tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35612991032644638952024-03-15T00:51:15.130+09:00GebirgskriegRoberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-53741502963522096472012-04-07T17:38:00.003+09:002012-04-09T23:29:13.181+09:00Garrisoning the Collina Della Formica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #93c47d;">You</b> probably thought this project was dead and buried. Well, it's still alive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q3Hvt02LxDe99a5F9ozfnjtNCwFBcXSvg6rmpOM7fKpYBgL5G_pMQ5OjjtRvHBxHtRRcVlwbNJZkjI4gHLtP7DLWixt5pPKDVYByfCY4Bdn6dVJ2aX_p1gRDYsgi5vvGkP55fZbVOSA/s1600/KJ_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q3Hvt02LxDe99a5F9ozfnjtNCwFBcXSvg6rmpOM7fKpYBgL5G_pMQ5OjjtRvHBxHtRRcVlwbNJZkjI4gHLtP7DLWixt5pPKDVYByfCY4Bdn6dVJ2aX_p1gRDYsgi5vvGkP55fZbVOSA/s400/KJ_9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A pair of <i>Tiroler Kaiserjage</i>r manning a <i>Schwarzlose</i> MMG on an improvised AA mount, defending the <i>Collina della Formica </i>against prying Italian reconnaissance aircraft. In a small room behind them, a telephonist reports on enemy activity. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjelgOGsAV3U5O7deox4NdiQSUFcOYqKyTIoHOqmHmQ42UOsQFGKWR8-8uOXgK-FnED74kQHc86Ea4OeCiJSKCduhDQogVUF8DD-y3FoQ4i_AV-6OgIaoyebdY_MPnqmYrY7DNwrNHU/s1600/KJ_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjelgOGsAV3U5O7deox4NdiQSUFcOYqKyTIoHOqmHmQ42UOsQFGKWR8-8uOXgK-FnED74kQHc86Ea4OeCiJSKCduhDQogVUF8DD-y3FoQ4i_AV-6OgIaoyebdY_MPnqmYrY7DNwrNHU/s400/KJ_5.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had a very long absence from this project. For one thing I was heartily sick of things by the time I finished the fort- and cleaned up the mess I made (I had pretty much developed a nervous tik at the mere sight of foamboard). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shortly afterwards, our gaming group here in Tokyo found itself getting heavily into Napoleonics. The Napoleonic period is one of my favourites; but is always a major commitment, taking up a lot of time and effort in painting and modelling. On top of that I was working on my sizable Soviet 20mm collection as we were also playing lots of WW2 games as well, so what with one thing and another my WW1 project found itself put on the back-burner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, and much as I enjoy Napoleonics, sometimes I need a break from colour and fussy uniforms. As it happened, the <b><a href="http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php">Guild wargaming forum</a></b> was running one of its regular group-builds, with the theme being flak guns. And among all the Rapier missiles, German Quad 20mm <i>Flakvierling</i> AA guns, and other powerful ground-to-air nastiness being offered, I realized that the only thing I really had to work on for the <b>Flak</b> group build there was this AAMG. Still, it seemed a good opportunity to get my ass in gear and kick-start the project again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblE-J9AZbgTseOjEp8CkpgdLF6JF8j3oQIIfV2c44Fmr0wfL1g_vTYPdIsJm1ZpUqjDeqCwyjSDbbxC_c2u5E66Stcb2Sv5hRCWENVg1b3kLOtehcqREd1bdSQC1rCp9gDgHRSCU6a8I/s1600/KJ_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblE-J9AZbgTseOjEp8CkpgdLF6JF8j3oQIIfV2c44Fmr0wfL1g_vTYPdIsJm1ZpUqjDeqCwyjSDbbxC_c2u5E66Stcb2Sv5hRCWENVg1b3kLOtehcqREd1bdSQC1rCp9gDgHRSCU6a8I/s400/KJ_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwpzmXODrL6iqyK0A7AJgH_DDomfOHSq1xQZeONcRekiG3BQlFtiRc58OGt9beMMtWFG23swdAFi7I2z6h9v95N9CJPv9m6OYxDTxrOMbuJTPg01059j1sbHbhsP4YtN1It_d0nsaSaA/s1600/KJ_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwpzmXODrL6iqyK0A7AJgH_DDomfOHSq1xQZeONcRekiG3BQlFtiRc58OGt9beMMtWFG23swdAFi7I2z6h9v95N9CJPv9m6OYxDTxrOMbuJTPg01059j1sbHbhsP4YtN1It_d0nsaSaA/s400/KJ_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Models are from Scarab Miniatures. At first I was put off by a definite "goblinesque" sculpting style and huge mitts, but as I was painting them I found they grew on me, and I am quite pleased with the way they turned out. Once I decided on the colour scheme, they painted up quite quickly. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaYKbciIGwuk3TeWfptUy1lLrjJ7CQE1UTwvCOavXgGZ5vWhbI8O_m4hm6bjapBX8Wxzxl_xsckeWG1FDTmBJIuuZdolJV5H2noL8cjlpVkXiP-u1FAeRAIjp78LBoVmsgUAireAW0uM/s1600/KJ_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaYKbciIGwuk3TeWfptUy1lLrjJ7CQE1UTwvCOavXgGZ5vWhbI8O_m4hm6bjapBX8Wxzxl_xsckeWG1FDTmBJIuuZdolJV5H2noL8cjlpVkXiP-u1FAeRAIjp78LBoVmsgUAireAW0uM/s400/KJ_3.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwXPeT0boXKRbHonfhViwC6Bdf7ifFIIUQLSx6NDi7SCwYywvW5UqbwQuW4QIB09dZZbYga1-jwjTv7smakK_wAm1_UcA4Ihh5HV_68o7uaAfuDGW0gW6h0MJUYU7qdnuClr6oeEIzhQ/s1600/KJ_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwXPeT0boXKRbHonfhViwC6Bdf7ifFIIUQLSx6NDi7SCwYywvW5UqbwQuW4QIB09dZZbYga1-jwjTv7smakK_wAm1_UcA4Ihh5HV_68o7uaAfuDGW0gW6h0MJUYU7qdnuClr6oeEIzhQ/s400/KJ_4.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided that these would be reservists called to the colours, and that they would still be in their "pike grey" pre-war uniforms. From what I've seen and read on the uniforms, Pike Grey is in fact a medium blue colour with a violet cast to the dye, but after faffing around with colour mixes which always turned out too purple-ish. I decided a simple medium blue worked out the best. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a short video of a Schwarzlose machine gun in action. It also provided a handy painting reference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here are some shots of the top of the fortification. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWImkLkVnmwewDdLkTOEFsd8Khaw82JdtBiw5t7pwg72WA4ouHIbfi3Hg3AM5Q3vXTSIp0_gdYIPxb6jX8SbTQjJ6YH_AJoonPQYMFazIlR6f7_2XoB-B2DLCEUzdvwCE-jii6yESiASk/s1600/KJ_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWImkLkVnmwewDdLkTOEFsd8Khaw82JdtBiw5t7pwg72WA4ouHIbfi3Hg3AM5Q3vXTSIp0_gdYIPxb6jX8SbTQjJ6YH_AJoonPQYMFazIlR6f7_2XoB-B2DLCEUzdvwCE-jii6yESiASk/s400/KJ_8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk2GRE5RgeIzVFS3pERMuP3-3crjNw5PGITaYp9t-L0pF9FjrUInVlu2s1-6LUAudFsF06Vc7AwJfbK90e9hrrGWFGPTPIZV4p8K6fz9XZcivQVd5ElUmARZfAKxeH929GCKIqY5vb6w/s1600/KJ_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk2GRE5RgeIzVFS3pERMuP3-3crjNw5PGITaYp9t-L0pF9FjrUInVlu2s1-6LUAudFsF06Vc7AwJfbK90e9hrrGWFGPTPIZV4p8K6fz9XZcivQVd5ElUmARZfAKxeH929GCKIqY5vb6w/s400/KJ_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have started on the miniatures for the project, I'm hoping that I may get back to more steady progress on it. Basically I see myself putting on a small skirmish game with about 20 or 24 figures a side at most, although I'm not sure whether the <i>Mud and the Blood</i> rules will be suitable for a game that small. I'm </span><span style="font-size: large;">yet </span><span style="font-size: large;">quite a ways away from having to deal with that issue, though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Edit:</b></i> I've decided on what I will be working on over the next while. A small section of <i>Kaiserjagers- </i>including an MG team and observation stand- along with two transport vehicles (old Matchbox <i>Models of Yesteryear</i>s destined for modifying and repainting). This will make for a nice little column on its way from someplace to somewhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyV_2YAHFEmph01Xay-NbDhTD5cJec9J2mUG2qNsSi0hxmyHttLO5P2qylmtrnEnuZbcKqQt0iX7_llTGtRUlpnQbvuI1wdBC5BaQTgeDxdJ50SIeK9WWFUZ-Fdq6v6T77wVO6kuFVY/s1600/KJ_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyV_2YAHFEmph01Xay-NbDhTD5cJec9J2mUG2qNsSi0hxmyHttLO5P2qylmtrnEnuZbcKqQt0iX7_llTGtRUlpnQbvuI1wdBC5BaQTgeDxdJ50SIeK9WWFUZ-Fdq6v6T77wVO6kuFVY/s400/KJ_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Note the Austrian officer. <b><i>Freiherr</i> Carolus Anselm Svetigar von Talus auf dem Skree</b>, accompanied everywhere by his faithful hound, <i>Radetsky</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These will be done while I continue to work on my Napoleonics, so I expect they will be finished in batches of two or three at a time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The vehicles will take longer to work on, but I'm in no hurry on those as first I have to source suitable drivers from somewhere, and which will probably require quite a bit of converting first.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-72159254981412209632009-07-18T12:27:00.013+09:002009-07-18T15:59:33.982+09:00Finished!<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UKQEdeCBvUh0k6HqgNRHeZBzfXZMnEoTKhMznsF84O3Tddho0sDo9xl3Q3Fh1A0vGk0dgKZjN29yrOb4a0rZ5ktcFgcwpQ_2JP1f_OdS4VAE3qEcglXtpUyICMAQk-pNatvTTU61P3w/s1600-h/Montage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UKQEdeCBvUh0k6HqgNRHeZBzfXZMnEoTKhMznsF84O3Tddho0sDo9xl3Q3Fh1A0vGk0dgKZjN29yrOb4a0rZ5ktcFgcwpQ_2JP1f_OdS4VAE3qEcglXtpUyICMAQk-pNatvTTU61P3w/s400/Montage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359689806327039906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >After a bit of digital </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >l</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >egerdemain</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">... </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" > </span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" ><br />Just</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> a very quick post as I have an extremely busy weekend with a number of (unfortunately non-gaming related) tasks ahead of me of me, but yes, it's finally done!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I took my time with the final touches in between working on a bunch of different miniatures for a variety of periods. And very nice it is, too, if I don't say so myself.<br /><br />Once time permits- and the weather cooperates- I'll take it outside for a more detailed photo shoot, hopefully with a few minis to go with it.<br /><br />I celebrated the occasion by making a new blog header. I've been working with a new graphics program for my Mac, so this was a bit of a learning project for me.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Collina della Formica </span>looms behind a young "Desert (Mountain?) Fox" in the foreground. The backdrop is from a very atmospheric photo taken during the Battle of Caporetto in 1917. The picture shows a number of clearly exhausted- but victorious- Austrian <span style="font-style: italic;">Stösstruppen</span> guarding some Italian prisoners.<br /></span><br /><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-25158071922265940002009-06-20T10:53:00.007+09:002009-06-20T13:37:59.654+09:00Getting there...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;">Here</span> it the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Collina della Formica</span> after the exterior has been base-coated using an old (expendable!) brush and half a pot of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ceramcoat's</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">mudstone</span>.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbzz_dT68wLaZGAvnCnejqAfPNOaUPvNaeIShY3EMCfSRSvecEMUY4Y7oJwArxxg67s0MHPoIYPmIuoe0yMs9gVQ2eS2BJyEoYSqso_Zk-qYzBrALCUdT_CLWm91CAvt0OC_4T1o9bE/s1600-h/CdellaF42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbbzz_dT68wLaZGAvnCnejqAfPNOaUPvNaeIShY3EMCfSRSvecEMUY4Y7oJwArxxg67s0MHPoIYPmIuoe0yMs9gVQ2eS2BJyEoYSqso_Zk-qYzBrALCUdT_CLWm91CAvt0OC_4T1o9bE/s400/CdellaF42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349228998694769554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdcj4PveEsUcrkrDa9eRH_fFrDYmsoqmhWilrihG3NQLZzL2pfJpV18LsaHekiLqOrk5V8pK0m_bwgxQ_ihgct4ZAXeakWHxg0d2OnrO5C-C_j1YVeYr0d14YR2qcC7DV04mK7flaf5U/s1600-h/CdellaF43.