Happy New Year

Happy new year to all my followers around the world!  Wow, 2020 - I wish you all the very best for this next year and beyond.  While my blogging and slowed down my projects and gaming have not.  This past year saw some great gaming on the tabletop - Hoth/Assult on Echo Base (Star Wars), Quatre Bras (Napoleonic), Charge of the Mumaks (LOTR), Toulon Harbor (1:300 Napoleonic naval), ACW games, new rules (Star Wars Bolt Action) and rules updates/refinements.  Wow.  Crazy when I think back about it all.  Much more to come in 2020 so stay tuned.

Dan Kerrick hosted a modern game this last weekend.  We've been playing some games and I've been derelict in my posting battle reports - primarily because this time of year is just crazy, and a little extra so because the Vicksburg project is a lot of work.

Some pictures of that game below.  I played Russians - it was a meeting engagement.  My dice were on fire for once.  Everyone had a great time.

I also hosted a game of Dead Man's Hand a couple of weeks ago ... always a great game.

Looking forward to 2020 and all the games coming to the tabletop!

Project: Siege of Vicksburg Update #4

Hello everyone - another quick project update today.  Everything that I need has now arrived which means I can see how things fit together and really start making progress on the terrain elements.

I was able to mock up the table - pictures below ... need to cut the foam for the ridge/hill.

I've also started basing the first waves of new units.  More to come but at least things are getting on bases now.  I was also able to finish off the ships with flags and the guns.

I thought long about the observation balloon.  I have a large (long) vice grip that I combined with some PVA piping.  This created a harness that I could hang the balloon from.  This is also very easy to store.  I used fishing line to hang the balloon.

I've started assembly of the siege guns for both sides.  The TA Miniatures guns are excellent - very impressive models!

So progress on multiple fronts.  The holidays are a blessing and a curse for projects ... I get some time to work on them but I have to clean up multiple times as we host dinners/parties.

Project: Siege of Vicksburg Update #3

This project is really starting to pickup some steam. A lot of progress of several fronts.

But first, Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends! Remember to bring up politics at Thanksgiving dinner to save on Christmas gifts ;-) lol

Fresh new units are starting to roll off the painting table from the excellent Steve Dake ... and basing is in progress ...

Louisiana Zouaves

Yeah, I know they didn't carry the state flag with them ... but it is just so colourful I couldn't resist!

Ohio Volunteer Infantry

The rest of the first batch ...

Union artillery crew for the 24 pdr guns

Union and Confederate commanders

More casualties to add to my current pile

The Union observation balloon, ironclads, gunboat and river boat are all just about finished. Michael from Golden Candle Studio (same who did my Star Wars stuff) is packing them up to ship them to me. The observation balloon is an old plastic kit from the 1960's or something ... found it at an antique store online ... but the perfect scale (even says 1/56 on the box).

I need to paint the guy that goes in the balloon, and then all the ground crew, including to wagons I'm converting as the pumps, etc. for the balloon.  I'll have 4 copper wires (ropes) that go up to the four corners of the basket to hold it up in the air.

Boats and Balloon

A closer look at the main part of the balloon

Here comes the navy!  The boats that will make up the side action for the game are also done.  I need to add the cannon barrels and do flags, but that is minor work.  Michael did a great job on these, really great work here.

Confederate Ironclad

Confederate Ironclad

Progress with the added Union Monitor class

The riverboat and gunship join the ironclads

Ready for action!

My new fur mats are also complete and have arrived from David Skibicki - looking forward to starting to stage this all. I've started painting the buildings and will be jumping between basing units and painting buildings for a little while now.

More to come, stay tuned.