The Marvelous Miscellany of MMcV

[mmcv]

Thanks!

Progress has been slower as back to work and busy with other things but have the small forces for my first test game painted up and in the process of basing. I realised I'm a pack of German artillery short what I need to do the first test scenario for GWSH. Nevermind, can proxy something in for test games.

I've been trying out a few different basing options. One thing I'm trying is double thickness bases using thick magnetic tape instead of my usual magnetic paper on the bases. It works for some but for others doesn't adhere as nicely, even with extra glue. Will have to keep experimenting. I like the idea of thicker for labelling and ease of movement given the smaller base sizes.

Anyway... Labels is one of the things I'm toying with.


I've played a bit with the colour coded basing as suggested by Paul and I can see the benefits, but I find the colours a bit strong. I'm experimenting with a black back edge and using some sort of code there.

As far as I can tell the key information I need is Division/Brigade/Batallion and Green/Regular/Veteran.

Using numbers is fine but might get confusing when making generic, e.g. these bases are part of Division 1, which is the 7th Division in the OOB. Experimenting with dots and lines to give a similar effect. I think I prefer the black and white over the colours, just fits a little nicer with the aesthetic.

Anyone any other suggestions or approaches?

[fred.]

I would avoid putting Green or Veteran status on the bases - as the number of troops you need for this can vary considerably between scenarios.

You need something that can be picked out during a game, and you can pick out the important identification info from the surrounding troops. 

For WWII I have gone with a 2 tier system, a coloured bar, maybe 12-15mm long, with 1, 2 or 3 white stripes on it. And no white stripes for HQ or patrol markers for that unit. This doesn't allow an individual stand to be uniquely identified but does allow a platoon (or what ever a collection of 3 stands is representing) to be identified. 

I've not really made a decision on my WWI stuff. I started with small printed labels with 3 letters or numbers on. But they are quite hard to read. And am thinking of doing something along Paul's thinking with some colour. By going with 3 numbers / letters then I can identify down to the individual stand - but I'm not sure that is necessary. 

[mmcv]

Yeah initially I thought I needed to go to individual stand (company) but I don't think that's necessary. I see your point on the green/veteran status, I can just include that in the OOB. And the unit type I can tell from the configuration of figures so really it's just those three levels I need to identify.

[paulr]

    


I agree with Fred on leaving morale status off

I would avoid white as a label background as it stands out way too much. I've used dark green, dark blue, sand, and khaki for label backgrounds. I use different coloured backgrounds for different sides. Not a big issues for WWI or WWII but very useful for AWI or Napoleonics and players/observers unfamiliar with the period

I suggest you test your various schemes from 2-4 feet away on a busy table

[pierre the shy]

   

I agree with Fred on leaving morale status off

I would avoid white as a label background as it stands out way too much. I've used dark green, dark blue, sand, and khaki for label backgrounds. I use different coloured backgrounds for different sides. Not a big issues for WWI or WWII but very useful for AWI or Napoleonics and players/observers unfamiliar with the period

I suggest you test your various schemes from 2-4 feet away on a busy table

Nicely done troops MMcV

I'd agree with Paul's comments above about the labelling.

Here's some pictures I took of my 1914 German Infantry that he painted for me a few years ago now: https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,15515.60.html

I used Dark Green for the Germans and Khaki for the BEF boys main label colours.



 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Cool

[mmcv]

Fantastic stuff on the ITLSU 1914 stuff. I've flicked through them in the past but went through them and the older threads again there. Love the flags but I'm mostly aiming for an early 1915 look so my brigade HQ is just on his lonesome. I was considering adding a field telephone though, anyone any pictures of them from the range?

For the Germans I've done the felt covers on their helmets field grey, both for convenience and because I've seen a few pictures with grey covers rather than the more beige-green style seen at the outbreak, though if anyone has information on that I'd appreciate it. Still getting to grips with some of the nuances, though given the large numbers I'll likely end up producing will need to find a balance between accuracy and expediency at tabletop standard. Tempted to try airbrush to lay down a speedy mass uniform base coat for the next batch.

Also, out of interest does anyone know what the kneeling gunner on the German 77s is holding? Is it a spent shell cartridge?

On the labels, I agree the white background is too stark. Think I'll definitely go darker. Not sure on a nice configuration yet, though Fred's idea of combining the colour and stripes is interesting. Could use a more limited, muted palette then. More experiments needed.