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdcj4PveEsUcrkrDa9eRH_fFrDYmsoqmhWilrihG3NQLZzL2pfJpV18LsaHekiLqOrk5V8pK0m_bwgxQ_ihgct4ZAXeakWHxg0d2OnrO5C-C_j1YVeYr0d14YR2qcC7DV04mK7flaf5U/s400/CdellaF43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349229078513292290" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">And again, after drybrushing and highlighting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytAHRLTxYosIlAmGo2ZxpTGo-BwTTcT12Itx4jZbP6h3UbfotKgjgX1b62uHF5486V2rp1dHx43waMgIGB2ucwd8vHDH6bvw0ziPdCDTIDokSQz-nq6psFy6S8p5spQvpzjATqHuKVk4/s1600-h/CdellaF44.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytAHRLTxYosIlAmGo2ZxpTGo-BwTTcT12Itx4jZbP6h3UbfotKgjgX1b62uHF5486V2rp1dHx43waMgIGB2ucwd8vHDH6bvw0ziPdCDTIDokSQz-nq6psFy6S8p5spQvpzjATqHuKVk4/s400/CdellaF44.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349229466962960834" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x2zgsYQGELLCPBsxR7yKJtlgYqsCIp_OMIME00SBYLV-tP8OR9PBC3p9WUZHxVtefBWix0dSY9khgFO-wjM4VrvDULYqmM0NbqbTKQj_ewzZ0vQvpKKIxsSGO2vI-D26ftA8rYzbapg/s1600-h/CdellaF46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x2zgsYQGELLCPBsxR7yKJtlgYqsCIp_OMIME00SBYLV-tP8OR9PBC3p9WUZHxVtefBWix0dSY9khgFO-wjM4VrvDULYqmM0NbqbTKQj_ewzZ0vQvpKKIxsSGO2vI-D26ftA8rYzbapg/s400/CdellaF46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349229536471310130" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz8Ib9AlCIxsbi2wTeEOsYGCvB0UUPustsPvReGjsU_tP_j80On0JffFv7IMV6HkVjunWOp0OoNKCK4y7x368ukScP-RiA0MfB4c2yOsacu_628JXAXOtuTYdk-KJnYctECLlfj4pnIg/s1600-h/CdellaF45.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwz8Ib9AlCIxsbi2wTeEOsYGCvB0UUPustsPvReGjsU_tP_j80On0JffFv7IMV6HkVjunWOp0OoNKCK4y7x368ukScP-RiA0MfB4c2yOsacu_628JXAXOtuTYdk-KJnYctECLlfj4pnIg/s400/CdellaF45.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349229615014729234" border="0" /></a><br />I shall soldier on! The interior will be a royal pain to paint but I'm anxious to get started on it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I see that<b> Scarab Miniatures</b> has released some Chauchat LMG teams and a Hotchkiss MG or the French, along with some VB rifle grenadiers which is very good news. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I've also been slowly working on the garrison, experimenting with paint shades trying to find the best combination of colours for the Austro-Hungarians. I'm working on these in between working on my War of the Austrian Succession collection, so no pictures yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">*****</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>A quick update: </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>There was a thread on mountain warfare on TMP, and someone linked </i><i>to </i><b><a href="http://www.zeitcom.com/majgen/24mtsc.html">this site</a></b> <i>on</i><i> how to make easy and practical mountains for wargaming. Owes a lot to theatre scenery it seems, but the idea is simply great and I can now see a way to make a suitable- and usable- backdrop to the</i> <b>Collina della Formica</b>!</span></div><span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-39393886788902766492009-06-13T21:21:00.010+09:002009-06-13T21:43:54.412+09:00Still trying to reach the summit!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> case anyone is wondering where I've been, work- along with the rest of life's constant demands- has been a canine of the feminine gender recently. As has been painting the C</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ollina della Formica.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br />It is one </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">big</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> model to paint, especially when the biggest thing I've painted in the last few years has been an artillery piece or two in 28mm. As a result, I ended up underestimating- by a </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">large</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> margin- just how long it would take me to paint this beast.<br /><br />It has taken a number of tries with a various combination of paints, but I think I finally found a finish that seems to look like the rockscape as seen in various pictures of the Dolomites, and which would look equally at home on the Carso plateau.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGLOLwK-S631ygNmJ8-EEavEk6yfRK0j6Ip2YxZuBcjnbb2fgznvyDKS0Q3Bj5MayttfSW0800_ULC3bupq9eCk1jtukyEQ8O9pNGbS3JFH9nMDgIGWlROVOky4v5WhwBz-YjLzcOGAw/s1600-h/CdellaF40.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGLOLwK-S631ygNmJ8-EEavEk6yfRK0j6Ip2YxZuBcjnbb2fgznvyDKS0Q3Bj5MayttfSW0800_ULC3bupq9eCk1jtukyEQ8O9pNGbS3JFH9nMDgIGWlROVOky4v5WhwBz-YjLzcOGAw/s400/CdellaF40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346787399545883490" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Here is a shot from the business-side of the anthill.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpE2DX3oS7NnohvVitGb6VwnljRSdYmYfhu2q0lLWG0tGjnBOncte6Dl193dasAS21zObiu3IhV1E9rJarQNcXNS8sLRfIW_Lszr55z-5NqZkk08OT-2Q5gL9zvJXCFlqAzZLKjq6N4Y/s1600-h/CdellaF41.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpE2DX3oS7NnohvVitGb6VwnljRSdYmYfhu2q0lLWG0tGjnBOncte6Dl193dasAS21zObiu3IhV1E9rJarQNcXNS8sLRfIW_Lszr55z-5NqZkk08OT-2Q5gL9zvJXCFlqAzZLKjq6N4Y/s400/CdellaF41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346787460221652818" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />This thing devours paint, brushes- and patience- like you wouldn't believe! Imagine painting a sponge with a triple-0 paintbrush...<br /><br />I ended up spraying the whole thing with two (!) cans of Panzer Grey enamel spray paint from <b>Tamiya</b> as an undercoat. I then use <b>Ceramcoat's</b> <i>mudstone</i> to wet-brush on the main surfaces, leaving the dark grey in the crevasses. I then successively lighten the rock face with a drybrushing of <i>sandstone</i> and <i>maple sugar tan</i> by the same company. This is followed by a wash of tube acrylic raw umber. When dry, I give it a final highlighting of very pale gray (Ceramcoat's <i>soft grey</i>).<br /><br />Basically another week or two's worth of painting to go, and I still haven't started painting the inside of the trench works yet. But I have to say I'm happy with the way it's turning out.<br /><br /></span><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-9704537520942979312009-05-03T20:14:00.010+09:002009-05-04T10:54:39.861+09:00Almost done...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> modelling part, anyway. </span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I added the roofs to the MMG bunker and the observation emplacement, both made from foam-card and textured with filler for effect.</span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWvdPM-Xl2VyQGOBnTvWry211g4scBpiIp8vKYXPvYFOoYNKsQo0JSBaL4kTafIe8JHth0_uX-XvTQh-BU8QJIsUV8RHVHzmOU46IQNl-XAZ08ujVWlRUwXz-luEumwsZ6XH7tfpJKJs/s1600-h/CdellaF38.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWvdPM-Xl2VyQGOBnTvWry211g4scBpiIp8vKYXPvYFOoYNKsQo0JSBaL4kTafIe8JHth0_uX-XvTQh-BU8QJIsUV8RHVHzmOU46IQNl-XAZ08ujVWlRUwXz-luEumwsZ6XH7tfpJKJs/s400/CdellaF38.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">After wondering exactly how I was going to model the steel doors, inspiration came in the form of one of the small plastic bases that comes with the Battlefront/ Flames of War minis. I scored a centre line with a razor saw, glued it down to the stone floor, added hinges and supports from wooden off-cuts, and used two small washers as door handles. Now the garrison commander, the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Freiherr</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> von Talus auf dem Skree,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> can access the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> MMG bunker, and more critically the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">wine cellars.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1qm73iOh5w34mUffrUMS0JDiJ8R6R-cBAbJVGt8adYInTwb75CZCk4XOfsgTaq1VCFWmABfAK08IoPIMFSvelDanJKl8m70WlgdbZ5mglrLjF-MYqMZMB9OOUFEYIfcQZmpuv_xO1QM/s1600-h/CdellaF36.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1qm73iOh5w34mUffrUMS0JDiJ8R6R-cBAbJVGt8adYInTwb75CZCk4XOfsgTaq1VCFWmABfAK08IoPIMFSvelDanJKl8m70WlgdbZ5mglrLjF-MYqMZMB9OOUFEYIfcQZmpuv_xO1QM/s400/CdellaF36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331557983550271586" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzPPdLfnKvtDtIh0CrZpFUjCfQJMu61t2lhcnmj-dmUvnEP7BRX2zCLxk-mKosxy0oBijVkkApIid_QIqMDgzgBhZh7FN75VN0nSU0zKbqFT1ubYCghxmft-OFrnFuS07rpo1wvDnfyc/s1600-h/CdellaF37.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzPPdLfnKvtDtIh0CrZpFUjCfQJMu61t2lhcnmj-dmUvnEP7BRX2zCLxk-mKosxy0oBijVkkApIid_QIqMDgzgBhZh7FN75VN0nSU0zKbqFT1ubYCghxmft-OFrnFuS07rpo1wvDnfyc/s400/CdellaF37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331559040949273362" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I also textured the trench sides and added some supports to the log wall. I've just glued down the main walls using PVA and a wad o' toothpicks to anchor them.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nXsqz9Dqk2ObuoYPoLhh6Hp7nGfEZVRG1I7h2x8vnCccBSO2VFmkBABJ7_8h6ZNxJZ6yGGzlD2Blye8knhJnWGxgd9t8029sxPX2gEunJoWjnxMNNDq-c69SGoBRtb4NlY7xILiapFY/s1600-h/CdellaF39.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nXsqz9Dqk2ObuoYPoLhh6Hp7nGfEZVRG1I7h2x8vnCccBSO2VFmkBABJ7_8h6ZNxJZ6yGGzlD2Blye8knhJnWGxgd9t8029sxPX2gEunJoWjnxMNNDq-c69SGoBRtb4NlY7xILiapFY/s400/CdellaF39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331555726287633874" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Once the walls have dried thoroughly, I'll fill in any gaps as well as the odd accidental gouging and holes where I pushed the toothpicks through,. The final step is to give the whole thing one more coat of watered-down filler to soften the outlines of the stone.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Then I will set it aside to dry for a few days, clean the horrendous mess that has accumulated on top of my painting desk, and then get painting- both miniatures and Anthill.<br /><br /><br /></span></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-69552560350944999182009-04-26T20:01:00.010+09:002009-04-26T23:36:21.956+09:00"Mir sein die Kaiserjager"<div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Here's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">one for the Austrians. The song (and march) of the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tiroler Kaiserjager</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, who did a lot of the fighting in the Dolomites.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Note the photo of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">minenwerfer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> with the finned projectile that appears towards the end of the video. I've the model from Brigade games that I need to put together. Just the thing to plunk in the middle of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collina della Formica</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">With that thing looking over the Allied lines and lobbing hate into their trenches from above, there will be plenty of</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> incentive for the Allies to want to eliminate the stronghold!