Wargame-o-meter #4

It's been some time since I last recorded my gaming priorities and things have varied quite a bit. Just 3 weeks ago I was in the midst of a burst of interest for WW1... I even painted up nearly 30 figures! However, as is the way of these things, my interest has drifted to other areas, especially as I just got fed up with the colour of khaki.

1. Romans (EIR)
Currently on the painting table are 5 Auxiliaries, 1 Ballista crewman and 6 Legionaries. The plan is to make one of the 15 man units of Auxiliaries in to a unit of 20 or so, whilst the other unit of 15 is reduced to 12 to become a 'skirmish' unit with the archers. The crewman will join the other I have painted, thus giving my ballista a proper set of crew. The 6 Legion will boost my 2 x 15's to 2 x 18's. After that I may look at dipping a unit of 18 Warlord plastic EIR I have ready. It would be a quick way to boost my army to 1,500pts whilst my collection of more slowly painted figures catch up.

2. Age of Arthur
Whoosh! It's back and high up the list. I found the Romano-British figures I ordered from GB last year and couldn't help but trim and undercoat them. I think they could paint up really well and be fun too. That got me looking at the superb AoA supplement again and so my interest in this fascinating era of British history has been re-kindled. One advantage is that the armies do not need to be large to be fun. Many of the scenarios (and they're of much interest too) need 750-1,000pts. Current favourite armies are Romano-Brits and either Saxons or Picts. As with my EIR/Celt project, one army would get painted 'properly' the other dipped. In the short term I could just about use my Celts as Picts.

3. Celts
With reinforcements coming for my EIR I naturally want to expand my Celt army. More warriors, chariots and perhaps a few fanatics. I'd really like to get the army to a comfortable 1,500pts soon.

4. The Great War
Still on the list but awaiting some sort of goal or objective in order to get painting again. Hopefully GB will announce an event for the Summer then I'll get cracking again.

5. Playing some WAB
With WAB v2 still well over the horizon I'd really like to get in a few more games of WAB v1.5. I've contacted some chums in the far frozen north of England about a possible gaming weekend but I'm still waiting to hear back from them (nudge... nudge!). Whilst I'm far more of a painter than gamer, it would be nice to occasionally roll some dice and push a few nicely painted toys around the table.

Anyway, back to the Romans!

More Painted 1918 BEF

I've managed to get going again with painting my Great War collection of figures. Here's a few pics.


(click for a larger image)

I'm now painting in batches of 10 and aiming for a 'good wargaming standard' rather than trying to achieve the best possible result.


(click for a larger image)

This is because I know from experience that figures for skirmish games tend to get more wear and tear whilst playing, that's mainly because they're not on movement trays and there's more scenery to balance your figures upon. Therefore, spending ages painting to the highest standard is probably not worth it.


(click for a larger image)

Also, the figures are all very similar in terms of painting so I just want to get the army done and ready for gaming. The style is a mix of the Foundry-esque 1, 2 and 3 colour scheme.

Painting Recipe (from Black undercoat)
Uniform - GW Charadon Granite, highlight with Foundry Drab shade
Puttees - GW Charadon Granite, highlight with Foundry Moss shade
Webbing - GW Khemri Brown, highlight with GW Kommando Khaki, second highlight with GW Bleaced Bone
Boots/Wood - GW Scorched Brown, highlight with Scorched/Vermin mix, or GW Bestial Brown
Leather - Foundry Tan shade, highlight with Foundry Tan mid
Skin - GW Dwarf Flesh, highlight with Dwarf Flesh / Foundry Base Sand light mix
Helmet - As uniform or Foundry Forest Green / Black mix, highlight with Forest Green
Lewis Guns - as helmet

These two batches have averaged at about 1 - 1.25 hours per miniature and I'm rather pleased with the results. Up close they're a little untidy but on the table they'll look fine. I'm trying to get some painting in every day, even if it's just 30 mins. Some nights I manage 2.5 hours!

I now have about 30 figures completed (though a few still need basing properly - after varnishing I'll flock the bases too) with my first target being 500 pts. This comprises...

Battalion HQ (5 figures)

'A' Company HQ (5 figures)
1st Platoon (10 figures incl Lewis Gun team)
2nd Platoon (10 figures incl Lewis Gun team)

'B' Company HQ (5 figures)
1st Platoon (10 figures incl Lewis Gun team)
2nd Platoon (10 figures incl Lewis Gun team)

Vickers HMG (3 figures + weapon)
Stokes Light Mortar (3 figures + weapon)

Hopefully, as these near completion, I'll order the remaining 30 or so figures and a Mark IV tank required to give me a 1,000pt battalion.

Happy Painting!