Here is my 6mm German infantry battalion I have recently finished, with two platoons for PaK 40's and a company of STuG's attached. Click on enlarge.
I'll be back in about 3 weeks!
6mm Germans and Very Busy…
March 22nd, 2009 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, WW2 Comments Off
Going off line for a few weeks, between duty with the National Guard and a project I am on at work (7 day work weeks), no time to do any updates.
Here is my 6mm German infantry battalion I have recently finished, with two platoons for PaK 40's and a company of STuG's attached. Click on enlarge.
I'll be back in about 3 weeks!![]()
Here is my 6mm German infantry battalion I have recently finished, with two platoons for PaK 40's and a company of STuG's attached. Click on enlarge.
I'll be back in about 3 weeks!
6mm Infantry Battalion
January 13th, 2009 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, WW2 Comments Off
Been a busy couple of weeks at work to start, so I have fallen behind on my posting. I shall make up for it with two or three this week.
First, I received a comment on my last post about podcasts from none other than Craig from the D6 Generation. My first celebrity sighting in the old Hobby Shed! Keep up the good work guys.
Second, I'll be running my Victorian Science Fiction scenario The Crystal Mirror of Venus at Siege of Augusta on 1/24 in the 9 -1 and 2 - 6 slot. Come on out, folks seemed to have lots of fun with it at Southern Front, I can take from 2 - 6 players. See the links on the right for the rules and scenario, I have streamlined them quit a bit so the action should be even more furious, yet with a stiff upper lip in Victorian fashion.
Now on to the show.....
I have finished my first batch of troops for the new year, a 6mm US Infantry Battalion for Blitzkrieg Commander. I think this will be large enough to at least get some trigger time with the rules, I am running the Battalion commander as the CO stand and have an HQ for each infantry company.
The figures are from Heroics and Ros, and are not as nearly detailed as the 6mm lovelies I get from Peter Berry at Baccus, but the price was right as I got them in a trade. Not sure about the armor. I went for an impressionistic painting style, and used only 5 colors on each infantry figures. I am more interested in getting them on the table. They are based on Litko small flames of war bases, I just like the size and the rounded corners.
Click on Photos to enlarge.
Here is the battalion from left to right:
Here is a closeup of the Shermans, quick and dirty paint job.
Here is a closeup of the heavy weapons company and CO stand.
I did get another bug battle in with the boy, I'll post photos tomorrow.
First, I received a comment on my last post about podcasts from none other than Craig from the D6 Generation. My first celebrity sighting in the old Hobby Shed! Keep up the good work guys.
Second, I'll be running my Victorian Science Fiction scenario The Crystal Mirror of Venus at Siege of Augusta on 1/24 in the 9 -1 and 2 - 6 slot. Come on out, folks seemed to have lots of fun with it at Southern Front, I can take from 2 - 6 players. See the links on the right for the rules and scenario, I have streamlined them quit a bit so the action should be even more furious, yet with a stiff upper lip in Victorian fashion.
Now on to the show.....
I have finished my first batch of troops for the new year, a 6mm US Infantry Battalion for Blitzkrieg Commander. I think this will be large enough to at least get some trigger time with the rules, I am running the Battalion commander as the CO stand and have an HQ for each infantry company.
The figures are from Heroics and Ros, and are not as nearly detailed as the 6mm lovelies I get from Peter Berry at Baccus, but the price was right as I got them in a trade. Not sure about the armor. I went for an impressionistic painting style, and used only 5 colors on each infantry figures. I am more interested in getting them on the table. They are based on Litko small flames of war bases, I just like the size and the rounded corners.
Click on Photos to enlarge.
Here is the battalion from left to right:- Weapons company with HMG platoon, 81mm mortar platoon, and Anti-tank platoon
- Three infantry companies, each with 3 infantry platoons, an MG platoon (representing company heavy weapons) and an HQ
- An attached company of M4 Shermans
- The Battalion CO leads from the front.
Here is a closeup of the Shermans, quick and dirty paint job.
Here is a closeup of the heavy weapons company and CO stand.I did get another bug battle in with the boy, I'll post photos tomorrow.
MINI WARGAMING: “May MWS Meeting & Life” (4 June 2008)
June 4th, 2008 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, ASL, Babylon 5, Guns, MWS, Starship miniatures, Yom Ha'Atzmaut Comments Off
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TOP: A Babylon-5 Centauri starship, the Primus battlecruiser.
It's been a busy past few weeks... I have so much on my plate and gaming has been lower priority for the most part... NOT that I haven't been getting some in! I still have some priorities! May was a good month. The MWS meeting was pleasant and we had about sixteen attendees. Two games were run.
TOP: An ASL game... Without miniatures.
The first game was a 6mm ASL (Advanced Squad Leader) miniatures adaptation game run by Eric, our local microamror houd (...other than myself, of course). He had an interesting WWII Eastern Front battle with Russians advancing across a river bridge against determined German defenders. The game went well and I was sorry I missed it. I did, however, get to help set up the board... nothing like placing some six-odd zillion littles trees down... LOL ;o) Thanks, Eric!
