Lockdown Podcast #lost count

 The most recent episode of the Lockdown Podcast was released into the wilds a few days ago, but as I was away I haven't had a chance until now to post it.

You will be sad/glad/relieved/disappointed to hear that this will be the last one for a while as we take advantage of "Freedom" for a few weeks until England has to go back into lockdown of some description.

In this edition:

• I go nuts and bananas with jungle terrain
• Tim inserts bird sound to stop potential opponents discovering his army composition for an upcoming tournament
• Adam has a rant about English longbows/longbowmen not being the super-weapon/super-troopers that most rules make them
• Peter's facial foliage is compared to my jungle terrain
• It is revealed that the road from London to York is a hotbed of sex shops and crap "American Diners"
• plus all the usual witterings

As I mentioned, this is the last episode for a while, so don't listen to it all at once!

Podcast #82 - Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb...

 Get out the crash mats! Stand by with the smelling salts!

Yes, it's true. I am actually posting the latest episode of the Madaxeman podcast on the very day it has been released into the wild.

In this episode:

I go off my coconut and totally bananas

A discussion about basing medieval heraldry on modern-day football strips

Andy's Quiz

The usual witterings about what we've painted and games we've played

There is also a special one-off segment "World of War-war-war Sports" in which the crew (sadly just the six of us this week) engage in a spot of humorous (allegedly, Ed.) ADLG punditry, discussing the entrants to this weekend's tournament in York (the UK's first since Covid lockdowns began) and using a sports tournament format, predict who will progress from the groups and through the quarter- and semi-finals to the grand final.

Enough of that blather, here's the link:

 

Podcast #81 - The Coming Out Stories Episode

 In a slightly astonishing turn of events, I'm posting the link for the latest podcast episode within a couple of days of it being published.

The "So, what have you painted since the last episode" discussion takes a detour this week into our stories of coming out at work as, errmm, wargamers. Which turned out to be quite handy as only a few of the less-than-magnificent seven had actually painted much worth talking about.

In this episode:

• Jokes about my herbal highs continue
• Timmy reveals that dodgy geezers offering you dodgy goods at Watford Gap services is still a thing
• The great debate of Cottage Pie vs Pizza as appropriate wargaming food
• "I'm Sorry, I Think You're An Arse" makes a welcome (Are you sure? Ed.) return
• Andy's Quiz

Podcasts #79 and #80

 I've just noticed that I forgot to post the link for episode 79 when it was published two weeks ago. As episode 80 was published last Friday, you can have two links for one in this post.

Episode #79

In which we discuss:

•  our first impressions of ADLG V4;
•  the problems involved with getting terrain making ideas off Twitter;
• why making your own rocks from clay gives better results than just picking up random stones off the ground

Episode #80

Just a short one this week, you will be pleased/disappointed to hear. In this episode:

• I get high on herbs in the hillsides;
• Peter discovers that red is the new gold;
• Tim discovers that Winsor & Newton spray varnish is a good replacement for Testors Dullcote

Podcast #77 - "Why Are We Waiting..."

 Episode #77 of the Madaxeman podcast was recorded last Monday and published on Friday. We had been hoping that everyone would have received their brand spanking new copies of V4 of Art de la Guerre and that we would be able to have an informed discussion of the changes. However, printing/shipping delays and then Customs delays (thanks, Brexit!) combined to make that impossible.

Nonetheless we did persevere and have some discussion of the changes that the author talked about on someone's blog. That segment replaces (the yet to be complained about by our listener) "I'm Sorry, I Think You're An Arse" for this episode.

The ADLG segment is sandwiched between the usual ramblings about what we have all been painting and Andy's Quiz.

NB - the rulebooks have arrived at North Star and they have started posting them out. Hopefully we will all have received our copies in good time to have read them and have a vaguely informed discussion by the time we record the next episode.

Wednesday Workbench 21 April & Podcast

 

I decided to take a couple of days off painting and only made a start on the final batch of US Paras this evening. So far I've only done the flesh; with just ten figures in the batch I should be able to get the buk of the painting done tomorrow and have them finished on Friday.

