Armoured Train BP-4

 

You may recall that one of the items that has chugged off my 3D printer is an armoured train. The models are loosely based upon the famous ‘Orlik’ pictured above. So the results are not accurate scale models, but very acceptable wargames models. 

The Zaamurets hot off the printer! 

The models undercoated. I’ve undercoated them different colours as even when I’m fielding as one train, I want it to be clear that it’s far from a homogeneous unit.

The armoured loco. I’ve given this the least impressive look. Poor quality rusted armour. Or just a cheap brown paint job. It’s probably a miracle that it’s still running!

The Zaamurets armoured rail cruiser. The model is a reasonable representation of the actual vehicle. This could be fielded as an independent unit or coupled up with other vehicles. I like that it can be fielded on its own.

It has a main armament of two 3 inch Putilov field guns and is powered by two Fiat 60hp petrol engines. Top speed 28 mph! 

The Zaamurets was built at Kiev in 1916 and saw service with Tsarist Russians, Soviet Russians, the Czech Legion, White Russians and various Chinese armies.

I’ve depicted it in Chinese service when it had the humble name of Train No. 105. The name changed with its masters; Zaamurets, Lenin and Orlik…

It had a very active service history!

Two Khunkhuz-class artillery cars. Each carries a 3 inch mountain gun. I’ve given these a strong Russian feel with the paint job. They were a standard Soviet design.

The whole train together is 28 inches long!  The Zaamurets was combined with an armoured train designated BP-4 in 1918. BP-4 was a Khunkhuz-class armoured train so a loco and two of the artillery cars.

So there you have it! Ready to roll through the Back of Beyond!

Cheers 

Chris 

Thermopylae preview.

On Sunday the 13th we will be re-fighting the battle of Thermopylae,with,hopefully, a full complement,so thought a quick preview would be in order.....................

 The introduction and inspiration-the book is an in-depth study-maybe Hollywood should take note!! There is a massive disparity in the Spartan numbers actually there and the re-fight we are doing,but we've got the figures and are determined to use them!!!!

Top photo shows the main position of the Spartans and their allies,bottom photo shows the Phokian position guarding the pass.

Top photo shows the massed ranks of the Persians,ready to assault the Spartan defences,bottom photo shows the Persian camp,with Xerxes' tent on the hill-the cavalry are just there for show,and won't be used in the game!

Ephialtes(,the snotty,slimey swine) is offering to lead the Persian elite troops through the pass leading to the rear of the Spartan's position!

This is the pass which Ephialtes,(the snotty,slimey swine),will lead the Persians up to the rear of the Spartan's position.(beautifully constructed and correct in every detail!)

A general view of the table from the Persian side.As I said before, alot of "artistic license"  is being used,but I'm hoping for a great game nevertheless. Roll on Sunday!

Total "Cock-up" and Warm Welcome.

Strange title-cock-up is because I accidently deleted all the photographs I took of last Sunday's game-the only one's that are left are the scenario and terrain layout, and table before any troops on it.....................

The game itself was absolutely great,the result(and we still don't know who won!!) went right down to the wire-oh well,a lesson learned and all that!-my IT skills need up-dating,I'll have to ask my 3 year old granddaughter how to do things right next time!!!

A warm welcome-well,Paul and I went down to see the Border Reiver guys in their new venue at the Miner's Institute Hall in Westerhope(a ten minute walk from my house) and given a grand tour of their new premises and were also offered a very warm and friendly welcome-thanks lads!

Top photo shows the lads about to start their WW2 Tank battle game,using rules by the Two Fat Lardies,bottom shows a magnificently painted Tiger tank.Unfortunately,although we recognised most of the faces from shows etc. we didn't get their names,but I'm sure we will get to know them better in the future-maybe even a joint venture??

 

The Joy of Kickstarter

 John is probably not alone in his unfamiliarity with Kickstarter. Whereas I’m a huge fan of it. Almost to the point of addiction!

