Wednesday 18 September 2024

Another busy week ?

This time of year is normally quite busy as we have a string of family birthdays and we have been out and about, including another trip to London more of that later. When I have been at home I managed some hobby time painting and prepping figures…..

These Late Roman cavalry have been completed
Older Gripping beast figures but they are pretty solid sculpts, hand painted shields to match the infantry painted so far. Following these I have prepped some heavier cavalry which need to be undercoated.
Also completed the first four of the plastic trucks which were gifted to me and shown and blogged a couple of weeks ago. These are in a fairly neutral colour and meant for use by Germans and their allies in Sicily. Their allies I hear you say ?

Sometime in the last week or so I had a birthday and treated myself to a new army. To be honest I had been planning this for a while as an expansion to the Sicily gaming, welcome to the Italians. There are a couple more bits on the way to add some variety but I picked up the starter army at a very competitive price off eBay. For bolt action I will have at least the 12 standard units. The plastic infantry have been glued and are awaiting some base work before painting.
We’ve had two recent trips to London celebrating and socialising. Ignoring that I also had a spare afternoon and visited the National army museum it has been ages since I last went , I was really impressed and would encourage people to visit some many interesting a fun things to see, here is just a small selection
Picton’s hat and the musket ball that did for him at Waterloo
Eagle and standard captured at Waterloo
The owner of this jacket charged at Waterloo to protect the British heavy cavalry after their famous charge
Marengo, well what’s left of him, and Wellingtons clothes
Some Crimean stuff, the paper to the right is the actual order for the charge, the other jackets were actually in the charge itself
They also have some colourful uniforms from further afield and Britains colonial exploits
A french Generals uniform captured at Blenheim 
Oh and a small standard captured at Salamanca, I took loads of other photos of interesting uniforms and bits as well. We worth a visit if you are in the area.

Finally the hint of a late summer spell this week so I headed back out to the hills, yesterday really was spectacular up in Langdale
On the Langdale Pikes looking NW
Looking the other way, Windermere in the distance

All being well gaming tomorrow and then catching up on some jobs in the garden, and I’m keen to get stuck into some painting

Thanks as always for checking by 

Matt


26 comments:

  1. A new army? Huzzah! Enjoyed the pictures from the National Army Museum, not been myself in eons it seems! As ever, really enjoyed the Lakes by proxy! Thanks!

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    1. Thanks David NAM certainly worth a visit if you get a chance !

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  2. You have been a busy boy, with a lovely mix of projects there. The Italians in Sicily and on the mainland have access to a great mix of kits and lovely camo schemes too. The museum looks worth a visit and as always the lakes look stunning in such weather!

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    1. Thanks Steve I haven’t decide on the colour scheme I have seen some sand and green which look fun 👍

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  3. Museum and hills, thanks for sharing those. Nice to see you clearing space for the new guys. The Italians look like fun.

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  4. Looking forward to seeing your progress on a new army. As for the Roman cavalry, they are superb, I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the old Gripping Beast sculpts

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    1. Thanks Neil the GB Romans are a little old school but I like them 👍

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  5. Progressing well on the hobby front there and a new army too! Fine pics from the NAM it must be over 40 odd years since I visited. Some fine looking weather up there.

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    1. Thanks Phil I hoping to get working on the Italians soon ?

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  6. New army stuff looking great!
    Love the museum photos too.
    Best regards

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  7. Splendid looking late Romans, nice shields! Trucks have brushed up well and always nice to welcome a new army, I visited the NAM a year or so ago, nice, I liked the tea room too!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain and yes the cafe at the Nam is very pleasant if a little expensive !

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  8. Those GB Romans look very nice indeed and the trucks will be handy for your new army, plenty to keep you busy there. Great photos from the NAM, some lovely uniforms and as always lovely pictures from your jaunt up the hills.

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    1. Thanks Donnie yes fairly busy at the moment 👍

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  9. Lovely Romans and you did a great job on those trucks Matt. The NAM is my favourite military museum and it looks like it is still going strong.

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    1. Thanks it is ages since I had been to the NAM but will not leave it so long till next time 👍

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  10. Excellent work on the late Roman's and a great self birthday gift, Matt!
    The weather up in your glorious hills still looks very nice too!

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    1. Thanks Keith yes the weather has been stunning the ,last couple of days

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  11. Matt, you are really making hay while the sun shines. The photos from your wanderings are spectacular. Your models are pretty cool too!

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    1. Thanks Jon….when the sun shines it’s hard not to be inspired by the landscape around here 🤔

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  12. Fine looking toys David…
    And what’s not to like about starting a new army…
    There is some nice stuff in the National Army Museum…It has been many years since I last went there … I really should make more effort…

    Beautiful scenery as always…

    All the best. Aly

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