Sunday, September 23, 2012

reality bites

There comes a time in every gamer's life when he has to face priorities.  After careful analysis and weighing of my options, I made the momumental and epic decision to switch to 10mm for Napoleonic, Fantasy, and Modern gaming.
 I own 3 1/160 Minifigs T-80U's and boy are they sweet machines.
 I own a ton of 10mm Nappies...unpainted...based for other games I don't play...and at my grandfather's house. 
Additionally, I think I own my bodyweight in 10mm GW and Kallistra fantasy and HYW figs.

With the prospect of mortgage, day-care, rent, and God knows what else looming on the horizon, I took stock of what I had and actually took some of my wife's sage advice.  (it's noteworthy at this point, I believe, to mention that she actually approved of the "big switch" to 10mm for all 3 of the above mentioned genres.)

When I asked her about my next round of acquisitions being either 10mm fantasy or 10mm nappies, she chose the nappies for the simple reason that I should continue painting the plastic fantasy troops - to include the Zvezda "orc" catapult and "empire" Great Cannon and Hellblaster (post-medieval field artillery).

So that being said, I am sticking to my guns.  Since I have neither the room to store any of it right now, or the free time to paint much of it, I'm sticking to my plastic 20mm forces right now for both fantasy and napoleonics - and here are some pics of my latest projects - French skirmishers for Volley & Bayonet:

Mostly finished French Voltigeurs

A pre-1805 officer in the background.  He will be filling in for the Division Commander for the course of the Battle...

Still need to paint up some detail and clean them up a bit. 
and why leave my 20mm Fantasy out?  Here's a Goblin Catapult for my upcoming Warmaster games...Because Orcs need artillery too!
The Goblin in the basket has some loaded grenades, just incase the rock doesn't get enough people...This will be even more hilarious when I am done painting it.


 So there you have it.  Reality bites - and plastic is king.  For now...



14 comments:

  1. Lovely work on those Frenchies! They're one of my favourite sets.

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    1. Mine too - the HaT Frenchies come with everything you could need - to include your flank company guys and officers as well. Plus the reloading fellows can be used as color bearers! Thanks for commenting - Steve

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  2. Nice looking work on these Steven.

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    1. Thanks Paul - they didn't turn out too badly I don't think.

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  3. Those French look great! I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the ork in the basket! The 10mm I've looked seem pretty nice. Anyway, good luck with everything going on.

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    1. THanks Ben, I'd really like to start on my 10mm guys (Kallistra and GW for fantasy and Old Glory for Nappies) but right now it's just not a good time to bring any new large collections into the apartment!!! It's getting crowded around here. Thanks for commenting. I'll be basing these guys soon - tune in!

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    1. THank you Phil! These are my first specialist French units! Thanks for commenting - Steve

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  5. Hi Steven:

    Always a good idea to take the advice (or direction, or commander's intent) of Delta Niner. You're a wise man. 10mm is the one scale I haven't really touched. I am just starting to get up the learning curve with 6mm Nappies. I have to say your 20mm Napoleonics look excellent. And yes, Orcs need lots of big shooty stuff, no question. What make is that catapult?
    Cheers,
    Mike

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    1. Thanks, Mike - I've found 10mm works pretty well for both fantasy and napoleonics (2 genres where you can picture huge, massed formations of troops). That being said, there isn't enough room in the house, time in the day, or money in the bank for those kinds of investments now! Since I have a ton of HaT plastics and Caesar Orcs, 1/72 is the scale for me, for now.

      Thanks for the compliment re the Nappies. So the Commander is Delta Niner in the Canadian Army? In the American Army, we call her "Household Six" and she is not to be ignored!

      What brand of 6mm do you prefer for your Napoleonics? I love the look of Adler but Baccus are so much easier to paint.

      I'm pretty sure the catapult is Zvezda - as are the field artillery I'll have on here over the next couple of days/weeks.

      Steve

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    2. Hey Steve. Niner is always the boss in the Cdn Army so Delta ( for domestic) niner is the Mrs. As for my little Nappies, all Baccus for now, hoping to get some done soon. I have heard good things about Adler too.

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    3. Outstanding - you will really like the detail of the Adler sculpts. Baccus however, in my opinion, are much more fun and not as frustrating to paint. Given a choice, I'd rather paint up a legion of Baccus troops anyday. Especially when little Nappies are concerned...

      I will remember that about the Niner element and Niner Delta. Very cool - the US Army just relegates her to "Household Six" :)

      Have always had a profound pride and deep interest in the Cdn Army, so feel free to drop any and all historical or trivia tidbits that you like on this site!

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  6. It's always good advice to paint what you have; those purchases made sense at some point.
    V&B is a great set for Napoleonic games.

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    1. I totally agree, Mike. I can't wait to play Talavera using Road to Glory. Check out my latest madness - Spanish Guard Grenadiers and even a Corps Commander!

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