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/54WBUB9Ia-M&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/54WBUB9Ia-M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:24;" >*****</span><br /></div></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Speaking of which, here is a recent shot of the Anthill in progress. As you can see, the flagstones have been added to what was once the floor of the now-ruined building. </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMqwDi1A8HKtu7Ld2-JQhkQOT_BfkJo1gCZ50y039j69pGJdJSNPNqH4kJ-HBgy6GPLsw1YGrrTQ0w_TNi2LEs9Q80luxPErcnVTXaadW5mieaMdTJtH5hYBmy1f0dmT3xWq0fiIt5HE/s1600-h/CdellaF31.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMqwDi1A8HKtu7Ld2-JQhkQOT_BfkJo1gCZ50y039j69pGJdJSNPNqH4kJ-HBgy6GPLsw1YGrrTQ0w_TNi2LEs9Q80luxPErcnVTXaadW5mieaMdTJtH5hYBmy1f0dmT3xWq0fiIt5HE/s400/CdellaF31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328983465092102114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Looking down into the defensive works set in the "basement".</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHoqhrbOfQDp57-Xrn0l5NKIH_5wKdxFg65b7hRcdK4Z_X4oUjhNaVIY65UHY5R8HYBbvf6S6O7NJPFU-r9jCLP27sQCmnU3XdB6xUcNNVhHfALHtqKRAr2EhmA5kiX57vLw3TaYCtWo/s1600-h/CdellaF32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHoqhrbOfQDp57-Xrn0l5NKIH_5wKdxFg65b7hRcdK4Z_X4oUjhNaVIY65UHY5R8HYBbvf6S6O7NJPFU-r9jCLP27sQCmnU3XdB6xUcNNVhHfALHtqKRAr2EhmA5kiX57vLw3TaYCtWo/s400/CdellaF32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328983555623413970" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Looking from the back ("back" here being the side facing away from the enemy).</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-51010388480833320802009-04-23T11:25:00.004+09:002009-04-23T13:33:40.448+09:00Mein schlauer Plan...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB13XBEqmtEEs7-ata-UDGeURvaDIsFUgBkxda-hLegLAxdrFM5Pu0V8h4d1n_R_723b-bNUFv6gS8QzKTeNGncJPa7ffVTLKdWL2YqCX_5W3TWRY4yHgb4HDpJZgZiVQ4wtrhjiPDd9E/s1600-h/Protagonists.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB13XBEqmtEEs7-ata-UDGeURvaDIsFUgBkxda-hLegLAxdrFM5Pu0V8h4d1n_R_723b-bNUFv6gS8QzKTeNGncJPa7ffVTLKdWL2YqCX_5W3TWRY4yHgb4HDpJZgZiVQ4wtrhjiPDd9E/s400/Protagonists.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327738237550456658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Protagonists...</span></span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">The</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Collina della Formica</span></span> nears completion, I have received a bunch of Austrians and French from Scarab Miniatures, and my barbed wire and bases are on their way. It is time to look at what the next stages of my Italian Campaign project will be.</span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">1) Paint up a small garrison of </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">Kaiserjager</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> for the Anthill</span></span><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) paint up a platoon of the French 701st with some support weapons<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3) detail and paint Kallistra trenches<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">4) mass produce a wad o' barbed wire emplacements on 75mm square bases, as well as some rocky outcrops and </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">sangars</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> for cover.</span></span><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These will not necessarly be done in this order, and I'll probably work on things like barbed wire positions between painting phases. But it should see me through to the summer, and in July I'm going to get myself a fold-up ping-pong table for gaming on.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">I might even get myself either </span><a href="http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/kits/images/Aviation/artiplast-ansaldo.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">this</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> one or </span><a href="http://www.modelersite.com/Jun2008/English/LloydCV_Eng.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">this</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> one for "flavour"!</span></span><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">I have been mulling over a setting and scenarios for my games, and have started on a cast of characters. The French capt. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">Raymond de Bouillon-Cantinat, Marquis de Sangfroid</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">, commanding a detachment of the 701st that has been sent to Italy, will be sparring with that young but extremely self-confident scion of the noble Tyrolese house the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">Count von Talus auf dem Skree</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">.</span></span><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">The Marquis is the latest in </span><a href="http://marquissangfroid.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; ">a line of Bouillon-Cantinats</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; "> who have found their way into my French armies down the ages. It is only natural that he make an appearance here!</span></span><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-63156980712499676182009-04-20T10:06:00.013+09:002009-04-20T10:39:02.526+09:00Tre Sassi<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Lots</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">of goodies due here in Tokyo this week through the post.<br /><br />I've ordered both French and Austro-Hungarian minis from Scarab Miniatures, including an observation, AA and MMG team for the fort garrison. Also on their way are a bunch of round 25mm bases from </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.litkoaero.com/">Litko Aerosystems</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> and three boxes (eighteen metres worth!) of barbed wire from<a href="http://www.barrule.com/workshop/WWII/products%20-%20WWII.htm"> </a></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="http://www.barrule.com/workshop/WWII/products%20-%20WWII.htm">Antenociti's Workshop</a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.<br /><br /></span></span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">******</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span></span></div><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br />Work</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> on the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Collina Della Formica</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> continues apace. I spent the last few days on the laborious- and totally unexciting- task of modelling the stone effect in the trenches and and on the walls. A mix of techniques, but the effect is pretty good.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtAdY_aM_KR3NgGP8DB-vkZ34FUroilONTPOCMaHN7ZXdC4RsombT5noSKD3qz4OKAC6mEcAVIz7vSBQgc37rm4gMtEVgqEfGi8XrIi0tP8S5ZyaTg1p0_qRVkMDIH8qkswxbmzQjWZs/s1600-h/CdellaF28.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtAdY_aM_KR3NgGP8DB-vkZ34FUroilONTPOCMaHN7ZXdC4RsombT5noSKD3qz4OKAC6mEcAVIz7vSBQgc37rm4gMtEVgqEfGi8XrIi0tP8S5ZyaTg1p0_qRVkMDIH8qkswxbmzQjWZs/s400/CdellaF28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326576658331801522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-hu95xGwDhvYiI2FXk39L5bFmjP2ga3az_F0ux-9BGmUkUf-y4NxgrWO-y_ZkXJ2qAFjshtf7D8s2Q8-jJtzwKhj9ge4eZVuLRN_nqUnPLmmQjSvYF3I2ZWjB4zD10m3VulZ87hDfjs/s1600-h/CdellaF29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-hu95xGwDhvYiI2FXk39L5bFmjP2ga3az_F0ux-9BGmUkUf-y4NxgrWO-y_ZkXJ2qAFjshtf7D8s2Q8-jJtzwKhj9ge4eZVuLRN_nqUnPLmmQjSvYF3I2ZWjB4zD10m3VulZ87hDfjs/s400/CdellaF29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326576724231342050" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Now I have to finish texturing the inside walls with a few think coats of filler to blend in the card and balsa "stonework", and then I'll glue down the larger walls.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEOYSfe6N5qfrZE75fKWo56iic12vBo6wSwI1ZO1NKB6NCKuiYmDpLrWfXX37YhVax7-Ypb1mWxvQK7hcn7ouiguqjRFG4csQ05MYR0clw1pNcN21lfRuc0WFY_IJX_hzBqCqXGgMcQk/s1600-h/CdellaF30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEOYSfe6N5qfrZE75fKWo56iic12vBo6wSwI1ZO1NKB6NCKuiYmDpLrWfXX37YhVax7-Ypb1mWxvQK7hcn7ouiguqjRFG4csQ05MYR0clw1pNcN21lfRuc0WFY_IJX_hzBqCqXGgMcQk/s400/CdellaF30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326576793916559250" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">After filling in any gaps I'll add the emplacement covers and doors, then it is pretty much a matter of painting.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">******</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />A large part of the inspiration behind this is the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Festung Tre Sassi,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> an Austro-Hungarian fort built in 1897 near Cortina.<br /><br />Here in 1916,<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vp2Ft7Qt3fN916G6zIlnV6fbgJ8gvxHpdGJ8ojO3pqZ4tVKV2qlyE5jg_CJNavwiz7H48NHnbahA8NZTM1m2Zw-oNP_-bAWlv4qqBBcEipKfrHqGbH9T9zZWB8QUUQyuyaj3yYvtGcI/s1600-h/Tre_Sassi+1916.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vp2Ft7Qt3fN916G6zIlnV6fbgJ8gvxHpdGJ8ojO3pqZ4tVKV2qlyE5jg_CJNavwiz7H48NHnbahA8NZTM1m2Zw-oNP_-bAWlv4qqBBcEipKfrHqGbH9T9zZWB8QUUQyuyaj3yYvtGcI/s400/Tre_Sassi+1916.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326575299006825778" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br />...and as seen today. What a beautiful place to have to be fighting a war!<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbimPoa5dOpqYKBIPS0vlEu9CeTjZ3ROoWVAVOdXWrRoBvZI6iPZBoj_8X5jibHP1YJHsYvlEdgktAOzaLptestwICDjU-D7ayryiAcL2jts5jW-PNXud_HuUBL2GNCt55U9xYqv1IamU/s1600-h/tre_sassi_today.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbimPoa5dOpqYKBIPS0vlEu9CeTjZ3ROoWVAVOdXWrRoBvZI6iPZBoj_8X5jibHP1YJHsYvlEdgktAOzaLptestwICDjU-D7ayryiAcL2jts5jW-PNXud_HuUBL2GNCt55U9xYqv1IamU/s400/tre_sassi_today.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326575492142606482" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />When the Italians declared war in 1915, the Austrians actually decided to withdraw from their line of forts in the Dolomites to a line further back from the border, and used the mountains themselves- to great effect- as natural fortresses for the Italians to have to attack.<br /><br />There appears to be a good </span><a href="http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/Cortina/laga5torri/musei/treSassi.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">museum</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> at the Tre Sassi that I'd love to visit if I ever get to that corner of Europe.<br /></span><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-18843723699885719082009-04-15T23:23:00.003+09:002009-04-16T16:13:22.327+09:00Il Piave mormorò....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Dating</span></span> from 1918, a popular Italian song about the Piave cam</span>paign.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lh7owAMdrYA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lh7owAMdrYA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-44061620187974770562009-04-15T08:38:00.010+09:002009-04-15T09:29:36.840+09:00Austrian Terror Weapons...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXn7N8RlUvMMYUwzzPRdC1M7n5kInS47nDslANWtKoybn5KFGKTX51TTZi8VDkmlWYjh1j1m5icDrrZnvLP11vesV380WXcYYQ1k3x3zFn6FQBIMfk7_C0HwKU4ig53BjS4JGAWSuyJs/s1600-h/DeathTrapp.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 363px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXn7N8RlUvMMYUwzzPRdC1M7n5kInS47nDslANWtKoybn5KFGKTX51TTZi8VDkmlWYjh1j1m5icDrrZnvLP11vesV380WXcYYQ1k3x3zFn6FQBIMfk7_C0HwKU4ig53BjS4JGAWSuyJs/s400/DeathTrapp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324695826678913810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">DeathTrapp?