AHPC XI - Week 11 - Civilians

This week I have been working on several side projects, only one of which actually got finished on time. The others will be out during this week and I'll show those here next Wednesday. So the pace will appear to pick up as the Painting Challenge comes to an end but in fact, it's just that I have been working on multiple models at the same time. There are now just two weeks left in the Challenge and although I have hit my Target points I still have several things I want to get done by the end. Once the Challenge is over I'll probably reduce my painting output a bit so I can focus on playing more solo games and working on some new film for my youtube channel. 

French Civilians for WWII

I recently purchased several sets of French Civilians from Peter Pig for use in various 15mm WWII games. I wanted a collection of refugees, farmers, and other non-combat figures to use as 'set dressing' in my games. I may yet devise some simple in-game rules for their use, such as roads being clogged with refugees (restricting traffic) or to represent resistance fighters. 

As with all the Peter Pig stuff the figures are wonderful little sculps that rarely need much cleaning before the primer goes on. These were no exception with minimal flash and mould lines and any that were found were removed in a matter of seconds. 

I have bought a few more packs of other civilians that I missed the first time around on the website, so hopefully, I'll have a few more ready by next week.

The Chambers of Challenge

I haven't made much progress with the side quest bonus rounds, otherwise known as The Chambers of Challenge, due to an unexpected holdup in production. In short, the Postman hasn't delivered my parcel. The next chamber is something to do with a Laboratory. I ordered myself a nice set of mad scientist and assistants from Sally4th but nearly three weeks later and they still haven't arrived. Hats off to Allen at Sally4th because he's resending a replacement parcel, but time is ticking and I'm a bit stuck until they arrive. Postal deliveries where I live have been 'erratic' to say the least since before Christmas so I have no idea when they will turn up. My solution is to jump the blockage and paint the two chambers that follow, and just hold off submitting them until I have my Mad Scientist in hand and painted. So as stated earlier, expect a rush of entries in the last few days of the competition. 

Banning Photography in Museums is Stupid

Back in November of last year, I did a video about why I thought Museums were worth their weight in reference books. At the time I also mentioned photography bans in some museums but there wasn't time to discuss that at the time. Well, today's video revisits the subject and I vent my spleen a little on why I think banning photography is a stupid idea and fundamentally undermines one of the core goals of a museum, to educate. 

The video I a little bit longer than I would have liked...and this is the edited down version! If you enjoyed the video please hit the Like button, subscribe to my channel and share on social media. Until next week, keep safe, and keep rolling high!

Rorke's Drift Part 3

The third and final part of my Rorke's Drift video battle report is available to view on my Youtube Channel. A couple of weeks ago the first video reviewed the history of the battle, my terrain choices and some special rules I implemented for this game. I'm using The Men Who Would Be Kings with some adaptations to make it suitable for this battle and my 6mm figure collection. Last week the battle commenced and the Zulu's were eventually able to gain a foothold inside the Hospital, although they had failed to breach the barricades. Then there was a brief lull in the fighting that gave the defenders time to reorganise. More Zulu's were working their way around the perimeter and fresh attacks are now imminent. 

Here are a few teaser pictures from the second half of the battle. The video is about 30 minutes long and I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did playing it! 

Fresh Zulu regiments move into position as dusk appraches. 

The British have consolidated their position, but they are still few in number.

The uNdloko assault the front of the site.

Repeated attacks continue from all sides as the flames from the hospital cast an eerie glow across the site. 

More Zulus work their way around for an assault on the Krall. 

With the British spread thin on four sides, they quickly reposition to defend against another attack. 

The final Zulu assault on the beleaguered British. Will this be enough to overrun the mission station after a long hard fight? Or will the defenders win the day and earn their VC's?

I hope you enjoy this concluding video, I certainly enjoyed making it. 

AHPC XI - Week Ten - More Para's and a Pack of Gnolls

The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is continuing apace and true to its purpose it is keeping me on task. Week Ten is traditionally the time when I start closing in on my target and start thinking about what comes next. So it's no surprise that I have hit my target and can now look at what comes next. In the past, I have submitted an upwardly revised target to Curt, but this year I'm just going to enjoy being ahead. I have completed most of the projects I set out for myself at the start of the Challenge and I'm quite content to meander towards the end of the event in three weeks time. I'm still working on entires for the side event, The Chambers of Challenge, and hope to complete the entire quest within the next few weeks.