In search of new primer for painting figs ...

I currently use Humbrol enamel paint to prime my metal figures. However the 'aroma' from the paint rather lingers and I am trying to find a primer which does not infuse the room with its smell.

I am about to tryout black Gesso - is this OK on its own ?

Any ideas/suggestions/techniques welcome

Making the Palace Interior (1) - The Basic Room

I am currently working on a new room, the Library, for the King of Wittenberg's palace. I thought you might like to know how I am making it so I will do a short series of posts on the subject. The main materials I use are paper and cardboard.

Firstly I obtain a suitable sized cardboard box. I decided on a standard room size using a CD storage box [approx size 27cm (L) x 13cm (w) x 13cm (H)], these come in a variety of colours.

The next phase is to get the basic shell of the room ready,
- cut one side of the box out (save the card it is useful for basing figs)
- decide on the wall colours. If the box interior is a suitable colour then I leave it as it is otherwise I use some 160g computer paper and cut it to size and stick on the walls
- to show the start of the celing, some 160g white computer paper is added along the top of the walls with a bit of moulding using some white mounting card
- the floor, use a tile paper (which you can buy from a Dolls house supplier); or for wooden flooring I scribe some mounting card, paint it brown and then put some satin varnish on top.

Here is the basic shell of the library...

I then add the door(s) to the room. For the pediment of large doors I use a Dolls House window pediment, for the library I wanted something smaller, so I made up one from cardboard. I make an outline with cardboard and then the individual parts. For the columns you can scribe some thick cardboard or use suitable sized wooden dowelling.

Then I add a door, simply a piece of cardboard with a paper hinge - this painted brown with the panelling outline in black pen; for a door knob I use a pin top. To complete the door I inset a picture. The library room shell with the door added ...

The King and Brother James have come to discuss how best to lay out the room and where to place the book shelves etc.

The next installment will be windows, pictures and furniture.

A Hunting we will go ...

General Waldebeck and his staff along with some of the local notables gather in a village to the north of Vanderhof for a days hunting ...

Looks like the fox is smarter than they are; he has a nice hiding place next to the coach house ...

[figs; All 40mm from various suppliers; fox and hounds 'O' guage model railway accessories; buildings: 'Cottage' - Conflix; Coach House - Total System Scenic]

All Hallows Eve

Due to a recent bumper harvest of pumpkins in the vicinity of the capital, the local traders had no idea what to do with surplus. With the local eateries selling pumpkin pie; traders selling pumpkin based face cleansers for ladies - there was still a large number of pumpkins left over. Some local thought it would be a good idea to carve lanterns with faces in the pumpkins (instead of the usual turnips) for All Hallows Eve. A fad for it swept the capital and even reached the palace. Here we see Prince Albert showing off his carved pumpkin to the rest of the royal family.

A Little Light Reading ...

A nice little find at a local model railway exhibition, only £5. I've had a quick browse through and it looks really good - looking forward to settling down to give it a good read.

Monrovia - Commander of the Army of the East

I've decided to update the basing of the command staff figures for my armies. I eventually decided on using an octagonal base; below is the one for Monrovia's Army of the East. On the left is General Zortmund and the right his aid Colonel Sierpinsky (figs - Front Rank).

General Stricknein was commander of the Army of the East - I wonder what's happened to him ? Retired, demoted or what ?

Watch Out Smugglers !

A super little skirmish game we played earlier this week, using 28mm figs.

Scenario:
For some time the smugglers on the river Oudear have been getting more and more brazen and confident. One group organised by Count Polesti, makes regular runs of contraband; the Count is becoming a very rich man on the proceeds. The smugglers normal route is to cross the river Oudear and drop off their contraband at the mill wharf near Kleinhaus. From there the goods are loaded onto pack mules and taken to Count Polesti's hunting lodge for distribution.

The authorities have received intelligence on the routes taken by the smugglers. One evening the Wittenberg River marines and a Dragoon detachment are set to patrol the river Oudear and one of it's side channels.

---oXo---

The smugglers boat approaches the mill wharf, Count Polesti's men are waiting ...

The pack mules are loaded up, and as they are about to depart another boat can be seen on the river, thinking it is a small revenue patrol boat, they decide to leave some men at the storehouse to take care of them if they get too close ...

The mule train sets of on their route inland ...

Too late the men at the storehouse find out that the boat is larger than they thought and is carrying two platoons of River Marines, a short fight ensues and some of the smugglers make a run for it ...

The patrolling Dragoon detachment makes a stop at the local inn, and asks the locals if they have seen anything...

The mule train heads along their normal route ....

The River Marines move inland keeping an eye out for more smugglers ....

The mule train reaches the bridge over the river Oudear's side channel, unfortunately for them they find the other River Marine & Dragoon patrols in their way ...

The leader of the mule train decides to force the bridge, a brisk action ensues, they almost make it across however they can't quite get past the River Marines ...

With more River Marines arriving in their rear the smugglers make a run for it. A couple get away, some are shot down and a few are captured along with the pack mules and the bulk of the contraband.

One of the surviving smugglers arrives at the hunting lodge, he gives the Count the small barrel of brandy he is carrying and runs of into the woods.

--0X0--

Afterwards:

The River Marines first major operation has been a success, they move the contraband back to their boat and take it to revenue warehouse at Vanderhof. The smugglers will have to be more careful in future. The Count decides to leave for his estates in the Imperium and wait there till the dust settles.