The second big game was run by Russel, a local Babylon-5 Starship Maniac, and was alot of fun. Russel is well-known by my friend Chern ,who recently had a birthday (Happy Belated Birthday, Chern!), and they often see each other at local gamign conventions playing B-5. I haven't played B-5 in ages (...probably at least two to three years ago with Chern) so it was alot of fun. Russel set up two sides, an Earth Federation side with lots of fancy hardware and a League of Unaligned Planets with Brakiri and Vree ships. I, of course, took a Vree battlewagon or two nd my side was... of course, slaughtered. The Earth ships have a great mix of defensive systems (interceptors) and offensive sytems (long-range missiles and powerful beams). Of course, it didn't help that my side lost nearly every initiative round. It was a great game and I really enjoyed seeing my friends and rolling the old "knucklebones" (dice).
On the miniatures front, I've been slowly and steadly pumping out 28mm orcs & pirates. This past weekend, I built some RAFM 28mm armored orcs as well as the beginnings of a 28mm orc & gobbo pirate crew. I will hopefully have some time to put out some photos soon...
In other news, Israel Independence Day or Yom Ha-Atzma'ut just passed and I enjoyed celebrating that.
To learn more about the holiday, please check out this link:
And to keep this post from becoming just a boring news spread, I'm sharing an amusing article I read on the Modern Crossfire Yahoo Discussion group:
And one more link to an interesting set of miniatures photos from the recent Enfilade gaming convention:
Have a great Wednesday!
Shalom,
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
TOP: A Babylon-5 Centauri starship, the Primus battlecruiser.Hi All,
It's been a busy past few weeks... I have so much on my plate and gaming has been lower priority for the most part... NOT that I haven't been getting some in! I still have some priorities! May was a good month. The MWS meeting was pleasant and we had about sixteen attendees. Two games were run.
TOP: An ASL game... Without miniatures.The first game was a 6mm ASL (Advanced Squad Leader) miniatures adaptation game run by Eric, our local microamror houd (...other than myself, of course). He had an interesting WWII Eastern Front battle with Russians advancing across a river bridge against determined German defenders. The game went well and I was sorry I missed it. I did, however, get to help set up the board... nothing like placing some six-odd zillion littles trees down... LOL ;o) Thanks, Eric!
TOP: A Babylon-5 starship, a White Star destroyer.
The second big game was run by Russel, a local Babylon-5 Starship Maniac, and was alot of fun. Russel is well-known by my friend Chern ,who recently had a birthday (Happy Belated Birthday, Chern!), and they often see each other at local gamign conventions playing B-5. I haven't played B-5 in ages (...probably at least two to three years ago with Chern) so it was alot of fun. Russel set up two sides, an Earth Federation side with lots of fancy hardware and a League of Unaligned Planets with Brakiri and Vree ships. I, of course, took a Vree battlewagon or two nd my side was... of course, slaughtered. The Earth ships have a great mix of defensive systems (interceptors) and offensive sytems (long-range missiles and powerful beams). Of course, it didn't help that my side lost nearly every initiative round. It was a great game and I really enjoyed seeing my friends and rolling the old "knucklebones" (dice).
On the miniatures front, I've been slowly and steadly pumping out 28mm orcs & pirates. This past weekend, I built some RAFM 28mm armored orcs as well as the beginnings of a 28mm orc & gobbo pirate crew. I will hopefully have some time to put out some photos soon...
In other news, Israel Independence Day or Yom Ha-Atzma'ut just passed and I enjoyed celebrating that.
To learn more about the holiday, please check out this link:
And to keep this post from becoming just a boring news spread, I'm sharing an amusing article I read on the Modern Crossfire Yahoo Discussion group:
TOP: The venerable Moisin Nagant rifle.
AK-47: It works though you have never cleaned it. Ever.
AR-15: You have $9 per ounce special non-detergent synthetic Teflon infused oil for cleaning.
Mosin-Nagant: It was last cleaned in Berlin in 1945.AK-47: You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from inside.
AR-15: You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from 600 meters.
Mosin-Nagant: You can hit the barn from two miles away.
AK-47: Cheap mags are fun to buy.
AR-15: Cheap mags melt.
Mosin-Nagant: What's a mag?
AK-47: Your safety can be heard from 300 meters away.
AR-15 You can silently flip off the safety with your finger on the trigger.
Mosin-Nagant: What's a safety?
AK-47: Your rifle comes with a cheap nylon sling.
AR-15: Your rifle has a 9-point stealth tactical suspension system.
Mosin-Nagant: Your rifle has a dog collar.
AK: Your bayonet makes a good wire cutter.
AR-15: Your bayonet is actually a pretty good steak knife.
Mosin-Nagant: Your bayonet is longer than your leg.
AK-47: You can put a .30" hole through 12" of oak.
AR-15: You can put one hole in a paper target at 100 meters with 10 rounds.
Mosin-Nagant: You knock down everyone else's target with the shockwave of your bullet going downrange.
AK-47: When out of ammo, your rifle will nominally pass as a club.
AR-15: When out of ammo, your rifle makes a great wiffle bat.
Mosin-Nagant: When out of ammo, your rifle makes a supreme war club, pike, boat oar, tent pole, or firewood.
AK-47: Recoil is manageable, even fun.
AR-15: What's a recoil?
Mosin-Nagant: Recoil is often used to fix shoulders dislocated by the previous shot.
AK-47: Your sight adjustment goes to 10, and you've never bothered moving it.
AR-15: Your sight adjustment is incremented in fractions of minute of angle.
Mosin-Nagant: Your sight adjustment goes to 2000 meters, and you've actually tried it.
TOP: The modern AK-47 automatic assault rifle.
AK-47: Your rifle can be used by any two-bit nation's most illiterate conscripts to fight elite forces worldwide.