</span></span><br /></div></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">No</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, I'm actually talking about this;<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf9T3t0ymuAoSzBQjRkAgL41mCE8W-hXDivOtkFNnSlpikuY4QO81gPXB1SLxjY4OPYFgwuc1mede3dFdXuHEY1imCSj6Bt8W7poG9vaf5jAhWyoZ2ahkEG0WuD5LhNE2hV_685E_qJc/s1600-h/AH+Flamethrower.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 360px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNf9T3t0ymuAoSzBQjRkAgL41mCE8W-hXDivOtkFNnSlpikuY4QO81gPXB1SLxjY4OPYFgwuc1mede3dFdXuHEY1imCSj6Bt8W7poG9vaf5jAhWyoZ2ahkEG0WuD5LhNE2hV_685E_qJc/s400/AH+Flamethrower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324696247208809362" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm putting together an order for some more of the excellent Scarab miniatures, and find myself hesitating about whether to order a flamethrower or not.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The idea of deliberately setting out to grill one's fellow man or to ruin his lungs (as was the case with my great-grandfather) for the sake of the fulfilment of some political goal or redrawing of a border just doesn't sit comfortably with me. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Yes, I know I'm being neither logical nor consistent.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> War is hell in all it's aspects, and being blown to fragments by a shell or </span></span><a href="http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php?"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">being hit in the face by a high-velocity rifle bullet </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">can be no less horrific, but there is something about the use of flamethrowers- and the use of toxic gas- that "pushes the envelope" of my comfort level when it comes to using them in a wargame. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is a personal thing. It is not something that I need a debate with others on, or that I lose sleep over. I know it is just a game. I may very well order them anyway just as models anyway. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Somewhat heavy thoughts for what is after all just a gaming blog, but for me the issue sometimes arises, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">particularly when gaming WW1 and later where one doesn't have the excuse of colourful uniforms to justify collecting the miniatures. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I've had an interest in military history all my life, and as I look at the human cost vs. ultimate benefit side of things down through the ages, the study has pretty well made a pacifist out of me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And l<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ike that other great pacifist and pioneer of our present-day hobby, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">H.G. Wells</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, I like to limit myself to just playing with toy soldiers. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I won't be bringing up this issue again on this blog, but I do feel that it healthy for me to reflect on just how nasty warfare can be in the scientific age, and not to let myself get too divorced from the reality as we move our metal models around on the tabletop. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-49537348526467504792009-04-12T19:50:00.008+09:002009-04-13T09:56:28.383+09:00More WIP pics<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:18px;">Spent</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:18px;"> the afternoon working on the stonework again. These were cut into the surface of the papier-mâché. I like how they came out.</span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG94WYZKtlMw6ecIUksaiflO8SrZDHZAfUGgCxlUry7wOzzzzO6eFC1ENW8a6B1Af46DfX4xmO6kJlAgu0uXemyzxELOaTuecJ4DT0Y1RFVmQX_LB-DDJzYTMAHuA9P0uFkF5_ch7xRq4/s1600-h/CdellaF25.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG94WYZKtlMw6ecIUksaiflO8SrZDHZAfUGgCxlUry7wOzzzzO6eFC1ENW8a6B1Af46DfX4xmO6kJlAgu0uXemyzxELOaTuecJ4DT0Y1RFVmQX_LB-DDJzYTMAHuA9P0uFkF5_ch7xRq4/s400/CdellaF25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323757855627073506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUGRs47B-an0RvaWIjpFCDvBZNehf9AKtIYarUB0xBDfw-b4dCOdMPHuU90UZmSz_nAIKQbgmnDPcDhhLZrYH8yqvO9qlwGCtEBAgVdru-A8IRYTfwnFhocR6di5HNoWw8udgmTXcHcw/s1600-h/CdellaF23.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUGRs47B-an0RvaWIjpFCDvBZNehf9AKtIYarUB0xBDfw-b4dCOdMPHuU90UZmSz_nAIKQbgmnDPcDhhLZrYH8yqvO9qlwGCtEBAgVdru-A8IRYTfwnFhocR6di5HNoWw8udgmTXcHcw/s400/CdellaF23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323757743326861762" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also used a sheet of thin card to cut out the stonework for the trench mortar emplacement. Looks rather like ceramic bathroom tile in this picture, but I will give it wash of PVA/filler "goo" to soften the edges. All will be hidden under a coat of paint later anyway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88u8_7MeaaNfIz_goteT1s1IX7KskIZdz8FAd6rqHy2FFN-JitHoLjxOG_HtYecHOP862utCwyVhUktWDHsdtCGV-YHTqAOxwJQdA2lOZ-JQh24uNoTWTaI3iRF3X5O3SbKR_XYWfQ2g/s1600-h/CdellaF24.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 217px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88u8_7MeaaNfIz_goteT1s1IX7KskIZdz8FAd6rqHy2FFN-JitHoLjxOG_HtYecHOP862utCwyVhUktWDHsdtCGV-YHTqAOxwJQdA2lOZ-JQh24uNoTWTaI3iRF3X5O3SbKR_XYWfQ2g/s400/CdellaF24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323757801753875714" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The top "decking" between the ruined walls will get the same treatment. I will add a hatch to the floor to represent access to the MMG pit below.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another day or so with the trench interiors, then I will begin work on the walls. About another week to go and it will be ready for painting!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-59036243712850198662009-04-11T19:07:00.008+09:002009-04-11T20:17:00.600+09:00Stoned...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> very quickie update. I have now installed all the trench bays, and am fitting out the interiors and have started on the external stonework.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhzV7luYKzLob2jZFRN3xgyCO1kmRtVPzO6jZVh0vH8Y4H-oSdvfBZCmQTG01vO7vRl8i0CXREhiGeavbNldNFYaWkjNWqGSRV1kZaN7EgYu9jovRxZ_yfaVpGp5aap7B0BqHfMjkwks/s1600-h/stonework.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhzV7luYKzLob2jZFRN3xgyCO1kmRtVPzO6jZVh0vH8Y4H-oSdvfBZCmQTG01vO7vRl8i0CXREhiGeavbNldNFYaWkjNWqGSRV1kZaN7EgYu9jovRxZ_yfaVpGp5aap7B0BqHfMjkwks/s400/stonework.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323373775887250466" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The section on the right was cut into the papier-mâché surface.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The section on the left was made from balsa chunks. Once dry, they will be trimmed down and given a thin coat of acrylic filler, with more filler used to blend it into the surrounding rock face.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The blue foam wall rubble was just marked in with a ball-point pen.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFUC7viE4X06L5LPEOnx54DT0_oUxCXX1GV-GbMs2YdvcUfuiYvzIbvuzKNfHvXlMiupGVV0IiwpHo9UMZY1_FRCyoJ3RRw3KQ9Ln87Aw0vPt_vADsIT3FsJyPraL0PETMkeC_BzBV0I/s1600-h/CdellaF22.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFUC7viE4X06L5LPEOnx54DT0_oUxCXX1GV-GbMs2YdvcUfuiYvzIbvuzKNfHvXlMiupGVV0IiwpHo9UMZY1_FRCyoJ3RRw3KQ9Ln87Aw0vPt_vADsIT3FsJyPraL0PETMkeC_BzBV0I/s400/CdellaF22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323373861415083810" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The same after some work with acrylic filler and trowel.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The other big news for me is that I have just received my copy of Mark Thompson's </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-War-Death-Italian-1915-1919/dp/0571223338"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"The White War"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh0qXdokDq45kz418uXK43RHM_F-wzZ0fxWKiu_XacnncdPY8CniTr5W6frxfpwxLbS2zFelRDayCNXXsoCiRajTa8QzUjhtbcwa7HY44-XolqHAwspfYAplE8-IP3GSON6E1I-SLu2g/s1600-h/WhiteWar_Thompson.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh0qXdokDq45kz418uXK43RHM_F-wzZ0fxWKiu_XacnncdPY8CniTr5W6frxfpwxLbS2zFelRDayCNXXsoCiRajTa8QzUjhtbcwa7HY44-XolqHAwspfYAplE8-IP3GSON6E1I-SLu2g/s400/WhiteWar_Thompson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323376580815634626" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm already hooked- great reading ahead!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-89197549381544759462009-04-09T12:18:00.015+09:002009-04-09T14:39:53.398+09:00Back to work!!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> have just spent the last few days in Kashima city on a business trip, and when I came back I resumed work on the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collina della Formica</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Before I left I had glued the observation post bay assembly into the top, so that by the time I returned it had had plenty of time to dry out. Now I can get to work knocking it around again!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Just one more bay to complete and the trench assemblies are done.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK4Ia03souabEDp4_pRk0QmszEFD1IUxY5Fdgarw4fBSB0pKbaOibeig1rbKOtyb8vBbmvYraiTRKXO_d7rtcFNyyG4r5yV3wDETL2tZNkmtxmFytPF3KEEN3oSN006gMtwT1tfxcwQw/s1600-h/CdellaF19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK4Ia03souabEDp4_pRk0QmszEFD1IUxY5Fdgarw4fBSB0pKbaOibeig1rbKOtyb8vBbmvYraiTRKXO_d7rtcFNyyG4r5yV3wDETL2tZNkmtxmFytPF3KEEN3oSN006gMtwT1tfxcwQw/s400/CdellaF19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322527730015228450" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">There is a little more work to do on the internal planking and detailing, and I'm going to add a stone floor to the mortar enplacement for variety. I've also started "dressing" the stone work on the parapets.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I still need to add a detachable top for both the machine gun emplacement and the observation post- currently I'm pondering the best way to do this and what material I should use.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLJcyqZ4Ynt4NOL548aoxdQ9esWUDf4IB8EasjYDFSy-c3l7l7ZBHjoLTTyF7hx0u4DDWNxX84YEqg1Stp3HfeKRZfTGspXKFA5S9xRdSn8AMo4Q_n0UdWBKgS1Tp6LMKsRgS4gplA40/s1600-h/CdellaF18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLJcyqZ4Ynt4NOL548aoxdQ9esWUDf4IB8EasjYDFSy-c3l7l7ZBHjoLTTyF7hx0u4DDWNxX84YEqg1Stp3HfeKRZfTGspXKFA5S9xRdSn8AMo4Q_n0UdWBKgS1Tp6LMKsRgS4gplA40/s400/CdellaF18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322527674443658274" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The foam walls you see here have been placed in position with toothpicks, but have not yet been detailed. Once I do this, and the trenches are completely finished, then I'll glue the walls down with PVA.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I also decided to re-contour the base around the ruined walls so that the building doesn't look so much like it was perched on top of a birthday cake. It entails some extra work to the project, but I feel it makes for quite an improvement.