I can has terrain?

Ok, work was a little slow today.  I brought my  BHC corridor sections in to put them together since I have a game of Infinity coming up, and would like to use my BHC set for it.

These things take a little while to put together, especially when you find a broken piece and have to put it back together  :(

Last of the 12 sections:

And a box of 12 sections just about ready to play on:

More to come!

Trying my hand at some enhanced paint techniques.

So I made some painting and modelling progress.  
I wanted to practice some new techniques using the AK interactive items I picked up, so I built a small terrain piece using a plastic Coffee container to try on.
I also started work on one of the Ma.K Melusine models I have.  I'm using my Iwata Neos airbrush on these models to make it quicker, and get some practice in.

Here are a few in progress shots.  Again, not the best as I need a new camera and photo booth setup.
First is the primer coat and rust colors on the left.  Not pictured is the coat of AK Interactive Worn Effects fluid.
On the right is the first camo color layer on the Melusine, Vallejo Model Color Neutral Grey.

Here we have the masking work for the camo scheme on the left.  I'm trying to go with a Dark grey pattern breaker/ Night warfare scheme on this guy to see how it looks.  I may make 2 others in this scheme.

On the right we have the Vallejo Air color Dark Blue Grey  top coat.

 Next up we have a couple pictures after removing the paint masks, and doing some light chipping work on the Melusine.  It went surprisingly well.  I could have gone overboard with it, as the paint came off very easily after wetting with a brush and giving it a little time to work it's magic on the Worn Effects fluid.
 I did want to show some wear on this model, but not look like it's been on the Eastern Front for a year or so.


Another couple of shots out of direct sunlight.

After doing the chip work with a flat brush and a toothpick, I went in and added some dark spots with the AK Interactive Chipping Color Acrylic paint.  I didn't want the rust spots to be too stark, but look a bit fresh.

Last, I coated the Melusine with a VMC Satin Varnish coat.  I may pick up a gloss coating to do before the next step, as I heard it works better for the enamel washes than Satin.

Next up will be the AK Interactive Streaking Grime set to give this a nice used look, and some weathering powders I picked up a while ago.

Ada, fini! Plus new painting supplies.

I finished up my first of 5 Ada models.  This is going to be the actual Ada mini if/when the Iron Core rules come out in the future (fingers crossed!!).
I used the included base that is provided with the Dreamforge Models Ada figure.  It has a smaller lip than most of the lipped bases on the market these days, but I was able to work with it.

It's done in a dark earth/turf with a field weed to break it some.   Ada is standing in the footstep of an enemy Leviathan that she is tracking.

I could probably do a little more work on it, but I'm just happy getting something painted and based at this point.
Still need a good lighting/picture setup.  For that matter, probably a better digi-cam.  Old and busted just isn't cutting it any more :(

I also picked up some new paint supplies.  I've decided to try pushing the envelope of my paint skills, and branch out into some enamel/oil techniques used in scale model painting.
I've found some amazing videos on YouTube (look for enamel or oil washing / weathering for models).
I picked up a couple of things from AK Interactive that I hope will help me paint better looking models.

I snagged the Streaking Effects Set to work on my grimy looking effects, and I've seen it used for panel lining and pin washing. 
I also picked up the Worn Effects fluid to try my hand at paint chipping (similar to the Hairspray technique).
And last, I picked up a bottle of Chipping Effect color, which is an acrylic color used to replicate paint chips, as a base color under the final layer of paint.

I'm hoping to start working on my techniques with the new supplies soon, on the 9 Ma.K Melusine models I picked up to use as light mecha for my German forces. 

We'll see how it goes, and if I can update before another month goes by.

Progress despite my schedule!

So, I had a 3 day weekend.  Did this mean I could get half of what I wanted to do done?  Nooooo.
But I did make some progress.

I've almost finished up 3 of my Felid Berserker Suits for Gruntz 15mm.  They are Protolene Ayame suits from Critical Mass Games.  I'm using them as pseudo cyborg suits for fallen, disgraced warriors that were not allowed to die on the field due to cowardice or tactical blunders.
 Some base work and then dull-coat ad they will be done enough for me.

I've also made some progress on my "Ada, small woman with a BIG gun" from Dream Forge Games. I'm near complete on her, just a few touch ups, the basing, and she'll be good to go. 

I'm torn on the splinter camo. I liked the nice, clean look of the dark yellow base coat, but think it would be a bit too bland for an entire force of droptroops.

I got a box in the mail!

Life keeps giving me lemons to make lemonade with.  I'll keep truckin' along with it.

So, I managed a little more work on some 15mm sci-fi stuff, and put some paint on a few more FJ models.  I'm not getting anything painted up like I'd like to though.  Migraines keep interrupting my paint work :(

I did receive some new models that will hopefully get paint on soon, and will be easy to do with my new airbrush.
I contributed to the Dreamforge Games kickstarter back in the fall. Part of my rewards have come in now.

I have here a Leviathan Crusader, several extra bits for customization, and 5 each of the promo figures that were rewards.
This sucker is huge, almost the size of a 40k Warhound Titan.
I'm going to be using it in place of, or alongside, the resin copy I got last year as Weird War 2 German armor.  I think they will be very intimidating on the battlefield!

So, here's hoping I can get anything done this year.  Get thee away migraines!

