The final two figures from the Bazi Royal Guard – The RPG gunner and Hussein bin Said al-Bazi, one of the Bazi family and a senior leader in the Bazi Royal Guard. He is important enough to have the gold on his shoulder, but not too important that he doesn’t get involved on the ground.
You may notice the RPG gunner has been modified. The RPG 7 has a quite distinctive shape to it, with the deflector cone at the back. The basic figure didn’t include it (looking a little more like an RPG-2) however, going into the bits box gave me a quick donor. It’s not perfect but I much prefer the look.
So it’s finally time – lets talk paints. Unless mentioned otherwise, all paints are Vallejo:
Undercoat – Black
Base – Tan Earth
Clothing – Three Colour Desert
Base: Iraqi Sand
Blobs: German Camo Beige
Lines – Mahogany Brown
Leather boots and belts – Red Leather
Pouches – English Uniform
RPG warhead, Grenades – Russian Uniform
Berets – GW Khorne Red
Weapon Wood – Cavalry Brown
Weapon Metal – Gunmetal Grey
Then for final effects:
Drybrush anything black or metallic with Basalt Grey
Cover in GW Agrax Earthshade
So that’s the Bazi Royal Guard done. I’m going to write up a full impression of them soon but before I do, quick explain. I am not painting up the knife wielding figure. He’s just awful. Instead, I’m going to use him as the basis for another conversion – a commander for the Gage Commando. Watch this space.
Part 2 of the Bazi Royal Guard I painted up on my Wednesday night twitch stream. Three more riflemen and an officer with pistol (ideal for shouting at angry civilians) to join the initial four.
Again, super easy to paint, the Militia Miniatures models having lots of contours to catch the wash in. US 3 Colour desert camo, leather boots and belts, wooden AK stocks and finished off with an Agrax wash. Once I do the last set, I’ll get a paint list up.
Next on the block? Well, the knife-wielding mad man needs some more work so he’s going on the backburner. This leaves me the squad RPG gunner and the senior leader to a paint up in the normal style. Not sure they need a whole evening though so I might finish them off on the weekend before the next stream.
However, while thinking it through, perhaps something else on my desk could be added to give me a full unit ready for some battles. The Gage Commando from Empress is ideal for a less well equipped internal security force, providing cover on the street if the main group is involved in an assault. I think it might be time to finish it off and get it looking a little less pure white.
Well, we’re still in lockdown and I’m still mostly stuck in my house, playing Call of Duty and occasionally painting some models (when I’m not working).
Big new thing I’m trying out – going to be starting to do more short-form articles than waiting to make giant ones. Mostly because I’m bored of seeing just “Wargaming Week” pop up in the “Recent Posts” tab and also because I want to write more for this place. So going forward, you’re going to see less in the update section and more up here, where I’ll embed the last week’s posts to show off what I’ve been working on.
NEWS
Battlespace, a solo ultramodern game from Table Salt Gaming Designs is now out! Seeing as it looks right up my alley, I decided to pick it and give it a go. It’s pretty reasonably priced, the rules seem pretty interesting and I love the concept behind it. The book’s forces are insurgents vs US Army, and I’m looking forward to seeing just what it’s like… once I print off this pile of cards needed for it.
Empress is back up and beginning the new releases train – first up, the rest of the ANZAC Vietnam range. In addition to the SLR armed releases earlier in the year, these new packs add the required support options and command packs, such as figures with M16s, others with Owen guns (mostly for your scouts) and naturally the M60 for putting the fire down. Having just rewatched the film “Danger Close” (and the better documentary on Long Tan) I’m trying very hard to not start up a new theatre.
Big news for regular wargaming world, Warhammer 40k is getting a 9th edition. I’m including the CGI video above (because it does a pretty good job of getting people hype) but actually I’m quite excited to see how things are advancing in the world of Games Workshop. Although I’m not always a fan of the rules (I find the disconnect between lore and tabletop capabilities a little too wide) I do love the storylines they create and their model designers are top-notch. I actually have some 40k figures (thanks to some second-hand sales) so you might see an army being constructed, and maybe even some get some games in (depending on how the rules changes are)!