AR-15: Your rifle is used by elite forces worldwide to fight two-bit nations' most illiterate conscripts.
Mosin-Nagant: Your rifle has fought against itself - and won everytime.
AK-47: Your rifle won some revolutions.
AR-15: Your rifle drove Saddam out of Kuwait.
Mosin-Nagant: Your rifle won a pole vault event.
AK-47: You paid $330.
AR-15: You paid $900.
Mosin-Nagant: You paid $59.95.
AK-47: You buy cheap ammo by the case.
AR-15: You lovingly reload precision crafted rounds one by one.
Mosin-Nagant: You dig your ammo out of a farmer's field in Ukraine and it works just fine.
AK-47: You can intimidate your foe with the bayonet mounted.
AR-15: Your foes laugh when you mount your bayonet.
Mosin-Nagant: You can bayonet your foe on the other side of the stream without leaving the comfort of your hole.
AK-47: Any fool can be taught to field strip it.
AR-15: Anyone with an IQ over 160 can be taught to field strip it.
Mosin-Nagant: What's field stripping?
AK-47: Service life, 50 years.
AR-15: Service life, 40 years.
Mosin-Nagant: Service life, 101 years, and counting.
AK-47: It's easier to buy a new rifle when you want to change cartridge sizes.
AR-15: You can change cartridge sizes with the push of a couple of pins and a new upper.
Mosin-Nagant: You believe no real man would dare risk the ridicule ofhis friends by suggesting there is anything but 7.62x54 R.
AK-47: You can repair your rifle with a big hammer and a swift kick.
AR-15: You can repair your rifle by taking it to a certified gunsmith, if it's under
warranty!
Mosin-Nagant: If your rifle breaks, you pick up another one.
AK-47: You consider it a badge of honor when you get your handguards burst into
flames.
AR-15: You consider it a badge of honor when you shoot a sub-MOA 5 shot group.
Mosin-Nagant: You consider it a badge of honor when you cycle 5 rounds without the aid of a 2x4.
AK-47: You can accessorize you rifle with a new muzzle brake or a nice stock set.
AR-15: Your rifle's accessories are eight times more valuable than your rifle.
Mosin-Nagant: Your rifle's accessory is a small tin can with a funny lid, but it's buried under an apartment building somewhere in Budapest.
AK-47: Your rifle's finish is varnish and paint.
AR-15: Your rifle's finish is Teflon and high-tech polymers.
Mosin-Nagant: Your rifle's finish is low-grade shellac, cosmoline, and Olga's toe nail polish.
AK-47: After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for a stiff shot of vodka.
AR-15: After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for hot dogs and apple pie.
Mosin-Nagant: After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for shishkabob.
AK-47: After a long day the range, you relax by watching Red Dawn.
AR-15: After a long day at the range, you relax by watching Black Hawk Down.
Mosin-Nagant: After a long day at the range, you relax by visiting the chiropractor.
TOP: The Stoner rifle, which later became the M-16 AKA M-4 series.
AK-47: Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to hold yourrifle over your head and shout "Wolverines!"
AR-15: Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to clear your house, slicing the pie from room to room.
Mosin-Nagant: Late at night, you sometimes have to fight the urge to dig a fighting trench in the yard to sleep in.
AK-47: Your wife tolerates your autographed framed picture of Mikhail Kalashnikov.
AR-15: Your wife tolerates your autographed framed picture of Eugene Stoner.
Mosin-Nagant: Are there even photographs of Sergi Ivanovich Mosin
and Leon Nagant?
A link to the Modern Crossfire Yahoo Discussion group:
And one more link to an interesting set of miniatures photos from the recent Enfilade gaming convention:
Have a great Wednesday!
Good gaming to you!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
6mm-Minis is Maksim-Smelchak's blog to discuss gaming, miniatures, books, movies, Israel, Judaism and life in general. My favorite scale of miniatures is 6mm, which is also often called 1/285 or even 1/300 scale. I enjoy many different kinds of games including ancients, Napoleonics, WWI, WWII, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Car Wars AKA Autoduel (a sort of crash'n'derby automobile combat game), 6mm Godzilla AKA Kaiju games, and science fiction games. I'm open to everything though!
Prototype 6mm Trees
April 13th, 2008 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm Comments Off
I am getting back in the saddle, and will have several updates over the next few weeks. I will eventually need rather extensive forests for my 6mm troops, but cannot afford a pricey solution. So, I hit Hobby Lobby and picked up a couple of packs of "bumpy" pipe cleaners and wooden circles and ovals for bases. Add olive drab spray paint, white glue, sand, and bam! Here are my first prototypes, with a battalion of French Infantry for scale, click to enlarge.
I will post a how to article as I build the rest of the forest. Coming soon (just waiting for flocking) are more VSF Venusian Lizardmen and a team of intrepid British Commandos.
I will post a how to article as I build the rest of the forest. Coming soon (just waiting for flocking) are more VSF Venusian Lizardmen and a team of intrepid British Commandos. WSS Progress Report
February 24th, 2008 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, War of the Spanish Succession Comments Off
Been very busy since getting back from Siege of Augusta. My wife was out of town for two weeks and the house fell into chaos, the sea turned to blood, but on the upside, I had control of the remote and got to watch MythBusters.I started falling off of the rails on my 2008 painting plan. I got excited re-reading the WW2 company level rules IABSM and started basing my 6mm troops for it. Then I started to jump ahead and primed my Royal Navy Gardener gun teams. This weekend, I have taken a deep breath and ceased fire to get re-focused on the War of the Spanish Succession.
