The Prussians Are Coming!

Yes, the Prussians are coming as painting returns briefly to the fledgling FPW project.  With the IV Corps nearly completed and only needing to field the 71st IR, perhaps the Prussian contingent can no longer be accurately described as "fledgling."  Can it? 

Mustering out from the painting desk today is the 86th Fusilier Regiment.  These 48 figures are distributed across three battalions of 16 figures each.  Figures are Lancashire Games 15s.  As I have said many times before, great figures and a pleasure to paint.  Do I still have enough to paint and field the lagging 71st IR?  I reckon I might but need to paw around in The Lead Pile to confirm.

On Wednesday I joined Peter in a remote game WWII aerial game as he kicks off a Battle of Britain campaign.  I took the attacking Luftwaffe in this scenario.  I will allow Peter to tell the tale of the RAF and their encounter with the Big Bombers and their escorts.

I am beginning to come to grips with Blood Red Skies.  Peter even sent on a WWI variant to entice me to bring my WWI collection out on the table.

FPW 12th Hussar Regiment

Painted units continue to back up at the photo box while other activities take priority and painting motivation flourishes.  A large variety of projects sees action at the workbench in a year-end uptick in time spent at the painting desk.  Well, except for the forced hiatus during a long Christmas weekend when we hosted a houseful of family.  With a little luck, today will offer a meaningful painting session since the house has gone quiet. 

Out from the photo box today is a 12-figure regiment of Prussian hussars for the FPW project.  Figures are from Old Glory and these troopers muster out as the 12th Hussar Regiment.  With two more foot regiments, I can field Alvensleben I's IV Corps in total.  Progress!  Unfortunately, I have been distracted by so many other projects that getting back to painting FPW may take a while.

In a recent post, I lamented that the wallet can take a hit during the sales' offerings as year-end approaches.  While several boardgames came in-house during these trying weeks, I managed to hold (mostly) firm on figure purchases.  Well, until recently, that is.  One lot of 18mm Eureka SYW British cavalry and artillery came up in my eBay feed with a low opening minimum.  I made an offer and it was accepted.  Hmm!  Anyway, I ended up with 134 cavalry and 84 artillery for about 70% off retail.  And, postage paid!    Really, who can pass a bargain like that?  Not me, for sure.  Now I have lots of cavalry and artillery to bring a fledgling British Army up to requirements.  Of course, having more than 80 artillerymen requires an order to Eureka for guns!  Seems this is a never-ending cycle...

Prussians on the March

Having laid in a sizable supply of primed and Ready-to-Paint figures in preparation for hunkering down in winter quarters, I pick up the brushes and get back to work.  The completion of undercoating activities appears to cross the finish line only days ahead of a wintertime atmospheric river of moisture headed into the Pacific Northwest.  Did I lay in enough supplies to make it through winter?  Perhaps not but there are always opportunities to step outside to lay a coat of spray primer down on a handful of figures if the stockpile runs low or my interests change.

Anyway, marching out from the workbench today are 48 figures comprising the 96th Infantry Regiment.  These 48 figures are spread across three, 16-figure battalions.  Today's release brings the fledgling FPW Prussian army up to six infantry regiments.  This is probably enough to begin thinking about bringing this small force to the table.  Figures are 15mm Lancashire Games.

With the game table seeing Reconquista armies battling it out at Zallaqah (I still have one BatRep from a week ago to write), it may be little surprise that more figures for this period have been pressed into the painting queue.  More Christian horse and foot are working their way through the production line.  Hopefully, some of these units will find their way to the photo box and eventually here.

photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon

Later this morning sees a return to the long running AWI series of games with Matt.  It has been a very long time since we last visited this series of games as we fight our way through the AWI.  Today's offering looks at the Battle of the Clouds in a follow-up from the Battle of Brandywine.  Should be fun.

