The daunting stage

OK, so I've started painting the figures for my Punic Wars collection. The first 100 or so Romans are finished (less basing) and another 100 or so are very near complete. These are my principes (pictured) and my hastati for the four Roman legions - it will be the same for the allies and I have not started the velites, triarii and cavalry. Then it will be similar for the Gauls, Spanish and African / Carthaginians. Almost all will be Renegade figures.

But, oh my................ Almost 200 down and hardly a dent in that pile of lead; sitting like an elephant in the room - I can feel it watching me. It is the way I start all my projects. Research it all - buy it all - paint and base it all.

It is all bagged into batches of 48 (double units) or so for painting. This is what I refer to as the daunting stage of my projects. I have been here before and know that in a year's time the pile will only be half as big and I'll be gaming with the rest. But even so, 'dead' lead still has the power to over awe me. I must keep repeating to myself -

"I've done it before! I've done it before!"

and -

"It's all down hill after the first 1000!"

New Soldier Storage

Although I am very lucky to have a dedicated wargames room of a very good size (18' x 15' at its longest / widest) I still suffer from the perennial problem of storage room. Indeed, in the case figure storage, I was almost maxed out. Knowing this I had been thinking of various ways around the problem for some time - adding shelves to existing book cases, putting doors on them and putting a high shelf around my room to rehouse the evicted books, etc.

Then I came across the CD storage cabinets - a solution I had not thought of - on offer at Argos (see above) which had been reduced from £60 to £40 each. I quickly threw out all my existing ideas, measured my walls, and bought six cabinets sight unseen (risky!). From memory the dimensions are: Overall 51cm wide, 128 tall, 24 deep, weight 40lbs. The eight shelves, including the bottom - and this was the gamble as their dimensions were not stated - are just under 48cm wide and are 15cm deep. The door 'glass' is acrylic with a vertical lined pattern; I would have liked a clear plain finish but, at the cabinet price, I'm happy enough. The Argos catalogue number is 875/2570.

They are intended to be placed on the floor, but I wanted them mounted on the wall so that I could still open the doors of the kitchen base units that support my table. I popped down to my local DIY shop and bought enough brackets (3 per unit), some retaining brackets (? metal plates with holes in to tie the tops of the cabinets to the wall) and enough 4" screws and plugs to bolt everything in place. The wall mounting is somewhat over engineered, but considering the value of the contents (the free time I've invested painting more than anything) I figure it is better safe than sorry.

I like the results very much and offer this post as a possible solution to any storage problems you might have.

Moscow and Borodino

I have just returned from a trip to Moscow. Primarily this was a trip to see my brother-in-law Rupert and his family who have recently moved to live there. However, my passion for things military being what it is, it would have been remiss of me not to slip in some visits to a few history museums and a battlefield. As well as planned excursions, Russia is littered with military bits and pieces - roadside tanks etc. Above, my son meets some (bribed) Streltsi in Red Square.


THE BORODINO PANORAMA MUSEUM

This is a fantastic small museum just down the road from the Great Patriotic War Museum. It has a number of small exhibits and models, but at its centre is the panorama (you stand in the middle) of the battle. This is cleverly done with a 1:1 scale diorama in the fore ground and the painting of the battle behind it.





THE BORODINO MUSEUM AT BORODINO

Rupert (who is also interested in history) had arranged for his driver to take us both to Borodino on the last full day of my visit. It was the military highlight of my trip. By road this is about 120km drive west of central Moscow. Be warned that, because of the horrific traffic in Moscow, this distance takes about two and a half hours each way! However, it is well worth a visit. It has a well appointed (if small) museum opposite the memorial sited at the Great Redoubt. The museum is crammed with interesting exhibits including a large diorama of the battlefield and Kutusov's carriage. It is the ideal place to start, get your bearings and pick up a tour map.



BORODINO FIELD

The battlefield itself has memorials to the (Russian only) fighting formations at their main positions. Although roadside trees now obscure the view from the Russian to the French positions, the battlefield is largely unspoilt.


From the Great Redoubt looking west, looking east and looking north east.

Looking north to the Great redoubt from the midway point between it and the Bagration Fleches, and the Semenkovka stream (which looks like a series of muddy ponds).