In the last 6 weeks, I have finished up 3 more bases of French horse and 4 bases of French Dragoons. Here are the results (click to enlarge):
I have cleared my table and now only need to finish 4 bases of artillery, 2 bases of Bavarian Cuirassiers, and 3 generals for the French before I can dive in to the Anglo-Dutch.
MINI WARGAMING: “Epic-Armageddon Returns!” (20 January 2008)
January 20th, 2008 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, 6mm Sci-fi, 6mm Terrain, A-1 Comics, Aaron Morneau, Dark Realm Miniatures, Epic-Armageddon, Eric "Chern" Royer, Holidays, Martin Luther King Day, Mini Wargaming Comments Off
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TOP: Epic-Armageddon, being played locally AGAIN!Hi All,
Yesterday I was cruising around town with some rare free time and I stopped by A-1 Comics, a local gaming shop, to visit with my buddies and get in a board game or two when I saw a rare and very welcome sight:
TOP: A 6mm sci-fi Eldar army masses for an assault.
I was pretty happy about that being that Epic-Armageddon (E-A) is one of my favorite games and both players are friends of mine, another welcome sight.
TOP: Eric "Chern" Royer, Space Marine Chapter Master.
TOP: Aaron Morneau, Master Eldar Tactician.
Aaron is talking about creating a local E-A league and he and Eric were giving E-A a spin to re-evaluate it ...after all this time. Aaron is also interested in playing Battlefleet Gothic again... Both of which are fine by me since I have un-loved painted miniatures for both games that would love to see action again!
TOP: A fourteen-year-old Space Marine bunker!
Eric is still maintaining his wonderful web site for those interested in a variety of cool materials for Epic-Armageddon and the Babylon-5 space games.
Link here:
http://home.comcast.net/~epicarmycard/Main%20Page/Main.htm
Good news for the 6mm sci-fi scene!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
TOP: Epic-Armageddon, being played locally AGAIN!Yesterday I was cruising around town with some rare free time and I stopped by A-1 Comics, a local gaming shop, to visit with my buddies and get in a board game or two when I saw a rare and very welcome sight:
Epic-Armageddon was being played AGAIN!
TOP: A 6mm sci-fi Eldar army masses for an assault.I was pretty happy about that being that Epic-Armageddon (E-A) is one of my favorite games and both players are friends of mine, another welcome sight.
TOP: Eric "Chern" Royer, Space Marine Chapter Master.TOP: Aaron Morneau, Master Eldar Tactician.Aaron is talking about creating a local E-A league and he and Eric were giving E-A a spin to re-evaluate it ...after all this time. Aaron is also interested in playing Battlefleet Gothic again... Both of which are fine by me since I have un-loved painted miniatures for both games that would love to see action again!
TOP: A fourteen-year-old Space Marine bunker!Eric made it while in the U.S. Navy.
Eric is still maintaining his wonderful web site for those interested in a variety of cool materials for Epic-Armageddon and the Babylon-5 space games.
Link here:
http://home.comcast.net/~epicarmycard/Main%20Page/Main.htm
A link to all of the photos I took of the game:
Good news for the 6mm sci-fi scene!
Have a great Sunday!
And if you're a Yank, enjoy the three-day MLK Day weekend!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
MINI WARGAMING: “CH Has New Goodies!” (17 January 2008)
January 17th, 2008 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, 6mm Flyer Ordinance, 6mm Flyers, 6mm Sci-fi, Baccus, Command Horizon Comments Off
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TOP: 6mm sci-fi Command Horizon fighters with new 6mm ordinance.Hi All,
Still very busy, but I took a breather moment to share the latest and greatest in 6mm sci-fi with you... Command Horizon (CH) has all kinds of new goodies coming!
TOP: 6mm sci-fi Command Horizon fighters with new 6mm ordinance.Still very busy, but I took a breather moment to share the latest and greatest in 6mm sci-fi with you... Command Horizon (CH) has all kinds of new goodies coming!
Time for a quick update of what will be happening with the Command Horizon ranges this year!
Firstly, there is a new release. The first of the accessory packs for the Human Skim and Aerospace fighters is now available, enabling you to add extra armament to your models. Igor's already equipped a couple of units with them.TOP: New 6mm sci-fi Command Horizon fighter ordinance.
CHH23 - Aerospace Weapons Twelve (12) sprues per pack.
Upgrade your Skim Fighters and Aerospace Fighters with a range of aerospace Ordinance. These extra weapons can be attached to hard points on the undersides of the wings of the models. Each sprue contains:
Light Launcher Pack (LLP)
Light Anti-Aerospace Missile (LAAM)
Medium Anti-Aerospace Missile (MAAM)
Medium Aerospace-Surface Missile (MASM)
£3.30 including VAT
£2.80 ex-Vat
The New Year seems to have kicked in several dormant circuits in Igor's brain as he has been tied to his keyboard feverishly working away on updating the Command Horizon rules, and a new version is not far away now. This year, we will continue to expand both the Human and the Centaur ranges. Both will get more infantry variants, combat engineers and aerospace craft. There are also some very nice larger models for both races on the design bench, so be prepared for some spectacular additions later in the year.
2008 will also see us add the third race to the range. For all you fans of things that slither, the Worms are coming.
