Bring Up The Guns

 I appear to have been in gun mode the last two weeks having completed three guns and crews. Here in no particular order.

A War of the Triple Alliance Brazilian Whitworth 12pdr breech loader from Perry Miniatures on a Warbases base.

Next a Paraguayan howitzer again from Perry Miniatures on a Warbases base.

Finally a Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun with a partisan crew, figures are Britannia via Grubby Tanks the gun is a Zvesda plastic kit on a Warbases base of course.

All being well the Triple Alliance guns will hit the gaming table here at OHQ next week.

Until then…………………KBO

Mixed Bag

 These are figures that I have completed the rump end of July and the beginning of this month. First up is the first four figures from the latest Empress Miniatures Spanish Civil War release.

Next up is another batch of Soviet partisans, again Britannia Miniatures from Grubby Tanks.

To finish off some Italian Wars additions, Dave kindly gave me this Wargames Illustrated Giants in Miniature figure who I have painted up to represent a character my fictional family Baldini family, Principe Fillipo Baldini and his faithful hound Jacamo from Steel Fist Miniatures.

Inspired by receipt of the above and Dave’s current output of Wars of the Roses figures I dug out this Perry Miniatures cannon and crew.

Back in the Italian wars vein I cleaned up a unit of sword and buckler men which are now under the brush.

 

Partisans And Paras

 Still slow going on the painting front not helped by a four day break in Wales. First up another three paratroopers from the Empress Miniatures Heroes of Arnhem range.

Next up in 20mm some more Soviet partisans for my little side project, these are from Britannia Miniatures available from Grubby Tanks. Although they may not be the most anatomical correct figures and the weapons a tad over scale one cannot deny they have oodles of character and IMHO look the part.

Speaking of Wales here are some military related photos. First up Beaumaris Castle built by Edward I, although it was never completed it is still a formidable looking fortification.

Next up we made a return visit to Plad Newydd seat of the Marquis's of Anglesey to see red squirrels, but of course I would have to and view the exhibits relating to the 1st Marquess Henry Paget aka the Earl of Uxbridge.

Coincidentally they had another property just up the road from where we live, at Beaudesert. The estate was broken up by the 6th Marquess in the 1920s. The hall was never sold, demolition began in 1935 but was never completed and some ruins remain standing. The Green Pipe which used to supply water to the estate is still in situ and has become a bit of a landmark, it is also used to direct folks on Google maps!

Our accomodation was close by RAF Valley and under their training flight path.

Next week's game will be over at GHQ, stand by for some 19th century action in the Crimea.

I til next time..................KBO

Horses

 I am not painting any mounted troops of my own at the moment but here are some Bicorne Miniatures English Civil War Royalist cavalry I have completed for a final commission.

The Queens Regiment of Horse.

No game this week as we are away on Yns Mon so until next time………KBO

People

 Following on from the vehicles posted last week I have completed the command pack from the latest release of Spanish Civil War figures from Empress Miniatures.

Splendid sculpts from Paul Hicks full of character, I have subsequently ordered the next three packs. Two of these are the same as the previous infantry but these sport Spanish helmets, the third pack comprises of an officer/NCO with SMG, a standard bearer, infantryman with a Madsen LMG and lastly a man with flamethrower. They are now primed ready to start when I have completed one of the two packs of British paratroopers that accidentally fell into my shopping cart when ordering the SCW packs.

Until next time…………KBO

Vehicles

 First up for the 1940 Germans in 20mm a 8.8cm Flak(sfl) auf Zugkraftwagen 12t (Sdkfz 8) aka Bunkerflak. It is a 3D print from Mardav Models and comes in two parts, the Sdkfz 8 and the 88mm gun to which you have to add the seat and hand wheels.

Next up a 28mm Panzer 1A supplied by Germany to the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War that has been converted to carry a Breda 20mm cannon. Only four were converted this way, the Panzer 1As were supplied in the pre-war three colour camouflage pattern which I have repeated on the modified turret. 

A metal kit from Empress Miniatures which also comes supplied with the original twin MG turret.