FPW Prussian Dragoons and Winter Prep

With frost on the ground in the mornings and daylight hours decreasing, time to really think about laying in a winter's supply of black, undercoated figured.  In between various winter prep tasks (actually, prepping and priming figures ought to be added to my list of tasks), the Ready-to-Paint (R2P) box saw a measurable increase in the number of units ready to paint.  The decision of what to prep for winter is always a bit challenging because I must come upon a plan.  This year, the winter theme seems to center around what collection was out on table last.  That would be the Reconquista.  With the recent Zallaqah game, a deep dig into The Lead Pile pulled up enough figures to field several units for both armies.  Do I need more?  Of course not!  Prepped and primed, these handfuls of figures nearly exhaust the tally of unpainted figures remaining in the bins.  Rough count points to about 75 figures plopped into the R2P box.  Also getting attention are several handfuls of figures to expand the Biblical collections.  Of course, some more FPW 15s are heading into the R2P box as are more 18th Century 15s.  The painting queue is getting quite long.

Besides laying in a supply of figures for winter, the painting desk saw some action this weekend too.  The first of these efforts is a 12-figure regiment of Prussian dragoons.  These fellows are from the 7th Dragoon Regiment. 

Figures are Old Glory from 19th Century Miniatures.  With December fast approaching, it is almost time for 19th Century's annual Christmas sale.  I better dig and sift through The Lead Pile to see what I may need to include in my annual restock.  In my recent excavation, I uncovered a number of figures, some from long lost, dormant, or forgotten projects.  Some of these discoveries I set aside for possible Paint'em or Purge'em decisions.  Others, I simply threw back into the hole and reburied to rediscover later.   

FPW in G. Minor

German minors, that is...

Out from the painting desk today are two battalions from the German minor states of Baden and Wurttemberg.  Each of the 16-figure battalions are from Lancashire Games.  Both were sent as samples from Lancashire Games provided I paint them up.  I have now fulfilled my end of the bargain!

As has been the case with the other mid-19th Century infantry from Lancashire, I really enjoy painting these figures and think the sculpts terrific.  Thank you, Allan, for the figures!

First up is a Baden battalion in picklehaube.  The only noticeable difference between these Badeners and the Prussians is the Badeners carry their greatcoat rolled around the backpack.  Prussians carry their greatcoat wrapped around their torso.  Nice figures.

Next up is the Wurttemberg battalion.  These fellas march into battle wearing the feldmutze.  Again, nice figures.

Still a few more FPW Germans working their way through the painting queue before something else pops out from the production line.  What will that be?  Well, something for another expansion.

With the days shortening and the temperatures dropping, time to get serious with cleaning and priming enough figures to carry me through winter.  Before I get down to serious figure prep, I must decide in which direction I want my painting efforts to take me over the next three or four months.  This is always a tough decision since there are so many choices and so much to paint.  Where will I begin?  

Having pulled the Reconquista boxes down and emptied many of those boxes out onto the gaming table in preparation for game, of course there is a draw to pushing some more of these figures into the painting queue.  More FPW almost certainly will see some action as will Biblicals.  What else?  More SYW/WAS, for sure, and perhaps even FRW Russians for the 1799 campaign. Since the FRW Russians have yet to see any action in battle, I ought to assess whether these fellas are in sufficient strength to bring them to the table.

For those in the northern hemisphere, what will you be working on over the dark winter months?

Now, back to the painting desk.

FPW Work Continues

Work continues on expanding the Franco-Austrian War project into the Franco-Prussian War and even the Austro-Prussian War.  Since the beginning of September, almost all painting work has been focused on mustering out FPW units.  That trend continues today with Bavarian guns rolling out of depot.

Today's offering features four Bavarian guns and crew.  Artillerymen are from Lancashire Games while the guns are from Freikorps 15's.  As an aside, I read today that QRF figures seem to be once more back into production.  Their return is a positive result since I use their limbers and guns for this project almost exclusively.

Still more FPW units to emerge from the painting queue before I turn attention to something else.  This diversion may be a brief one but who knows?

