Sunday, December 3, 2023
Merry Christmas 2023!
Monday, November 13, 2023
Analogue Painting Challenge XIIII
Analogue Painting Challenge XIIII 2023-24
Result of painful overstretching of the Analogue Painting Challenge |
I plan to participate in the Analogue Painting Challenge again this year, I have reduced my points to 500 points which is predominantly because we will be in Australia for half of the challenge so smaller pieces of 20mm figures will travel with me. Last years total was 3304 points, which was around 400 28mm figures painted so I doubt I will reach those dizzy heights.
The figure painting challenge really pushes production in the winter/summer months and will also give me a spring board again into next year. The challenge commences on the 21st of December and finishes on March 21st 2022.
You may commence the challenge with undercoated figures, and the points are scored thus
6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 point
6mm vehicle = 2 points
10mm foot figure = 1 point
10mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 2 points
10mm vehicle = 3 points
15mm foot figure = 2 points
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or large crew served weapon = 4 points 15mm vehicle = 8 points
20mm foot figure = 4 points
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 points 20mm vehicle = 15 points
28mm foot figure = 5 points
28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 points
28mm vehicle = 20 points
40mm foot figure = 7 points
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 points
40mm vehicle = 25 points
54mm foot figure = 10 points
54mm mounted figures, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 20 points
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 points
Terrain is based on 6 inch squared areas
My Cunning Plan....
- AB Napoleonic French
- 28mm Greeks
- 20mm Soviets Cold War
- 20mm Swedes Cold War
- 28mm HYW Scots nobles and foot
- 28 Norman and Anjou/Maine for the anarchy
- 20mm American 2nd Armoured
- 20mm 9th Panzer
- 20mm British armour
- Gaslands cars and figs
- 28mm 11th-12th century chateau
- 20mm Ww2 and modern buildings
- Gallic buildings
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Photo Booth upgrade
You may of noticed over the last few weeks I finally updated my Photo Booth which I have been putting off for some time. We happened to be in IKEA recently and I spotted a ideal box size and when I returned home I decided to order some model railway backgrounds terrain, buildings and sky. When they arrived I placed them onto cardboard backing and printed a science fiction one also while I was at it.
Really happy with the improvements, although I could of purchased a bigger box for artillery limbers and large regiments …… next one I guess.
Cheers
Matt
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Another year older…..
Another year older….
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Christmas Haul 2022
A big seasons greetings to you on New Year’s Eve. I thought I would pop up my Christmas gifts this year and a few projects will be completed during the year with the purchases. We are having the first four months off this year to catch up on renovations and I should catch up on some painting so expect quite a few updates over the next few months.
First up with my haul is my warlord games 28mm Caesarian Roman’s so I can complete the legion, Perry 28mm Austrian heavy cavalry for the heavy cavalry brigade, two 1/72 Fokker triplanes for my planned Jasta 11, a GR1 harrier for my old war Brit’s and JU52 to support my fallschirmjager.
20mm US airborne regiment for Normandy from Simon’s Soldiers, plus a few Brit Airborne bits.
Books, a wide mix, one set of rules from my mate Carlo Pagano, looking forward to these and my French Foreign Legion desert games, a few WW2, especially looking forward to Greg’s Jungle cavalry, Australian Commando book, plus the new Harry Sidebottom, “the mad emperor” , and a bunch of medieval reading for winter!
Have a very Happy New Year!
Cheers
Matt
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
13th Analogue Painting challenge - cunning plans
The annual Winter Analogue Painting Challenge is almost upon us again. This year I am trying to complete 800 points as my painting target.
Points are awarded painting figures, artillery, vehicles, ships and terrain. As usual I will be concentrating on historical 20mm and 28mm miniatures with a few pieces thrown in for amusement.
Scores are awarded thus
Foot 4 points
Mounted and guns 8 points
Vehicles 15points
- 18mm AB Napoleonic French
- 28mm ancient Greeks
- 28mm ancient Germans
- 20mm American airborne, artillery, jeeps etc plus three Waco gliders 70+odd figures + 3 fighters for air support
- 20mm Ww2 British Para - additions to my British para brigade, a supply section and drop area, complete three specific 1/72 horsa gliders for operation Tonga, plus my Hamilcar and tank, plus some jeeps and trailers transports.
- 20mm Volkssturm fall of Berlin 3 battalions, artillery and bits. 70 odd figs plus artillery and AA bits
- 20mm panzer Lehr - 70 odd figures plus half tracks, panzers etc for Normandy.
- 20mm Cold War Warpac and Nato vehicles, plus VDV infantry regiment 100 figures + 20-30 odd vehicles and 5 aircraft.
