Future Wars Update 005 - Platoon Command and Section

3 Scots Mechanised Infantry

I've now finished the Platoon Command and the second of the platoon sections for the Mechanised Infantry Platoon for the Future Wars project for the 1st Company, 3 Scots Battalion (Mechanised Infantry) 2065.

The Platoon Command includes a 2nd Lieutenant, Platoon Sergeant, Radio Operator and 51mm Mortar Operator mounted in their Scout Vehicle.

Platoon Command

Next up is Apha Section, comprising Fire Team Alpha 1 with Section command Corporal two Riflemen and LMG Gunner and Fire Team Alpha 2 with Lance Corporal, two Riflemen and LMG Gunner. Mounted in their APC

Alpha Section

Fire Team Alpha 1

Fire Team Alpha 2

With these now done, I've just Charlie Section to finish off and the Platoon is done which, now in progress should not be far away.

I'm starting on more of the Kra'uul as well but trying to find a quicker way to get them done as the first squad took ages to paint even though with a pretty easy paint scheme but we'll work on that one.

More on the Future Wars project soon.

Liebster Award

I have been awarded a Liebster by Ross over at Brushes and Bases, thanks Ross nice surprise and in the way of these things to keep the ball rolling and pay the compliment back (and encourage posting) I'll pass the compliment on.

There are a variety of 'rules' I've seen for doing this and I'll follow the 'most seen' version, the rule of 11's

Firstly, to nominate 11 blogs I follow (that have 200 > followers) for a Liebster;

• Camisado - Oli's excellent all things Renaissance blog
• Dangerous Brian - A Gamers Blog - Brian's RPG Blog (he of Lead Legion painting fame)
• Janners Jaunt - Stephen's excellent all things wargaming
• Cannister & Grape - Millsy's eclectic wargaming mix-up
• Dulce et Decorum Est - Mr Hunt's very good blogging thing
• Der Feldmarschall - Worth visiting for his 'today in Military History series alone.
• All World Game - Oleg from Russia's very worthy blog
• Scyld and Seax - Maxamillian's entertaining threads
• The Cardinal's Wargame Reveries - Conrad's very interesting projects
• Tom's Toy Soldier's - Scot's, El Cid and Empire, what more could you want
• Rohan a Turenne - Timur's FrenchRenaissance blog, always detailed and very interesting and well researched.

Secondly, answer Ross's 11 question's;

1. Why did you start blogging? - Inspired to put my hobby activities on line by an article in I think, Issue 1 of Battlegames that suggested the activity would add to the hobby and inspire to get more painting done. I find it has the opposite effect and gets a life of it's own , but that's another story. 
2. If you could change one thing about the wargaming hobby, what would it be? - Don't think I would change anything particularly, except the amount of time available for doing the fun stuff. 
3. What is best in life? - Being a pretty philosophical kind of guy, I kind of think it's all good. Even the bad bits. 
4. Do you want to live forever? - What, and miss the end credits? Nah. 
5. Fame or Fortune? - If pushed, I'd go for the fortune and live in quiet comfort. 
6. What miniatures are you most proud of having painted? - The first unit I can remember finishing which was a unit of Minifig ECW Highlanders when I was but a nipper. 
7. How do you deal with burn out? - I don't, I go with the flow man. 
8. Why is a raven like a writing desk? - Because it flaps when you kick it? 
9. Star Wars of Star Trek? - Probably Star Wars, but that's cause I'm a bit of an Imperial freak, Star Trek dudes are too 'nice'. 
10. If you could only buy from one miniature company from now on, which one would it be? - Not diificult, it'd be the Perry's but anything by Mr Copplestone would be a close second. 
11. What is your favourite takeaway? - Easy one this, Indian

Thirdly, write 11 fact about myself;

1. My nick name since I was at school was 'Buzz', after British Telecoms Buzby, cause I used to be on the phone all the time. 
2. As well as wargaming, I really enjoy woodworking and cabinet making. 
3. I'm a pretty proficient Bowman 
4. I have my own coat of arms 
5. I used to play RPG's a lot and still enjoy reading the bumph, but don't play anymore. 
6. I read almost exclusively Fantasy and SciFi fiction. 
7. I actually like the music of Brian Eno 
8. My favourite food if pushed for a choice would be Mince, Tatties and Neeps 
9. My favourite Comic Character is/was (He's dead now apparently :-( ) is The Vision from The Mighty Avengers. 
10. I still have a bit of a thing for the Scarlet Witch 
11. I spend far too much time on my computer and not enough doing more creative stuff.

