Side Project - 15mm 15cwt Supply Truck

I had planned to post a review of Colours of War - the Flames of War painting guide that came out recently. I'd even started a draft last night, but decided to go with my BFG post.

Alas, the guys over at Breakthrough Assault have posted a good review today so it seems silly put mine out at the same time! Oddly, the Breakthrough Assault post hasn't appeared on my blog roll though, I only spotted the article via a Facebook group.

Anyway, in preparation for the 2nd 6MMRPC I have been trying to build a few models every night from the pile I cleaned up recently. Last night I put together my M10C's and last Stuart III. I also began working on something I have been pottering about with for months.

This model was a 'spare' I acquired and had cut the base and the rear of the truck off. Which in itself was a lot of work. I then cut a few spare barrels I had in half - I've an idea for some jerry cans and some crates to fill up the space. Last night I grabbed some paperclips and with a bit of work managed to get them all into a similar shape.

I drilled some holes in the rear of the truck to hold the frame, and plan to glue these things in once the rest of the truck is detailed. I think it looked pretty smart (thought A thinks I am mad!).

The plan is to base it up on a bigger base than it came on (which should cover some of the damage on the wheels) and perhaps try to re-purpose some of the infantry figures I have to go with it. That's the plan, anyway!

Battlefleet Calixis/Battlefleet Koronus (6MMRPC planning)

Tonight I took the time to dig out all my Battlefleet Gothic Imperial ships from the various boxes and stashes around the house.

Battlefleet Gothic (and Epic 40,000) were two of the Games Workshop games I was really (really, really) into as a teenager. I had a decent sized Imperial and Ork fleet for BFG and a massive Imperial Guard and Ultramarine army, as well as inherited Eldar and Ork armies, for Epic 40,000. All of these models I sold around 8 years ago.

A little while later Fantasy Flight Games brought out the Rogue Trader RPG which made me regret selling off my BFG models, so I started trying to buy bits and bobs back. Unfortunately I didn't get round to buying what I wanted from Specialist Games before GW discontinued the whole range. This has meant I've had to either rely on the very very seldom good buy from Ebay, or other sources such as donations from friends (in particular a true gentleman called Alex who gave me a large number of Cruisers as well as the two Battleships) and people being reasonable on various groups I am a member of.

Tonight was the first time I have gathered it all together. While there are still a few things missing I am pleased with what I have built up.

Some close up pics:

So the total is:

2 Battleships
15 Cruisers/Battlecruisers
1 Strike Cruiser
1 Rogue Trader Cruiser
4 converted Light Cruisers
7 Dauntless Light Cruisers
4 Firestorm Frigates
13 Sword Frigates
14 Cobra Destoyers
4 Hunter Destroyers
4 Nova Frigates
6 System defence ships

This is more or less all I could ever need in a fleet for playing the game. However part of the idea behind the collection is to represent ships in games of Rogue Trader. This means there are some ships I would still like. The Rogue Trader escorts, Transport ships, a Grand Cruiser... etc. I also might try and convert some of the Sword class ships into some of the other escorts mentioned in the Rogue Trader books. Maybe.

As far as the 6MMRPC goes, I will try and dip into this lot once or twice. A lot of these models need a bit of work, not to mention painting. No painting chart for these!

2nd (!!) Annual (!!) 6 Month Mountain Reduction Painting Challenge

So, only a few short months after the end of the last challenge the second one is starting.

The time period for the challenge has changed, with the challenge starting on 1st June and running till 30th November. This means it avoids the Christmas period and for me means that I have better weather to work in - Scottish winters are not particularly great for varnishing or spraying.

This time around the rules have changed slightly - which will help keep things interesting and allow slightly more leeway with purchases. The rules, taken from The Spider Web of History blog:

Rules changes, and some exciting additions IN BOLD.

1. No purchasing of new miniatures, EXCEPT if you use a joker.  You get three jokers to use on a figure purchase.  Could be a blister pack, an ebay bundle, or a single figure... you can't splurge. The only exception to this rule is if you need bitz or A FIGURE (Singular) to complete a unit/warband etc.

1.1 - There is an opportunity to "earn" additional jokers.  If you complete an entire project (whole unit/army/warband etc.) with pictures of starting, WIP, and completion, you earn yourself a Joker. - In order to allow myself the purchases to finish my painting chart I will be aiming to do this when a platoon have been completed. As I did last year, my painting chart has some 'aspirational' units on it, not just the ones I already own.

2.  Gifts do not count against you. Holidays, birthdays etc. Also, if you're given gift cards by your hobby illiterate family or friends, you can without penalty use them on anything you want miniatures wise.

3.  Paints, terrain (or materials), and other hobby supplies do not apply to the no purchasing rule.

4.  At least one hobby related blog post and/or Instagram update a week.  If you instagram, be sure to hashtag your pic with #6MMRPC

5.  Zombtober will be part of the 6 month challenge so, Zombie related stuff during October is ENCOURAGED. Other theme suggestions are welcomed. - Again, as last year I will be having Tanktober rather than Zombtober. At least assuming I have tanks to paint by then!

6.  Anyone that wants to submit a before and after picture of a miniature that they are proud of completing during the course of the challenge to dmcffd@gmail.com will be entered into the running for a gift certificate to a online wargaming store of their choice.  Judging will be by an un-biased person.  Amount on the gift certificate will be dictated by winners nationality but should work out to about $30 U.S. I (Spiderweb of History) will not be eligible to win. 

My plan is to have a couple of different painting lists this time - my usual 15mm WW2 painting list, a Full Thrust list and a Battlefleet Gothic list. I do not expect to complete all of these! But I figure that giving myself options will help keep things fresh and stop me getting to the point I did last time round, where I wanted to paint space ships but felt I couldn't as I had a painting chart to work to!

I would encourage anyone that's interested to think about giving the challenge a shot. The Facebook group (although Facebook is not a must have!) and fellow bloggers really help with motivation, as well as giving you a reason to think hard about your purchases - while encouraging you to focus a bit on your painting.

Joining is easy, just post up a blog entry with the rules, join the Facebook group if you are that way inclined and start posting and painting using the 6MMRPC title in your posts.

As a first step, here is my 'New, Updated' Drax(tm) style painting chart for my 15mm mini's.