them (with a black Blade Runner style eyeliner).

I have also made the knee joints - they will be the only "internal" parts showing, as one leg has been ripped off and will also have the guitar string wires in a mess spilling out from both parts.

They were made by cutting up the tube you get with a roll of dog toilet bags, adding a circular cap to each end by gluing a larger rectangular plastic sheet and then trimming it to size. The final step was to use a simple hole punch to create the joint cap. This will be easier to see when painted (as the plastic is semi-clear).

Finally I'm needing help with the back outlet ports. They're just the lids from soy sauce fish shaped bottles you get with sushi takeaway (https://www.techly.com.au/2016/08/12/techly-explains-whats-deal-little-soy-sauce-fish-comes-takeaway-sushi/) that may or may not be available in your part of the world. I've never used them before, but while having some sushi the other day I realised the lids would be useful for this build. They will have guitar string wires attached to the end and I don't know if they should be lined up vertically or horizontally.

 

Which do you prefer?

LAF Build Something Contest 2019 - Part 3 (Repositioning)

Painting-wise I was going to go with black/dark grey colours and lots of rust, then covered with greenery. However, I am thinking of painting her like one of Stålenhag's more colourful things, like this mascot:



Last week I also repositioned her so the pose is way less sexual and look a lot more relaxed/sleeping. I then covered parts in Milliput to bulk out the shape and give it a more of an android form:

Looks wise I still want the peeling of "skin", as in the original artwork that inspired the build and this piece that is haunting:

To achieve this look I started covering parts in small (1-2cm²) pieces in toilet paper, and then squeezing supaglue over it. I've only done the head, but it has done wonders in giving a whole lot of rigidity to the soft plastic of the head (the rest of a Barbie is made of a lot harder plastic). I'll post pictures of this step in the next few days once I've done a little more (including the jaw/mouth).

LAF Build Something Contest 2019 - Part 2 (Cutting Up a Barbie)

Finally (some) progress! I got hold of a second-hand Barbie from a fellow wargamer (thanks James) to use as the basis of the deep sleeping robot.

After some time pulling all that hair out (I got a blister by using pliers!) and some chopping up of the limbs, I think I have a good basis for the model.

I cut out the mouth to see what it looks like - the rubber material is softer than I thought, but nothing that a bit of plasticard and Milliput won't give more rigidity. Yes, it looks creepy to me too.

During the week I plan to glue her together, and start adding bits of plastic and card (pistons, battery packs, etc) to transform her. I'll have to buy some Milliput as I haven't used any for years. I think I can make the deadline still.

Last Game I Played - Vikings invade Brazil

The first League of Ancients meet at its new home at the Caulfield RSL looked promising with a better than average selection of beers on tap and a bistro that offered a broad menu. Things looked good.

To ease myself into a new year of gaming I lined up some relaxed games of ADLG. I hadn't played with my Tupi for a long time (they were originally painted for a Field of Glory Renaissance tournament in April 2014). I probably haven't used them since, though I remember painting a few extra bits for them a few years ago. I lined them up for a semi-historical game against the Texcala (list #273), but that game fell through. The second game was against Michael B and his Vikings (list #150). Watching 'Vikings' I guess this would be a historical match-up.

I deployed with a large command in the middle (with 6 medium swordsmen 2HW, 3 medium bowmen and 3 light foot bow), with flanked by identical wings (with 3 medium swordsmen 2HW, 3 medium bowmen and 1 light foot bow). Michael's had a heavy elite central command, flanked by two weaker commands - one of them full of the Irish.

I surged forward, keen to find a gap and exploit it.

Which quickly went pair-shaped as I lost an element and the army general!

My left (blue) wing went a lot better (nearly wiping out the opposing command).

But the devastation wrecked in the centre...

...and eventually the right flank:

Meant that I was always going to struggle, eventually going down in a one-sided affair.

I think with 28 units I should've worked the flanks, delaying the centre with all the light foot. The medium swordsmen aren't bad, but are always going to struggle against mounted and heavy foot.