Lastly, Ask 11 questions of my nominated victims, sorry awardee's;

1. What got you into wargaming? 
2. What's your favourite wargaming period/genre? 
3. What's the last book you've read and finished? 
4. Who is your favourite miniature sculptor? 
5. If you were sentenced to death by firing squad, who would you want staked out next to you and why? 
6. What has been your most unforgettable wargaming moment? 
7. Who would you like to write your epitaph and why? 
8. What's your most proud of model and why? 
9. If you could have your own flag, what would be on it? 
10. Why is a Raven like a writing Desk? 
11. If you were a character from Lord of the Rings, who would you be and why?

Sudanese Mercenary Spear

I've finished the first of my infantry units for my Almohad Berber army project. This is a unit of Sudanese Mercenaries.

The figures are all Artizan with particular 'mercenary', rather than tribal shields selected, to tie the unit together a bit, plus the bamboo spears have a green stuff 'tug' added to make them a bit more North African.

The standard is from a LBM transfer sheet but for some reason has darkened down quite considerably but it seems to look the part with the mercenary vibe.

Switching to a unit of cavalry next. 

Carronade '14

Yesterday was the FDWC annual show Carronade 14 and once again, a busy and successful day was had by all.

With an increase in the number of Traders and Clubs putting on games and an increase in the number of bodies through the door, Flea Market Traders and Painting Competition entries, everything was on the up, which is nice.

I think the Traders and games is now at the maximum the venue could reasonably hold so it's going to hard to beat this years show in terms of the quantities on offer.

Not sure if the weather helped or hindered as it was yuch in the morning but brightened up in the afternoon, so likely a bit of both.

The games on offer this year were generally very good with a couple standing out for me; Kirriemuir's 'Alexander vs the Thracians', Durham's 54mm 'D'Erlion's attack at Waterloo in 54mm' was quite spectacular, The Old Comtempibles 'Gleaning Katana's' and Dumfries' 'Tajima at the Bridge' were both excellent oriental games and the League of Augsburg was the usual eye candy and Border Reivers 'The Battle of Trafalgar Square' were all excellent games but there were a lot of games I liked and good to see more than half the games were public participation too.

Didn't get a chance to see the whole venue's games missing out on the upstair's games totally and indeed didn't get a chance to go round the trader's at all with being tied up with the painting competition and otherwise catching up with people you only see at the shows, but no complaint's at all. Good day all round.

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The Painting Competition was as I said up in the number of entries from last year, which was good to see with a very good standard in the entries. A bit disappointed in that the number of Junior entries was down significantly as was the Single Historical category, but otherwise up everywhere else.

Congrats to all the winners and runner's up in the categories and to Christopher Miller who picked up the Best of Show as well as the Single Fantasy category as well.

Junior - 1st Jonathan Miller  - Cultist
2nd Ryan Herd - Herald of Nurgle

Fighting Vehicle - 1st Andy Kirkwood - KV-1
2nd Mark McNaught - Khador Battlewagon 

Single Historical - 1st David Marshall - WW1 German Sniper
2nd Bill Ferguson - 101st Bar Gunner

Historical Unit - 1st David Jarvis - Frederick the Great & Generals
2nd - Stewart Ramsay - 1st Louisiana Special Btn Wheats Tiger's

Single Fantasy - 1st Christopher Miller - Infinity Uxia (Best of Show)
2nd Caroline Watson - Nurgle Champion

Fantasy Unit - 1st Christopher Miller (again :-) ) - Nomads
2nd Paul Laurie - Everblight Warspears

FDWC Open - 1st Marco Grillanda - Scratch Built Colonial House
2nd John Martin - Dragon

Hope everyone attending had a good day, I certainly did, and I'm looking forward to the next one already (though not the table moving). A well done to everyone at the club who organised another great day.