Quick March Update for Silver Bayonet

Been a few weeks so I thought I'd get a post up.

I feel like its been unproductive, but its been a mish mash of waiting for models to arrive and trying some new schemes for models. Although I didn't get a lot painted I'm nearly at a point where I can game and get some Battle Reports up.

Primarily I've been focused on Silver Bayonet and have started painting up the monsters for a solo campaign. Also had on order various bits and bobs for terrain, which I definitely have enough to start now.

Some werewolves for Mission 1 of the Campaign, quite happy with how they turned out.

Pavlov Grenadier

Some cool Napoleonic cards and tokens for the game system.

Picked up some Northstar Russians as its the same Sculptor for Silver Bayonet. These can be good for Infantrymen.

I've also started work on some Russian themed Vampires and Revenants for mission 2 of the rulebook.

Salute is nearly here also, so I'm purging a load of models/projects that never got off the ground (looking at my AWI collection still sat in boxes). In other news I've been slowly becoming interested in the War of 1812, it seems a real niche between AWI and ACW. With that said the focus on small skirmishes/Naval combats and some really unique Napoleonic uniforms is proving interesting. There is some really good resources and books coming out for this recently. Something to consider for the latter half of the year perhaps, as the Napoleonic bug has still not gone away.

Happy New Year and 2026 Hobby Targets!

Just a quick update to wrap out the year, as I've been a bit quiet this month. With all the Christmas and New Years rush I have not had much time to spend at my hobby desk.

I can at least add the Pavlovsky Grenadiers to the completed list as I am just finishing off their basing, so we will count it for the completed figures this year. 

 

I'll re upload these when fully based and the Flag Bearer is done.

Goals and ideas for next year projects are as follows:

• Try and beat my total number of completed miniatures this year.
• Potentially add some more to my Russians 1812 project. Its completed currently, so this may be later in the year. I'd like to do a large block of Musketeers to get some flags into the army. 
• I'm considering revisiting or restarting my ACW project. Current problem I've got is the project is not magnetized and it will give me an absolute headache re basing it. I've been looking at some Sash and Saber models (which are gorgeous) and may potentially start smaller again with this. We shall see, either way painting ACW is not particularly taxing. The enthusiasm has not gone away for painting more of this at least.
• Idea for starting a Jacobite 1745 project, something I've been considering for a while with a planned visit up to Culloden later next year that may seal the deal.
• Start some Silver Bayonet with a few friends. Got some Russian starter boxes, so just need to get painting. An easy win, to add stuff too.
• Do some French for 1812 project so I can play solo games, I'm less keen to dive straight into this but we shall see. 
• May finally just bite the Bullet and do some War of the Roses in 28mm. I've already got models and will be going to Bosworth festival this year and a trip up to York. 6mm unfortunately isn't for me.
• Get more battle reports up, I'm promising this to myself. 

Also completed some nice Russian log houses for the 1812 project. 

 Anyway Happy new Year all and thanks to anyway who viewed my blog this year.

October and Napoleonics!

Like most Wargamer's other projects get waylaid by prospects of other shiny toys or periods to game. It seems like this bug has definitely afflicted me this year, regardless of the painting output.

The original plan for the year was to get into a position where I could be gaming ACW, but as seen by the infrequent updates due to life getting in the way of hobbies, this has not transpired. Looking at it, I'm actually fine with taking a more lax approach to project deadlines, as the size of the projects inevitably seems to grow from my initial plans.

So with that said, something completely different which I have wanted to buy for a long time some Foundry Russian Napoleonic's. These are on par with their ACW range when it comes to scale, just absolutely lovely sculpts. I've always been interested in the Napoleonic wars, but more enthusiasm is often placed on Victorian era projects. With that said if there's one thing I adore painting, its a Greatcoat and the Napoleonic Campaigns of 1812/1813 are rife with them. I chose specifically for my Jaegers to have Forage Caps, as I do really love that appearance the Russians had in the Crimean War.