After my recent, long delayed, hostage situation with Irish Customs from my August Lancashire Games' order, I was delighted to see a box of lead drop onto my doorstep in record time from Newline Designs.  Goods are flowing again!

More Bavarians Muster Out

Painting efforts continue to be focused on bringing FPW Germans up to a "gameable" state.  Honestly, I am likely at that point already, but I continue to forge ahead while motivation remains.

Mustering out today are two, sixteen-figure battalions of Bavarian infantry form IR4.  Figures are Lancashire Games.  Only two battalions, this time, because that was all that could be rounded up from a dig through The Lead Pile.  After these 32 figures were pushed through the painting queue, my long-delayed order from Lancashire Games arrived with a bunch of new recruits.  Oh, this order dodged any tariffs too.  Interestingly, a recent hex-and-counter wargame sent from Canada was passed over by any tariff since the game was originally manufactured in the USA.  Now that is something to stick away for future reference.

Again, I think these advancing Lancashire Bavarians are simply splendid.  Easy to paint and look good en masse. Some Bavarian artillery ought to be joining the small but growing Bavarian contingent soon.  Still, lots more figures from a variety of projects working through the production line.  I might even manage to finish off a regiment of Prussian dragoons before too long if I remain focused.

On the gaming front, CCA in 6mm was out on the dining table this week.  The session featured the Punic War Battle of Po River in an encore engagement.  Kevin and I managed to play five games plus fit in an Indian buffet out in under four hours.  Surprisingly, Carthage won all five contests with Kevin coming out as victor in two of the five games.  Good fun!

Downstairs on the big table, boxes have been pulled as I consider a Reconquista battle for the next series of games. Given that information on these battles is scarce, I am on the hunt for suitable candidates to bring to the table.  I may bring one of Matt's many scenarios to the table.  For rules, all of my other Reconquista games have utilized my version of Basic Impetvs on a grid.  Thoughts waffle on whether to give my WotR Medieval rules a try with this collection.  If I go down the latter route, hopefully, the core game engine will work "mostly" as is.  All of this excitement sees more Reconquista-type lead excavated from The Lead Pile and added into the growing painting queue.  Records show I have not added any units to this project in five years.  I thought I was finished! 

Still More Prussians

Work continues at the painting desk on FPW Germans.  Following closely on the heels of IR31 seen last time, today sees four guns and crew emerge from the depot.  Still, even more FPW figures are seeing activity at the workbench with more Prussians, some Bavarians, and even a battalion each of Badeners and Wurttembergers in work.  Some new and possibly unexpected is working through the production line as well.

Anyway, the four Freikorps 15s' guns and 16 Lancashire artillerymen are ready for service when duty calls.  While I have yet to set a game in the FPW, the flurry of Prussian activity of late is providing motivation to begin looking toward possible scenarios.  The collection still could use some cavalry but not many needed for a suitable scenario.

The lack of games last week offered more opportunities at the painting desk. I should surpass 100 painted figures in September.  Have not seen that in a while.  Gaming returns to the table on Thursday with another look at the Quistello battle.  This time, I get a rare opportunity to step into the role of player as I lead the Franco-Piedmontese in battle against the Wily White Menace. 

More FPW Prussians

Following up on the handfuls of German commanders (see FPW Prussian Commanders), more Germans emerge from the painting desk.  In fact, painting efforts at present seem to be almost solely centered on fielding German units for the project expansion.  Since a large French army has already mustered out long ago for the Franco-Austrian War project, does adding Germans and expanding to include the 1866 and 1870 conflicts represent a supplement or a new project?  How would you classify it?

Out from the photo box today marches the 31st IR.  These 48 figures in three 16-figure battalions are all from Lancashire Games.  As mentioned before, I think the advancing Prussians are excellent.  More Prussians are in the painting queue along with more Bavarians as well.  Allan, from Lancashire Games, sent out a sample pack containing enough figures to field one battalion each of Baden and Wurttemberg infantry.  These figures are equally nice and presently receiving a slap of paint.  My early August order, long held up in Irish Customs appears to be finally(!) on the move.  Royal Mail reported this week that the package has hit the USA and is currently languishing in the port of Los Angeles.  Getting closer but not here yet!

