Command forming ...

I got some time today while taking a break from getting the house straight for out of town guest. My in-laws are in town this week so I won't have much time to work on hobbies till this Sunday. So with that in mind I took a break and got my command squads ready for a quick priming.

The attached photos are of my Company HQ and his XO, along with Able platoon's Lt and Baker platoon's Lt. The weapons platoon Lt was not completed for this brief update.

I thought I would try to see how the Popsicle stick would do for priming. This is my first attempt in painting figures in the 15mm range. I wanted to test to see if it would be easier to get a paint job starting this way instead of mounting on the base and priming. I am picky about my paint job and feel if I shell out the cash for figures I want them to look as good as my talents allow.

Well .... it was short and a quick glimpse into my thought process for my painting of the troops.

Please feel free to leave any comments or helpful hints.

Be safe .... keep em pinned, roll dice like crazy

Joe

Status Report .... Change that ....

Things have been hectic at HQ lately ..... and I must apologize for the lack of updates.

One thing I was waiting for to assist my force building was a flea market event at my local hobby store, Waterloo Minis. If you haven't heard of the store or are curious check it out www.waterloominis.com. It was a great day, meet some great people and got some great deals. I must thank Rob & Jessica for the wonderful day and deals !!

My last status report had my force leaning towards the Airborne Infantry. It is a subject I love to read, research and model. Then something happened .... as any hobbyist knows .... a turn in the road presented itself. The intelligence book for airborne has a section for Glider Infantry. This presented new challenges, new ideas, new modeling avenues and research. So since the 506th from the 101st Airborne were a major love I decided to model the Glider Infantry that served in the 101st. My army will represent the 327th Glider Infantry, the logo you see in this posting.

I purchased the Rifle Company box set, US paint set and some additional colors to meet the basic US infantry uniform they deployed with for Normandy. I cleaned up the excess mold off the models and am ready to attack the mold lines and finish the cleanup.

Once the mold lines are cleaned up I will start the primer coat. I will attach photos to a future post for each step of the way. Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions or a high five.

I am hoping to get the troops ready for Battle Hymn 09 (Link Info) here in Richmond, VA. Granted I would only have a Rifle Company consisting of HQ, 2 rifle platoons and a weapons platoon. If the money allows I want to get a support platoon or two. I leaning towards a antitank platoon and maybe a Sherman tank platoon. Time will tell.

Well ..... that is all for this posting. Please keep visiting the blog as more updates will follow with pictures of my progress.

Be safe, paint like crazy and keep the dice going.

Joe

2009 ? Get ready !

New Year ....... new battle plans !

I am getting ready to start on my American Paratroopers for Flames of War.  Starting slow ... first the Command squad, then the CO squad and XO squad.  Platoons will follow right behind.

I am attempting to start a small wargames club with those friends of mine that are interested.  As of right now I have one hooked, lined and sinker.  The others will follow in time I am sure.

28mm has also sparked my interest in what avenues I can walk down.  Old West is one that I am interested in.  GUTSHOT! and Warhammer Old West are two rule sets that I know of.  I have played Old West once and enjoyed the fast pace, in your face gameplay.  I was also looking into WWII settings that I could tie into the FOW battles.  Anyone know of a good rule set for 28 MM WWII?

Research has been good with one other book lined up to assist the painting and setting up the order of battle.

I am looking forward to sharing my works in progress and all projects for the upcoming year.

Be Safe

The Mezz

Planning stages are starting ...... volunteers are lining up for the unit rosters ....

Decision has been made through the chain of command to form up an airborne unit based around the 506th, 101st Airborne division.  Once the core of the company has been established I will branch out and form up some the attached units that fought along side of the Screaming Eagles in the days following the initial landing.

Initial painting will begin on the HQ and 2 -3 platoons.  I will be researching to see what the 506th jumped in with and plan my force according to the schematics.

A quick adding of points give the initial E "Easy" Company about 1130 points.  That would be for HQ and 3 platoons (3 rifle squads and 1 mortar squad a piece).

I am aiming for these initial troops to be completed by the end of February for Battle Hymn 09, here in Richmond, VA.  

Once purchased I will be posting pictures as the painting process is underway.

Joe

History here I come

I have recently been struggling to decided to venture away from the science fiction aspect of wargaming miniatures.  I must admit it is the very topic that got me interested in miniature wargaming.

WH40K or Warhammer 40,000 to those whom are not aware is a science fiction wargaming series produced by Games Workshop.  Over the years the miniatures have been greatly improved and look fantastic.  Only problem is that it is more and more directed towards 12 year olds then the older market.  It seems that new rules and codex's are popping up every year and new lists are need to produce the armies of the future.  I for one cannot produce that cash ..... and neither can my money tree.  I believe the codex's and rules have changed twice since I have been involved.  I will admit that GM is a capital machine that is well oiled and makes great financial decisions.  To that I tip my hat.

So as I dwell on the subject and limp away from the GM fight I look forward.  History has ALWAYS been a love of mine.  I thank my parents for taking me to all the historical places in Upstate NY and for introducing me to the love of reading.  To this I must admit is a very source of my wargames and history love.  Who wouldn't love to research a battle, paint up armies (models are another one of my hobbies, go figure.) and duke it out on a miniature field of battle ?

So in the next couple of weeks I will try to form a historical miniature wargame club.  I am gunning for the first meeting for January of 09.  I believe FOW or Flames of War to those whom don't know, will be the first time period on the plate.

I will showing updates on unit building and painting as well.  Everyone loves pictures.  Please once they are posted please feel free to comment or offer advice.  

Those not familiar with the Flames of War series, check out the website. www.flamesofwar.com 

Be safe ... Joe