We'll be attending both the Vapnartak show in York on February 3rd and the Hammerhead SF and Fantasy show in Newark on February 10th. If you want to place any pre-orders, please do get in touch. If you want to ask any more questions about what we've got planned, come and have a chat.
Cheers!
A little "linkety-link":
TMP link:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/507051/
TGN link:
http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2008/01/15/12014
CH link:
https://www.commandhorizon.com/?p=127
CH 6mm Sci-fi Ordinance Link:
https://www.commandhorizon.com/?p=126
TOP: 6mm sci-fi Command Horizon fighters with new 6mm ordinance.
Good news for the 6mm sci-fi scene!
Have a great Thursday!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
MINI WARGAMING: “Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi is Back!” (10 January 2008)
January 10th, 2008 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, 6mm Sci-fi, 6mm Terrain, Mini Wargaming Comments Off
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TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...
First of all, I want to apologize to my readers for not having updated the blog as often as I have in the past. My formerly ideal job went down the drain in a recent change of upper management so I've been dedicating near 100% of my spare time to job searches so I can move to a better place. I've had a constant barrage of job interviews so I'm spending far too much time preparing for interviews, ironing clothing (Yech! Feel like I'm in the military again...), and rediscovering where I last hid my ties AKA neck nooses hoping this day would never come again. I'd much rather be gaming... LOL ;o)
The good news is that I'm still investing time into my gaming for sanity's sake if nothing else. I have a whole new batch of 28mm pirate ship photos and will soon have a 28mm Arab / Saracen / Moor / Andalusian WAB (Warhammer Ancients Battles) army done as well. I've been additionally adding to my 28mm WHFB (WarHammer Fantasy battles) undead army here and there. And this weekend is the big MWSS (Miniatures Wargaming Society of Sacramento) meeting with three great games planned! BUT...
THE EVEN BETTER NEWS IS:
I'm very excited to share this news! These are the same buildings that were so prominently featured in the 1990's Dirtside II rule book, the later edition Battletech Miniatures Rules, and the tables of many a 6mm sci-fi player! Yeah! Joy and good tidings!
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi military structure...
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi military structure...
And here's some "linkety-link" for you:
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Industrial Structures:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_buildings.html
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Military Structures (Bunkers):
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_sci_fi_1.html
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Field Fortifications:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_field_fort.html
Snapdragon 6mm Fantasy:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_scale1.html
All I can add is that I hope that they are back for good and also plan to throw some currency their way soon as a show of support.
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...Or pressure dome, or...
Hi All,First of all, I want to apologize to my readers for not having updated the blog as often as I have in the past. My formerly ideal job went down the drain in a recent change of upper management so I've been dedicating near 100% of my spare time to job searches so I can move to a better place. I've had a constant barrage of job interviews so I'm spending far too much time preparing for interviews, ironing clothing (Yech! Feel like I'm in the military again...), and rediscovering where I last hid my ties AKA neck nooses hoping this day would never come again. I'd much rather be gaming... LOL ;o)
The good news is that I'm still investing time into my gaming for sanity's sake if nothing else. I have a whole new batch of 28mm pirate ship photos and will soon have a 28mm Arab / Saracen / Moor / Andalusian WAB (Warhammer Ancients Battles) army done as well. I've been additionally adding to my 28mm WHFB (WarHammer Fantasy battles) undead army here and there. And this weekend is the big MWSS (Miniatures Wargaming Society of Sacramento) meeting with three great games planned! BUT...
THE EVEN BETTER NEWS IS:
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi is BACK!
I'm very excited to share this news! These are the same buildings that were so prominently featured in the 1990's Dirtside II rule book, the later edition Battletech Miniatures Rules, and the tables of many a 6mm sci-fi player! Yeah! Joy and good tidings!
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...Maybe a techno-garage?
Perhaps robo-harvesters are stored here?
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi industrial building...A storage tank ripe for a fireball of destruction...
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi military structure...Any alien overlord would be happy to bunker up here...
I bet ol' Ming even left graffiti on the wall.
TOP: Classic Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi military structure...Everyone needs a watch tower, right?
Never know what kind of bandits may be on the horizon...
And here's some "linkety-link" for you:
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Industrial Structures:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_buildings.html
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Military Structures (Bunkers):
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_sci_fi_1.html
Snapdragon 6mm Sci-fi - Field Fortifications:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_field_fort.html
Snapdragon 6mm Fantasy:
http://www.moondragons.com/html/1_300_scale1.html
All I can add is that I hope that they are back for good and also plan to throw some currency their way soon as a show of support.
Have a great Thursday!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (...if it is indeed an infringement).
MINI WARGAMING: “Car Wars Correspondence: Part-1″ (20 December 2007)
December 20th, 2007 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, 6mm Wheeled Vehicles, Autoduel, Car Wars, Greg C., L-4 Comments Off
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TOP: Maksim's (mine) 6mm Car Wars collection is quite diverse:Irregular, Reviresco, Khalsa Brain Games, Grenadier, Dark Horse and MORE!
Hi Everyone,
The best part about having a blog is when other folks E-mail you to correspond, share tips, give advice, and just gab...
The best part about having a blog is when other folks E-mail you to correspond, share tips, give advice, and just gab...
Hi Greg,
Thanks for writing.
I always appreciate a tip, advice, or to just hear from another gamer and miniatures hobby enthusiast.