I have a few friends who have Napoleonic army's and I play Sharp Practice far too much, so finally have got cracking. The project started just over a month ago and I am very happy to at least say I have a starting Force for games. This list is based on the Partisan Russian forces of 1812/1813 and also following the French into Prussia in 1813 and was honestly chosen based on my fascination with Russian Jaegers and Cossacks. 

The starting list is as follows:

• Three groups of Line Jaegers
• Two groups of Opolcheniye (St Petersburg)
• Two groups of Line Jaeger Skirmishers

Next on the painting table are as follows:

• One group of Opolcheniye with Pikes 
• One group of Cossacks 
• Two groups of Guard Jaegers 
• Support Options for the Force  

I'm also working on various scenic pieces such as Moveable Deployment Points, Water carts, Musicians for Support options. 

Most of the list is in Greatcoats as mentioned, which are not only easy to paint but look great en-masse especially for Russian army's. Realistically this is what most armies on campaign looked like (unless the sun was out!)

One new thing I should have done years ago is finally magnetize my bases. This has been an absolute life saver taking models down the club and I really wish I'd done this with my ACW Collection, so will need to figure out how to sort that. It does add a few pounds on the old Warbases order though!

With that said here's some pictures from a recent game and of the units themselves. (I hadn't quite finished the third block of Jaegers in time for the game, but it was a fun game nonetheless!)  

 

 

 

The plan for the rest of the year is to finish off the remaining options selected and start gaming on a regular basis down at the club with these. 

We are also planning another Ronin day, for another chance to bring out the Samurai. I'm hoping to get some more Koreans painted as I enjoyed these before but I will see what time permits. 

I guess final thoughts would be positive. My hobby output has nearly eclipsed that of last year, despite a slow pace near the summer months. Actually getting my ACW collection on the table will happen at some point, certainly the enthusiasm comes and goes. The problem isn't my Confederate Collection, its getting some more Union done! 

April Update and Salute 2025!

Well its long overdue since an update and I have got projects coming out of my ears, which I have been trying my best to finish. 

Starting with some of the Battletech projects I'm doing, currently trying to finish my Company level for 2nd St. Ives Lancers and so close! Putting the final touches on the Pillager as we speak, I'll upload these pictures separately as a whole group/post. My next idea is to either start some Blackwind Lancers or 5th McCarron's Armored Cavalry. Plenty of games have been on the go down at the club and with friends, hoping to get some more in soon. Always thoroughly enjoy my Battletech games, win or lose.  

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Next up we have my ACW project I am still plodding away at. Honestly it could of been finished by now, but I'm in no rush. I doubt I will get bored painting Union/Confederate uniforms anytime soon. As a result I imagine I'll just keep adding to it over time. I will absolutely get a Battle report done sometime in May/June. 

I've finished work on some Palmetto Sharpshooters and a Confederate Cannon crew, both thoroughly enjoyable to paint. Additionally I finally got around to adding the last group for my Wheats Tiger Rifles also. On the Union front its slower, but I'm 16 models away from being game ready. 

 

Then onto a nice little project I got done on the side in time for a Ronin gameday. It has been a long time since we had a game, so I decided to get the lads around and make a day of it. Managed to get this lovely Korean Buntai from Northstar painted up to face off against some Japanese. Plenty of images from the games below, we saw Bushi, Bandits, Sohei and Koreans so a nice mix.

 

Then to wrap things up my first trip to Salute and it seems it was a very good year to go, I will certainly be revisiting. Managed to destroy the wallet a tad, but showed some restraint. Picked up a lot of Union Cavalry from Foundry and the beginnings of a later year project once the ACW is being gamed. Lets just say it seems a natural progress to go from ACW to this...

 

 

I'm showing some restraint in 100% starting this just yet, but I wanted to get some paint on these to see how they fared with Foundry's ACW range. Gorgeous figures as usual, Perry miniatures was the other choice but I just happen to like the Perry's older work with Foundry more. I picked up a load of books from sellers and Foundry models to start my Rebels. Something I do enjoy about American History, so many books! These are going to be painted up in the colors of Green Mountain Boys.  

 

Some of my favorite tables from Salute!

Well if you stuck with me to read through that I appreciate it. I'll be uploading some more hobby stuff soon, so stay posted.

Andy