On the workbench - February 2026

If all goes to plan I will become a Grandfather this month, I expect this will involve quite a bit of time away from the painting bench. January has been a reasonable start and pleasingly I have rebased all my Russian Cavalry. I have also installed Cura on my laptop to replace the Elegoo version and refreshed my understanding of how it works. I now feel I can get started once I get a clear period at home.

I'll be working on:-

• While travelling, attempt to assemble a few of the remaining plastic kits
• Paint the Wild West buidings I received for Xmas - I have already part assembled them
• El Cid era Spanish light infantry - they are already primed
• Finish repainting a trio of old Matchbox M3 Stuarts
• Three Early War German MMG teams - also primed
• Maybe get started on the Almoravid heavy cavalry

Vapnartak 2026

I visited Vapa as a punter for once not as a demonstrator as I was in transit. I usually enjoy the show, but I was underwhelmed. There were very few demonstration or participation games unlike the past so very little inspiration was on offer. It was also the first show I have been to where I have left with zero purchases, nobody stocked Vallejo or the Javis scatter I use (there are usually 2-3). So a brief set of pictures of the games

First off is Ken (Yarkshire Gamer) with his splendid game of Germantown 1776.

A Battlegroup Northag game

The Italian Wars fought using Midgard

Another AWI game from the Brompton Bankers using Rebels & Patriots

Something unusual the naval battle of Harodate 1869

Chariot racing, photogrphed during a lull in gaming

Panzer 38(t)s and a Jeep

As part of my attempt to clear the stash I assembled these back in September last year. Both kits are by Fujimi, the Jeep crewman is a 3D resin print, just a little on the large size.

The Panzer 38(t)s will join four others and allow me to better game the action of the 7th and 8th Panzer Divisions in France 1940 as well as Russia in 41/42.

Now off to my first show of the year - Vapnartak

El Cid era Spanish heavy infantry

I had painted the officers and standard bearers earlier as they came in the HaT command pack. I added the heavy infantry from their infantry pack to make up three units

Napoleonic Russian Heavy Cavalry rebased

Continuing my rebasing I have turned to the Russian heavy cavalry.

The Dragoons, all HaT

The cuirassiers, two are HaT and one Zvezda

The Zvesda figures have been painted as the Chevalier Garde

Napoleonic Russian Cossacks rebased

I debated whether to sell or rebase my HaT Cossacks for a while, but finally I decided that I could make a decision unless I did it, and if I did it would make them more saleable. So they are done and I'm quite happy with the results.

There are a couple of bases of Zvesda Cossacks mixed in, but they were used to to make up the numbers and they are slightly oversized. If I tried 3D printing some new cossacks these would probably be the first to be replaced

Looking at the pictures I still need to use some matt varnish on them to reduce the shine.

Napoleonic Russian Light Cavalry rebased

My first batch of Russian Napoleonic Cavalry has been rebased they are all Strelets figures except the Guard Cossacks , which are Zvezda.

Pavlograd Hussars

Tiraspol Chasseurs a Cheval

Guard Cossacks

Tchougouiev Lancers