St Petersburg Opolchenie & Ronin Gameday

Smashing out another update before November ends, home stretch now with the Russian Project.

I've been working on some Pike wielding Opolchenie to go alongside my existing musket wielding ones, which will be easy enough to write up some stats for in Sharp Practice. Likely represented as Wallahs with Hearth and Home and maybe Surly as characteristics. 

Ever since I saw this illustration I knew I must have some of the Foundry Militia, these particular batch representing the St Petersburg Opolchenyie. For some of the scenarios I have planned they will be particularly welcome.

Not only are these incredibly easy to paint up, the sculpts on these Foundry faces are just fantastic. Crisp and full of character. I will definitely be considering getting some of the Militia wearing Kolpak (I believe is what they are called). I've also found time to paint up a Moveable Deployment Point for the Don Cossacks.

 

With those done that leaves me to finish the last unit before I move onto painting the French side next year. The Pavlovsk Grenadiers is definitely a unit that I've been wanting to paint for years now, its taking some time for the base coats but we are about half way. This will add some more color into the force, along with my Cossacks which is predominately in Greatcoats, as I prefer the campaigning look.

For some gaming, I put another Ronin day on for some friends which was thoroughly enjoyable. I'm going to try and get organized for this next year and have a mini tournament. Painting some more small warbands is easy so won't detract from the bigger projects. Another friend has me interested in Silver Bayonet also, so will likely dip into that.

 

Anyway its back to the painting desk for me, to get some Grenadiers 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