Podcast

A few days since publication, but a bit quicker than the last one I posted links to. In this episode we discuss whether ACW rules should include bonus factors for the quantity and style of facial hair of the respective commanders or whether it is even worth gaming the period at all. Adam makes the mistake of asking how I would paint the white caparisons of Teutonic knights, rather than asking how I think he should do so. Also the usual garbage the less than magnificent seven are famed* for.

* if having 2 or 3 listeners can be counted as "fame".

Wednesday Workbench 14 April & Podcast

 

I've taken things slow and steady on this batch of US Paras. I finished painting them this afternoon; they'll be varnished tomorrow.

Next up will be a rifle squad from the 2nd platoon.

Podcast

I have kept forgetting to post a link to the most recent episode of "Seven Idiots Rambling", so it's about time I did. We recorded the next edition on Monday, which should be published on Friday.

The plan, now that lockdown is easing in the UK, is to switch to two-weekly recording with occasional specials recorded and released in-between. I suspect that the first "special" will be a discussion of the changes to ADLG in the 4th edition, once we have all received our copies.

Paint Table Saturday 27 March plus Podcasts

Before getting onto the "Paint Table Saturday" part of this post, The goodies I mentioned ordering last Sunday have all arrived over the course of the week.

From North Star:

 From Warbases:

As you can see, I also bought some brushes to try out. I didn't take photos of the foam trays I'd ordered from Products For Wargamers because, let's face it, they're not really interesting enough to take photos of (well, not until they have figures in them).

6mm ACW Progress

Oh, yes, the real "meat" of this post. On Thursday I added the basing texture mix to all of the bases. As I was doing this, I realised when I got to the artillery and limber bases that ~I should have left the guns and limbers off. Fortunately I had only done one of each at that point, so I quickly removed the others - they'll be glued back on at the end.

I left them alone yesterday, to give the texture time to fully dry and adhere. Today I did the drybrushing:

The drybrushing step also acts to remove any loose grit and sand.

I'll be adding static grass to the bases tomorrow, then adding the guns and limbers back to the bases I'd removed them from. I'll need to dig out a couple of flags to add to some of the command bases.

Podcasts

I was remiss last week and forgot to post the podcast link. Which means you're getting two links today!

Last week's:

 

This week's:

 

Madaxeman Podcast #70

 I was going to post this yesterday but forgot! Oh, well, no harm with a slight delay.

In this episode we discuss:

• Aztec, Tlaxcallan and other central American armies as an option forwargaming
• Whether there are really just three "Biblical" armies (in terms of the figures)
• First opinions on the "O Group" rules

In "I'm Sorry, I Think You're An Arse" Adam takes the stage again to rant about the ongoing suggestion that the (historical) wargaming hobby is greying.

We also have Andy's quiz and the inevitable wittering and waffling about what the seven of us have been painting and buying.

Podcast #67

 Another week, another podcast. As nobody has complained (so far) this weeks episode features the second edition of "I'm sorry, but I think you're an arse" along with the usual ramblings. Also featured are a couple of book recommendations from me, myself and I.

Workbench and Shinies 15 February; plus Podcasts

 Eeeeeks! I haven't posted here for a couple of weeks. I guess I should give a quick update on things.

My house purchase (and move out of London) isn't going ahead - a second viewing before exchange of contracts (and payment of the deposit) revealed that the works I had thought could be done after I moved in would need to be done beforehand. With all the furniture out and the central heating turned down it was also clear that the issues were more extensive then originally indicated by the survey and my first viewing. There was no way that I could realistically arrange and oversee the works from London, so I withdrew my offer. 

That means two things:

1. I'm back to square one on the hunt for a house out of London. I'll probably leave it a couple of months before looking again.