Kickstarter is a crowd funding platform. There are others, but Kickstarter is the most well known. People post their project on the crowd funding site, Joe Public pledge money to support the project and, if it’s successful, Joe Public get rewards.  The rewards are often at a discount price or Kickstarter exclusive items that’ll never see a shop shelf*. 

(* sometimes a project can be successful, but the project owner sadly can’t afford to get it to retail)

Obviously projects can take many forms. The Kickstarter projects I back are wargames minis and tabletop games. 

The excitement of receiving Kickstarter rewards...

A box of goodies from Flags of War 1745 Kickstarter.

 A nice free sergeant for all backers. 

Quite often you’ll get a few freebies from backing a Kickstarter. 

Pre-released rude highlanders! 

Another benefit of some Kickstarter campaigns; getting the minis before they go on general release. 

My main reason for backing this Kickstarter was to get the new Irish Picquets. As well as getting them before their general release, they were at a discounted price.

These brave lads will be heading off shortly to an expert painter friend. Three groups of 8 figures and command to form the backbone of my Jacobites for use with Sharp Practice.

Another Kickstarter arrives. Does it never end...?!

Feel free to ask questions if you want to know more about Kickstarter. It’s not a shop. It can be a lot of fun.

Cheers

Chris

Bargain Figures 3.

I have now finished the 4 "English" regiments I set out to do,and have ordered another 4,which will probably arrive early next week,from Warrior Miniatures.

Two shots of the 4 regiments in a nice line-flags are from "Warflags"(free down-load!)

Two "action" shots,many more to come once the Army is complete.The only thing that lets the figures down is the size of muskets supplied,but for the price you can't complain-I think they are superb!

 

Upcycling

Sort of like recycling, but making things better too!

I have a growing late 17th century collection covering the battles of Sedgemoor and Killiecrankie. As if the campaigns surrounding those battles weren’t enough, many of the regiments can be repurposed for the fighting in Ireland (which has become increasingly popular of late) with new flags. My friend Roger has a fabulous Great Northern War collection so can also repurpose some units for Ireland. What we realised was that our forces for Ireland would be predominantly redcoats on both sides. Visually not very exciting...

What I did have were some French/Spanish types from my pirates collection. They weren’t based on any real regiments. I had just wanted some regulars to face off against my pirates. And they’ve seen many an engagement. I had just painted them as I pleased. I was such a simple creature back then! It feels so recent, yet the pirate games I’m thinking of are over 20 years ago!

I could certainly repurpose some as Irish Jacobites. Under advice I put the grey coated figures back in with the pirates; their tricorn hats were far too modern for the 1690s. So that left me with sufficient musketeers to drop into some regiment or other. I didn’t want to repaint the figures...

Fortunately uniform details for many of the Irish Jacobite regiments are sketchy. The Earl of Clanrickarde’s regiment may have had red facings... in truth they probably had grey coats... ah close enough!

I filled out the unit with secondhand officers and pikemen from ‘Uncle’ Bills and hey presto the musketeers from my pirate collection are upcycled into a smart looking Jacobite regiment. Not in red coats. Job done!

Ok the fancy pants officers are wearing scarlet. It’s still a white-coated regiment. Flags from Flags of War. The original musketeers are still available from Wargames Foundry. The bargain purchases from ‘Uncle’ Bills are Warfare Miniatures.

The finished regiment. 

Cheers 

Chris 

Preview game for Sunday.

This Sunday we will be playing a game based in 1076,pitting Normans against Vikings.

Top photo is the scenario,bottom is the terrain map,without any troops shown on it!

Top photo is the whole table taken from point "X" on the map,bottom photo shows the Castle looking towards the bridge.

Top photo is taken from point "Y" on the map,bottom is taken from point "Z".

I still have some fine details to work out about Norman dispositions,and commanders-still,it keeps me busy!!