The very model of a modern Major General - well in 54mm .

 

I've got around to sorting out the six mounted figures I bought and here they are resplendent in the sunshine. 

I didn't repaint them , just touched up any damage - which there wasn't much and gave them another coat of gloss varnish.

I had to think of a way to add bases to them as they fall over very easily on 'the Tabletop of Mars' . I've tried several different methods , none of which were a success - then I hit on this idea , which I call the 'Carousel' method - I drilled a hole in the stomach of the horse and fitted a cocktail stick , then I drilled a hole in a sutable base which the stick is glued into . It seems to be working so far .

This chap has a rather purple face - to many ports maybe ?

Another view of the 'Carousel' method of basing .

This figure is I think a modern recast as he is solid metal - had to use a bigger base to fit the horse . Someone has taken a lot of trouble adding the flowing feathers to his Topee from thin pieces of metal foil !. These figures will be appearing in various guises of command in the future on 'The Tabletop of Mars' 

A blast from the past !

 

Busy clearing out my cupboards and amongst the rules and paperwork I found this poster, I think it was given away by 'Miniature Warfare' magazine probably in the early 70's in that brief period when Wargaming clubs seemed to flourish and the hobby even appeared in the media (as the media was then - not the modern media) , the odd film or even TV series (Callan) , before disappearing again. I have just noticed that there are two thriving Gaming Clubs in my locality , both specialising in Fantasy and 40k and even a small shop that deals in card and board games again with a heavy bias to the Fantasy and SciFi .

Just noticed this on their Facebook page - queue of fans awaiting the shop to open , evidently a new issue of Pokemon cards (!?) (2) Facebook - It makes me feel old - Oh ! I am !!! - a ever changing hobby !

Wargaming humour No.67

 

Are we in the bottom  photo ???🤣

One of lifes little pleasures .

 

I do like returning from holiday to find a parcel awaiting me ! . I must admit I had forgotten I had placed a bid on some figures on eBay - which I had won !!

Luckily I alerted my ever obliging neighbour who kept an eye open for the postman and kept it safe for me . It contained six old hollow cast mounted Officers - but the interesting thing is each had been converted by their previous owners with head sawps and paint jobs .

I do like second hand figures with a bit of history with them ! . why were they converted - battle damage ? , how many battles have they seen ? . I am going to only repair any slight damage to the paint to keep their individual character and find someway to attach them to bases so they can appear on the 'Tabletop of Mars' . I will report on their progress.

Preparing the next batch of Imagination .

 

Whilst doing a Spring clean (of which more later) I found these 40mm semi flat cavalry I once got from eBay .

So they all got a Dettol bath to remove their paint .

Cleaning off the gunge using an old toothbrush and disposable gloves .

First batch cleaned and based ready for an undercoat.

Next batch, I was short one figure so I cast one up , and mysteriously he is slightly bigger , Think it might be a homemade mould hence the size difference ? , hopefully not to noticable when they are painted and on the tabletop. I have no idea which armies they will be joining yet .

If only I could have bought these .......

 

Found these on Facebook , the hours I spent looking at them as a youngster (1960's) they were in Superman comics etc passed on to me by our neighbour - a quiet bald moustached Postman who you wouldn't think would read that sort of thing. 

I especially wanted these, but I didn't even know what a Zip code was let alone sending a postal order to the USA . I now know they where cheap plastic semi-flats but they were exotic unobtainable treasures to me then.

We go Hi-tec !

 

So I have been painting up some 2D Ancient / Hyperborean flats - and finding it hard going ! . By and large I have quite good eyesight (for my age) I think, but the flat 2D Zinnfiguren have very slight definition - being only 1mm thick I suppose doesn't help . So I purchased the above magnifier and light and am trying it out .

I have tried magnifying devices before but they where free standing glasses on plinths and didn't like them , this head mounted one seems easier to manage - and makes you look like a minor Super Hero !

Here is the first figure I have manage with this devise . I won't be painting the rank and file to the same level . I'm quite happy with the results but think his trousers could have done with a bit more shading .People that paint Flats as a hobby tend to use Oil paints so they can blend them better , but I will stick to my acrylics and practise a bit more.