2. I can resume painting figures and terrain! And I have made a start!

Yes, I have (finally) returned to my 6mm ACW project. Well, they were primed just over four years ago and a simple enough project to take on. The only trouble is I keep getting distracted, so they are taking longer to paint than they should. I've started with the Union cavalry and generals; I have the same quantity of Confederate cavalry and generals, plus some artillery, limbers and dismounted cavalry to do when these are finished. I'll be doing all the basing in one go.

As it will be a good few months before I move home, it also means that I can order figures and stuff without worrying that delays could see packages being delivered to the wrong address. I placed an order about two weeks ago and the figures arrived today:

In case you can't see in the photo what they are, 16 of the packs are US Airborne and one is the British Airborne senior officers pack. Why Us Airborne? Well, these will be for my New Guinea project to represent the 503rd PIR who first saw action in the Lae campaign.

Podcasts

The distractions which have interfered with my painting also distracted me from posting the podcast link last week, so you are actually getting the links for two in this post. 

In case you are wondering why they are episodes 63 and 65, it's because Tim inserted an aDLG list-building discussion as episode 64 in between.

The Podcast Strikes Back

 A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

OK, in London and Poole and now...

The less-than-magnificent seven have re-convened for another series of the Madaxeman Lockdown Podcasts, and the first one is available to download/listen to now. Have we got any better? I'll leave that for you to judge.

If you really, really want to listen to a long digression away from figure buying, figure painting and wargaming to discuss the benefits of Yorkshires*, then here is the link to the latest episode of chaos:

* Yorkshire puddings to the less enlightened. 

Lockdown Podcast #27

 For once, I haven't forgotten to post the link on the day it's been released onto an unsuspecting (and undeserving of such tripe) world. Yes, the 27th edition of the Madaxeman Lockdown Podcast is now available for download:

This week you can find out:

How I painted some rusty scatter terrain

Why (some?) historical wargamers are such skinflints

The answers to last week's quiz and the questions for this week

And lots of other nonsense.

Finished: Rusty Scatter Terrain for Judge Dredd; Lockdown Podcast #26

I didn't get much painted this week for two main reasons:

1. Last Tuesday evening I started to get a painful swelling on the left side of my face, followed by a mild fever. It appears that I have a (suspected, yet to be confirmed) case of mumps. The pain got worse on Wednesday and continued on Thursday and I wasn't able to focus on things, so didn't do any painting. Luckily it seems to be a lot better now, but eating solid food is still rather uncomfortable and difficult (mainly because the swelling is limiting how far my mouth will open).

2. Having got all the painting done on Friday, I decided on Saturday that the skip needed to be filled with rubble. Adding filler in stages and letting it cure took some time and I didn't finishing painting it until this morning.

Dumpster:

Skip:

Vent:

Lockdown Podcast #26

I should have posted this at the weekend, but forgot.

 

Among the usual risible content, listen in to find out all about "Assyrian relief", "tea potting" in Early Imperial Rome, our different approaches to basing figures and to endure the French Techno music that heralds Andy's Quiz.

Lockdown Podcast #25 and Paint Table Saturday 21 November

 This week's Madaxeman Lockdown Podcast is now available for download:

 

Listen to us witter on about the usual garbage; enjoy (are you sure about that? Ed.) Andy's weekly quiz; get bored by our rambling discussion on the "death of big gaming" inspired by The Yarkshire Gamer's recent blog post.

Paint Table Saturday

Having had a bad run of insomnia last week, followed by waking up on Sunday with a wrenched shoulder, progress on the foot leaders for my Infamy forces has been slow. However, I have managed to get the painting finished today.

You'll have to wait until Monday for close-up photos - I should have finished the basing by then.

When they are done, I will probably be painting up some more 28mm Copplestone figures for my Judge Dredd collection.

Lockdown Podcast #22 and Some Shinies

Well, it looks as though we are back in the swing of things and the Madaxeman Lockdown Podcast #22 has been released:

Find out the answers to Andy's "Impressive Privates" quiz (and see if you got them right).

