03/04/2025

On the workbench - April 2025

Well a fair amount of time was taken up painting last month, but it wasn't the usual as I was helping with our local community pub refurbishment, so a slight drop in progress, but I plan to get working on the following before some family visits
  • Get started painting the Woodland Indians now they are assembled
  • Napoleonic Austrian Infantry rebasing - I must get started as it is a big task and it has to be done
  • Continue working on the bits and pieces
  • Assembling a couple of biplanes for the Wargamers Forum Group Build
  • British Dragoons and Light Dragoons for the Peninsula, the later will be for skirmish games.
  • Work on "El Cid" figures to modify my existing Crusader armies to Spain
  • Start up the FDM printer and create some hooches for Nam68
  • Start assembling the 28mm "Gangs of Rome" figures
  • As a background task I am working on (re)creating my Napoleonic 3rd Croatian Regiment for future Resin printing

01/04/2025

Francis Marion - The Swamp Fox

This was one of Wargame Illustrated's Giants In Miniature produced during their brief excursion into producing STL files. I printed a foot and mounted version of Francis Marion, the swamp fox in 20mm but as can be seen with the comparison with my old Airfix general I should have increase the X and Y dimension slightly. Maarion mounted is on the right dismounted on the left.
I based my colours on an image of Francis Marion in uniform , but I suspect most of the time he was not so brightly or smartly dressed
At least he adds something unique to my AWI rebel forces.

31/03/2025

WMMS 2025

An especially early start with the clock change saw Andy, Si and myself trek south to the West Midlands Military Show. I was completely underwhelmed by the traders and ended up with no booty at all. Andy and Si did manage to pick up some bits especially from Tiger Miniatures, which had some interesting sets of figures (link)

At least this year I didn't forget my camera or phone, so on with some pictures.

Battle of Bras - Operation Goodwood with Rapid Fire
Battle of Raab 1809, nice to see some Italians in action
Vietnam action in 28mm
Normans in Sicily
AWI, mainly British and French
German Peasants War, had a good chat with Simon Chick
Seven Years War
Russian Civil War
Tony Dillon's take on Plancenoit played with NapPoker

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck

Wehen I came acroos the STL file for Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the "Lion of Africa" I knew I had to add him as the commander of my German Askaris. (wikipedia)
The figure cam with an askari trumpeter pointing something out so a great combination
File can be found here link

29/03/2025

More Napoleonic skirmishers

Another batch of Napoleonic units completed, all 3D printed and they seem quite robust with the exception of the few bits I inadvertently damaged while removing the supports.
French Flanqueur-Chasseurs of the Guard
Italian 2nd Light Infantry
Tirailleurs of the Guard
Voltigeurs of the Guard
The Guard units will obviously be used to replace my existing HaT figures that I have been using and the Italian light will go with my new Italian brigade.

18/03/2025

More Napoleonic Italians

Another pair of battalions to add to my Napoleonic Italian Brigade, now up to four battalions.
That complete two battalions for each of the 1st (on the left) and 4th (on the right) Italian line, now all I need to add is some skirmishers
Just spotted while posting, I forgot to paint the drumskins, now fixed

10/03/2025

New Napoleonic Italian Line Infantry

The latest 3D printed "replacements" for my old Springwood figures is a pair of Napoleonic Italian Line Infantry Battalions from the first and fourth Regiments