The Meteor of Doom - the Finale .

 

The opponents close for action !

The Hyborean Light Camelry shoot at the enemy but with poor results 

They are charged by the Hyrkanian Light horse and after a brutal melee are forced to flee - both sides being unarmoured was responcible for the heavy losses.. The Stygian mercenary archers move to open fire on the Heavy cavalry .

They cause heavy casualties and killing both Officers results in the cavalry retreating - luckily Gayomar was handy to rally them.

Unfortunately the Imperial Archers move up and unlease a barrage of arrow and the Stygians being unarmoured  suffer great losses.

They break and flee !, Count Valenso was able to hold the Thurn Infantry from joining them , but with only this unit left he was forced to retire leaving the field to the Hyrkanians . The Hyrkanians hold the Meteor - for the time being anyway ! . A short game but it was bound to be with so few units on the table, but it was nice to get these troops back into action again and I hope to use them more often .

The Meteor of Doom - the story continues.......

 

The scene of the action , on the right the Hyrkanian force arrives and on the left the Hyborean , the Meteor of Doom is the objective (centre of the board) and the game will last eight moves.

But first the 'Favours of the Gods,' dice are rolled , Blue for Hyboria , Red for Hyrkania , the Gods favour Hyborea slightly .

These dice can be used to reroll and add to dice scores during the battle .

The Hyrkanian dice - ready for the battle.

The Hyrkanian force - The Fort Ghori Cavalry nearest the camera with the 2nd Imperial Light Horse in the centre and in the distance the 2nd Imperial Archers .

They are commanded by Gayomar 'First of Men' 

The Hyborian Force - The Thurn Infantry left , some Stygian mercanery archers and in distance the 2nd Hyperborean Mounted Archers .

They are commanded by the gallant Count Valenso ! - let battle commence !

The Meteor of Doom !

 

High over the ancient world of Hyborea the night sky is lit up by a bright meteor streaking across firmament !!!!

Across the world astrologers try to calculate where it might of landed and it's significance in the fortunes of Hyborea .

However the meteor is discovered by a patrol of Hyborean soldiers , who approach the still smoking rock with great caution .

A swift horseman is dispatched with word of their find and they beat an uneasy retreat away from the site of impact.

However other eyes are watching !

And so night falls onto the quite plains - for now ...............

PS 

I have just realised it is over three years since I lasted visited the Hyborea and my collection of 30mm flats . (.: Finally done !)

Storming the Senti Gefyra ( part 3 )

 

The Helenyk Heavy Cavalry crash into the disordered enemy column and cut it to pieces riding down the fleeing troops ( a rare successful cavalry charge which doesn't happen often under these rules)

Another Sublime Porte column drives the Helenyk Irregulars from the ridge ! 

The third Sublime Porte column is driven back by rifle fire from the Bavarian Volunteers , things are looking a bit confused for the Sublime Porte in the centre .

The Helenyk forces had held out for the alloted number of turns, so a win for them . Their reinforcements arriving promptly was the key to their success as I think the Sublime Porte infantry assaults would have won against the motely opponents . Another enjoyable game with plenty of tension .

Storming the Senti Gefyra ( part2)

 

Overview of the battlefield The Sublime Porte on the right and the Helenyka on the ridge left .(would have been better if I had removed the playsheet before taking photo !)

Much needed reinforcements arrive for the Republic in the shape of two units of  Heavy Cavalry.

The Sublime Porte has formed it's Infantry into Attack Columns and abvance boldly towards the bridge.

A view from behind the 'Black Hand' forces on the ridge .

The Republic Artillery comes under fire and suffers heavy casualties .

The Sublime Porte columns advance ., while their Artillery shells the ridge.

The Helenyke Republic counter attack and the Heroine Tringe Smajli leads her troops against the enemy column.

The combat is drawn and both sides retire disordered .

Total chaos at the bridge as the Cavalry try to advance and form up ready to charge. Part three to follow soon  ........