On the previous post on blog anniversary and battle reporting, reader response was outstanding.  Thanks to all that took the time to contribute.  One reader sent his response via email (shy fellow that he is) and brought up the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and the Observer Effect.  Interesting topic to ponder and explore another time.  Thoughts on the paradox of modern wargaming are rumbling around in my head as well.  For now, back to the painting desk.

FPW Prussian Commanders

With no games on last week's schedule, I actually found time to put in a few meaningful painting sessions between numerous competing distractions.  After mustering out WotR mounted knights, painting focus shifted gears decisively toward 15mm FPW work.  

First out from the painting desk are two handfuls of German commanders.  These 16 mounted officers are in a mix of uniform and come from one bag of Old Glory figures.  One bag of officers ought to be enough to get me started.  The figures represent brigade commanders (based singly) and division/corps commanders (based in pairs).  Serviceable figures all.  Commanders making it into the painting queue and out the other side suggests that a gameable force nears.

Lots more on the painting desk and a few completed units awaiting the camera.  Expect additions to Prussian and Bavarian infantry and several batteries coming up.  There are even a couple of sample units of Baden and Wurttemberg infantry in the painting queue that Allan from Lancashire Games sent that managed to pass through the tariff blockade.

On the topic of tariffs and the Royal Mail's stoppage of shipping to the US, I placed an order with Lancashire Games on 04 August to take advantage of their summer sale.  This order was placed several weeks before the 29 August tariff launch.  I figured that this package should slip through unscathed before the deadline.  Since 13 August, the package has been stopped in Irish Customs.  After more than a month of "Pending" status in tracking, on 12 September I received an email from Royal Mail stating that the package has left the UK.  We will see if the package makes it stateside and whether I owe any extra duties once it lands on my doorstep. 

Bavarians Coming My Way!

While painting did not get much press in March as gaming and other topics came to the fore, the painting desk was not idle.  Actually, a number of painted figures are queueing up at the light box for their turn in front of the camera.

First out of the box sees a return to the fledgling FPW project.  At year-end, enough Prussians were painted to field a Prussian Infantry Division.  Well, almost.  The division lacked its cavalry complement and leaders.  Prussian cavalry and generals were the first purchases of 2025.  Hopefully, they will work into the painting queue soon.

Until then, the first of several planned Bavarian infantry regiments marches out from the painting desk.  When the Prussians were purchased years ago, Bavarians and other Prussian allies were really an afterthought.  Given that, only enough Bavarians were purchased to field one, 48-figure infantry regiment.  Artillery made it into that order, though.  More Bavarians will be needed, for sure.

Off the painting desk today is the Bavarian 1st Infantry Regiment.  These three, 16-figure battalions are all from Lancashire Games.  Great looking figures and a pleasure to paint.  I look forward to painting more of these fine figures.

What else is on the painting desk?  Perhaps it may be no surprise with the recent work and attention to WotR but two bodies of 28mm Perry Foot Knights are seeing work.  First, though, two units of Biblical foot are finishing up.  Still awaiting their turn at the photo booth are a number of SYW/WAS 15mm regiments of cavalry.

Year-End Prussians

Back in midsummer, I set out an intermediate goal to complete one Prussian infantry division for a planned expansion of the Franco-Austrian War project to include Prussians for the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars before year-end.  Without any mounted figures in The Lead Pile, my goal was really to only field the infantry and artillery components of a division.

With a few days remaining, I can claim that this mission is accomplished.  The foot components of the division consist of 208 infantry and four batteries with 16 crew.  A good start to this expansion.

Out from the painting desk today are two units to complete this division for a total of another 64 figures.  The first unit is 93 IR of three, 16 figure battalions.

