Dystopian Prussian Legions

I've been a diehard Historical Gamer since my early Airfix battles on the lounge room floor, some forty years or so ago....Yikes!
 In all that time I have looked with amused contempt upon the Fantasists, Warhammerites, 40K'ers, Orc botherers ...in short anyone who didn't fight 'Proper Wargames'....in other words a Wargame elitist snob of the most narrow-minded kind.
Thankfully the internet has changed all that for me. When I cast my eyes over the outstanding modelling and painting ability of so many of my fellow bloggers, many of whom fall into, or at least dabble in, the above mentioned 'Black Arts' I cant help but be impressed. In fact more than impressed, I'm becoming downright interested.
That said I'm not about to rush out and invest in the latest Games Workshop offering of the just released 'Zomboid Nurgelblaster' or 'Demon Spawn of the Three Titted Witch of the Dark Kingdom of Snizzlepoop'...that would be just silly...
However fellow Bloggers, I have been enticed to dip my toe in the uncertain waters of Steampunk by the release of Spartan Games Dystopian Legions, or more exactly the forces of Imperial Prussia. Actually I wanted the Brits, in keeping with my fondness for all thing Brittanic, and the fact that a chap can't help but look good in scarlet, alas my mate 'Tex' Houston beat me to punchline. Once he clapped eyes on those Sky Hussars I knew I was doomed.

It was only when the lovely parcel from Spartan Games arrived in the mail and the contents were revealed in all their magnificence that I realised I may have drawn the winning straw.

Let's face it who could resist the charm of Steam powered Teutonic Knights, Grenadiers in pickelhaubs and clad in Prussian blue and Mad scientists with gauntlets that fire bolts of lightning...the last word in Schloch Tactics!

Anyway.. enough preamble, just get the pics on and stop flappin' your jaws.

Oberst Werner Hahl and his tesla- mechanical arm

I painted these in the record time of one Sunday afternoon and an evening...actually it stretched way into the wee small hours of Monday morning...3.oo am to be precise. Oh well sleeping is boring. I still have the basing to finish then I can start on those Teutonic Knights and Professor Gustardt.

WW2 Jap Jungle Fighters

It's been a busy week on the painting front. I've put in a couple of loooong nights at the painting table getting the nucleous of my WW2 Jap force ready for their first Bolt Action encounter.

Actually in less than a week I've managed to paint and base 32 figs which is pretty prolific for me so I must have been enjoying myself.

Anyway here they are.

I still have a bit of foliage to add to the bases but all and all I'm reasonably happy with my first attempt at 28mm WW2 figs.
Next up an 80mm mortasr and crew and a small infantry gun for fire support. May even stretch to a tank.
My good mate Dave 'Tex' Houston is frantically painting Chindits in a brave attempt to stave of the relentless advance of 'The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere'

Hopefully I'll have a Bolt Action Battle Report for you in the near future.

Imperial Japanese Army...the beginning.

As someone once said.... "This in not the end of the beginning, but it is the beginning of the end" or some such nonsense.

Anyway, this is the 'beginning' of my Bolt Action WW2  Imperial Japanese Army.
The figures are by Warlord Games and right aggressive looking 'Sons of Bushido' they are.

Lovely box art.

I still have to varnish them and base them in a suitably jungle like manner but I thought I'd give you a sneak preview of them in their transitional state for a change. Apologies for the 'unmanly' pink bottle tops.... hopefully this experience hasn't dampened the little mens warlike ardour?

I like to give my figures a dry brush with a light colour, in this case Vallejo Khaki, to bring out the detail before commencing the serious business of 'dressing' the figures.

Ayee!!...pink for Crisake

The next batch

How's that for a pose?

Or this

As you can see, the detail and posing of these figures is superb. I've selected 11 figures from the Standard Army figures to see how they turn out. I'll have a crack at the Jungle Fighters once Ive completed all the standard Army figs.

I painted the figures exclusively with Vallejo paints and washes....does anyone use anything else now?
I stuck pretty much to the Warlord Games Painting Guide which is available to download on their website. I found the 'Dark Yellow wash' was just right for bringing out the folds and creases in the trousers and tunics and used the 'Umber wash' on the puttees, leather accoutrements and such like.
I found Vallego 'Buff' was just right for highlighting canvas, webbing, and shirts but must be applied sparingly. I also used the Panzer Aces 'Flesh Base' and mixed Standard flesh with the Panzer Aces 'Flesh Highlight' to bring out the cheek bones, nose, lips and chin.

Anyway here they are.

And dont forget to order shrimp balls with the chop suey!!

Corporal Miyagi shows off his new tank top

Banzai!

Give em a taste of the Arisaka

And the prize for most useless thing to stick on a machine gun goes to....

If I could just get the *##@en top of this Saki flask!

"Say one more smartass thing about my bayonet and I swear......"

I found these figures an absolute delight to paint and was pleasantly surprised how quickly they came together...two nights of painting, excluding assembly and under-coating.
I think the banners look rather spiffing too but they're a bugger to attach if you've got 'dexterily challenged' fingers like mine!

Look out for upcoming 'Jungle Fighters'