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2ubLgIWIz5qmXTKsElw4r96ylHsjvYH7sisKbefM_ZVi8uUo7fASCkLYjlfGtzpDDXxyOk4dwYiIS-ANBW9P6BgGxeSXUl6ZEzKsAmBTiY92dFSOVEG-7qERKpxbLGhuVP2hGvzq54s/s1600-h/CdellaF20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2ubLgIWIz5qmXTKsElw4r96ylHsjvYH7sisKbefM_ZVi8uUo7fASCkLYjlfGtzpDDXxyOk4dwYiIS-ANBW9P6BgGxeSXUl6ZEzKsAmBTiY92dFSOVEG-7qERKpxbLGhuVP2hGvzq54s/s400/CdellaF20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322525908924421682" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />The same, after having covered the foam with a "goop" made from a mixture of <span style="font-style: italic;">papier-mache</span>, filler, and PVA. <br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmxGO0zm1NgyXEq_4JaI1IzANSL3BZ8Xr8JBGBRynKczab8-9KKagkhBXDqM8J_oudxyCiw8hsO122CrsWaR9g37VEZke90YGJbMborPnmZWJaB08elV3-30hDs3v98VNOOk9P9edH-Y/s1600-h/CdellaF21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmxGO0zm1NgyXEq_4JaI1IzANSL3BZ8Xr8JBGBRynKczab8-9KKagkhBXDqM8J_oudxyCiw8hsO122CrsWaR9g37VEZke90YGJbMborPnmZWJaB08elV3-30hDs3v98VNOOk9P9edH-Y/s400/CdellaF21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322560668352767618" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When that dries out and the walls have been glued down, I'll use acrylic-based putty to enhance the look of the rock formations.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:180%;" >*******</span><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I found another photo of an actual Austro-Hungarian fortification of the time. Somewhat similar to my image of what the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collina della Formica</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> may have looked like before having been shelled into rubble!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqOj4dsdyM0hvnmRmI2wpq_jZ1TtuYc_sXDfaRKhpxGn7I4hyphenhyphennEer5TTnvMFgKIRDe2Jnq9ZJyl10doZfya459KgZjk6IZ7SEJad6H5GkGGegKZnEVOd_l4JkT8XAgFY4v2UdnH168rY/s1600-h/800px-SpodnjeKluze1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqOj4dsdyM0hvnmRmI2wpq_jZ1TtuYc_sXDfaRKhpxGn7I4hyphenhyphennEer5TTnvMFgKIRDe2Jnq9ZJyl10doZfya459KgZjk6IZ7SEJad6H5GkGGegKZnEVOd_l4JkT8XAgFY4v2UdnH168rY/s400/800px-SpodnjeKluze1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322529394877001730" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />I'm under some time pressure to get the actual construction done though. Here is what my desk currently looks like- a major disaster area! No place for any painting and there is much too much dust around to do any painting anyway. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5U2tPI4PPPsf_G0s0jd9AZilalELSh48Ty_cfNFbHKpCfeNhdn06s7FcpOUFOiaIribZneUXSXzQo-HHLUKyjwMwImLBdfIbN7jIo_xaAR4v8oLaD5LN43GVWiHoRSiBWD6lwQvaJmw/s1600-h/messydesk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5U2tPI4PPPsf_G0s0jd9AZilalELSh48Ty_cfNFbHKpCfeNhdn06s7FcpOUFOiaIribZneUXSXzQo-HHLUKyjwMwImLBdfIbN7jIo_xaAR4v8oLaD5LN43GVWiHoRSiBWD6lwQvaJmw/s400/messydesk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322532811159416450" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />So once the model is completed, I'll leave it a few days for the glue and filler to dry out thoroughly. At that time I'll organize my desk top, and clean the room completely so that there is no dust to settle on wet paint. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Then I'll get to work on painting its garrison of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Kaiserliks,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and on undercoating the "Anthill" prior to the massive undertaking of painting it! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm probably looking at the end of the month as a completion date.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-2536118673575079782009-03-31T22:46:00.006+09:002009-03-31T23:00:37.167+09:00Problem solved!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">One</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> thing that was bothering me about the model so far was that the top seemed too "flat" for a hill of it's size, yet I didn't want to make it too much taller for storage reasons, and I certainly didn't want to make the base any bigger; which I would have had to have done, if the hill was to have been made any taller and yet retain some sense of proportion.<br /><br />I think I have the solution, though. The position will be a fortified ruin. Maybe an old church or monastery that in happier, pre-war times would have looked something like this;<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd2KDcM1ytNLnll5izI-jClop191QOOkm8la_LlGW8LgRH2Y7bfRRRF16zK2ctawPe49di0rquG_IOcjWTGwkM_ok2OENuebbBvcPiePtmO5Vmrl2zt7sGVuY66HT_P9nNI_RuTLx9sc/s1600-h/Happier+Times.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd2KDcM1ytNLnll5izI-jClop191QOOkm8la_LlGW8LgRH2Y7bfRRRF16zK2ctawPe49di0rquG_IOcjWTGwkM_ok2OENuebbBvcPiePtmO5Vmrl2zt7sGVuY66HT_P9nNI_RuTLx9sc/s400/Happier+Times.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319347982079675378" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />War has no respect for scenic beauty, and with the entry of Italy into the war against the Central Powers (treacherous swine!) and a couple of heavy bombardments later, any such structure would be left in ruins with the defenders using the basements and cellars as the basis of a prepared fortification as was common at the time, as witness the defence of many a </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">chateau</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> in France along the Western Front.<br /><br />Therefore the top of the hill will have traces of walls and rubble, and perhaps the remains of a fallen roof or bell tower. Making convincing-looking ruins will in many ways prove more of a challenge than making an actual building itself in its entirety.<br /><br />I bought some 7mm foam core board- the thin kind that is sandwiched between paper, and which is used for signs and such things. They will form the remaining wall sections, with rubble from a variety of carved foam and wooden off-cuts used to cover the base. The whole thing will be given a very thin, watered-down coat of plaster and sand "goop" before painting to blend it all together, and give everything an "old and decrepit" look.<br /><br />Someone who has visited the Dolomites has pointed out to me that mountain houses often have walls of at least half a meter thick - indeed I have seen building like this in the mountains of Iwate in Northern Japan when I lived there for five years. If I double up the thickness of the foamboard for the remnants of the outside walls, that should look about right. I'll also be adding stonework out of card which along with the coat of filler should add to the overall mass.<br /><br /></span></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-49376402888761871142009-03-31T00:09:00.006+09:002009-03-31T00:24:30.556+09:00Kallistra trenches come through!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> no more than a week since I ordered them, I was pleased to find a large- but light- packet arrive at the doorstep today.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> My set of modular trench works from Kallistra, and quite pleased I am with it, too. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Moulded in tough hard plastic, the pieces are quite a lot larger than I had imagined, but not overly so and there is plenty of room for minis. The trenches themselves look great. Lots of scope for extra detailing, as the interiors are somewhat basic.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hVb-Tx6pMu66wHZN8B1qRnyxMS6w9SKrMidTyr-CvKz31ourmyPuPUZgEZe1evy3HNt1GhQvB_WYDNUFFzv5XeoyHgexYdlBECqVnaDruTdI0NVvrSGFXvOpdshCE5izsjMYHqH5F84/s1600-h/2009033011040000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hVb-Tx6pMu66wHZN8B1qRnyxMS6w9SKrMidTyr-CvKz31ourmyPuPUZgEZe1evy3HNt1GhQvB_WYDNUFFzv5XeoyHgexYdlBECqVnaDruTdI0NVvrSGFXvOpdshCE5izsjMYHqH5F84/s400/2009033011040000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319000224770738050" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />I don't mind that in the least, as I like the modelling aspect and want them to match the other terrain pieces I'll be using in texture and appearance. I also have a piece that comes with a large bay for artillery pieces, or to model some bunkers.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJBfi5n8VqE_N4zU0xIzNqlo84f1hUFUmYEu82XUaRPJ7GDE9t53cPUnVAfYdBuwh5afs11h2GC0jL3lJIOh8JW4H-Cbk93wbUMH6HtRaN_UBjP0jZPYf3w2Cgj1oyNhGckdGHYC6dYQ/s1600-h/2009033011140000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJBfi5n8VqE_N4zU0xIzNqlo84f1hUFUmYEu82XUaRPJ7GDE9t53cPUnVAfYdBuwh5afs11h2GC0jL3lJIOh8JW4H-Cbk93wbUMH6HtRaN_UBjP0jZPYf3w2Cgj1oyNhGckdGHYC6dYQ/s400/2009033011140000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319000299880247698" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />I may well get some more sections, as I have already enough for more than one line of works with which to face the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Collina della Formica</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. A second line with some communication trenches linking them could look really great on the tabletop.</span><br /><br /></span><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-28152773734287273052009-03-28T19:10:00.010+09:002009-03-29T00:40:40.868+09:00Things start getting Nasty...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">...for</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> any potential attackers!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Today I bought some balsa wood, and sat down to make the bunker for the MMG emplacement. Basically just a balsa box big enough to hold a </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Schwarzloze</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> stand.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rLp_1NrOc6ZcE_-NK5dojxLGZL84rzY4wrbNFkE_TEDM7Tv8dl2q8rGK7EkMSeERzOoq9BUowF6SaDbUor1V9no77rJQXRFKYC64qesEmZS5eGiyvvYNc-Rd3pXRQiMBLQVzWFZaNIQ/s1600-h/CdellaF13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rLp_1NrOc6ZcE_-NK5dojxLGZL84rzY4wrbNFkE_TEDM7Tv8dl2q8rGK7EkMSeERzOoq9BUowF6SaDbUor1V9no77rJQXRFKYC64qesEmZS5eGiyvvYNc-Rd3pXRQiMBLQVzWFZaNIQ/s400/CdellaF13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318179596361094658" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />And here it is set in place. I will tidy up the corners when it is thoroughly dry, glue it in place, and blend it in to the baseboard with some foam off-cuts and putty. Then I'll add a few internal details, such as a steel door in the back of the bunker through which the inhabitants can scurry should they detect the approach of a flamethrower team.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tx82jiq10nA_rsz73pxO0TAfdTbhT15Odboc_iADSRei2xPTxU-k0GQ58XTAbslunbxZCiH9UDQ4UvJ50abAfh4EqV4u2L9XZKZqpOfFQeppYiYp22TDbFM2NmS_2BzYlM9Hqm3DAyE/s1600-h/CdellaF14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tx82jiq10nA_rsz73pxO0TAfdTbhT15Odboc_iADSRei2xPTxU-k0GQ58XTAbslunbxZCiH9UDQ4UvJ50abAfh4EqV4u2L9XZKZqpOfFQeppYiYp22TDbFM2NmS_2BzYlM9Hqm3DAyE/s400/CdellaF14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318180677245301122" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />And again, seen with the roof placed on top. The roof will of course be detachable, and it will be protected with logs on top as I remember seeing in a photo of a fortification somewhere during the Caporetto offensive.