I was impressed by the new home, even if the staff felt a little overwhelmed with us at lunchtime. Looking forward to February's meet!

Painting Goals - 2019

I am experienced enough to know I won't paint everything I plan to paint in the coming year, though I can dream.

Some things include:

• Anything that's shiny and distracts me
  
• 15mm Teutonic Knights (5 stands) for ADLG
  
• 28mm Tau and Kroot (~40 miniatures) for Kill Team
  
• 28mm Late WWI Germans/Freikorps (~50 miniatures) for no rule set at the moment - just get them painted!
  
• 28mm characters and zombies (17 miniatures) for The Walking Dead: All Out War
  
• 28mm terrain (various bits and pieces)
  
• 15mm Napoleonic French (a division or whole army) for FoGN
  
• Anything that's shiny and distracts me

That's enough for now...

Most of this should be possible, as last year I painted ~50 28mm miniatures, a 15mm Malay DBA army, a 15mm Mongol ADLG army and a few other bits and pieces.

The things I painted in 2019 include:

• 28mm Pond Wars frogs and samurai rabbits (20 foot and 1 cannon) for Tribal/Ronin

Pond Wars Frogs and Samurai Rabbits

Eureka Miniatures makes a lovely Pond Wars range, consisting of anthropomorphised frogs, terrapins and samurai rabbits (the full range can be found here: http://www.eurekamin.com.au/index.php?cPath=87_126_191&sort=3a).

I bought some of these miniatures years ago (since 2005 I think!), they were for a short-lived Mordheim campaign (I remember playing 1-2 games with them unpainted). They lay in the lead pile unloved, until I realised I could use them for Tribal (that would be probably have a Samurai expansion in the near future) and games like Ronin which catered for small-scale Samurai skirmish wargaming.

The range is sculpted by Kosta Heristanidis, who was inspired by Japanese Chōjū-giga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dj%C5%AB-jinbutsu-giga), which has plenty of examples online (search for "Japanese art frogs", etc).

I bought a few extra bits before Christmas and spent the last two or so weeks painting them up to match the artistic style in preparation for a game of Tribal with Ara. Colours I used were Vallejo Germ. Cam. Beige (70.821) with White (70.951) for the bellies, and US Dark Green (70.893) with German Cam. Dark Green (70.979) patches for the backs and legs. They were not easy to paint, with plenty of large smooth surfaces and large eyes - but I'm pretty happy with the results. I also managed to paint an aquarium Torii and a John Jenkins Designs stone lantern.

Here's some pre-game photos (the Samurai rabbits are painted to represent my two dogs, with the Sashimono symbols matching their collars):

Their first outing was against Ara's Perry Miniatures' samurai in a game of Tribal. We played the 'Revenge' scenario from the main rulebook. I would be tasked with defeating Ara's yari-armed samurai. We also tested some cavalry rules, so it would be interesting how these would influence the game.

Some photos of the chilled Sunday session game:

I did manage (after an earlier, failed attempt) to take out the samurai:

I ended the game by once again sniping away (at point blank range!) to stop Ara's Chief from overrunning my tanegashima (matchlock)-armed Warriors by always winning initiative and shooting first (asking questions later). 16-8 Honour, good times.

I love these Pond Wars miniatures, they are just so damn cute. I just don't know why I took so long to paint them.

Last Game I Played - High Society and King of New York

Several games of High Society (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/220/high-society), breaking Cal's formula on how to bid.

And a fast, brutal game of King of New York (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/160499/king-new-york).

LAF Build Something Contest 2019 - Part 1 (A Plan)

Every year or two, the Lead Adventure Forum runs a fun contest for members to scratch-build something within a time limit on a particular theme (e.g. "water") or restriction (e.g. on a CD).

This year the theme was vegetation, the full rules can be viewed here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=114168.0

I knew immediately I would want to concentrate to the other definition of "vegetation" - the action or process of living or spending a period of time in a dull, inactive, unchallenging way. One of my slow-burn projects is set in Simon Stålenhag's world, so something that uses both definitions to reflect something like this:

...would be cool. I spent a few hours to think if it could be done within the confines of this contest.