The second unit is one, 16 figure battalion for the 4th Jaegers.

All figures are 15mm Lancashire Games.

Remaining on the gaming table is the Agnadello scenario.  With a game scheduled for Monday, the table needs to be reset and readied for battle.  The photo below shows an overview shot of the game room prior to last week's Agnadello game.  While the game, itself, takes up a little over half of the twelve-foot table, the remainder of the table space is consumed by all manner of gaming paraphernalia.

The back half of the table could use a good clear off.  Notice my painting desk in the left rear, some of my collections stacked in boxes in the right rear (many more stacked under the table), and the large monitor positioned at the end of the table for keeping an eye on the two webcam views.

Looking forward to Monday's game in which I try my hand at leading the French to victory. 

FPW Prussian Artillery

While November ticked over with 108 total painted figures for an assortment of projects, midway through December sees that good progress continuing. That continued progress includes working toward a year-end goal of fielding a FPW Prussian infantry division.  With three of the four required infantry regiments completed earlier, I added in the four divisional batteries to break up the painting of countless Prussian infantry.

So, out from the desk today are four Prussian batteries.  Artillerymen are from Lancashire Games and the guns are Freikorps 15s.  Left to paint and muster out are a battalion of Jaegers and the fourth infantry regiment.  Since there are no mounted troops yet in The Lead Pile, attached cavalry and command will have to come later.  Hopefully some of the required mounted arm will be in-house in early 2025.  Still need to decide on which figures to use for the mounted contingents and then place an order.  Right now, Old Glory cavalry from 19th Century Miniatures seems the most likely source. 

Although temperatures have been hovering near freezing for an extended period, new snow this morning gave way to warming to just above freezing.  With a narrow window of above freezing temperatures and daylight, several batches of completed figures were given a spray coat of matte varnish.  Next, those figures will move on to basing.  A quick count shows 81 figures in this latest batch and December is not half over.  I expect to see a slow down as the holidays approach.

Work begins on the next installment of the Great Wargaming Survey analysis.  I often try to set aside part of Friday for this study and yesterday was no different.  What is under investigation?  Several of the new questions in the 2024 survey asked about boardgaming, computer gaming, and the extent to which those two different modes of wargaming fit in with miniatures gaming.  Respondents were asked if they participate in boardgaming or computer gaming and the relative mix between figure gaming and the other two.  Hopefully, something interesting drops out from this analysis. 

Stay tuned.  For now, back to the painting desk.

Prussian Infantry On The March

With two games on last week's schedule, painting time was at a minimum.  Given that situation, seeing 48 figures readying themselves to march out from the painting desk by week's end was a welcome sight.  Work on these fellows has consumed about ten days at the painting desk.  

Mustering out today are 48 Prussian infantry for the fledgling 15mm FPW expansion to the 1859 project.  The 48 figures are distributed across three, 16-figure battalions and make up the 27th IR.  Figures are Lancashire Games.  With the 27th IR on the roster, three regiments of Schwartzhoff's 7th DIV are in place.  One more infantry regiment to field and the line infantry contingents of my first Prussian division will be in place.  

The 27th IR is composed of the marching figures as opposed to the advancing pose of the prior two regiments.  To my eye, the marching pose is not as well-proportioned as the advancing pose and seems a little awkward.  From here forward, I will stick to the advancing pose which are excellent.

What else is in work?  Well, SYW British cavalry are on the workbench as are another 48 figures for another FPW Prussian IR.  Once I work my way through those figures, more Sumerians are likely to hit the painting desk next.  Having played two games last week, two battle reports are waiting their turn at the chroniclers.  Preliminary data wrangling and recoding for the Great Wargaming Survey results are in process too.  Seeing a significant drop in response in the 2024 survey, a likely and reasonable first topic will be to explore any implications on the reliability of data.  Oh, I would also enjoy weighing in with my thoughts on a recent topic from the Georgetown Wargaming Society's series of lectures.

These should keep me busy.