=======
[[[Greg: Hello Sir, I've been enjoying your blog and Yahoo sites - especially recently as I've also been on the hunt for 1/285 modern civilian vehicles. ]]]
Thank you very much. A positive word or constructive criticism is always welcome.
Ever since I posted my 6mm Car Wars AKA Autoduel posts, I’ve received a lot of letters about them and seen interest rise in playing x1 scale or 6mm Car Wars. Being the original scale, one can use all of the original maps, templates and counters with no modification.And one can get a used copy of the Car Wars pocket game very reasonably these days. I often see them go on E-bay for $5.00 USD or less.
[[[Greg: I also appreciate the links and information you've provided - a great help when I did the Golan Heights last summer. ]]]
You’re very welcome!
I’d love to hear more about your Golan Heights game. The Arab-Israeli Wars (AIW) are my favorite period for microarmour and have long been a gaming focus of mine. Please write me more about this if you have the time.
TOP: L-4's collection is mostly Grenadier...
...and the larger (8mm to 10mm) Citadel Battle Cars.
Don't yuh love the sexy stripes?[[[Greg: A little bit ago I found this seller on E-bay:
Everydaygoodz ]]]
I had heard of this seller before, but I haven’t purchased from him yet… so your feedback is particularly valuable. Thanks!
Not only have I seen people purchase Z-scale cars from him for microarmour or x1 scale Car Wars, but I’ve also seen people buy 28mm scale civilians for use in zombie or superhero games.
[[[Greg: …and thought you might be interested. They seem to have an E-bay store dealing in z-scale (1/220) train stuff, including great bunches of plastic civilian vehicles, for pretty reasonable rates. ]]]
They also sell textured plasticard, plastic fencing, lamp posts, and a variety of other railroading hobby products at a price much less than I’ve seen elsewhere… even when you factor in the shipping.
[[[Greg: No big rigs or delivery, but lots of sedans, minivans, and such in a variety of makes and colors. ]]]
For big rigs and/or freight trucks, you have a few choices:
- GHQ (convert military trucks to civilian ones)
- Irregular…
- Evergreen or Plastruct…
- Other RR makers including Kibri…
There were other 1/285 manufacturers, but I think that all of the other makers are now out of business or have discontinued their 6mm freight trucks.
TOP: "Matilda" has been hauling Vegamite across Oz for years!
Ask my good friend, Tas! He'll tell yuh![[[Greg: They stand up pretty well, size-wise, with my GHQ/C-in-C stuff - perhaps similar or slightly smaller than the Irregular civvies. ]]]
Good to hear.
[[[Greg: The only slight detractors are that they come from Hong Kong, so there's a bit of a wait and… ]]]
I always worry about ordering outside of mainstream Europe, the UK & Commonwealth nations, and the continental United States.
Thanks for the info that this seller is legitimate.
[[[Greg: …they smell a bit odd. Hopefully airing them out will deal with it. A good find for me – ]]]Hmmm…I hope the airing out works.
[[[Greg: I'm looking to do a full-on Fulda Gap this coming summer - and thought I'd pass it along. ]]]
Awesome. I miss the great Warsaw Pact / NATO games of the 1980s. They were a lot of fun. It’s sort of odd to think now that there have been abundance of signs that NATO forces might have been even more substantially superior to Warsaw Pact ones than previously imagined.Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about the Soviet experience in Afghanistan.
[[[Greg: Thanks again and I hope the interview went well, Greg. ]]]
You’re very welcome!
The job interview went great. I’m hoping that they’ll make an offer to me before the end of the week. They were definitely interested. My job interview went almost an hour and a half… much longer than one usually expects, which is usually a good sign of keen interest.
Thanks again for writing, Greg C., and giving me permission to re-post some of this E-mail!
Have a great Thursday!
And happy holidays!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).
MINI WARGAMING: “New 6mm Sci-fi From GZG” (10 December 2007)
December 10th, 2007 MaksimSmelchak Posted in 6mm, 6mm Grav Vehicles, 6mm Sci-fi, 6mm Wheeled Vehicles, GZG, John Lerchey, TMP, The Stuff of Legends (TSOL), Thomas Pope, Tron Comments Off
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TOP: Floating grav tanks rock!Hi All,
GZG just came out with some new 6mm sci-fi miniatures sculpted by some great industry personalities: Thomas Pope and John Lerchey.
TMP news blurb here:
TMP news link here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/779115/
Link to GZG here:
http://www.groundzerogames.net/
TOP: Feel like racing on circuit boards?
Thomas Pope is a great guy... he trades actively and shares a number of my miniatures interests: 6mm or x1 scale Car Wars, 6mm sci-fi, 28mm fantasy, and many, many more. Thomas and a good friend created one of the greatest miniatures archive galleries on the Internet: The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL). Chances are, if you're looking for something, you can learn more about it at TSOL. I didn't know he has a TRON fetish... LOL
Thomas Pope's Mini gallery here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/miniatures/
Thomas Pope's great miniatures archive project, The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL):
http://www.solegends.com/
TOP: Mercenary gun trucks of the future!
John Lerchey's Gaming site here:
John Lerchey's Miniatures Gallery site here:
Some of John's cool, quirky humour on display:
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).
TOP: Floating grav tanks rock!GZG just came out with some new 6mm sci-fi miniatures sculpted by some great industry personalities: Thomas Pope and John Lerchey.
