Delays

Over the last few weeks I've started a new job (from not having one for the last 2 and half years) and started a Master's degree program. Needless to say I am a bit overwhelmed and can't really concentrate on little soldiers at the moment. But last night my wife, being the good counselor that she is, is ordering me to take 30 minutes out of my day for me. So, that 30 minutes will most likely be miniature painting or building or something. I spent last night's thirty minutes cleaning off my desk!

As a side note, I have finally received the correct Vallejo colors to continue my US Army in ACU.  Also, due to some people asking how I did the ACU I'll be posting a Tutorial, sometime. I also received a Space Wolf Pack that I can work on my White Howlers, my Space Wolves successor chapter

And because I don't like posting something without a picture of miniatures here are pics of my Screaming Bell. Pics are a bit blurry but you can still tell what it is.

Until Next time!

ACU (digital camo) pt 2

Here is my second attempt at Digital Camo or ACU. This one is much better than my first attempt but not quite as good as I wanted. For some reason, when I painted the first model forgot how to paint or something. This one looks much better.



He is nearly finished. I need to add some highlights to his rifle and goggles. Maybe another layer of skin tone and some straps. I'm undecided on his back pack and pouches. I've seen some pics where the pouches are desert colors, and some where they are ACU. So, I don't know.

Edit: I wanted to ad some real life examples that I'm using as reference.

I am about to go on an anniversary trip so I won't be able to finish him or work on the others in the unit until I get back.

New methods

I've stripped the paint off those Caesar Modern US Army figures. Since my last attempt to paint them in ACU failed miserably (in my opinion), I've searched high and low for an idea of how to paint ACU on such a small scale. Eventually, I found a method I am going to use and see if it works on this scale.The figures below are 28mm where mine are closer to 20mm.

These are Empress Miniatures US Army miniatures painted by jas as seen on the Ambush Alley Games Forums here

Also, I have the rough shape of four buildings now. I'm not posting any pics until I get all the ones I'm building to a stage that I think is worthy of pictures. Probably right before I start applying the texture to the walls. We'll see.

Building buildings pt 1

I've been building terrain for years. Most of my creations have been thrown away or given away. The biggest loss of terrain came when I sold my store. With it went all  but my most essential terrai, few hills, few forrests, few buildings. With me working on a new game, based in a modern setting, I need terrain for it so here I go.


The first of my Middle Eastern Style buildings was started about a week ago. But it is just a square foam board building, nothing that exciting and quite boring. So, I started working my second, more architecturally challenging, one yesterday. I'm using the same techniques and materials that can be found all over the web for this style of miniature architecture; Foam board, Xacto knife, Steel ruler, Spackle, blah lbah blah. As I get further along I may ad some other items and materials as needed.

Here is the initial pic of my second structure. It is just taped together to see how it all will fit together and how it looks. It will "square up" once I solidify it with glue and put it on a base. I still need to cut out some windows and other openings. Oh and in looking at the picture, I should have put a miniature on the roof or behind the wall or something to show scale. It is about 20mm or 1:72 scale.

US ARMY ACU Painting Test

I finally sat down and put a brush to the Caesar Modern US Army figures. I decided to go with the ACU pattern for their camoflage. It's "technically" their current pattern but it's
getting phased out to make way for Multicam.

I think that the pattern is too dark for ACU and the gloves are too green. I might try another figure tomorrow with a little shade lighter.

Upcoming League

This Tuesday (5/3) is the start of a Warhammer Fantasy Escalation  League at one of the local game stores. While I have some issues with they way they are approaching the League I will participate and utilize their league to play some Warhammer Fantasy battles (which is a rare commodity in this day and age).

Anyway, I've been contemplating what army I am going to play in the League and have finally settled on Skaven. Simply because I have more of them painted than any other army I have at the moment. After even more deliberation I've settled on a list...



750 Pts - Skaven Roster
Warlord (1#, 98 pts)
1 Warlord, 98 pts (General; Hand Weapon; Halberd; Heavy Armour)
1 Rat Hound Bodyguard

Chieftain (1#, 72 pts)
1 Chieftain (Battle Standard Bearer), 72 pts (Hand Weapon; Halberd; Heavy Armour; Battle Standard
Bearer)

Stormvermin (26#, 270 pts)
24 Stormvermin, 270 pts (Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Halberd; Heavy Armour)
1 Fangleader (Hand Weapon; Halberd; Heavy Armour)
1 Lichebone Pennant


Skavenslaves (40#, 82 pts)
40 Skavenslaves, 82 pts (Musician Mus; Hand Weapon)

Giant Rats (21#, 78 pts)
18 Giant Rats, 78 pts
3 Packmaster (Hand Weapon; Whip; Light Armour)


1 Doom-Flayer Weapon Team (Doom-Flayer; Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour)
Doomwheel (1#, 150 pts)
1 Doomwheel, 150 pts (Causes Terror; Immune to Psychology; Large Target)
1 Crew (Warlock & Rats)

750 points and 90 models! I love an army of multitudes of Skaven.

And a pic of my Doomwheel, just because.

Force on Force update,

I've been reading the rulebook. I can't seem to find that much time to read. but what I've ingested so far I really like the game. The rules seem fluid and relatively easy to learn. I'll go more into the rules and stuff once I've actually played a game.

I've primed my squad of Modern US Army, got a base coat on them, and a wash of GW's Devlin Mud. I started working  some Middle Eastern Buildings which I hope to have pictures up soon.

New to the game

After years of being in this hobby, I've decided to start a blog about my miniature war gaming experiences. Here, I'll posts snippets about my painting, battle reports, or other thoughts about miniature gaming in general.

To start, lets talk about Force on Force by Ambush Alley Games. After reading a few different blogs about the game, I decided to visit their website and spend hours upon hours reading their forums. Three things are pulling me into this game...

1. The game mechanics seemed interesting, easy, fun, and fast paced. 
2. I've never tried a "historical" or modern miniature game.
3. I'm a miniature whore. Meaning I love to buy and paint new mini's.

A few weeks ago I pre-ordered their new, revised Force on Force rulebook and first new expansion Road to Baghdad published by Osprey Publishing (a great company who puts out incredible historical reference material). They arrived yesterday and a cursory glance through the rulebook gets me all excited about a new game! It's a full color hardback book, has lots of pictures and images. My only, small, complaint on first thumbing through it is that I wish some of the images were larger. But, I was too exhausted to delve into the books last night as I just returned from a long weekend at Surfside Beach, SC. I plan on getting into them tonight or tomorrow.

Also, to tide me over until I get get some metal miniatures,I've purchased some plastic 1:72 scale miniatures from Caesar Miniatures to use in some of my early modern battles. I ordered 1 box of Modern US Army (42 figs) and 1 2 boxes of Modern Militia (36 figs in each). The Modern Militia box represents African and Middle Eastern Insurgents and Rebels. For them to be so small and plastic, I am impressed with the quality of the miniatures. They'll do until I can get some metal mini's.

Here is a pic (a bad one at that) of my first squad of US Army. Washed, trimmed, based, and ready to be primed.

I hope to get these started soon. I'm still debating on camo pattern. ACU, DCU, or Multicam. Such small scale, I don't know.....