<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwNd7GGK2NiROtAJc4tzPxgI3qxX6tUlC8cXCqOCVOynw0f98Wvw8occCK5Mm0OIOuWSEtP0k0YWC3QCMMvCaR0Eq3rtc4yxLlowmdSarDAvdDPqqYmkCyacTeX7kug178ej71McNwmM/s1600-h/CdellaF15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwNd7GGK2NiROtAJc4tzPxgI3qxX6tUlC8cXCqOCVOynw0f98Wvw8occCK5Mm0OIOuWSEtP0k0YWC3QCMMvCaR0Eq3rtc4yxLlowmdSarDAvdDPqqYmkCyacTeX7kug178ej71McNwmM/s400/CdellaF15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318186270296959394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Finally, a video of the wicked beast that dwells within. I couldn't find any videos of a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Schwarzloze</span> in action, but here is a German Maxim 08/15 machine gun, the Grim Reaper of Spandau.</span><br /></div><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UACiux0waEM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UACiux0waEM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-15732153232341605962009-03-28T11:46:00.009+09:002009-03-28T12:19:19.573+09:00The Rocky Road...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc9do9Gs4M2LIJN0AjrzyKKD545pX27e2Kwo7WwnUhmL7qoMU9RcKrTnWcbLbBJIeguj2b0yqhy3oIFvv2uecnEKzKe6RrVm7FWbszGi9drzNs9x1Fql4DyoqDvaYKm31_7yKJ3d0uhA/s1600-h/CdellaF9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc9do9Gs4M2LIJN0AjrzyKKD545pX27e2Kwo7WwnUhmL7qoMU9RcKrTnWcbLbBJIeguj2b0yqhy3oIFvv2uecnEKzKe6RrVm7FWbszGi9drzNs9x1Fql4DyoqDvaYKm31_7yKJ3d0uhA/s400/CdellaF9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318065123001381058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Work</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> continues apace. I've added goops of putty and sculpted like mad. I really enjoyed this part of the project (if not the cleaning up afterwards)! I will have a walk down by the Tama River here in Tokyo later today and collect some rocks and pebbles to use as boulders.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It really </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> starting to look imposing!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpojGE7WZtzr7sahUUhT5iU07bebgjl7NKTlixCRCN-OpMJu6T9LOisUdxCIWvXGoVKh5KK8dvPNYMFkYQRGIaiLCNzxiGu_SCVpr1ou1rFg4a864twtWavqkB3ZE_uhBYdOxLfzI71kM/s1600-h/CdellaF10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpojGE7WZtzr7sahUUhT5iU07bebgjl7NKTlixCRCN-OpMJu6T9LOisUdxCIWvXGoVKh5KK8dvPNYMFkYQRGIaiLCNzxiGu_SCVpr1ou1rFg4a864twtWavqkB3ZE_uhBYdOxLfzI71kM/s400/CdellaF10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318065196285313090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXke9LTwugsic8yaP_EH24HAtw0ivsmIhyJSwy32q1Ati6buup0nUJ9fR_vVa-h7PCC3hHlKQ0PjGTwTOuYoMvAu9bKbq140DMml-Np_gleVsrG69AU2W1wvupmKn6BhhyphenhyphenM2_4wHcuIs/s1600-h/CdellaF12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXke9LTwugsic8yaP_EH24HAtw0ivsmIhyJSwy32q1Ati6buup0nUJ9fR_vVa-h7PCC3hHlKQ0PjGTwTOuYoMvAu9bKbq140DMml-Np_gleVsrG69AU2W1wvupmKn6BhhyphenhyphenM2_4wHcuIs/s400/CdellaF12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318065341390321714" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK1Q4G6ogJ0ZVxXRh-HtG9HUgoFdWc1NUzi375hVSlFgFRBo9Wa8gd3M_NMswQJ7zZv47rQtBhIg14oi948rU4C5i6LTl5uMVpCF8ow1XazPRm6fYvaEPIpl8a18hFztJz47htOE3PBs/s1600-h/CdellaF11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK1Q4G6ogJ0ZVxXRh-HtG9HUgoFdWc1NUzi375hVSlFgFRBo9Wa8gd3M_NMswQJ7zZv47rQtBhIg14oi948rU4C5i6LTl5uMVpCF8ow1XazPRm6fYvaEPIpl8a18hFztJz47htOE3PBs/s400/CdellaF11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318065258339468498" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now comes the trenches and MMG emplacement. This will take a little time, but I'll take it in stages.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Scarab Miniatures are releasing their French in the coming month. When they do, I'll place an order for the Austrian communications set as well, along with the first of my Italians. I've also got some interesting books lined up that I'm going to order from a number of sources, cash flow permitting. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the meantime, I've got some interesting reading on the Italian campaign to do on the 'net, thanks to some useful links sent to me by Chris Stoesen. Thanks, Chris!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-34312897676854269122009-03-26T11:02:00.015+09:002009-03-27T20:11:47.598+09:00What better time to work on terrain pieces...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">...than </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">when your significant other is out all day. Today I started on texturing the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collino della Formica</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, and I know from past experience that this kind of work generally goes much faster, better, and with fewer tears when I can just go ahead and make a mess (just so long as I have it cleared up by the time she gets back!).<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />And it </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">IS</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> messy!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />The problem with the soft white styrofoam is, of course, that it crumbles easier than old stale <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">pa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">necotta</span>. So I set about soaking lengths of paper towel in a mash of wall filler, PVA, and acrylic paint, and plastering it over the whole model. While wet it can be sculpted with a small artists' trowel, so that the first rough exterior layer can start to take shape.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5kI4pOfsk9diQjV1czkya8p4wvL-_LmaPEcgKSyLlP4BwB4_JIfjZuDLghWXdQamE0GRQEDwVy19zMHWNbvYtn2VIEhPc8qzuHdsTBGFCJTvFXrG4pAqTVrr_KNgbH10OPSqxszsE9U/s1600-h/CdellaF6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5kI4pOfsk9diQjV1czkya8p4wvL-_LmaPEcgKSyLlP4BwB4_JIfjZuDLghWXdQamE0GRQEDwVy19zMHWNbvYtn2VIEhPc8qzuHdsTBGFCJTvFXrG4pAqTVrr_KNgbH10OPSqxszsE9U/s400/CdellaF6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317313655381980242" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Here is the view from the rear, with the path leading up to the top. I haven't yet done the top surface, this will be built up later once the trench interiors have been added.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz5cOkb01KUtKNtebnnwCg_q46PeqmNuRKvok52fgqPjVRDZviasj4mlZmCyQam7gtV7DCpUNKh47pTcukBXT69oC94-YRBx0WNkmfu01DBgSC_hjKhyphenhyphennH5eMyD3xyTGAnkfNwwi6gic/s1600-h/CdellaF8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz5cOkb01KUtKNtebnnwCg_q46PeqmNuRKvok52fgqPjVRDZviasj4mlZmCyQam7gtV7DCpUNKh47pTcukBXT69oC94-YRBx0WNkmfu01DBgSC_hjKhyphenhyphennH5eMyD3xyTGAnkfNwwi6gic/s400/CdellaF8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317313851697801026" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Attacker's eye view. The cut out will be a defensive position for a machine gun, and will be backed by a pair of heavy iron doors leading into the heart of the position. This "Pit of Perdition" will no doubt end up being manned by defaulters and will attract a lot of unwanted attention from enemy mortars and grenades.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X5g8GN3ipfe769DZIOpySktZPjWQDd_e7J3gF1V1sIPuQfRnGou1UH9lgNKLz2Kn_ltgXpw0JUO95ljE2scedT9CVX-0NtvJU0uY3rspcynNoLQ05zwaCp5BbYY5XyiMAXZnt_2GQ84/s1600-h/CdellaF7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X5g8GN3ipfe769DZIOpySktZPjWQDd_e7J3gF1V1sIPuQfRnGou1UH9lgNKLz2Kn_ltgXpw0JUO95ljE2scedT9CVX-0NtvJU0uY3rspcynNoLQ05zwaCp5BbYY5XyiMAXZnt_2GQ84/s400/CdellaF7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317313739014355394" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Another view of the path, this time from the side. The soaked paper towels dry rock hard, and can be used to mould natural contours where the seperate pieces of the hill were glued together.<br /><br />I'll leave this to dry out thoroughly for two days, and then I'll take a tub of my favorite acrylic-based filler and add it liberally to the surface. I can then fill in any unnatural looking join lines, add more contours, and generally texture the whole model. I'll be referring to some web piccies of the Dolomites as a guide to sculpting the surface to make it look as close to a granite rockface as I can.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbuIxb7k2W0QLk4uXYnnyg55LMg_XjjROFA3ttTFuhyCAknq05L0UOTt5yQs3lMSSPVmnu9wRg0l2QvypepVaCUZCj-nHPoH3Fa0tk5Bjoba5BlFCOLtpNSPqzZw81_5QA1QCIwDlYoY/s1600-h/Trench+top.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbuIxb7k2W0QLk4uXYnnyg55LMg_XjjROFA3ttTFuhyCAknq05L0UOTt5yQs3lMSSPVmnu9wRg0l2QvypepVaCUZCj-nHPoH3Fa0tk5Bjoba5BlFCOLtpNSPqzZw81_5QA1QCIwDlYoY/s400/Trench+top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317320377901099858" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Top view of the beast, showing the trench and weapon bay layout. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Having learned from past experience <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(ahem...)</span>, I've made the trenches wider than they need be so that I will be able to fit in the trench sub-assemblies more easily. Each trench will have a width of at least 30mm. Even though a real trench was considerably narrower historically, mine have to allow the 28mm minis to fit, and I will be adding some decorative "bits and pieces" to the trench walls. I need enough space for the figures to be moved around without difficulty.<br /><br />The trenches themselves will be of a modular construction, and when completed will be glued in place. Any gaps between the trenches and walls will be filled with off-cuts of foam and a parapet added. I'll then make some detachable roofs for the observation area and (of course!) the mortar ammo store. Finally, should everything go to plan, all will be coated with a final layer of gritty filler "goo" for texture and the whole thing painted.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br />Right now I need more minis! I have a <a href="http://www.brigadegames.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BG-WIWH20&Category_Code=BGHMW&Product_Count=71">trench mortar</a> and <a href="http://www.brigadegames.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BG-WIWH15&Category_Code=BGHMW&Product_Count=70">Schwarzlose MMG</a> from </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Brigade Games </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">on the way, and will need to get the <a href="http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_1&products_id=65">observation team</a> from </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Scarab</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> next time I order from them.<br /><br /></span><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-80930035630656458062009-03-24T23:55:00.006+09:002009-03-25T16:48:09.811+09:00Labour intensive...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(153,255,153)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> came across some amazing footage of Italian troops on</span><a href="http://www.worldwar1.com/itafront/marmolada.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">L</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">a Marmolada</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> in the Dolomites, including shots of men hauling guns up the mountainside using just human muscle power. Worlds away from Flanders, but equally demanding on flesh and blood.<br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sPqEk7wJVO8&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-35442148259466681472009-03-22T22:38:00.009+09:002009-03-26T12:15:18.655+09:00Taking shape...