The Bagration Fleches (forward?) looking west, looking south, and from the rear. These look like they are modern reconstructions.

Although built in the mid 19C the convent at the Bagration fleches houses one within its grounds. It also has a small museum (disappointing). The convent church is well worth a visit - stunning inside and out. (Rupert centre and his driver Gregory on the left).

THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR MUSEUM

This is a huge building. Unfortunately its contents, though interesting and well presented, did not match the building's external grandeur. However, outside the museum there is a tank and aircraft park which includes a few unusual exhibits including a twin turreted T26, a T26 produced without running gear for fixed defence, some lend lease equipment including a Matilda and Wasp, an armoured train, some Japanese equipment and a few German bits and pieces.

VISITING MOSCOW

Moscow is a city of extremes. It has some wonderful architecture amongst the endless communist high rise apartment blocks; it needs a lot of TLC and some health and safety legislation.

Eating well, etc. is very, very pricey - much more expensive than London and there is no middle ground. Expect a simple 'western' lunch to set you back £15 and a good dinner 4 or 5 times that. Only Petrol and take out booze are inexpensive. All museums have a very reasonable entry fee (£1 - £3) and all allow photography provided you pay for the extra photography ticket.

My honest opinion of Moscow as a whole is that it is worth a visit once - so get everything you need to do done in a single visit. It is an edgy, dirty, wholly corrupt and moth eaten city - after visiting (save for family and friends) you probably will not want to return.

A new project is underway!

At the end of the Crusades project, which I finished in March, I promised myself a year off to do some bits and pieces for my non-project projects (the little things I do, such as ancient naval) that I usually reserve for when a major project begins to stagnate. But wouldn't you know it, out of the blue comes an offer that is just too good to pass up: Renegade's Unit Deals offer.

The 2nd Punic War has always been on my to do list, but I was saving it for later in life. With such a great offer I have been unable to resist doing it now. So, the bank balance is taking the hit and next week I will have completed the first phase of any project - buying all of the figures I think I might require for the conflict on the continent of Europe. I have decided to do the 2nd Punic War as four armies, Roman, Gallic, Spanish and Carthaginian. The latter covers the African elements needed for the Wars in Europe; only by adding Spanish and Gallic elements can it achieve full muster. If you disagree with my breakdown (remember it is not for the Wars on the continent of Africa) don't hesitate in putting your view or amendments - as I say I will not be putting the final order in until next week.

ROME
Two Consular Armies (so I can do justice to Cannae as a demo game at shows)

Equites: 5 units of 9

Triarii: 8 units of 12
Principes: 8 units of 24
Hastati: 8 units of 24
Velites: 8 units of 16

TOTAL: 37 units - 704 infantry & 45 cavalry (not including command elements).

GALLIC ARMY
A largish Gallic army so that it can stand alone for battles in Transalpine Gaul. Carthaginian elements will be drawn from this army.

Gallic Cavalry: 5 units of 9

Gallic Warriors: 12 units of 24
Gallic Skirmishers: 3 units of 16

TOTAL: 20 units - 336 infantry & 45 cavalry (not including command elements).

SPANISH ARMY
A largish Spanish army capable of fighting alone. Carthaginian elements will be drawn from this army.

Spanish Cavalry: 4 units of 9

Spanish Scutarii: 10 units of 24
Spanish Craetarii: 3 units of 16
Balearic Slingers: 2 units of 16

TOTAL: 19 units - 320 infantry & 36 cavalry (not including command elements).

CARTHAGINIAN ELEMENTS FOR EUROPE
Using units from the Spanish and Gallic armies this can be a very large army.

Carthaginian Cavalry: 1 unit of 9
Libyan Cavalry: 1 unit of 9
Numidian Cavalry: 6 units of 9

Libyan / Peoni Spearmen: 6 units of 24
Numidian Skirmishers: 3 units of 16

Elephants: 8 stands of 1 elephant and crew.

TOTAL: 15 units - 192 infantry, 72 cavalry & 8 elephants (not including command elements).

GRAND TOTAL: 91 units - 1552 infantry 198 cavalry & 8 elephants (not including command elements).

My end date for completion (all painted) is November 2011.