- Terrain :- paint my growing pile of 28mm ancient, medieval and 20mm ww2 3d printed buildings
- A few 28mm Napoleonic odds and sods Prussians, Austrians and French infantry and cavalry 60-180 figs planned and undercoated.
- Random 20mm kit, ww2 Dutch, Belgian, Allied and German bits ( I have a lot of built aircraft that need paint….)
Monday, May 16, 2022
Polish Army 1939 Project part 1
Polish Army project part 1
For the AA, artillery and AT guns I will add a mix of pieces. First to Fight plastic gun crews mostly to crew some plastic, resin and metal gun pieces and Early War Models metal crews for the specialists. Lots of horse drawn equipment is required so more HAT and EWM horse drawn wagons. For trucks FTF Fiat and Praga trucks and IBG kits for fiat staff and radio cars.
For the next article I will cover my organisation of my cavalry. I need to purchase FTF mounted Uhlan cavalry for command figs and horseholder. I already have the HAT plastic French for the mounted component. I would also like to add First to Fight dismounted cavalry portion and some SHQ also. I need to purchase the specific FAA miniatures for the 10th Motorised Cavalry Brigade motorcyclists. Finally scratch build and purchase some more vehicles mostly soft skins mostly motorcycles but I may print some also. I have set a target of completion for next year for the cavalry.
My fighter and fighter bomber air component is complete except for a bomber, which I will wait for one to come up on ebay or such.
Rapid Fire does not have a official list for Poles yet, but there are some unofficial lists around on which I have loosely based mine on. Rapid Fire does have the charts for guns, vehicles and aircraft though which is helpful when playing.
The first task is to build a Infantry division of a single regiment, than add the support elements for extra goodies for game play, as I like to see supply and medical especially on the tabletop. The Polish Infantry Regiments were very large and basically followed the same structure, 3 battalions plus support elements. I am not planning on painting any reserve regiments or the static units, although I am tempted in the future to build Polish field defence bunkers.
9th Polish Legion Infantry Division9th Dywizja Piechoty Legionów
Polish Army 1939 Rapid Fire Organisation
CO x 5, Fiat 518 staff car, Fiat radio truck, MP motorcycle
10 figs Praga RV supply truck, 4 supply wagons
Medical Coy
10 figs Fiat 621 Ambulance, 2 x horse drawn ambulance
Fiat 621 Ambulance |
Recon battalion
BHQ Co + 2 mounted on horses
1st coy 6 figs and horses
2nd coy 12 figs cyclists
MG coy
4 figs 1 x MMG wz30 with wz 36 Tatchanka horse drawn cart
MMG wz30 with wz 36 Tatchanka cart |
9th Sapper Battalion
OC + 5 car, Praga RV truck with foot bridge trailer, mine detector, 1 motorcycle
1st Coy 12 figs Horse drawn wagon
2nd Coy 12 figs Horse drawn wagon
AA Battery
Battery HQAA light coy
4 figs 1 x 40mm bofors AA gun and motor tow
3 figs 1 x MMG truck mounted
AA heavy coy
4 figs 1 x SP wz.97/25 75mm AA gun
Artillery
9th Light artillery RegimentRHQ
CO + 11 figs staff car, horse towed radio/telephone trailer, 508 radio truck, horse drawn supply wagon, AA platoon MG Fiat 621 truck
1st sqn
8 figs 2 x 75mm wz 1897 Schneider horse drawn
2nd sqn
8 figs 2 x 100mm wz 1914/1919 Skoda horse drawn
9th Heavy Artillery Regiment
RHQ
CO + 11 figs staff car, horse towed radio/telephone trailer, 508 radio truck, horse drawn supply wagon, AA platoon MG Fiat 621 truck
1st sqn
8 figs 2 x 105mm wz.1913 C7P
2nd sqn
8 figs 1 x 155mm wz.1917 C7P
22nd Infantry Regiment
RHQSupply Coy
4 figs horse drawn cooks wagon, horse drawn supply wagon.
