I PAINTED SOMETHING!

Wow, it’s been a while.  So, it’s a New Year and I seem to have developed an uncharacteristic streak of painting motivation.  While it’s not much to brag about, given my abysmal painting productions last year, it’s still a major win.

But, enough talk, on with the photos.

First up, some generic French Infantry in great coats.  This is the first of 4 planned battalions that will make up part of Compan’s Corps in the 1812 invasion of Russia.

Being Cheeky Frenchmen, they refused to stay in focus for the photos – actually probably for the best, it’s been so long since I painted something it’s like learning how to paint all over again.  The figures are Old Glory.

Next up, one of those troop types you can have too many of (If  you’re a Russian Napoleonic player).  In putting together my troop roster for our local campaign (https://pancerni-fishtales.blogspot.com/2019/03/2019-imagination-campaign.html ) I realized I needed a lot more Cossack units. 

For the campaign we’re using Theatre of War, a Piquet Campaign System by Brent Oman for the strategic stuff.  While I’m probably woefully understating how it works, as I’ve never used it before, basically you have a fixed Roster of units that you randomly ‘draw’ units from for each battle.  In looking over my troop roster, it occurred to me that it’s entirely possible I could field a formation comprised of nothing but Cossacks and Artillery, so more Cossacks are called for.

These troops will also see duty with my ImagiNation ‘Otherwhere’ campaign if I ever finish the #$%^ map. 

The figures are old Glory, armed with Sabre and Pistol, and if you look closely a couple of bows as well.

Interesting I just noticed the color difference in the walls

And here we have some RalPartha Crossbowmen based as skirmishers.  These fine fellows are slight in stature compared to the more ‘modern’ sculpts, but the price was right at Historicon many years ago.  They will  see double duty with my Renaissance armies as well as with the ImagiNation ‘Otherwhere’ campaign.

And finally, one of those units you paint just because you want to, not because you expect to ever use it, a unit for ‘In Her Majesty’s Name’.  Below you see one of the evil minion of the vile Dr. Loveless, one of his electric powered Dastardly Armored Lightning Equipped Killers, or DALEK.  

He would be electric powered, similar to the Electrro-Trike in the rule book, but of course with heavy armor, his own Arc Generator, an Arc Cannon, and a loudspeaker that allows the size challenged operator housed inside the infernal contraption to blare out ‘EX-TER-MIN-ATE, EX-TER-MIN-ATE, EX-TEERRRRRR-MIN-ATE!!  

I’m still not happy with how the wheels turned out, and I see they need a little touch up on the paint job as well.  I went with the old west Stage Coach approach of smaller wheels in front and larger wheels in back, (I knew all that left over 15mm Napoleonic artillery would come in handy).  I also thought the wooden wheels helped set the whole tone, (once I clean up the paint job).   The Figure is the Black Tree Design Engineer, although I did find a box of FASA Dalek’s (probably from the 1980’s) as well when I was going through my ‘classic’ Dr. Who lead pile.

Hopefully the painting motivation will last, I have at least 2 more Cossack units I need to paint.

So much lead, so little time.

IN HER MAJESTY’S NAME

So, Joe has managed to get me intrigued with IHMN and I’ve been toying around with an appropriately Victoria evil faction.  As a child of the Golden Age of TV Westerns, I’ve found that they (and their values) have stuck with me over the years.  And what could have had a more lasting impression than the original Wild, Wild West TV show?  Which means there can really only be one basis for the ultimate evil genius – Dr. Miguelito Loveless!  

So, does anyone know where I can find a Midget miniature in Western or Victorian attire?  Can I even say Midget miniature without being banned from Blogger? 

I need my evil genius to lead his army of Dastardly Armored Lightning Equipped Killers or DALEKs. I’m still familiarizing myself with the rules but from what I can tell the DALEKS will be pretty pricy point wise. I figure one equipped with an Arc Generator to power both the weapons and the actual Daleks, and anywhere from another 1 to 3 should be enough.  Probably modify the Prussian Heavy Military Walker stats.  I need to reread the rules and put pencil to paper and see what I come up with.  (Yes, I still use pencil and paper).

