Result!

On Friday we received some letter post dated from 3 weeks ago and spoke to the nice Postlady who informed us that the 'Big Boss' had visited the office following contact by our local MP (Tristan Osbourne - Labour), to whom I had written. Clearly we were not the only customers complaining. The washers arrived plus some very late letters. Around an hour later I was shocked to see another delivery van pull up and TWO posties got out carrying further bundles of mail, one of which was my Jiffy Bag package from Essex Miniatures containing all the French infantry figures and a few initial cavalry ......... Oh Yes!

At last the boys are starting to get fixed to their 15mm steel washers for Commands & Colors. I  wanted to keep the colour coded edges but went with flock (Javis fine turf) to disguise the figure base edges. This was applied with PVA glue and then set hard with varnish when dry, I'm pleased with the final look. I decided to keep cavalry figures on the same size washers and let them overhang front and rear rather than use larger washers as they need to fit in a 55mm hex bearing in mind that French cavalry units are of 4 blocks while British only 3. I think overall that I have achieved the kind of glossy gaming piece look that I am looking for. Very tactile to pick up and move around the board.

First of the French.

Light infantry in front (5 blocks) yellow dots to edges to identify.

I'm now starting on the French infantry beginning with the line Fusilier units of 4 figures. On order are all of the remaining cavalry and artillery plus Generals etc to complete the project and as it's a £90 order I'm taking no chances and going with Royal Mail Tracked shipping this time.

I must mention here my poor long suffering wife who has endured my moaning and complaining these last weeks, especially my time spent staring out of the front window or occasionally jumping up shouting 'Is that the Post Van' when it was not :) These things are sent to try us as they say?

The Royal Mail Debacle goes on!

 It is now THREE weeks since we last had a letter post delivery from Royal Mail and I have at least FIVE items, all posted 1st class, undelivered. This includes steel washers (bases) from eBay. a box of figures from Essex Miniatures and a few Warlord Epic  sprues for painting in addition to a couple of important letters. We did get a Special Delivery box from Old John a couple of days ago and my wife spoke to the driver who confirmed that the letter post was - in his words -'stacking up' down at the sorting office. They are under instructions to focus on the parcel post only. Our own postie will be out for at least another two weeks following his knee operation. 

I have now written to my MP informing him of this situation who has conformed that he will be taking this matter up on our behalf. When you purchase RM postage you enter into a legal contract with them to deliver in reasonable time.

Once again I'm on the lookout for the Lesser Spotted Postie again this morning, it's driving me a bit mad now!

Thank you all for the lovely Birthday comments on my previous post :)

68 years ago today..........!

I was delivered into this world  in the upstairs front bedroom of my Nan and Grandfathers lovely Victorian house in SE London. Thanks to Google Earth I am able to revisit and take another look, of course today it's no longer in the family and worth an absolute fortune :) My memories are of having the run of the place and the large garden where my Grandfather grew fruit trees and vegetables. He later bought me my first very first box of plastic soldiers. 

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.