Fort-Worth-Star-Telegram-donoghmccarthy

Just back from holidays today. Spent a week in Youghal, and we got fantastic weather for it (I call it 'back-to-school' weather). I had planned to do writing in the late evening (second draft of Command & Colours - siege rules and the outline of my Ambush Alley campaign for Gaelcon) but a tooth infection the day after we arrived put paid to that. A course of anti-biotics and the pain had a severe affect on my stamina (not to mention the dawn 'til dusk antics of a toddler!)

My holiday entertainment after Isabel's bedtime consisted of The Dead Flags in the kitchen whilst cooking, the entirety of Spaced and the third in the Captain Alatriste series - The Sun over Breda. Fantastic stuff all-round.

Of course following my trip to the dentist, Tiger Beer intake went to zero!

From the last post (Motor Pool) you may have guessed that I've broken the back of my sci-fi project. More to the point, 65+ figures and 5 vehicles that have been sitting on the shelf unpainted for more years than I care to remember are now in service! Small beans maybe but still a monkey off my back, and kudos to the Guild for providing a great environment of encouragement.

Speaking of which: they've just finished the Big Game. Two years in the making, this gigantic Cold War gone Hot scenario pitted thousands of miniatures against each other across five boards. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend but take a look over here

Here are some flavour shots (click to get a larger view) but believe me there's plenty more in the gallery...

Dutch Armour ready for Knife-Fight

Bridge Crossing

Soviet HQ

They're already planning a follow up game for next year, and I'll probably run a game here in parralel. Maybe a 6mm massed armour bash with a small 20mm special forces operation on the side.

Not to mention that the crazy bastards are already talking about the 2012 Big Game!

Sign me up...

Vehicles for the garrison company of the Human Co-Prosperity Sphere on Novaya Sakha.

ZBD-39 (Mechanised Infantry Fighting Vehicle)

ZSL-12 (Armoured Personnel Carrier)

ZFB-35 (Light Tank)

ZBR-18 (Main Battle Tank)

Z-22 (Utility VTOL)

Armour Column

Column parks and troops disembark

VTOL swings its chain gun into action (is fully rotatable, thanks to rare-earth magnets)

I also had some stowage and some generic crewmen/mechanics I had in mind, but I'll get around to them next month...the core items are done for the task.

First time I've done vehicles at this scale in a very long time, so fairly pleased with them. I'll probably add some decals as well if I can get something suitable generic and low-visibility

While The Guild's Big Game takes place, I'll have to content myself with this...

This Russian rifle platoon can perform duty in a Cold War what-if scenario versus my SAS forces as well, but I expect these will see duty in 1980s Afghanistan.

The 1st squad includes a light machine gun and a sharpshooter

The 2nd Squad is identical

The Machine Gun Team

An RPG team

A Sniper Team

The Entire Platoon

These are from Combat Miniatures Panshir Range

More dogs of war descend upon the troubled Kingdom of Ruritania.

Sigismund, the famous Baron of Visegrad

He leads a powerful conroi of other knights

Meanwhile the Arlecchino, a fearsome assassin from Venice stalks the land

Lorenzo, the Signore of Pirano leads his men

Goran, the Friar of Trieste has joined forces with the Pirano nobleman

A lone man-at-arms guards the camp

Meanwhile, the Elizabethan Adventurers won the poll by a significant margin: 9 votes to the Highwayman's 4 (Those poor unloved Medieval Pilrgrims got none at all). Time to shop around...

We have been known to take the issue of hats at games seriously. Conrad Kinch has a rather splendid collection which has given gallant service at various conventions over the years.

Though the full-dress uniform of the École Polytechnique of France puts us to shame with its marvellous bicorne - Why was I not informed of this when making my university choice! (Mr. Kinch may scoff at the French from time to time, but even he may be moved to open admiration...)

But for the edification of voters (prompted by Mr. Kinch's comment). Here are some sample pictures (taken from the vendor websites) of the miniatures most likely to be used in the projects:

Elizabethan Adventurers (from Foundry)

Pilgrims (from Perry Miniatures)

Highwayman (from Outpost)

Voting booth closes late Sunday night...

"O illiterate loiterer!"

Taken from: The Two Gentlemen of Verona

While I procrastinate over my next project...

You may have noticed a few weeks back in my 100+ post blogging retrospective that I am considering a new small project for the William Atkinson Memorial Build over on The Guild. The theme is simple but broad - "England" - but I don't want to do something that just slots into one of my existing collections.

I was thinking a small selection of miniatures and maybe a scenario/game to go with them...

-Medieval Pilgrims (defending themselves against an unjust toll)
-Elizabethan Adventurers (a bar brawl over some Shakespearean insult)
-Highwayman & Victims (well, a highway robbery obviously!)

There's a poll on the right to see if people have any preferences, but again comments would be welcome with the pros and cons. The Elizabethan option is in the lead (hence the Shakespearean Insult)