TMP news blurb here:
New GZG 6mm Items:
DF-X02 CGI (Contra-Gravitic Induction) Tanks
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x3 for £2.50GBPDF-X03 Light Scout Cycles
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x6 for £2.50GBPDF-X04 6-wheel Armoured Gun Trucks
(sculpted by John Lerchey) x3 for £2.50 GBP
TMP news link here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/779115/
Link to GZG here:
http://www.groundzerogames.net/
TOP: Feel like racing on circuit boards?Thomas Pope is a great guy... he trades actively and shares a number of my miniatures interests: 6mm or x1 scale Car Wars, 6mm sci-fi, 28mm fantasy, and many, many more. Thomas and a good friend created one of the greatest miniatures archive galleries on the Internet: The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL). Chances are, if you're looking for something, you can learn more about it at TSOL. I didn't know he has a TRON fetish... LOL
Thomas Pope's Mini gallery here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/miniatures/
Thomas Pope's great miniatures archive project, The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL):
http://www.solegends.com/
TOP: Mercenary gun trucks of the future!John Lerchey is another one of the great characters of the industry... We've worked on a number of 6mm sci-fi projects together and I've always appreciated his forthright nature and great sense of humour. Like Thomas, he also maintains an active web presence with several sites. It's good to see him sculpting and it's thanks to a great company like GZG that some of the biggest fans of 6mm sci-fi can turns their projects into a share-able reality.
John Lerchey's Gaming site here:
John Lerchey's Miniatures Gallery site here:
Some of John's cool, quirky humour on display:
Have a great Monday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!
Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).
First game of Warmaster Ancients
November 3rd, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, Ancient wargames, Battle Reports Comments Off
I have been itching to get my 6mm ancients out and looking for a battle sized game to play with my 10 year old son. We tried DBA, but it just did not seem to work well with him. Nothing wrong with DBA, it is the first miniatures game I ever played in 1995, but he did not get into it. So, tonight we tried Warmaster Ancients.I have had the rules for a while, they really took off in Austin right when we moved to SC, but have never given them a try.
Turns out they are a blast. We played a very small game with one general a piece just to see how they work. I gave Jackson the Romans with:
- 1 CV( General
- 4 units of Legion infantry
- 1 Unit of Triarri
- 2 units of Velites
- 1 Unit of Cavalry
- 1 CV 8 General
- 4 Units of Gauls
- 1 Unit Gallic Cavalry
- 1 Unit Numidian Light Horse
- 2 Units foot skirmishers
The Tribune plots his move
The clash in the center. Both of us rolled generally rolled poorly for issuing orders, so the battle was decided in the center.
In the push of battle the Romans generally had the upper hand.
Plus the kid had hot dice....
In the end, he wiped out 3 of my 4 infantry units, and I had damaged two of his. We did not really do pursuits, but I think we got a feel for the game. Next time we will add more rules and work our way up to a full 1000 point game.This will be our rules of choice, lots of movement, and the buckets of dice for combat,love it or hate it, is quit intuitive for a 10 year old.
French Infantry Complete and New blog
October 27th, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, War of the Spanish Succession Comments Off
Malbrook has posted the link to his blog on TMP, you can see it here. He is also working on a 6mm WSS project, but is going for more ranks per base, very nice mass appearance. Cracking good stuff to inspire me back to the paint table, please give it a look.
I have finished 4 more battalions of French, here is my total French army so far, the new bases in the front. (click photos to enlarge)
Here is a closeup pf the new units. I painted one as Clare's Irish Regiment in red coats to add some variety and break up the sea of light gray. Not to fear, though, phase two of the project will see some Swiss Guards for the French.
I have also completed a couple of bases of English dragoons, this is my full English force so far.
And here is a closeup.
On the table right now are 2 bases of French dragoons, 2 French horse, and 2 Bavarian Currasiers. Also have 2 bases of guns and some command figures. That will wrap up my phase 1 French force, should be done in about 2 - 3 weeks. Then on to the Allies, mostly English with maybe a couple of bases of Dutch infantry and horse for phase 1.
I have finished 4 more battalions of French, here is my total French army so far, the new bases in the front. (click photos to enlarge)
Here is a closeup pf the new units. I painted one as Clare's Irish Regiment in red coats to add some variety and break up the sea of light gray. Not to fear, though, phase two of the project will see some Swiss Guards for the French.
I have also completed a couple of bases of English dragoons, this is my full English force so far.
And here is a closeup.
On the table right now are 2 bases of French dragoons, 2 French horse, and 2 Bavarian Currasiers. Also have 2 bases of guns and some command figures. That will wrap up my phase 1 French force, should be done in about 2 - 3 weeks. Then on to the Allies, mostly English with maybe a couple of bases of Dutch infantry and horse for phase 1. The Shed has made it and WSS Update
October 10th, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, War of the Spanish Succession Comments Off
The old blog has finally made it, I am the October 9th entry at Miniaturewargaming.com! Thanks!
I have 4 battalions of Frenchies on the table 2/3 of the way finished, should have them based up this weekend, will post photos. I have decided to set an initial goal for the WSS Project, enough troops to play a small game so that I can test drive 3 sets of rules:
In the mean time, I have started back up with the fiddle again, I am struggling to learn "Primrose Lass."
I shall leave you with another photo from Mexico, this time a fishing boat in Chelem.