[paulr]

...

Also, out of interest does anyone know what the kneeling gunner on the German 77s is holding? Is it a spent shell cartridge?

On the labels, I agree the white background is too stark. Think I'll definitely go darker. Not sure on a nice configuration yet, though Fred's idea of combining the colour and stripes is interesting. Could use a more limited, muted palette then. More experiments needed.

I painted Pierre the Shy's holding shells. I think light blue is Shrapnel, but would need to check


A muted palette could work for coloured squares but I used muted colours for text on my Palestine forces and it can make them hard to read in some lights

[fred.]

Field Telephone operator - can't find a photo of mine. But it is a standing, bare headed chap in puttees, with a field telephone 'box' in a kind of chest mount - a bit like a British gas mask bag. He is bent forward slightly talking into it. 

He is deliberately generic and can be painted to match different armies

[collegialhoagie]

Nice work! I've yet to figure out if and how I would label my GNW units, good luck with that! it's a hard compromise between strong or subtle lettering

[mmcv]

I painted Pierre the Shy's holding shells. I think light blue is Shrapnel, but would need to check

Yeah the guy in the middle is holding a shell, but the guy crouching behind him by the gun, on my figures it looks like he's holding something between his arm and chest/shoulder. I'll take a picture when next at the hobby desk, though I've painted it metallic so may be even harder to make out. It almost looks like he's lifting a strap or line of pouches. Or something from the gun.

Field Telephone operator - can't find a photo of mine. But it is a standing, bare headed chap in puttees, with a field telephone 'box' in a kind of chest mount - a bit like a British gas mask bag. He is bent forward slightly talking into it.

He is deliberately generic and can be painted to match different armies

Thanks, that might work well to add a little more character to the Brigade/Regimental HQ. Will need to think how to model the Division/Corps HQ elements as well, though I see there's some senior officers in the ranges that might work.

Nice work! I've yet to figure out if and how I would label my GNW units, good luck with that! it's a hard compromise between strong or subtle lettering

Paul and Pierre did some nice labelling with their ECW forces https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,17480.1335.html. I haven't yet for my ECW, though once I do a few more rounds of work on them to flesh out the forces for a bigger game I may find them useful, though I'm hoping I can use the different flags as enough of an identifier. Depends a lot on the game rules too, how much visual information you need on the table, i.e. do you just need to identify different units or do they have stat lines worth being able to tell at a glance too. I'm not familiar with what you need for GaPa, which I think is what you said you were using?

[collegialhoagie]

Paul and Pierre did some nice labelling with their ECW forces https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,17480.1335.html. I haven't yet for my ECW, though once I do a few more rounds of work on them to flesh out the forces for a bigger game I may find them useful, though I'm hoping I can use the different flags as enough of an identifier. Depends a lot on the game rules too, how much visual information you need on the table, i.e. do you just need to identify different units or do they have stat lines worth being able to tell at a glance too. I'm not familiar with what you need for GaPa, which I think is what you said you were using?

Correct, it's Gå På. I think stat lines and unit type would probably be useful info to have on the base (stat lines are always useful), and I am already using dice frames to keep track on unused orders on command stands and the "healthiness" level (called "steps" in the rules, representing starting manpower, casualties, morale shock etc) on the infantry and cavalry stands.

Those ECW labels looked great, I may need to sheck out more of that thread, thanks for the tip!

[paulr]

We find labels and stats lines on the units let you focus on the tactics and really speed up play

As Pierre the Shy mentioned in another thread we play quite a few different rule sets and keeping everything straight can be a challenge

It's also really useful for players who aren't that familiar with the period or if you are playing display games

[mmcv]

Some lunchtime experiments using a mix of colour and codes/numbers:



And a "busier" shot



I think the half base width stripe as suggested by fred works reasonably well, and as it'll be division (or brigade in ITLSU I think) there'll only need a couple of colours for even larger games. So can stay in the muted tones. I think white number on the black at the right is good for the smallest level, just between stripes and numbers for representing the mid level. Leaning towards stripes as they're clearer against a coloured background and usually only going to be 3 or 4 per division.

[fred.]

Nearest the camera, middle works for me (brown with stripes, black with number)

The senior officer packs are useful to add some variety. I'm a sucker for any of the smaller packs to mix things up a bit!