Until next time……………KBO

Progressing Slowly

 A couple of photos of toys I have painted so far this month. First up is another four British paratroopers from Empress Miniatures.

Next four figures are from the recently released Spanish Civil War Nationalist infantry figures from Empress Miniatures again.

Four more are currently under the brush.

Off to GHQ today for a large SYW bash.

Until next time ……………..KBO

Little And Large

 I managed to squeeze a bit more in before the end of month to make my totals a tad more respectable. First up is an engineers version of the Sdkfz251 half track, the kit is from the Plastic Soldier Company in 1/72nd scale.

Allo, allo! Next in 1/56th scale is this Sdkfz222 from Rubicon Models.

Finally I finished off the remaining three British paratroopers from the pack from Empress Miniatures Arnhem Heroes range.

No game this week as Dave and myself are the opposite ends of the country, until next time…………

KBO

May Painting

 The month has been a tad fallow on the painting front, spring always brings other distractions it appears from following other folks blogs. Here are some completed items below.

A small unit of skirmishers for the sixth century Romans. Figures from the most splendid range from Aventine Miniatures, the shop should be going live with the new owners next month. They are retaining the services of sculptor Adam which is excellent news.

I have recently purchased the new Nationalist infantry figures from Empress and promised myself that I would paint something from the pile of potential before painting them. Queue these Republican officers and medic.

What is this you may ask, well I recently ordered up a couple of packs from the Empress Arnhem Heroes range. Simply for the pleasure of painting and owning you understand, I will not be getting a full platoon. No Sireee not me😇

😈 are you sure about that?

Until next time………..KBO 

 

Let There Be Bright

Way back, way back in time at Midland Militaire (remember them?) there was a splendid ancient game with a stunning Seleucid army being used. I think they were Garrison Figures, that's it I am having myself one of those. I immediately bought the WRG book out at the time.

For reasons I cannot recall that was as far has I got, queue last year when I started to amass figures for the long gone but not forgotten urge. The figures are mainly from the ever excellent Aventine topped up with figures from Gripping Beast and Foundry. Now I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't start painting any until I had completed the Early Byzantines. Well I had some Aventine Magna Grecia hoplites I bought on a whim some time ago in the lead lump, who doesn't have a desire to paint Greek hoplites. So, come on I am a wargamer after all.

Did the Seleucid's employ Magna Grecia troops? Mine will and if they didn't I have kept my promise to myself not to start painting my Seleucid army😁

The splendid LBMS transfers are on the shields of course.

I won't paint any more figures until the Byzantines are done of course🤞

Until next time............ KBO 

Dull But Becoming Bright

Way back in October 2023 I completed a 155mm GMC M12. Here

Now the M12 is was a thirsty beast and didn't have room for much ammunition (just three shots in Battlegroup, remember one shot is actually several rounds in the rules). It as not been on the table yet, being in the front line for direct fire on German strong points I needed to source and paint up an armoured ammunition carrier. I sourced one from UM Models quite a while ago and have just got around to getting it assembled (they are not the friendliest kits to build)

The cargo carrier M30 was designed as a support vehicle for the 155mm GMC M12, the two vehicles shared a similar layout. The engine was moved forward to behind the driving compartment, and the rear was thus freed for stowage of 40 155mm rounds and extra crew for the M12.  The spade found on the M12 was replaced by a tail gate to allow access to the rear compartment, and a .50cal MG was ring mounted above the rear compartment for self-defense.

Turning bright? Well it's coming soon..........😉

Until then.............KBO

Lombards!

 Allied heavy cavalry for my early Byzantine army, figures from Aventine Miniatures, LBMS shield transfers on a base from Warbases.

There will be some action in 1940 France here in OHQ next week, meanwhile check out this weeks game over on Dave’s blog, https://talesfromghq.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-fury-of-northmen.html

Until next time……..KBO

Testing

 A short post to test how posting on my new IPad goes. A new addition to the 1940 Germans for a game next week.

The gun is a plastic Zveda kit and the crew are metal from Simon’s Soldiers and the base is from Warbases.

I am just finishing off a unit of Lombard heavy cavalry for the sixth century Romans.

Until next time, KBO.