Hobby Update February 2025

 I had set a goal for myself to post at least a monthly update, yeah, well, I was sick the end of January, then busy catching up from that. This time I am a bit slow but sort of timely anyway. So lets get started!

Books

I usually have several books going at once, typically 4, but currently 5. I did finish a couple good ones last month. First was Kearney's March by Winston Groom. A well written popular history of the period 1846-47. Lots going on with the beginning of westward expansion, and the Mexican War. If you are looking for some lighter reading on the period I'd recommend it. 

The other book was Schindler's List. I never like to get my history from movies, so after watching the movie again in January I picked this up off eBay. While the movie does follow a lot of details from the book, there is a ton more in the book to explore. Particularly several characters in the movie, and who they were composites of. Quite a good read for those with interest in The Holocaust.

Purchases

I kept these to a minimum in February. Mostly supplies. I have been trying to add a few bottles of speed paint because I am really enjoying painting with them, particularly my 15s. I did pick up the Bolt Action v3 rule book, I plan on getting into that sometime this year.  Another purchase was this 3D printed Italian villa.

At this point everything is loose so I'll end up using one of the buildings, sans porch, for the Mirabello in my Pavia game later this year.

I also picked up some Alpini Wepons teams for Bolt Action the Haleth and Hama box set for MESBG off an eBay retailer

I also found some Bolton Flayed Men on Goodwill

I'm not 100% sure what I am doing with all the GOT stuff I've picked up over the last couple years. I may try out the game, I may even do them for Midgard. We will see what happens. The figures are really cool though, and should be really fun to paint.

Gaming

This will be short, none. I have been kinda busy, and the last three weekends have been taken up with basing. Mostly what you will see next.

Painting

Painting in February went really well. About what I can expect from here till retirement anyway. I managed to get 196 figures painted. A bunch of odds and ends really. Had to take a break from my Pavia figs because I ran out of primed figures. I was able to prime again last week and got a couple boxes primed so I'll have more to paint for that project in the upcoming weeks. I did run out of primer so that's on this months shopping list.

It sometimes takes me a month or two to get basing done on figures that I have painted so this part will always be behind in that respect. First up, some Numenorians for MESBG

Isildur, Elendil, and a King of Men

A Last Alliance Army would not be complete without some Elves

Elrond

More Elrond

Gil Galad from Davale

Elven Guard by Davale

Of course there are more of the plastic Elves and Men, they just all look the same. The Davale stuff I got off Etsy 3D printed. I could not pay the prices for that horrid GW Gil Galad, not to mention the fact most of the spears break at the hands. This seemed like a better and more dynamic option. I am thinking my next ME army will need to be Mordor.

Next is the Spanish Unit for Silver Bayonet

I really enjoyed painting these. Mostly used something resembling the slap chop method. They are a mix of speed paint and acrylics. Then I also have a Ranger for Rangers of Shadow Deep.

He is a nice figure, that came with the last book they put out. It'll probably be awhile before I play either of these since I have no monsters. Had a good time painting them none the less.

I also did a few of the metal Alpini from Warlord Games.

These dudes are so easy to paint. It helps that the main webbing is the same color as the uniform. 

Last are some tanks for the Spanish Civil War

Minairons vehicles

Resin Panzer 1s

A Metal Pz 1. This sucker is hefty.

T-26s this one is captured and reused by the Nationalists

These were fun to paint, once I got things right. You see, the Pz 1s were all painted panzer grey. That is, till I saw a post in a SCW FB group showing them in a three color camo. After a little research I found that yes, they did use camo during that period. They turned out ok in the end. Just needed a little extra work.

Well that's all I have for this month. see you all next time!

Hobby Update August 2024

 I decided to do things a bit differently with my blog. Its been 4 months since I posted last and it seems like a bother at times, or repetitive, to me at least. So, I just don't do it. But, inspired by some others, I am going to do it more as a monthly hobby update covering gaming, painting, reading, and purchases. The painting will always be stuff from a couple months prior that I just based and finished. Basing is one of my biggest hurdles and there is generally a delay when it comes to that part. Right now I have the entire armies for Albuera waiting to be based, as well as a large portion of the Battle of Falkirk Muir. It will probably get caught up some by the end of the year but probably not completely. So, lets get started!

Gaming

This is easy, there was none. We had a lot going on last month and early this month, so, I kinda took the month off from doing any gaming. May get back to it this month, but certainly next.

Painting

The time I have for painting has diminished for the forseeable future, but, I still get a decent mount of painting each day. Here is some stuff from this spring.

First up Spanish Civil War

Carlist Requetes

Carlist Requetes

Carlist Requetes

Militia

Militia

Militia

Republicans

Italians

Up top are Carlist Requetes, a bunch of militia and Republicans in the middle, the last 5 pics are all Italians. All figures are the old HPC.

Here we have a bunch of Mexican American War American militia and mounted rifles. These are all Old Glory 15s, with flags from The Virtual Armchair General.

Reading

Finished a couple of good books this last month The first is a holocaust related one called The Lost

While the outcome is the same as most Holocaust reading, the authors journey to discover their fate was quite interesting. A more thorough review can be found here

The other book I finished was this fantastic volume

Absolutely loved it, a somewhat more complete review is here

Purchases

This month saw a few book and gaming purchases. I did get a few figures, a box of Perry ACW cav for a Bushwhacker project, a few sprues of Warlord Pike & Shotte foot for my 30 YW project, and a handful of 15mm ACW just because they were such a great deal.

I also got this KS in the mail

I look forward to going through this. I like the period, and these are supposed to be great rules for it.

I also picked up a few books

Got these new from Daedalis Books for under $10 each. I think the total was under $40 including shipping.

There were some eBay finds as well.

I have been picking up the Pacific editions as I find them at a price I like. I found a three book lot including one of the European books, and they threw in the Bulge book for free. Some nice pickups overall.

Well that's it for this time. See ya at the end of the month!