Medical platoon
2 figs horse drawn medical wagon
AA platoon
3 figs MMG wz30 AA with wz 36 Tatchanka horse drawn cart,
Scout Company
4 figs horses, 4 cyclists 1 AT rifle UR/WZ 35
Artillery coy
Anti Tank platoon
3 men 1 x Wz 37mm Bofors AT gun, horse drawn
1st Battalion
OC + 12, 2 horses , 1 horse drawn supply wagon, 1 radio car, 47mm mortar coy + cart, 1 AT rifle UR/WZ 35
1st Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
2nd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
3rd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
4th Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
Heavy weapons coy
6 men 2 x MMG WZ 30 browning horse drawn cart
2nd Battalion
OC + 11, 2 horses , 1 horse drawn supply wagon, 1 radio car, 1 47mm mortar coy + cart, 1 AT rifle UR/WZ 35
1st Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
2nd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
3rd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
4th Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
Heavy weapons coy
6 men 2 x MMG WZ 30 browning, horse drawn cart
3rd Battalion
OC + 11, 2 horses , 1 horse drawn supply wagon, 1 radio car,
47mm mortar coy + cart, 1 AT rifle UR/WZ 35
1st Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
2nd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
3rd coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
4th Coy
13 men, lmg wz 1928
Heavy weapons coy
2 x MMG WZ 30 browning 6 OR horse drawn cart
Regiment Support
OC + 1, observers x 2 ORs
MMG coy
6 men 2 x MMG WZ 30 browning 6 OR horse cart
Mortar coy
12 men 3 x 81mm mortar horse cart
Next Article will cover my cavalry and armour, followed by painting guides and then aircraft.
cheers
Matt
References
Polish army structure 1939, by far the best reference I have found is here
Andrew Mollo, The Armed Forces of ww2
Steve Zaloga The Polish Army 1939-45
David Higgins German Soldier vs Polish Soldier 1939.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Wrap up 2021
Wrap up 2021
Totals
2021 Goals achieved
WW2 and Modern 20mm
72 x 20mm vehicles
6 Aircraft
"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™
From Caesar to World War Two
Friday, December 31, 2021
Happy New Year! 2022
A big Happy New Year to our family and friends across the world!
Wishing all of you a happy and successful 2022. I am enjoying the sunshine and warm weather back in Australia for a number of weeks before we return to kick off the 2022 season. Over the next few days I will do a sum up of 2021 and what we have planned for French Wargame Holidays in 2022.
Cheers
Mattk
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Joyeux Noel to One and all
We wish you a Merry Christmas
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Analogue Painting challenge Preparation
Analogue Painting Challenge part one Preparation ….2021-22
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Analogue Painting Challenge 12th edition
Analogue Painting Challenge 2021-22
Result of painful overstretching of the Analogue Painting Challenge |
I will be partaking in the Analogue Painting Challenge Again this year, I have reduced my points to 1200 points which is more achievable and less painful than last years stretch of 1500 points, which incidentally I failed by 150 points.
The figure painting challenge really pushes production in the winter months and will also give me a spring board again into next year. The challenge commences on the 21st of December and finishes on March 21st 2022.
You may commence the challenge with undercoated figures, and the points are scored thus
6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 point
6mm vehicle = 2 points
10mm foot figure = 1 point
10mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 2 points
10mm vehicle = 3 points
15mm foot figure = 2 points
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or large crew served weapon = 4 points 15mm vehicle = 8 points
20mm foot figure = 4 points
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 points 20mm vehicle = 15 points
28mm foot figure = 5 points
28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 points
28mm vehicle = 20 points
40mm foot figure = 7 points
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 points
40mm vehicle = 25 points
54mm foot figure = 10 points
54mm mounted figures, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 20 points
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 points
Terrain is based on 6 inch squared areas
My Cunning Plan....
- Imperial Romans Foundry (in the pile of shame for 6 years)
- HYW Scots
- HYW English
- HYW French
- Breton Succession French
- Napoleonic Austrians
- Napoleonic Russians
- Napoleonic French (maybe)
- Republican Romans (maybe)
- 20mm Panzer Lehr
- 20mm American 2nd Armoured
- 20mm 9th Panzer
- 20mm British armour
- 20mm American Armour
- 20mm modern BAOR
- 11th century chateau
- 13th-14th century chateau
- Ww2 buildings
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Gladiators Dust and Shadows Part one
We are but Dust & Shadows
Terrain Tuesday Gladiator Arena thoughts
Model at the Museum of Jublains |
On one of the tours we visited our local Amphitheatre at Jublains, the former Roman capital of the Diablintes tribe about 10 klms away from the Maison. This gave me inspiration for two things. One was the Gallic farm buildings (see previous post) and the other was gladiators.
I am yet to build the amphitheatre, however I want it to be around two x two foot tile, oval which will look a little different, with a removable rear wall so I can remove it then also add a straight section and second corner for chariot racing on the big table.
The arena tile will then also fit on my chess table for extra transportable use around the house.
I have six gladiators already completed for around 10 years or so, but also had a lot unpainted gladiators, animals and chariots, so this week I added another 20 odd to the table front and centre, and most will be off the table this week over the coming days while the blood is up!
I am yet to find a suitable set of rules which would be good for French Wargame Holiday evening games, looking at Steve Barbers gladiators set and possibly the old board game set, any other suggestions ?