Discover where to buy really, really good small, sharp scissors for cutting out shield transfers.

Listen to seven nutters rambling on about figure painting and gaming for 90 minutes.

Wonder why on earth you are listening to seven nutters rambling on about figure painting and gaming for 90 minutes

Shinies

It's been quite a while since I did a "shinies" post, so I thought it was about time. Especially as I have just taken delivery of an order from Warlord Games.

I decided to buy some Polish airborne to add to my collection. I could just have used all helmeted figures from my existing force, but thought it would be nice to have a few in their distinctive berets. I also allowed me to push my order value high enough to get the freebie figure of the para shoulder-carrying a wounded comrade.

I might also be ordering the British Airborne Command Post set from Artizan at some point.

Lockdown Podcast #20

And so it ends. With episode #20, the Lockdown Specials will no longer be a weekly production. But no weeping, wailing, tearing of clothes and gnashing of teeth - there will be monthly podcasts and possibly some "specials" in between.

Anyhoos, episode #20 was published on Friday and saw us reach the climax of "Teaching Timmy About Napoleonics" and the last of Andy's quizzes. We also look back at what everyone has painted since "lockdown" started.

Finished: More Concrete Bits for Judge Dredd (plus Shinies and Podcast #19)

After painting some Jersey Barriers and T-Walls (from Antenociti's Workshop) before, I decided to buy some more - you can't have enough of them in my opinion!

I painted these up yesterday afternoon then today I gloss-coated them, added decals and posters and re-glossed them and finished them off with a matt varnish coat.

T- Walls:

I should note that I added graffiti decals to all of the pieces this time, sometimes on both sides.

Jersey Barriers:

Damaged Jersey Barriers:

K-Rails:

I might get a few more of these...

Shinies!

This morning, the postie delivered another package full of lead:

It was the extra bits I'd ordered from Lancashire Games - some more German warriors, cavalry and leaders; for the Romans a few more cavalry, some mounted generals/officers, another pack of archers and some legionaries (I'd only ordered auxilia before).

I'm gradually working through prepping the leadpile for this project.



Madaxeman Lockdown Specials Podcast #19

What should be the penultimate of this series of weekly podcasts has been published:



Tune in to see how you fared with your answers to last week's quiz.

Lockdown Podcast #18

Episode 18 of the Madaxeman Lockdown Podcast has been published. For those of you who were paying attention to episode 17, you will know that I am up against Timmy for the army list design segment; whose Later Byzantine list will win out?





We recorded episode 19 last night and have agreed that episode 20 will be the last in the series (and will conveniently coincide with us finishing "Teaching Timmy About Napoleonics" - no, that wasn't planned, we're not that competent!).

Finished: Scatter Terrain for Judge Dredd; Podcast #17; and Paint Table Saturday 18 July

Over the past few days I have been painting up an assortment of scatter terrain bits for Mega City One.  These were all resin items (apart form the pavement bases, which are MDF) from TT Conbat and Antenociti's Workshop.

Cardboard boxes:

TT Combat

Barrels:

TT Combat

Tyres:

TT Combat

Kegs:

TT Combat

Drinks crates:

TT Combat

Wheelie-bins and bin bags:

TT Combat

Newspaper Vending Machines and Mailboxes:

Antenociti's Workshop

Antenociti's Workshop

Antenociti's Workshop

Antenociti's Workshop

Public Telephones:

Antenociti's Workshop

Antenociti's Workshop

I've got a few more bits of scatter terrain left to paint, and a few more figures.


Madaxeman Lockdown Podcast #17

...has been published:




Paint Table Saturday

Yesterday I also primed a few figures, but it may be a week or two before I get around to painting them - I want to get as much terrain as possible out of the way first. Speaking of terrain, in odd gaps over the past couple of days I've begun work on another building:

Everything has now been primed, assembled and base-coated, so tomorrow will see my start work on the weathering. I'll probably go somewhat "cleaner" on this one than the others (but still with a decent amount of graffiti, posters and grime).