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">..big time!</span><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />I added the trench works to the top of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Collina della Formica</span></span>, and shaped the base. It took a long time and a sliced appendage or two, but it is looking good.. And it's BIG! but we are in the mountains, after all.<br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdahAHtu6evZgP6kix_2KLYiHfGpWrauktPBDwAGo68Ht2QvzWIYsk04i_UXndhsSvDdEgaaV0PBpOqTntenZ0yStysH21lzN6ZKQTyZifwyPPvoDhG4xhmaHjpDhy6EUO3csWZVeSE6M/s1600-h/CdellaF2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdahAHtu6evZgP6kix_2KLYiHfGpWrauktPBDwAGo68Ht2QvzWIYsk04i_UXndhsSvDdEgaaV0PBpOqTntenZ0yStysH21lzN6ZKQTyZifwyPPvoDhG4xhmaHjpDhy6EUO3csWZVeSE6M/s400/CdellaF2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316006865446480818" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Top view from front</span></span><br /></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbit-4Bq3EP1oxTedLwNtDGU-Lys0xa38tInDitC0kZjaYkJAN8dFW8IuSAt7iQTFPzxyolqxKcpsqSszoZn1fmt-C_27_71TYGHUwqFGUz8GV8Cit7YoAlSWMZdXSS6Xh9a_YImVNzCU/s1600-h/CdellaF1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbit-4Bq3EP1oxTedLwNtDGU-Lys0xa38tInDitC0kZjaYkJAN8dFW8IuSAt7iQTFPzxyolqxKcpsqSszoZn1fmt-C_27_71TYGHUwqFGUz8GV8Cit7YoAlSWMZdXSS6Xh9a_YImVNzCU/s400/CdellaF1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316006794323631154" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Back view<br /></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I still need to glue the sections together, and add some rocky outcroppings from offcuts of the foam board. After that, the next steps will be to shape the rock face, line the trench walls with stone and wood revetments, and to build up a stony parapet.<br /></div><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmwuEA0BDv1gc6Wmu7xbXqvjY58RpLhYeRj3Z_CAWpt2HeK-rdSnXEwrACABFhSA0YgeuYpZRI-KAa9ghk2NJ31A4o3W6UniZzjWGCBRhAsf1iJMfp2frOqRlS2sIIcUFOUH3GC9UCDw/s1600-h/CdellaF3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmwuEA0BDv1gc6Wmu7xbXqvjY58RpLhYeRj3Z_CAWpt2HeK-rdSnXEwrACABFhSA0YgeuYpZRI-KAa9ghk2NJ31A4o3W6UniZzjWGCBRhAsf1iJMfp2frOqRlS2sIIcUFOUH3GC9UCDw/s400/CdellaF3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316007013853352882" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Austrian infantryman in trench- you can get an idea just how tall this thing is. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Italians better bring on those trench mortars!</span></span><br /></span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Once all that is done, it will be time to drench the board with filler and sculpt and shape the details. Lots to do yet, but it is fun!<br /></div><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHOVBzlzn0fZ5qI4h42y66HWH0OuAK6SZO4N4edX9aN5lvZMhgc127r2OdNMFehsrP9dvr8xtcSZ82LAPE6-DTbFN6CBaOxqjP92w5dnKwutv2ByWTLAAKujAo1pM_znbTox139p6TCI/s1600-h/CdellaF4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHOVBzlzn0fZ5qI4h42y66HWH0OuAK6SZO4N4edX9aN5lvZMhgc127r2OdNMFehsrP9dvr8xtcSZ82LAPE6-DTbFN6CBaOxqjP92w5dnKwutv2ByWTLAAKujAo1pM_znbTox139p6TCI/s400/CdellaF4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316007096799481186" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rifleman Aloysius Kartoffelkopf runs into the defensive work prior to an Italian attack.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></span>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-77757212514245491912009-03-22T10:40:00.016+09:002009-03-23T12:25:19.380+09:00Kolourful Kaiserliks<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">One</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> of my concerns with doing late war Austro-Hungarians has always been that they would look too much like Germans. I don't really want "generic" Central Power infantry, no do I want people to look at the minis and just say "nice Germans". </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">That would "torque my gears" somewhat, in the same way that it does when people here immediately assume I'm American rather than the fine, upstanding Canadian citizen that I am (!).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So what can make a late-war Austrian infantryman look different? Well, quite a lot really once I look into it. Take a look at these photos from a re-enactor supply <a href="http://www.schipperfabrik.com/index.html">site</a>.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqKrXPHugQ5XrslwrLOPZbiWNj6dQAbqvj2yDq7ERx0pxNwldYn7940g_y8Vqtsmh7ZrKUjVfLLQtK8jUFrmOEvnLGE6k1QvlbpwiOJLuJ7Ca1kum9sVkDTAvCfD-fUiv2Q0-pvNr1ao/s1600-h/A-H+uniform+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqKrXPHugQ5XrslwrLOPZbiWNj6dQAbqvj2yDq7ERx0pxNwldYn7940g_y8Vqtsmh7ZrKUjVfLLQtK8jUFrmOEvnLGE6k1QvlbpwiOJLuJ7Ca1kum9sVkDTAvCfD-fUiv2Q0-pvNr1ao/s400/A-H+uniform+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315823008077859570" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Here is an Austrian field grey uniform from 1916. The only allowance for colour is the red facing colour stripe on the collar, and the helmet is covered in a plain cloth cover, no doubt soon covered with grime and dirt. Looks pretty German to me. It appears that the Austrian-made helmet was painted brown, which was certainly the case with the ones that I saw when I visited the Austrian Army Museum<a href="http://www.hgm.or.at/eng/"> (</a></span></span><a href="http://www.hgm.or.at/eng/"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Heeresgeschichtliches Museum</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.hgm.or.at/eng/">) </a>in Vienna.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVxOz1n9AUF4zUD7UFelonZd54NrSqELOzf-UyoGRu7J-Ty6KVnB9iU8mIf7v9s3L3-Bo93LOMqY_IF3P6aqe56SHNTcZz-i-Lvo5GByxRdOUGJZ03fszyH2DBvc5UFTTvxCV-3wKv-Y/s1600-h/A-H+uniform+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVxOz1n9AUF4zUD7UFelonZd54NrSqELOzf-UyoGRu7J-Ty6KVnB9iU8mIf7v9s3L3-Bo93LOMqY_IF3P6aqe56SHNTcZz-i-Lvo5GByxRdOUGJZ03fszyH2DBvc5UFTTvxCV-3wKv-Y/s400/A-H+uniform+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315823436025482786" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Much more "Austrian" looking is this soldier from a mountain infantry regiment, also 1916. He wears the distinct Austrian cap with the collar badge of the Tyrolean jagers. This cap is the first thing that sets him apart from his Imperial German allies. Fortunately the Scarab miniatures include a fair number of minis wearing this headgear. There were instance of coloured pompoms in the caps for the Alpine troops, which can also add a bit of colour- although I imagine these were removed for field service.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_woL2b7UqGiescC0NwCiY75vFpCPEu7nm8_jjnErNxrxoXdcHKXqaerJbHBBA6hCfv2b5CqFNjjEam3HyaNaMXW5lzA4Zya8wlNmoRodCVV7Vv66U3Bf2pH-5Hpyb6Z9GUAAI4eHDIs/s1600-h/A-H+uniform+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_woL2b7UqGiescC0NwCiY75vFpCPEu7nm8_jjnErNxrxoXdcHKXqaerJbHBBA6hCfv2b5CqFNjjEam3HyaNaMXW5lzA4Zya8wlNmoRodCVV7Vv66U3Bf2pH-5Hpyb6Z9GUAAI4eHDIs/s400/A-H+uniform+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315823065389892722" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now this is where I can add variety! This fellow is wearing the pre-war pike grey infantry uniform, a light blue-grey somewhat darker than the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">horizon bleu</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> worn by the French infantry post-1914. Illustrations in a number of books I've read in the past have got this colour wrong, usually by making it too much of a light grey with not enough blue in it. But the shade shown here is a bang-on likeness to an actual uniform of the time that I saw at the museum in Vienna, as well as to the ones seen in the following early colour photo of Austrian prisoners of the Russian Army taken early in the war by </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Mikhailovich_Prokudin-Gorskii"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">this chap</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehECXz_mM6p4BYJXF3qFRt7YZSX8UaCoZwbcdk_0p6yPjzGTEj3i6YxZvVzaMGmXrUV31Cwdzu86GKmCBvCXju0gn5CkIIZNU_pdVzt3IN5suWXj8pXEIHxbCYUq_6v33xxlbN4jKbng/s1600-h/A-H+uniform+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehECXz_mM6p4BYJXF3qFRt7YZSX8UaCoZwbcdk_0p6yPjzGTEj3i6YxZvVzaMGmXrUV31Cwdzu86GKmCBvCXju0gn5CkIIZNU_pdVzt3IN5suWXj8pXEIHxbCYUq_6v33xxlbN4jKbng/s400/A-H+uniform+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315827336312472930" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now this uniform was replaced by the field grey version not long after the war broke out, but I will have about 1/8th of the men wearing at least this early-pattern jacket, not inconceivable given the supply woes of the Austro-Hungarian empire of the time.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Furthermore, there is some evidence that the field-grey blouse was not always consistent in colour, ranging from a dark grey, through brownish-grey all the way to an almost off-white shade, rather like ACW Confederates. Not to mention some items of German uniform and equipment which seem to have crept in.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So while I'm still researching the topic, and have really so far only scratched the surface, it looks like there may be more of a kaleidoscope of colour (if muted!) available to a late war Austro-Hungarian army than I first anticipated, and that it will not have to end up looking the same as German infantry but in waltz-time.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And here is a very atmospheric photo of what the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Kaiserliks</span> looked like in action, here with some battle-fatigued</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Sturmtruppen</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> guarding Italian prisoners after <span style="font-weight: bold;">Caporetto</span> in 1917.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aOUvh2awu3z3vi1hcYSl5DqZfFKpkM-8XDeLJfe_OYF14EQn13ZArPq3IEJOLTAXgx0Q7Sq1nHBdZ9NnA5JrGgZw3f_mZiqR23OAsILk2Gw3xwFUzISCSg91M0meWgCjqILWdJmkeDc/s1600-h/Stormtroopers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aOUvh2awu3z3vi1hcYSl5DqZfFKpkM-8XDeLJfe_OYF14EQn13ZArPq3IEJOLTAXgx0Q7Sq1nHBdZ9NnA5JrGgZw3f_mZiqR23OAsILk2Gw3xwFUzISCSg91M0meWgCjqILWdJmkeDc/s400/Stormtroopers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315830474132411858" border="0" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-83418577292226792212009-03-21T16:25:00.009+09:002009-03-22T01:09:31.949+09:00Sturmtruppen Platoon<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> told patience is a virtue, and I've been forcing myself to wait at least 48 hours before I continue working on the terrain so that the PVA has time to dry thoroughly first. While waiting, I've been working on cleaning up and preparing the first of the Scarab minis for painting, starting with the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sturmtruppen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> of IR 14, and with a <span style="font-style: italic;">Schwarzloze</span> machine gun in support.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm finding information on Austro-Hungarian small unit organization somewhat elusive, but I've ordered a book on the subject </span></span><a href="http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/gwbks6.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> (as well as a </span><a href="http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/gwbitaly.