Fred’s 2023 Painting and Gaming Diary

[paulr]

   

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Having decided that figures only count as finished when based, is really helping me focus on getting each batch completed. I normally have so many part done sets of figures on painting sticks and the like.
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This brings the painted totals for 2023 to  142 figures : 23 cavalry : 2 vehicles : 1 gun

It's interesting how a small change in mindset can have a major impact

That is impressive progress

[fred.]

It's interesting how a small change in mindset can have a major impact

That is impressive progress

Thanks Paul - I'm pleased with how these are going - the WWI British are super easy to paint. But you are right a small change in approach is having some solid results. 


It's also interesting to compare the figure counts for different rules / periods. This batch of WWI figures gives a ITLSU battalion, which in is general one 3-part manoeuvre element, with some flexibility about how it deploys. Pretty much the same number of figures created 1 ECW regiment / unit - which is very much a rigid single manoeuvre element. 

[fred.]

I did a bit of Googling.

The carriage / shield are a good match for a Krupp.

I then got a bit lost with the rapid revision of different calibres.

My first instinct was the 77mm, The recoil mechanism isn't quite right (Far longer under-rail/cylinder until the 1916 model).
The barrel is also a bit sturdy for a 77.

The 10cm canon has a rather longer barrel.

Most of my google hits showed the 98/09 model which has a very short barrel; too short for the pictured models.
I think this is the 1916 model:  10.5 cm leFH 16

Thank Steve - it might have helped if I'd posted some comparison shots with known guns. This model is a good bit bigger than the 7.7cm guns, and as you say the 98/09 10.5 has a very stubby muzzle - and the model is much the same size as the 7.7cm. 


I'm thinking the 10.5cm leFH16 is the most likely. 

[fred.]

More WWI

Next batch started. More British cavalry, both mounted and dismounted, and some German artillery crew in the back. 



305mm Howitzer

Whilst waiting for the base coat to dry on the above, I found this in my part painted pile. So tidied them up and added highlights. 



From looking online they seem to have been pretty mono-chrome. Any ideas on how to make them a bit more interesting?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Crew will give some colour, and mud...

[paulr]

Wot he sed plus add some spent 'cartridge' cases & some stacked shells

[Womble67]

Maybe put them in some kind of a gun emplacement, with wood floors and wood wall supports with a few spent shells.

if you make the gun and vehicles detachable from the diorama it would give you more options

Take care

Andy

[fred.]

Thanks for the ideas chaps - I'll see what I can use.

Normally I quite like a few spent cartridge cases - they can be made in this scale with snips of brass rod. But looking at the ammo for this beast it seems that wasn't really the style of the ammo.

[fred.]

WWI British Cavalry and 305mm Skoda Howitzer

Got the latest batch finished today

First up British early war cavalry in caps, both mounted and dismounted





Second Skoda 305mm Howitzer in German service, both deployed and towed





When I look at the little truck and the 3 trailers of gun, I do wonder how it ever towed them!


WWI Progress in 2023



All the WWI figures painted this year - a pretty good start if I do say so my self! (One of the French 75mm bases was already done, it is just here as a template for the limber)


Painted totals for 2023 to  169 figures : 39 cavalry : 6 vehicles : 2 guns

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Superb Forbes.
And stealing a long march on me on those numbers too!

[paulr]

      

    

[fsn]

WWI is one* of those periods on my "may do later" list. I find those ugly vehicles like the limbered Skoda a big draw.

Like this:

The French Canon de 194 GPF, designed at the end of WW1. Each unit was two vehicles the lead and the carrier. The lead vehicle carried the ammunition and mounted a 120 HP Panhard generator. Both vehicles ran on electric motors with the gun carrier fed by a power cable run from the lead vehicle.


In short - you're tempting me away from the Chosen Path. 


*Actually 3. War in 1914 was very unlike war in 1916 and then there's the breakout in 1918.   

[fred.]

Thanks chaps 


fsn there is a certain brutalist appeal to much of the kit in use. Personally I prefer the solidity of the deployed Skoda howitzer, to the rather fragile looking towed version. 

I see you have edited you WWI is x periods note - I'd certainly agree its 2 periods from a wargames figures perspective - with the significant differences in uniforms from 1914-15 compared to 1916+. And hence why I have multiple forces. As to style of games, then there are probably more - but this almost feels like a continual evolution of tactics and weapons over the 4 years, which allowed the more open battles of 1918 from the hard lessons learnt. 

Given that Pendraken make lots of lovely figures for WWI - it is just a matter of time before you buy them. So just ear mark a spot on your shopping list of lists as to when you can start planning, and accept that WWI is somewhere in your future. All you have to decide is how far in the future!

[Techno 3]

Look damn fine, to me, Forbes !

[DHautpol]

grab the time when you can, it's surprising how much you can get done in a few half hours

Very true.

When I was still working, I would regularly get up a bit earlier and get in 30-40 minutes painting before getting ready.  Do this 3 or 4 times a week and you've got in an extra couple of hours painting.  You might get only a couple of colours done each morning (I like to paint in small batches), but come the weekend they might need just a couple more colours and then that's another batch ready for basing.

PS. I like the WWI figures, I've painted a few myself and, as you say, they paint up quite quickly.  I think the kilts look just fine. I am planning on doing much the same myself although I will need fewer figures for my Mons OOB.  As far as I can determine, only one battalion was kilted (1st Batt. Gordon Highlanders).  I plan to file the Tams down into Glengarries,