I searched through Google Images for something that reflected what I was thinking - probably very similar to this pose:

Complete with the bottom half of the right leg missing (I know it's the angle in the above photo that's giving that perspective). The left arm might be resting on the knee. However, as the model needs to be self supporting (i.e. I don't want a wall or similar for it to lean against), so it probably needs both hands on the ground.

A lesson I learnt from last year was to think of the storage solution at this stage, so it wouldn't become easily damaged. I'll probably buy a cheap doll from the dollar store to give me the head (I'll sculpt the open jaw, teeth, etc) and help with the proportions of the torso and the limbs.

Plant wise on and around the base of the model I plan to use:

• Clumps of teddy bear fur
• Dried tea and leaves
• Sticks and twigs
• Dyed sawdust
• Static grass

I'll probably use some small tufts with flowers as I'll have a bit of space in the 25% commercial limit to make my creation not look like an arts and crafts project!

I also realise I have subconsciously been influenced by Nicklas P's thread from a few weeks ago on LAF:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=113797.0

Australian New Year's Eve Gaslands Championship 2018

After a recent surge of interest in Osprey Games' 'Gaslands', this year saw the inaugural Australian New Year's Eve Gaslands Championship at Phil's place, in nice summer weather with plenty of food and drink.

We were required to build vehicle(s) worth no more than 25 cans and sponsors or perks were not available. I took my recently completed blue car with two forward facing mini-guns and smoke.

There were two qualifying races before a Grand Final Race. The first qualifying race was Death Race, where in my inexperience (this was my first game!) I managed to get rammed twice by Tyler's red rammer, die a couple of times, but still finished second (no one came even close to catching Andrew's bike). Walter (dark blue car), Paul (pink Mini) were left driving in circles, while Andrew's blue car provided support.

The second qualifying race was an automatic pass for the two cars left (some late drop outs), so it was straight to the final - Saturday Night Live! More carnage with Andrew, Andreas and Scott, and therefore only one photo. I will need to read up on the scenario, as sometimes killing another car isn't a good thing.

Lots of explosions, an oil slick, along with some cunning and plenty of back stabbing. I managed equal third (there were four of us) and also best painted car. I love the chaos in this game. Thanks for hosting Phil - bring on more in 2019!

Things I Love - 40K Mech and Pilot

A lovely conversion of an Ork Killa Kan by Ana Polanšćak done for a group 40K project, 'Gelida: the Frozen Expanse' (see more at https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thefrozenexpanse), set on a frozen planet where people have to resort to utilising mechs and exosuits to traverse the world for resources.

Her contribution is this mech converted from a Killa Kan and its pilot, based on a Steel Legion guardsman. It's also (in case you couldn't tell) heavily inspired by Jakub Rozalski's art (see https://www.artstation.com/jakubrozalski),

More converting and painting goodness on the Gardens of Hecate blog:
http://gardensofhecate.blogspot.com/2018/12/200-gelida-frozen-expanse.html

Painted Bits and Pieces Over Christmas

Had a few bits and pieces I wanted to paint over the quiet days and all were selected as they would have a similar colour palette, which helped in getting them done in a couple of sittings.

The first batch are some AB Figures WWII British dispatch riders to use as motorbikes in Car Wars / Gaslands type games.

The second batch is some Eureka Miniatures female peasants and chickens. They aren't available from the online store yet, but emailing Eureka or dropping into the store will allow you to get some. They are cute as hell, but I could only give them a very basic paint job as they are tiny.

And finally the last batch is of Peter Pig's USS Sandusky a Marietta-class monitor that I based a display piece for Hammerin' Iron.

Not my best painting (or photography) on these (too much food and drink in the system), but I'm glad I got these on and off my painting queue relatively quickly (well the Sandusky has been in its brown undercoat for a long while...).