A quiet afternoon for a change meant I could take some time to convert a Tumbling Dice Yoshino into the Chilean protected cruiser Black Encalada. This involves quite a lot of filing, cutting, filling and fettling, but I'm pleased with the end result, although it's not exactly an accurate reproduction. I'll base it up and undercoat, then add it to the Argentinian pre-dreadnoughts now sitting on the workbench for painting.
I've now finished painting the Chilean pre-dreadnoughts, which just need base labels and a magnet strip applied, so it's on to the Argentinian ships this weekend. These consist of the two armoured cruisers that were sold to Japan and the two proposed Ansaldo designed fast battleships that were never built, based on the Regina Elena model from the Tumbling Dice range but with twin main armament in both turrets. The first thing to do is to block in the hull and superstructure in Vallejo Cold White, mixed 50/50 with Warpaints White for extra coverage.
For my next 'tying up loose ends' project, I'm going back to a naval wargaming project of many years gestation, the Battle of Jasmund / Rugen in March 1864 during the Second Schleswig War. I've had the models for this, assembled, based and ready to paint, for well over a decade, so it's about time I actually ticked it off the 'to do' list. After a review of the 1/2400th Tumbling Dice models I previously prepared for the Danish and Prussian flotillas, I'm making some significant changes to the line up, but the Prussians are good to go as soon as I finish the Argentinian pre-dreadnoughts currently on the workbench. It will be great to finally have the chance to re-enact this obscure but significant naval clash, then hopefully work toward the other actions fought during the war.
The 1/2400th scale Chilean pre-dreadnoughts are now nearly ready for the final base painting, varnishing and labelling, which I'm very pleased about as I can then move onto the Argentinian ships. I just need to dry brush the bases, add some wakes and now waves, then varnish in two stages before I can print and attach the labels. I'm actually thinking of sprucing up the labels on the test of my models, as they've seen some action and are looking a bit tatty!
 |
| Too dark |
I'm getting there slowly but surely with my Chilean and Peruvian pre-dreadnoughts and have been thinking about the next one of loose ends to tidy up. I've been meaning to repaint the bases on my War of the Pacific ships for months, if not years, so that job is a strong contender for a weekend in the not too distant future. I've repainted bases before and it's a relatively simple, if slightly fiddly job, but it does make them match the sea cloth I use to a far better effect. I'll make a start as soon as the current Chilean pre-dreadnoughts are finished and while I paint up the Argentinian models.
Haven't played X-Wing in ages....gave my collection to the sprog, who is now living back home with us, so should really dig it out for some weekend games!
Some decent progress on the blocking in today, with the matt white basecoat applied to the models, ready for a Vallejo Medium Fleshtone top coat tomorrow once it's all dry. After that I'll do a quick tidy up around the edges before applying the usual wash, which helps to add some definition and shading. These are all actual Chilean warships and torpedo boat destroyers, apart fron the two 'What If?' Swiftsure class battleships, Libertad and Constitucion, which were never delivered.
I've been farting about with some ideas for strafing in Algy, as it is conspicuously absent from the rules yet very much an aspect of air warfare, especially in 1917-18 for trench strafing sorties. I'm starting with the existing rules for firing but adapting the process by altering the firing arcs, dice roll modifiers and firing factors, along with a simple table to assess results for different ground targets. It's nothing too complicated but rear gunners do need to be factored in, both for firing and also for the use of hand held light bombs or hand grenades. It's a work in progress but I'm fairly confident that something simple but consistent with the existing rules can be designed.
After a little over one year, the Algernon Pulls It Off! Facebook group has hit the four hundred member mark, which is quite an impressive total and really encouraging, considering how old the rules are and how little visibility they have compared to other, more up to date systems. I'm hoping that this momentum will continue but it will really need some more input to keep things moving forwards. I recently raised the possibility of a revised, updated and improved version of the rules as a potential Lard Mag submission, so I had better start thinking about having a go at this if it's actually going to happen!