Wow, Summer ate my brain!

Soooo it's been a while.   Summer took us by storm and I had basically no time to do any gaming or painting.

I did manage to do some trading and selling via game forums.  My 15mm sci-fi forces expanded to a good degree.

I'll take some pics an put up some lists of what I picked up for my Federal and Tigrid forces.

Suffice to say I can put some decent forces together to play Gruntz with now.

My Weird War 2 stuff expanded a bit also.  The Germans and US Paras got backup in the form of infantry and mecha. 

Here is a quick pic of my Tigrid infantry for 15mm Gruntz sci-fi gaming.

I have one commander, 1x 10 full armor squad, and 2x10 unhelmeted squads.
They should form a decent base for Gruntz, with their armor support to follow.

I'll be working on some other stuff soon.  Right after I take care of the major mess with my wife's car being totaled.

Massive German reinforcement!

So, I managed to snag something this past weekend that will be doing double or triple duty for me in different games.
Dream Forge Games released a limited run of their Crusader Leviathan models in 15mm.  I managed to snag one along with some options to change up my model.

It is a huge model for 15mm, and will make a great German/Alien hybrid tech walker for Secrets of the Third Reich 1949 in 28mm.

The following pic is copyright and comes from the DreamForge Games website (used without permission here) so go see their website for more badass pictures of this model! That is a 28mm Sturmtruppen model compared to the 15mm Leviathan!

I'll try to keep a picture log as I build my copy of this massive beast.  I'm hoping it looks good in late war Ambush Camo ;)

FJs! And other stuff

More on the table. I primed/based my first Fallschirmjager squad with a panzerschrek team for backup.
Once I get them done I'll have enough figures to start doing demo's of SoTR and/or teaching my friend the game.

I also picked up some 101'st Airborne and US Walker decals from Company B Games.

The 101st set came in yesterday after an apparent wormhole opened between here and Washington state. It only took one day to get halfway across the USA!

I'm going to make best use of them, but it appears a few of them got scratched or nicked in transit.
I'm hoping the walker decals I ordered get to me intact.

In other news I am getting into 15mm SciFi gaming. I never realized the plethora of 15mm sci-fi manufacturers that are around these days.  You can find just about anything you could want to play in 15mm on the web now.

  An order from Khurasan Miniatures started my infantry forces off with Federal medium infantry, and their Felid antagonists.

I plan on supplementing my Federal forces with Heavy Gear Blitz Southern Gears as light mecha and power armor, along with more Khurasan minis Grav tanks, APCs and Dropships.

My Felid forces will get some support from Critical Mass Games in the form of Protolene walkers, and jetbikes from Khurasan.


 No gaming projects would be complete without terrain. For 28mm  I have plenty of burnt out European looking buildings from an inherited set of Mordheim cardstock buildings.  Plus with some generic hills and such I can put down enough terrain now to get by.

I willl be adding some bocage and tree copses to help break things up, then get into some more buildings at some point for 28mm.

For my 15mm setup I just bought some excellent Bridge/Road terrain from Game Craft Miniatures.
I bought 2 highway approaches for their excellent Arnhem bridge set, along with their generic steel bridge.  I plan to use these in various ways on the table:  Passthrough terrain with no access aside from Jumping/flying units, high vantage points, and objectives.

I was pointed to Ebay for some interesting 15mm compatible building auctions.  Seems that in the 1960's there was a company making a line of toys called Children's Guidance.  One set was for a clip together plastic building.  I managed to score a large collection and I should be able to put together quite a few single and multi story buildings with it.

I'm still not quite sure if I want to go ahead and glue together single levels to make multi level buildings on the fly, or just make some large buildings and call it a day.

We'll see how things go. I'm getting a little more support from my wife with my hobby lately, especially since I've financed everything by selling off old Epic 40k stuff.   I guess if it doesn't come out of my wallet, she doesn't mind  ;)

US Light Mecha

Ok, I finished painting and basing my US Airborne light mecha support. They need some decals, so I will probably hit up Company B for some of their excellent Weird War walker decals.

Here's a quick pic, and I'll get something better when I add decals to them all.

Finally! Airborne squad finished.

I finally managed to get my US Airborne squad for Secrets of the Third Reich finished today.  There is a never ending list of things to do when you have children.

I had hoped to get to their mecha support, but that may have to wait until later in the evening or tomorrow.  At least they should go fast, with the majority of their paint job utilizing my airbrush.

First up is the squad Sergeant, and to his right the corporal leading the fireteam.

Next is a shot of the whole squad including mortar support.

This should give me enough of a start to have some demo games opposing my next project:
a German Fallshirmjager squad.

Both demo forces will get backup in the form of Mecha to start expanding into Weird War 2.

I do also have the US Sentinels that will provide some strength to this force.


 The squad has some firepower support with the M1919 LMG team, plus the attached mortar team show below.

US Airborne!

So, I managed to get a US Airborne squad with mortar support nearly finished. I just have to finish the basing sometime this week.
A few pics of the squad, MG team and squad leader.


I will have better pics of the finished squad soon.

Paint!

Ok, I got some more work done.  Not a lot, due to toddler issues. 
I finished painting the alternate Sentinel model, and tried a test paint job on a Bolt Action US Airborne mortar team member.
 Here they are:


and