Postal services - Good and (very) bad!

Good.

The new C&C printed mat has arrived in excellent time - it was estimated for delivery end of Jan when I ordered due to the seasonal holiday period. It was shipped from Spain via FedEx and arrived 5 days leter. It is as I expected a thing of beauty! Possibly I should have requested the heavy red section lines be left off but it's a board game mat and it's an important part of the game so it's fine. I like that it does not have the 'Commands & Colors Napoleonics' printed across the centre unlike the official folding board. The hexes are a perfect size match for the tiles  as you can see. The price of this mat was just £35.00 plus £14.00 shipping via FedEx from Spain to UK.

British line infantry 4 blocks/figures.

Neatly finished sewn edges.

The edging graphics are lovely.

Very Bad.

I'm painting away on the figures with most of the British infantry done, but the steel washers that I ordered for the bases have still not arrived despite being posted by RM 1st class letter post over a week ago. My latest Essex Miniatures order all of the French infantry and some cavalry packs) have also not arrived after 5 days. I think I know what's going on here as our regular and very reliable postie has required an operation to his knee and clearly his round is not being covered. As I sit and paint by the front window most mornings I generally spot the postie on his rounds but this week not a sighting, we now have several items overdue for delivery here. Today is Saturday morning and both myself and the dog are on the lookout. You never know. Edit 12.30pm and- Nothing!

Meantime the painted British figures are building up awaiting bases as you can see, line infantry 4 figures/blocks, Light infantry x 5 and a unit of Guards x 5 figures. I have gone with the post 1812 shako and grey trousers with  the lights in 'Stovepipe' shakos. I intend to colour code the edges of the washers, red for line. red/green for lights and red/gold for Guards etc. For French 'Militia' (conscripts) will be blue/white.

Wars of the Roses - progress!

 Have just completed the 'Levy' Bill  and Bow troops to add to the Household and Retinue troops of this first formation ('Battle' ? or 'Division'?) I have some wagons, artillery  and I think some hand gunners to finish this initial order for Noel. Less armour for the Levy, mostly padded jacks and some mail. 

Also started on the individual figures for my Commands & Colors project, 1 figure replaces 1 block, based on 15mm steel washers with colour coded edges and heavily gloss varnished for handling. I think the thin washers are quite pleasing on the eye?  Just waiting on a delivery of more washers this week.

British Line - 4 blocks/figures

British cavalry - 3 blocks/figures

British Light infantry - 5 blocks/figures.

Some French are coming next!

New Year, a new (old) project!

 I have been giving some thought recently about doing a little something for myself again this year! Nothing too demanding, but just something to fit alongside the commission work that I . As I have made the decision to reduce my workload and just paint for good Old John and Noel going forward I would like to paint a few figures for myself again too. I really cannot be doing with terrain any longer and want to do something that is very much boardgame based so the obvious project is a return to Commands & Colors Napoleonics, the one game that really did reignite my enthusiasm for wargames when I was introduced to it by Tony ('Foy') about 15 years ago. 

The Plan.

Over the coming months I intend to replace each of the wooden blocks with a 15mm figure, individually based on 15mm steel washers with a colour coded edge (red or blue to begin with) and gloss varnished for protection as they will take a lot of handling. Of course I'm going back to Essex Miniatures for this, the reason being that their Napoleonic range - although an old one now - are very sturdy  and ideal for heavy handling. Figures are now on order.

Deja Vu? 

OK, so yes, I have been here before of course, but it was a long time ago and it all got a bit out of hand and then sold on! Now, I just want to push some soldiers around the game board, here is a quick shot of the original figures I did for this back in 2014, Essec Guard Lancers of 4 blocks/figures. THis time the bases will be thinner steel washers of about the same size.

The C&C Game board.

Being as how I was very impressed with my Rollinmats 'Battle Cry' printed mat (here) I have ordered the Napoleonic version from them as the printed quality is so high. If you  are not aware of the company the can print and supply mats for many games, link HERE. Note that they are based in Spain, but shipping to UK costs just £13.00 and arrives rolled in a very sturdy cardboard carton. Mine is due for delivery end of January so I have time to get started on the painting! Of course the hex grid is fully compatible with the original terrain hexes that I have here. 

Motivation?

My youngest son in Law (to be) has a genuine interest in wargaming and board games and while he plays mostly scifi games he does have a good historical awareness and we have discussed many different historical game systems. I'm going to send him a set of the C&C Napoleonic rules to see what he thinks!

Wars of The Roses - Learning as I go!

 I'm making good steady progress on Noels WoR commission, having painted the 'Household' troops I have just completed the 'Retinue' consisting of 4 bases of billmen and 8 of archers. Great little 15mm Peter Pig sculpts of course. I have attempted to keep the Red/White Livery theme running throughout but predominantly that mix of mail and plate armour so typical of the period. I must admit that research has been mostly Google and YouTube to get a feel for the clothing and equipment, I find it really helps to watch re enactors describing and demonstrating how such was actually worn, an example of which I include below. Note the steel strips running the length of each outer arm, a detail I had not been aware of before.

Next it will be onto the 'Levy' troops, less well armed and equipped and less liveried. This will then complete the first formation for which I have also painted the command base of 4 figures on a round base.

Photos: The Household and Retinue of a Generic WoR Red/White themed formation.

December painting update (video).

Still keeping busy, thought I would share my latest YouTube video here, an interesting mixed bag of figures including the 3D printed Winged Hussars and the first unit of 15mm Wars of The Roses.. Please excuse the squeaky chair, I have since given it a much needed shot of WD40!

15 years painting figures for 'Old John'.

 I was reminded whilst replying to a recent comment by James that I have been painting figures for 'OLd John' Cunningham for a solid 15 years in which time I have painted thousands of 20mm 1/72nd figures for him. The video below from my channel show just the tip of the iceberg of John's vast collection and a few shots of the man himself at his large permanent wargame table. I continue to paint on a monthly basis for him and should get to the 3D prints next week. 

As I have wound things down somewhat recently I'm only painting for John and Noel which keeps me happy and I am about to embark on a large WotR 15mm commission for Noel as I finish up his two year Black Powder and Fire & Fury ACW projects this month. 

 

Remembrance Sunday.

 Sharing this old post again in memory of my Grandfather Alfred Charles Gramson, 3rd Foot 'The Buffs'.

My Grandfather.