As Paul Sulley put a lot of time and effort into expanding the 1/600th scale French range, it is only fair that I order some of the models and paint them up! I've ordered some packs of Breguet XIV bombers and SPAD VII scouts, which I will paint up for late 1917 in the distinctive, but simple scheme before three tone camouflage was adopted, so a nice and easy job. I've also ordered a pack of the Morane Saulnier N 'bullet' monoplane scouts, which will be painted as RFC machines of No.60 Squadron, with bright red engine cowlings and spinners. Tally Ho!
I spotted this lot on eBay a couple of days ago and put in a speculative bid. Lo and behold, I now have fifty quids worth of 1/2400th scale Tumbling Dice Mediterranean Renaissance warships for only fifteen quid, postage included, which is a bit of a steal. This assumes that I actually do something with them, of course, otherwise it's just more lead lined loft insulation!
 |
| Blanco Encalada |
 |
| Blanco Encalada |
 |
| Yoshino |
I've re-booted the South American pre-dreadnought project today with the Chilean 'What If?' battleships, Libertad and Constitucion, the armoured cruiser Chacabuco, the obsolete central battery ironclad Almirante Lynch and, last but not least, four Capitan Orella class TBD's. The latter are actually Arab class TBD models with the funnels cut down, so not exactly a match but good enough, as I suspect no one will know the difference? I'm going to paint all of these in the same black, white and yellow ochre scheme as my existing Chilean squadron, so that there is a consistent look to the Chilean naval forces.
I was on a long road trip yesterday down to Plymouth and back, so had time to reflect on my lack of progress this far this year. I've started two or three projects with the best of intentions but these have all fizzled out due to a lack of focus and a failure on my part to get over my perennial painters' block. I'm also lacking the drive to play any actual games, perhaps due to having played a lot last year for the Algy scenario project.
To rectify this but keep up some forward momentum and get some useful stuff done, I'm going to do what I've done before in this situation and finish off some loose ends. These are all nautical and include my Argentinian and Chilean 'What If?' pre dreadnoughts, the re basing of my War of the Pacific Chilean and Peruvian fleets to match my sea cloth properly, and possibly the ships for my very old 1864 Second Schleswig War naval project, which are all assembled, based and basecoated.
I think this will be both productive and also a way to dust off a couple of old but much loved naval wargaming projects for a few small solo games before the summer holidays in three months time.
I unearthed a scenario that I wrote fur the Rabens Ravens Lard Mag article today, one that didn't make it into the selection as I didn't have a chance to play test it. This is set in May 1918 and involves a 'bounce' by two highly experienced Jasta 18 pilots on three SPAD scouts of the American 103rd Aero Squadron, led by Junior Ace 1st Lt. Paul Baer. The outcome of the actual dogfight was a walkover for the Jasta 18 'experten', shooting down Baer and one of his wingmen for no loss. It's a good scenario for a quick game and ideal for beginners, as there are no formations, blinds or other distractions, with clear objectives for both sides and some aces thrown in for added fun! It's available to download from the Algy Facebook group.
 |
 |
| HMS Brittania |
I was sorting through my box of 1/2400th Tumbling Dice models, ready for the Summer Project, when I discovered a small stash of ships that I had set aside as box fillers for my French and British fleets. These include HMS Victory or Brittania (100), HMS Neptune (98) and HMS Agamemnon (64) for the Royal Navy. For La Royale there's Mont Blanc (74), Argonaute (74), Indivisible (80) and L'Insurgente (36), as well as an unrated Xebec for dispatch duties. The plan is to assemble and paint these first, before moving on to the Spanish, which I've cleared a whole section of the box to fill up with!
I spotted a set of 1/200th scale decals for JG2 Fw190-A3 fighters on the Sieben Schwaben Facebook page yesterday. I thought to myself that this sheet would be fantastic as a way to start up my 1/300th scale Fw190 models for Bag the Hun, if I could get them rescaled. These models have been used in scenarios that I've either written, like Sinker Saves the Day, or worked on as part of the Westland Whirlwind project, including S-Boote Strike and Itching to Mix It!. I sent a cheeky request to Bernhard and he immediately jumped on it! He's rescaled the sheet to 1/285th and I've ordered it, ready to start up the otherwise vanilla fighters, which will look so much better with the added details. A big thumbs up to Bernard, who I'm now going to pester for some No.263 Squadron Whirlwind and No.129 Squadron Spitfire VB decals!