Jublains Amphitheatre 1st Century AD
Artists Impression of Jublains Arena I will build something like this with removable wall |
Cheers
Matt
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
French Wargame Holidays 2021 Subscribe Now
French Wargame Holidays 2021
“ Walk the battlefield in the morning, Wargame in the afternoon”™
Thursday, February 11, 2021
A little snow in sunny Mayenne
Oh the Joy!
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
French Wargame Holidays Projects and Plans 2021
2021 Plans and Goals
Today I have set time aside for planning 2021, even in these uncertain times we still need to shoot for something otherwise you end up in the wilderness of nowhere. It is also important to focus as it helps with mind activity during these strange times.
2020 has had some highs and lows and we have taken those lessons and have already started to adapt our business, looking at how we can take advantage of the change in Tourism in France and the world in fact. With this in mind we have tweaked a few changes to our business, hopefully making a difference until a vaccination program has rolled out and a recovery for the French tourism economy has occurred in the future.
We will be releasing a New Holiday Wargame Package for pre-purchase as discounted rates for couples or a small family looking for a week long or more getaway holiday over the next 24 months.
Until the vaccinations occur broadly, it does look like large numbers of people gathering may be a problem so we will be limiting our number of guests to make it more private and safer for everybody.
Friday, January 1, 2021
The Final Countdown 2020
The Final Countdown 2020
Totals
2020 Goals achieved
WW2 1944 20mm
"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"™
From Caesar to World War Two
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Happy New Year
Cheers
Matt
Friday, December 18, 2020
11th Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge
Well this year I have decided to enter the Analogue Hobbies painting challenge for the first time, aside from painting miniatures worth various points you can also participate by painting small challenges along the way for extra points. I have decided to stay focused and complete my own painting schedule, unless I finish early or get a little ansty and bored of what I am painting.
This challenge I will be painting some 28mm Napoleonic Cavalry, Infantry, and Romans to the total of 1500 points. You also need to paint a gift for one of the other participants...not sure what to do yet....
Each 20mm foot figure 4 points, cavalry 8 points
28mm figure is worth 5 points, cavalry 10 points
Napoleonics
- Cuirassiers
- Gendarmes d'elite
- Dragoons
- Mamelouks
- Imperial Legionarys
- Auxillia
- Cavalry
- Bretons Guerre Folle
- French HYW
- Maine Plantagenet wars
wish me luck
cheers
Matt
Friday, October 30, 2020
28mm HUGE Castle -Chateaux build Part 1
Huge 28mm Castle/Chateau Epic Build
28mm Castle Project Part 1
Last week at French Wargames Holidays Phillipe and I joined forces for an afternoon of working on the new 28mm Chateau terrain. This terrain board is based on Chateau Sant Suzanne which is a famous medieval hill top defensive Chateau and town. This very early circa 1060AD stone castle dominates the valley and the pass north from Maine into Normandy. Most famous for its siege by William the Conqueror in the 1059s and the 1080s which became the only Chateau in Maine he could not capture.
Saint Suzanne is only 30 min from French Wargames Holidays and is one of our top destinations for visitors, being listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It really captures the reason why such a castle controls the landscape as far as the eye can see....
I have spent a lot of time planning this piece as I want it to be able to swap out the fortifications over a lot of periods, I have already started filming and will post it on Youtube in stages so you can follow what I am thinking and planning. I really want it to be very versatile options will include:-A Gaulois oppidum, of either the Aulerci Diablintes or Cenomani (Le Mans) the first siege in the 1st century BC (of which only the roman siege camp remains outside the walls and burnt remains on the dig)A Carolingian Fort and watch tower, based on remains that was found during the archaeological digs from the 6th century-9th century.10th century stone Donjon and timber Motte and Bailey walls, the chateau was sieged William the conqueror during his wars with his son and the duke of Anjou. And again during the Plantagenet wars of Stephen and Matilda and then again during Richard the Lion hearts rebellion against his father Henry and finally by Arthur of Brittanys Claim to the crown over John Lackland.15th century Hundred Years War being sieged three times in the period.Wars of Religion sieged by the duke of Mayenne against the Protestants.possibly also used as a big mountain for 20mm WW2 Swiss-Normandy hills (Domfront to Flers ridge) or large mountain 28mm games for French Revolution or Napoleonic Games.
For scale the terrain piece will be 1.50m long x 1.2m wide, and about 50cm high. The board will be broke into the upper Chateau and the lower town, with permanent pieces that lift on and off for ease of storage, plus with additional pieces could have a mountain grass land on top or even perhaps ruins for landscape games.
Some pictures for inspiration
The planning of the layout begins.....
wish me luck
cheers
Matt