Back in the swing of things.... Armed with a new found focus fresh troops roll of the paint production line. It's surprising how switch off the TV and devoting an hour before bed each evening gets things moving.
Welcome to "Dust, Tears & Dice", a blog dedicated to the hobby of miniature wargaming. If you fancy gaming periods off the beaten track then this is the place for you. I am a regular member of The Wyvern Wargamers, formerly The Evesham Wargames Club drawing gamers from Worcester, Redditch, Kidderminster, Cheltenham and Stratford. All players welcome.
Friday, September 29, 2023
Operation Exporter - Free French Perry Miniatures.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Silver Bayonet - Dead Man's Farm.
How annoying.... Claude has gone AWOL....
Somewhere in one of the numerous boxes is a French faction for Silver Bayonet now I will have to send a day hunting down these lead warriors. Like many a wargamer high time I reorganised the boxes to ensure 'stuff' does not go missing again. Fortunately the body doubles will be a suitable stand in....
Monday, September 18, 2023
Afrika Korps - Vehicle Painting Guide.
After several weeks away finally some time on the brushes and some German vehicles for the Western Desert. These take me right back to being a kid with Airfix and Matchbox figures, playing out Commando Comic stories.
There are plenty of Afrika Korps Painting guide out there on the interweb so here's my take. Transported from Western Europe many of the vehicles retained their dark grey finish before being given a paint job of dark yellow sand, the harsh conditions often meant that the yellow oaint chipped off which showed the grey colouring at the points of wear.
In the interest of time I undercoated them with a Army Painter sand followed by a light spray of Army Painter Skeleton Bone to give the vehicles some shade.
Once dry using some foam from the various blister packs I dabbed a black grey mix on the areas of most likely wear and tear, the edges of the hull and front and sides in particular, this gave the vehicle an in campaign feel.
At this stage it looked like I might have over done it.
But the addition the of decals in some cases on the grey patches and the adding in of the details such as spare fuel or water tanks, entrenching tools etc. I opted for a brown for the tracks with a metallic dry brush to give it that worn feel.
Once dry the entire vehicle gets a flesh wash with a 70/30 water mix to give some areas a little more density, adding in some strong tone to the mix when it comes to the track areas. These was to give that dusty feel, once dry with a large paint brush and a very limited amount of Vallejo dark sound mixed with white I dry brushed the entire vehicle.
All done.
Really pleased how these turned out, the 251/10 was from Warlord late war with the tire on the front, but it fits the bill, the 222 was from the Gentleman's War Starter Set which is a lovely piece of kit.
Now to get them on the table.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Undaunted - Hot and Cold.
Gaming and painting time has been a thin on the ground of late. I really need to pick up the pace with the Cotswold day just 6 weeks away and I still have a bunch of Western Desert stuff to finish.
The gaming room has been captured by the family using it a dumping ground for 'stuff'. I need to wrestle back the space, which is surely a cue for a big game over a few nights. While I mull over the options, I have played a couple of Undaunted games which are surprisingly challenging for a board game/deck builder/war game.
I don't play many board games but this has a very good feel to it and could easily be turned into a tabletop encounter. We mixed it up with an outing in the Western Desert as the LRDG attack an Italian Airfield looking to blow things up while the defenders looked to stop them.
Sunday, September 03, 2023
Wyre Forest Gamers - All Dayer - Indian Mutiny.
You can't beat a BIG game and once again John from the Wyre Forest Club did not disappoint.
It's been years since I played Principles of War but they were a great for for this Indian Mutiny outing. 14th September 1857 and the East India Company are preparing to break into Delhi
All 5 columns prepare to march on the gates against the rebellious Sepoys.
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Pony Wars - Life is cheap on the plains.
Can it really be the first outing of these rules???
The figures were painted months ago but it wasn't until a club night conversation turned to who had a copy did the nudge occur to read them and get figures on the table. A real gem from the 80's whilst the casualty calculations takes a bit of getting used to, the Indian reaction tables are fantastic and really make the game what it is.
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Moroccan Colonial Infantry - Operation Exporter
Back to Operation Exporter and this time Moroccan Colonial infantry to bolster the French Forces.
Frustratingly I had painted several sections of very same figures for when I created a number of sections for the Spanish Civil War that would have been fine, but alas long sold on e-bay, so time to move these to the front of the paint queue.
Monday, August 07, 2023
Legends of the Water Margin #2 Clear the Temple
The Heroes of the Water Margin are massing and the local population are rushing to their banner.
The Sung Government send a military force to break up the gathering, a chance for scores to be settled. Kao Chiu was looking to defeat Lin Chung who is bound to be at the centre of the trouble, while his Temple Guard were itching to take on the Palace Guard who had taken the side of the rebels.
In a close and bloody affair - Kao Chiu's forces had the numbers but Lin Chung's troops had stealth on their side.
The massed ranks of the government forces advance up the table, but still the bulk of the rebels did not show themselves.
Only the Palace Guard were on show defending the Temple.
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Dispatches from the front XXIX - Small scale actions.
I had every intention of ploughing through the remaining Commonwealth Infantry and Free French but having completed the prep, basing and undercoating the thought of 80 boots, 40 rifles and webbing etc put me off a little. Perhaps next week unless something shiny comes along.
Instead I opted for the assembly line of the last support weapons for the allies and axis forces. Some nice castings from Warlord in shape of AT guns, Mortars and Infantry Guns...
On the subject of purchases, Fred over at Two Send Fred is working on a small wadi for me, I was after a connector for my larger purchase, this is the draft mock up. This will be great for future games, more on that in a separate post.