I've been doing some proof reading for a set of innovative and very interesting air wargaming rules recently. The rules are called Load and Return and, unlike most aerial rules, are focussed on fire fighting rather than actual aerial combat, which makes a very refreshing change, especially in this day and age. The author knows his stuff and has created a really thorough yet dynamic system, with some really creative mechanics and even a campaign system. I'm looking forward to play testing in the not too distant future but, for the moment, I'm simply casting an eye over syntax, grammar and clarity. I think this is a very promising concept and will be an excellent, highly engaging game to play.
A good start on the BPB Motor Gun Boats and RAF Rescue Launch today, blocking in the bases and giving the models a matt black basecoat, ready for blocking in the principal hull and topside colours. I've left the Kriegsmarine escorts to one side for the moment, so that I can concentrate on getting these painted first. I'm hoping that it won't take too long to get these finished, as I also have a convoy of merchant shipping to paint up, not to mention re-basing and tarting up my existing kit.
I'd forgotten about this but was kindly reminded by Jimmy James over in the AK-47 FB group the other day, so have pimped up the poster for the occasion. It's a way off yet but that means plenty of time to get organised for a game, which should be feasible as it's a bank holiday here in the sunny UK. I'll have to see what I can get organised at the club, which meets on a Tuesday, or possibly at home with the boy, as he'll be off work too. I haven't played a game in ages, so what better than International AK-47 Wargaming Day to dust off some technicals and take them for a test drive!
 |
| Voisin 8 |
 |
| Caudron RII |
 |
| Breguet XIV |
 |
| Nieuport 28 |
 |
| Salmson 2 |
 |
| SPAD VII |
 |
| Morane Saulnier N |
 |
| Nieuport 17 |
Paul Sulley from Tumbling Dice was kind enough to send me some samples of the new 1/600th French aircraft he has just produced, although not yet available on the website. These fill some big gaps in the existing range, which is primarily early war, which means that the French, Italian, American, Belgian and Russian air forces are now feasible, give or take a couple of types. The Russian Civil War and Russo Polish War are also possible, so not just the First World War. I'm particularly impressed by the Breguet XIV, which is a lovely model and really looks like the real thing. Excellent!
 |
| BPB 72' MGB's |
 |
| BPB 70' MGB's |
 |
| BPB RAF Rescue Launch |
Back home today after the holiday trip and on to the workbench to get the PT Dockyard British Power Boat Motor Gunboats assembled and undercoated. These are resin cast models and require a lot of attention to get them ship shape but, as they're the only option in 1/600th scale it's worth the effort. I replaced some of guns with a Tumbling Dice metal casting, which isn't accurate but a lot less likely to be snapped off than the resin equivalent. I also have a Tumbling Dice BPB RAF rescue launch to paint up, along with a downed air crew, so a nice collection of themed models to get painted over the weekend, if I have the time. I may even base these first, following my established method, rather than painting then basing later.
 |
| The Royal Navy Fleet |
 |
| The Spanish Fleet... |
A couple of years ago I started a 1/2400th scale Napoleonic Naval project, designed for large scale fleet games but also for small frigate actions in a compact space. This was quite productive and I ended up with two fleets, one French and one British, although never got round to actually playing any games. I subsequently stared to build the models for an American squadron but they are still in a box waiting to be painted.
I also gathered together a large selection of models for a Spanish fleet but, in the end, didn't make a start on them, or any new terrain for that matter. I'm now considering picking up the project with the objective being International Naval Wargaming Day in a few months time. The focus would be on the Spanish fleet or the American squadron, together with a few terrain pieces if I can find the time?
I was very surprised but excited to hear that a new edition of Cry Havoc, possibly my favourite hex and counter game, is being published soon by Footsore Miniatures as a Kickstarter. It's a simple repeat of the original but with updated graphics and maps that are green rather than bright yellow, so I don't really need to get a copy as I have the original. However, I will probably do so anyway, as I am a big fan of the game, as is my son (although he prefers Samurai Blades). It's launching in a few days, so keep an eye out!
