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A Quick Update. . .

A close-up of Stollen's decidedly lethargic jaeger corps as it emerged (FINALLY) from a copse on the southern side of Pelznikkel. . . too late in the day to have any influence on how the battle went for General von Drosselmaier and the Army of Stollen.

As always happens during the first full week of classes, things have slowed down dramatically here in Zum Stollenkeller. But I’m not worried about it too much. Once everything settles down to a dull roar, the painting will pick up again. Maybe not to the level of June, July, and August, but I’ll find time to get a couple of more BIG units painted between now and December. The Revell hussars and RSM fusiliers stand ready over on the painting/radio table.

Here in the U.S., we have a long holiday weekend coming up, culminating in “Labor Day” next Monday. It’s always puzzled me why the rest of the world honors workers on May 1st, but we wait to do it until the Monday after the first weekend in September! Strange.

In any case, the weather looks very pleasant for the end of the week and weekend, and things look good. We are having a departmental picnic here on Saturday evening. The Grand Duchess and I should be able to get in plenty of bicycling too. Then there is the planned painting of course. In short, I want to get started in earnest on the Revell hussars. Giddy up!

I’m going to try something a bit different this time. Mike Siggins suggested here a day or so ago that I try black acrylic gesso for the basecoat. Hopefully, that slight alteration to my painting process will speed things up a little by reducing two steps to one. If all goes well, I would also like to apply GW Goblin Green to the bases as well as flesh tone to the hands and faces before the weekend is over. And maybe the horses too -- bays, chestnuts, duns, and a grey or two. We’ll see how things go.

In the meantime, here’s another photo taken during the Action at Pelznikkel earlier in the month. This time, we see the Grand Duchy of Stollen’s jäger corps emerging from the copse where they languished for much of the game. Perhaps if the colonel had managed to get his men through the woods quickly enough and back into some semblance of formation, they could have presented a real threat to General de Latté’s left flank. As it is, we’ll never know. But you can’t worry about should’ves, would’ves, and could’ves. Hopefully, things will go better next time. ;-) Have a nice evening everyone!

Note!

Raygun1966 has alerted me to an interesting discussion board that you might want to check out -- the SoloWarGame Yahoo Group. I've added a link to it at right just below Old School Wagaming. Thanks Raygun!

Comments

MiniWargamer said…
I like using Gesso on flrxible Plastic miniatures. Just be aware that the surface is rougher than normal paint/primer and might require a thin black wash if the paintbrush doesn't feel "Right" while painting.
tradgardmastare said…
Stokes
I have just caught up with your site today and found it interesting and stimulating as ever. keep up the good work!
best wishes
Alan
p.s loved the light infantry photo- they look a mean and resourceful bunch...
Capt Bill said…
I've been admiring your excellent general in the yellow coat with red facing. Who manufactured his this fine fellow?
Thanks Men! Captain Bill, the figure you ask about is one of the RSM95 range, He was part of a pack of six generals from the SYW range, which was given to me last Easter by my wife, the lovely Grand Duchess. The RSM figures are a real pleasure to paint. I based the uniform of this one, more or less, on that worn by the famous Graf von Grunt, who was pictured in the Battlegames article on the Mollwitz refight at Partizan 2007.

Best Regards,

Stokes
Giles said…
That's a lovely unit, Stokes. I do like troops in dark green - I wish there were more of them in the AWI.

Best wishes

Giles
Bluebear Jeff said…
Stokes,

I have a lot of those same trees in the photo. I have used two pennies glued together as a base under each tree . . . it really really helps their stability (which is notably lacking without them).

Warning about paint on pennies . . . they do need a base coat or they tend to let the metal show through.

Have a great long weekend, my friend.


-- Jeff

PS, please send me an email with your thoughts on the play.
Capt Bill said…
Stokes
Thanks for the info. This guy is so handsome I simply must have one! Do you think he will fit in with old glory figures?...Bill

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