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">campaign history</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> of the British contingent). Gleaning what I can so far it seems that Austro-Hungarian organization was based on multiples of four, with an 8-man squad being the basic building block.<br /><br />I've put together the organization chart below for the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sturmtruppen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> platoon, but it may change as I get more information. Noneheless, it gives me a good idea on how to build up my forces for </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Through the Mud and the Blood</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. Click on image to enlarge.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7bCzv0sY4yIosntnOT3TfnlLDQGVLEb8YiHxRssCnjsB1ie2AM843vX4f0si9QB_MUB26Eug6pmXybJddSLxkqOWOQiI7biZb2PYi1vtqXlp2xigz5VB8TsL7aR_vrs2gkrtq40MTBk/s1600-h/A-H+Sturmtruppen_org.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7bCzv0sY4yIosntnOT3TfnlLDQGVLEb8YiHxRssCnjsB1ie2AM843vX4f0si9QB_MUB26Eug6pmXybJddSLxkqOWOQiI7biZb2PYi1vtqXlp2xigz5VB8TsL7aR_vrs2gkrtq40MTBk/s400/A-H+Sturmtruppen_org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315543700922180130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1WOTsVGvhrjVp0RL-iOPpKVfttyd65LEoXw2nCTYEruWFG-UR9yDFd3C17i1sc7AL7P8jK7KKqJ4rPaGiO2B8vyxA28FBe0l1Najk6Qk_aefj2cpug8USpuUGZA5IWPCcqQmuvYY4no/s1600-h/A-H+Sturmtruppen_org.jpg"><br /></a></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-8442575171593841372009-03-20T11:55:00.012+09:002009-03-20T16:38:56.878+09:00The Edelweiss Division<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfLGSdMl_aVp0IzMDjWgu2KW6smDr_Azvhstxm9pXCDPbqQT669zOMqnhVv_Q-XGnsuz-GRYciVTLuWdvUGxhrJFCe35WEBoxgnXEDWsBY93f57uOfRaqxCrTrpMTbLDDhPRuS0vC2s/s1600-h/collar_bdge_edel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbfLGSdMl_aVp0IzMDjWgu2KW6smDr_Azvhstxm9pXCDPbqQT669zOMqnhVv_Q-XGnsuz-GRYciVTLuWdvUGxhrJFCe35WEBoxgnXEDWsBY93f57uOfRaqxCrTrpMTbLDDhPRuS0vC2s/s400/collar_bdge_edel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315101659735683730" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Collar flash of Austrian mountain troops</span></span><br /><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">National</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">holiday here in Japan today, and the weather is cool and cloudy with some rain. Perfect for staying indoors and working on hobby stuff!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So I cut out the base for the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collino della Formica </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">this morning, glued it to a layer of insulation board and after having now weighted it down with a ton o' minis to prevent warping, I will have to give it 24 hours or so to dry out and cure. In the meantime, this means I can take a close look at those Scarab Austrians.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As with other nations in the First World War, Austro-Hungarian uniforms were pretty standard from one branch of the service to the next, with regimental distinctions- especially on a 28mm miniature- being minimal, in the case of Austrian infanry regiments being pretty much limited to the colour of the collar flashes, and even these were simplified by 1917.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nevertheless, even at skirmish level I like to have a force representative of a historical formation (the only exception being my French, who are modelled on the fictional 701st Regt. from the movie "Paths of Glory"). In the case of the Austrians, I was looking on the Internet for orders of battle and 'Lo and Behold, one came screaming out at me- the</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Edelweiss Division</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> from an <a href="http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/div1918.html">order of battle</a> published in the last summer of the war. It was part of the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">VI Korps</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> of the </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">11. Armee.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This grabbed me as first of all it seems to be the only "named" division in the orbat, and it served in Italy at least as early as </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Caporetto</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. Not only that, but it contains two of my favourite regiments, IR14 and IR59.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Clearly the Austrians were traditionalists, as these two units had been brigaded together at least as far back as the Napoleonic Wars, where they served in the Leipzig campaign and as part of the Austrian contingent at the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Battle of Hanau </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">in 1813. In fact, this was the brigade that I have been slowly collecting as part of my 28mm Napoleonic force. On top of that, IR 14 appears to have been a very highly decorated formation in the war, it is only natural to choose to recreate their counterparts from a hundred years later.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So here is what I'm planning my Austrian force to look like, using the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Through the Mud and the Blood</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> rules.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">One company of the Xth Battalion, <span style="font-style: italic;">K.u.K</span> IR59 </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Assault Company Nr. 14</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">. <span class="Apple-style-span"> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Sturmtruppe</span> formed from <span style="font-style: italic;">K.u.K.</span> IR. 14)</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Gebirgs-Minenwerfer-Abteilung 298</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span">St. Johann Freiwillige Gebirgsjager Co.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> (Kaisershutzen)</span></span><br /></li></ul>(Don't try to look this one up in any regimental history! Not part of the Edelweiss Division, but I like the minis from Brigade Games so I shall play loose and easy with the history.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />A good article on Austro-Hungarian Assault battalions can be found </span><a href="http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/sturmtruppen.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If I can find a model of a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Skoda</span> gun, I'll also field a </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Feldartillerie-Abteilung</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">as well. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> In the future I will probably add a section of German Mountain troops, but for now I'll concentrate on the Austrians.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpmnMKeZrx_5-V-q5HWcZUtWUFAnRcGqokpYs1WTZK0r5Qq7OTSvwJe59fw-wAwtQSmkRkLzbEXtrvIJIEiccbf4JEb0DX1eF5IEEHgKnHj5TDbaGyK6HritbE2RkOUBRTk_CjUQucbI/s1600-h/Austrian+Mountain+Gun.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpmnMKeZrx_5-V-q5HWcZUtWUFAnRcGqokpYs1WTZK0r5Qq7OTSvwJe59fw-wAwtQSmkRkLzbEXtrvIJIEiccbf4JEb0DX1eF5IEEHgKnHj5TDbaGyK6HritbE2RkOUBRTk_CjUQucbI/s400/Austrian+Mountain+Gun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315119511733499090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 255, 153);">Anyone know if these are available in 28mm?</span></span><br /></span></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-28134140989701902502009-03-20T08:05:00.001+09:002009-03-22T01:18:16.887+09:00Some useful tutorials<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> there is one group of hobbyists who know a thing or two about modelling mountains and rock, it is the model railroading fraternity.<br /><br />I found a series of useful tutorials on YouTube by a fellow who creates some amazing work. He put together ten videos on </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Model Railroad Scenery using Extruded Foam</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. I've posted the first couple here; you can click </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A1378DF426F2C713"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> to watch the whole series if you feel so inclined.<br /><br />Lots of good hints on working with foam board and on techniques to get that "look" for mountain scenery.</span><br /></span><br /></div><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FiCSW3Pn5gw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FiCSW3Pn5gw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S8DsSn6xznY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S8DsSn6xznY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3561299103264463895.post-33969010004048200052009-03-19T13:25:00.009+09:002009-03-19T13:44:39.200+09:00Supply train arrives!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Things</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> are moving along nicely. Today I don't have to go to the office until late afternoon, so I had the chance to pay a visit to the local hardware supplier and bought myself some sheets of insulation board as well as some MDF sheet for the base<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF6NJkOHxIpaRIN0_KaottkiyMZMAHL5hwn5BboxCs5NCtoYaDE2y2PPc7-23SBj3bFU4OO1ZJd1xmQKfTibG7u0rNgB02KYN-Xjn3kKVI5G8DIspX85zxaURbE7ZWpFPCZxZsNVIo5s/s1600-h/bumper+crop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF6NJkOHxIpaRIN0_KaottkiyMZMAHL5hwn5BboxCs5NCtoYaDE2y2PPc7-23SBj3bFU4OO1ZJd1xmQKfTibG7u0rNgB02KYN-Xjn3kKVI5G8DIspX85zxaURbE7ZWpFPCZxZsNVIo5s/s400/bumper+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314751166042439858" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />When I got home, I was thrilled to find that my first packs of Scarab Miniatures Austro-Hungarians had arrived- less than a week since I ordered them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And they are very nice too! They are extremely clean castings, and there is just the right amount of caricature that I want in skirmish figures without going overboard. So far, I am really, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">really</span> impressed and can't wait to get started on painting them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">stalhelms </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">immediately stand out as being particularly well done, and there are some impressive moustaches amongst these fellows!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVdG_AmAVKzyTCkiUtbKqCWsI0TTTxj0knHiOrAoYJEsN5CSfka22sPmBIqCCS1BpxUyyGkNjMcMXf8eK2nEmsds9wQKt2kLwdpkStlO1D2TywUwD92oAc_ud3MUAE6fQwiyus4Ot5Bk/s1600-h/First+Scarabs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVdG_AmAVKzyTCkiUtbKqCWsI0TTTxj0knHiOrAoYJEsN5CSfka22sPmBIqCCS1BpxUyyGkNjMcMXf8eK2nEmsds9wQKt2kLwdpkStlO1D2TywUwD92oAc_ud3MUAE6fQwiyus4Ot5Bk/s400/First+Scarabs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314753187706769106" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">More on the weekend, as I will get them based and primed and work more on the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Collina della Formica.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07889130893225462338noreply@blogger.com0