I have 4 battalions of Frenchies on the table 2/3 of the way finished, should have them based up this weekend, will post photos. I have decided to set an initial goal for the WSS Project, enough troops to play a small game so that I can test drive 3 sets of rules:
- C'est la Guerre : Fast play rules, based on DBx. Look simple enough I can play with my 9 year old.
- Piquet: Field of Battle: I have always been attracted to the design philosophy, but have only ever played 2 games in 8 years! The mechanics of this version look much more enticing to me than the original.
- Polemos WSS: Very interesting mechanics, looks like it might be quit a bit of fun. Of course they are designed for WSS and should have a lot of period flavor.
In the mean time, I have started back up with the fiddle again, I am struggling to learn "Primrose Lass."
I shall leave you with another photo from Mexico, this time a fishing boat in Chelem.
WSS Progress and Battlegames magazine
July 22nd, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, War of the Spanish Succession Comments Off
I am making a little progress on my WSS armies, still putting in a lot of hours at work, though. I have finished up 2 more foot bases and 2 bases of horse for the French. Here is the French army so far (click to enlarge):
I have also done two bases of British foot, the 1st Foot and 8th Foot:
I have 2 units of British dragoons on the table right now. I hate painting horses, guess I picked the wrong horse and musket period, then. WSS armies had a very high proportion of horse.
I am looking to get a minimum force on the field soon, maybe play one of the scenarios from Charles S. Grants' Scenarios for Wargames.
On another note, I have been thinking about wargame periodicals lately. Ever since it's demise, I have been in morning for the old MWAN (Mid-West Wargame Association newsletter.) It was anything but a newsletter, running 100+ pages, relatively low production quality (not a color photo in sight except the covers) but chock full of content. It brimmed with scenario ideas, rule sets, game design articles and much more and was run by one of the gentlemen of the hobby, Hal Thinglum.
Well, I think I have found something to sooth my grief, Battlegames magazine out of the UK. I have picked up a couple of back issues, and while it does boast full color throughout, the best part are the articles. I'll throw my two cents worth in and say that it does qualify as the "Thinking Wargamers magazine." Great writing, I suggest you pick up a back issue (they take Pay Pal) and see for yourself. They delivered rapidly from the UK to South Carolina. As soon as I scrap together the cash, I will be getting a subscription.
Until next time, roll high and live!
I have also done two bases of British foot, the 1st Foot and 8th Foot:
I have 2 units of British dragoons on the table right now. I hate painting horses, guess I picked the wrong horse and musket period, then. WSS armies had a very high proportion of horse.I am looking to get a minimum force on the field soon, maybe play one of the scenarios from Charles S. Grants' Scenarios for Wargames.
On another note, I have been thinking about wargame periodicals lately. Ever since it's demise, I have been in morning for the old MWAN (Mid-West Wargame Association newsletter.) It was anything but a newsletter, running 100+ pages, relatively low production quality (not a color photo in sight except the covers) but chock full of content. It brimmed with scenario ideas, rule sets, game design articles and much more and was run by one of the gentlemen of the hobby, Hal Thinglum.
Well, I think I have found something to sooth my grief, Battlegames magazine out of the UK. I have picked up a couple of back issues, and while it does boast full color throughout, the best part are the articles. I'll throw my two cents worth in and say that it does qualify as the "Thinking Wargamers magazine." Great writing, I suggest you pick up a back issue (they take Pay Pal) and see for yourself. They delivered rapidly from the UK to South Carolina. As soon as I scrap together the cash, I will be getting a subscription.
Until next time, roll high and live!
WSS First Battalions done
July 8th, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, War of the Spanish Succession Comments Off
Continuing from my previous WSS post...
I continued to follow Peter's painting guide, which can be found here. The next step was rbonw for the muskets and hair.
Then I painted the facings. One unit has red cuffs and stockings, the other dark gray cuffs and red stockings. I do not have the regimenta affiliations in front of me right now.
Next came black for the hats, buff for the belts, and flesh.
Finally, I added yellow hat lace and silver musket barrels. One more touch up pass and they were ready to base. Here they are on the base with filler added per Peter's method.
After the filler dried, I painted the base with thinned white glue and sprinkled it with sand I pinched from the local playground. After this dried, I painted the whole base black, then dry brushed dark green, sand, and white over the surface. Here is the final result, click to enlarge.
I am rather pleased, but I think I will go back and add a bit more green to the bases. While painting these I tried to remember that I am painting a UNIT and not a figure.
I have 2 bases of horse done as well, but have not finished the base treatment yet. 5 more bases are on the sticks ready to paint, I hope to have them done by the end of next weekend.
I continued to follow Peter's painting guide, which can be found here. The next step was rbonw for the muskets and hair.
Then I painted the facings. One unit has red cuffs and stockings, the other dark gray cuffs and red stockings. I do not have the regimenta affiliations in front of me right now.
Next came black for the hats, buff for the belts, and flesh.
Finally, I added yellow hat lace and silver musket barrels. One more touch up pass and they were ready to base. Here they are on the base with filler added per Peter's method.
After the filler dried, I painted the base with thinned white glue and sprinkled it with sand I pinched from the local playground. After this dried, I painted the whole base black, then dry brushed dark green, sand, and white over the surface. Here is the final result, click to enlarge.
I am rather pleased, but I think I will go back and add a bit more green to the bases. While painting these I tried to remember that I am painting a UNIT and not a figure.I have 2 bases of horse done as well, but have not finished the base treatment yet. 5 more bases are on the sticks ready to paint, I hope to have them done by the end of next weekend.