Besides Charge! and The War Game, additional inspiration for the ongoing Grand Duchy of Stollen project has come, in no particular order, from a variety of more recent titles by Charles S. Grant, the late Peter Gilder and his fabulous collection of Napoleonics at the old Wargames Holiday Centre, Phil Olley's 'Classic Wargaming' approach, various developments and events over the last several years in The Duchy of Alzheim, and the BIG battalion SYW-era maneuvers of Bill Protz and Jim Purky. Henry Hyde's Wars of the Faltenian Succession campaign, too, and his collection of vintage Spencer Smith miniatures have provided ample stimulus during those more trying times. The brushwork of John Preece, Doug Mason, Phil Robinson, Bill Gaskin, et al has encouraged me to stretch my painting muscles and try new approaches. Finally, the first dozen issues of Miniature Wargames from the early 1980s as well as the May 2006 refight of Sittangbad, staged by The Wargamers at Partizan in The U.K. continue to spur me on whenever my enthusiasm flags a bit.
Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018. Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy. Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while. But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed. So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction. Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here. Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o