Hobby Update August 2025

 Yet another month has passed. This one seemed a bit slower than the others which was ok because it has seemed as though the year was just flying by.  I imagine things will speed back up soon enough. Well, let's take a look at what went on this last month.

Books

I only finished one book this last month But, it was a really good read.

I had bought this some time ago because the subject intrigued me. I was not disappointed. Excellent book on the Spanish Blue Division and their operations, as well as all the political maneuverings going on between Germany and Spain. I have always remembered  a political cartoon I saw as a teen when Franco died. It was him joining a card game with Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. Kind of odd in retrospect. I think the subject is way more nuanced than that. But I guess it was the times. I did start some great books and look forward to sharing those when I am done. 

Purchases

I did manage to keep things to a minimum this month. Early in the month I placed an order with Warlord games to pick up some stuff they had on clearance, mostly to fill in my Alpini, and I also picked up the Heroes of Camelot set. I am wanting to do the Arthurian period with Midgard, and they were discounted, so, why not. I also got in a batch of tents for my Pavia game from Noble Knight, as well as about 12' of printed streams for the same. I found a few deals on eBay, like 15 10mm European buildings from Musket Miniatures  which will be great for my 1859-1870 games. I got a good price on a pack of Slaughterloo Elves, and the 1866 rules. I probably won't ever play those  rules but they are valuable for the other things in the book. Organizations, scenarios, etc.

Gaming

Wasn't any gaming this month, Had a tone of other things to concentrate on unfortunately. And with the countdown now for TaKtiCon in November, I'm not too sure how much I'll get in before then. But we shall see how it goes. If you are interested in TaKtiCon the link is here November 7-9 in Kansas City. 

Much of my time has been spent trying to figure out rules so I can get things sorted out, and storage. I have a decent amount of storage but I am running out of space. I started weeding through rules and figuring out what I am going to actually use so I can get rid of some, and get miniatures done for them. That has opened up some space, and I am trying to get my minis organized better. I had a great plan to use RUB 9L boxes with 3 Sally 4th trays.. Unfortunately, when put into practice, I found that the flags were too tall for the 35mm high boxes. back to square one, ruining my plans for this weekend as well.

My next big project, I think I will start in the next two weeks, is lighting down in the hobby room. I had bought some LED can lights last year. Just need to get them in.

Painting

I have known for some time that my painting time was going to take a hit, and that finally happened this month. I am able to get plenty of painting time regardless. I did manage to finish up 175 figures/terrain pieces, which was pretty good, and likely the new norm for awhile. Here are ones I got based and flocked this month. There is usually a month lag between what I paint, and basing, so, this is stuff from July.

I had a free German Grenadier sprue from way back, and my reading (see above) inspired me to build them out as Spanish. I had these 6 I put together, and I have another box and a half waiting for assembly. Warlord makes the decals for the Espana patch which I used on these. I have to say, I don't know who uses all those other tiny patches, but that is way beyond my talents.

Got some old Clan War stuff done as well. Not entirely sure what I am going to do with these, but, they are fun to paint.

Some Warlord Games Alpini weapons teams and support groups

Some Waffen SS weapons teams

A few ACW figs. I was looking at doing New Market and decided I needed  more cav dismounts for both sides, and when I did the figures for VMI, I had to buy a specialty command pack from Stone Mountain. That gave me 2 sets of command for VMI, US Sharpshooters, and Bucktails. I incorporated the 2 sets of VMI command into the Corp of Cadets, the sharpshooters were split, one going as sharpshooters for an already painted unit with no command, and the other as a generic Union command with the long coats. That left the Bucktails, so, I placed an order for some Bucktail figs and made 2 units out of them. Flags are all from Maverick Models.

I had painted these Persians some time ago, but, I was just putting off finishing the shields with LBMS transfers. Not a big fan of how they turned out, but they are slung on the backs so not as visible anyway. Figures are Xyston.

I bought these cool little buildings  second hand so I don't know where they are from. They are 10mm and super easy to build. The timbers and doors are  finished, so you assemble the base house, paint it white, then glue on the timbers and doors, the roof is precut cardstock so you glue that on and you are done. Pretty sweet.

Then last week I got these finished up. I am doing my SAGA Age of Chivalry stuff rather generic so I can use stuff for more than one army. As I said above, I am running out of space.

Well that is pretty much it this time. I always start looking back and see that I did more than I was thinking I had. That was the case again. Well I will see you all next month!

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!