I don't have the modeling skills to modify a 28mm figure to this extent, but I like it.  Enlarge photo to see source.

Of course, if you have bad guys, you need good guys.  And who was the best at being good with cool Victorian style gadgets?  James West of the United States Secret Service on special assignment for President Grant, of course.  I’ve been perusing the Cowboy figure lines, but I haven’t been able to find any yet that have that, suave gunslinger lady’s-man look.  You know, James Bond with a six-shooter and cowboy hat.

So much lead, so little time.

And now for something completely different...

In one of my first post I mentioned that I’m a (relatively new) fan of Victorian Science Fiction, in particular Frank Chadwick’s Space 1889 universe. I know, I know, it’s not “historical”. But it’s fun! It allows you to be an absolutely ruthless colonial power, and heartlessly exploit the less civilized cultures without offending anyone. And as an added bonus it let’s your imagination run wild, along the lines of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.


So here goes…


Syrtis Major, British Crown Colony, Mars -

The diminutive evil genius Dr. Minikin Loveless has been sited on Mars! The British Military liaison, Captain Locke N. Load, attached with the Danish expedition currently establishing an outpost at an undisclosed location today filed the following report.

An unnamed Lieutenant (whose name is being withheld until his family can be formerly notified) with the Danish expeditionary force along with 4 soldiers set out on a 3 day extended reconnaissance of the area surrounding the Danish outpost on Tuesday last. When the party failed to arrive Thursday evening, little concern was noted as the rugged terrain around the outpost can easily cause unexpected navigation delays. However, when the party failed to arrive by noon on Friday, several search parties were sent out to try and locate the reconnaissance party. At around 8:30 pm on Friday last the search party accompanied by Captain Locke N. Load, her Majesties representative on the Danish expedition, discovered the body of the Danish Lieutenant. Despite an exhaustive search no other members of the reconnaissance party were discovered.

The Lieutenant was barely clinging to life, but could be heard mumbling "lightning", "midget" and "Loveless". The Lieutenant was quickly taken to the Danish outpost where the post Doctor attempted his best to treat his injuries but was not successful. According to official reports the injuries were almost identical to those that result from individuals being struck by lightning. But as everyone one knows, there is no lightning on Mars. The Lieutenants revolver was empty, indicating that he had fought whatever his strange attacker was. Among his possessions was found one of the new experimental reduced size self contained cameras and a note book. Entries in the note book included:

• Tuesday, made camp around 9:45 p.m., nothing unusual sited.

• Wednesday, discovered traces of an old trail or possible road. Later sited what appeared to be ancient steps carved in a valley face. Made camp around 9:30 p.m. Up early tomorrow to head back to the outpost

• Thursday, broke camp and began heading back to the outpost at 4:50 a.m.

• Heard a strange noise down one of the valleys, almost like a locomotive, moving off to investigate, 6:15 am.

• It can't be, we have positively identified the evil Dr. Loveless! I have ordered the party to withdraw and make the best possible speed to the outpost.

• 2 of my men are dead. We were spotted by Dr. Loveless' infernal devices. I don't know what they are, but they aren't much taller than him. They appear to be iron; pistol and rifle bullets have no effect. I'm ordering the party to split up in the hopes one of us will reach the outpost and spread the alarm.

There were more detailed descriptions but the above is all the military would release at this time.

The plates within the camera were brought to New Sytris and developed and yielded the below image.

Dr. Loveless' latest creation sighted on Mars

For our readers unfamiliar with Dr. Loveless, he is an evil genius of the most heinous type. While standing only approximately three and a half feet tall, his intellect is gigantic. His last known whereabouts placed him in the United States where he was nearly successful on several attempts to take over the American Government. How he came to arrive on Mars, what the above infernal machines are, as well as what his plans are for Mars are questions that must be answered and answered soon.


The fact that he has now been confirmed as being on Mars can only mean interesting times are in store for Her Majesties forces here. One can not help but surmise the American Secret Service will breath a sigh of relief on learning that the Diabolical Dwarf who so vexed their two best agents in no longer in North America.

We are quite fortunate that our Danish Allies discovered his presence, and offer our condolences to the families of the Danish Soldiers who died to give us this advance warning.