Finally, Knights of Dice (partially inspired by the release of Battlespace) are making new Tabula Rasa compound to be stormed. It’s a really nice looking setup but like all Tabula Rasa kits will need the extra details adding. No mention of a release date, but one to keep an eye on.
UPDATES
Speaking of Games Workshop, I’ve decided to enter the world of Necromunda. One of the group of friends back down in the north of England was just setting up for a Necromunda campaign when the lockdown begun. Seeing as I am now with reach of them, I thought I might join in once we’re able to meet in small groups. Of course, before that I’ll need a gang. And being the kind of person I am, it was time for some heavily armed enforcers to kick in the door. I’m not doing them as normal enforcers though – instead, I’m going to do them up as a private group of contract lawmen. So swap a few heads, add a few extra details and then get ready to beat up some low hive scum.
Speaking of arrival, my copy of Root and it’s expansions FINALLY turned up. I was a little worried as this was supposed to arrive before my move to Leeds but luckily my address change went through. I’m very excited to get a game of this in, but even if it takes a while, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the glorious little meeples in it.
Finally, my Modern Warfare addiction continues. And with a new skin released for my main Allegiance operator Bale, I think I have a camo scheme for my Russian SSO operators from Spectre. It’s really cool to see a new modern style Russian skin that isn’t just multicam.
That’s it for this update, expect more updates next week!
Tonight’s work from the stream – the first four soldiers of the Bazi’s Royal Guard. Made using Militia Miniatures Republican Guard figures, these guys will be hitting the mean streets of Bazi city to fight back against possible Special Forces insertion against key elements of the regime.
As you can see, these guys are a lot lighter armed and equipped than most of the other troops I have, so ideal for internal security/ beating up the locals who try to attack the regime. They were also super easy to paint up, with only a pair of pouches at most on these guys.
Next step is going to be painting up the rest of the Republican Guard models. These include a few extra riflemen, an RPG (that needs the deflector adding) and an officer with his pistol. One of them is also dressed up like an officer, so should be good fun to paint him up.
One figure I’m not painting up is knife boy. I’m really not impressed with him as a figure honestly – his head is out of proportion with his body and the pose is not great. I think I’m going to maybe do some surgery on him, either a head swap or something more invasive.
For anyone who might be wondering why this blog post just popped up, I’m thinking of breaking out my hobby updates into many smaller posts (SITREPS) rather than the one giant update every week. Monday will still be the news post, but this way I’ll actually post more than just once a week.
A little delayed this week, had some trouble finding the time to sit down and get this update written. And shockingly, there is actual news to cover!
Before that though, tonight on Twitch I’ll be taking a look at the Militia Miniatures Republican Guard figures and getting them painted up as the Bazi Royal Guard, perfect for stomping the little guys.
NEWS
First up, Empress are releasing a charity figure to add to the WW2 range. This female nurse figure is up on the store now as a pre-release, with proceeds from her going to the NHS charity here in the UK. As it’s a Paul Hicks sculpt, it looks pretty lovely so I will definitely be taking a look.
Table Salt Gaming Designs, who I think I have mentioned on here once before, are days away from releasing a rather interesting set of rules, based on the description. Solo and ultra-modern seems like the perfect thing to be released round about now, so expect me to take a look at it when it comes out.
In slightly sadder news, and as something that should shock no one, Historicon 2020 is not going ahead this year. The organisers have decided, based on the current worldwide situation that it would not be a good idea. Additionally, Gencon has also cancelled. I have to admit, at the way things are going, probably safe to assume there will be no major gatherings of wargamers this year. Perhaps Fiasco in October but even then I’m not sure on that…
However, in better news, the Mastiff is finally coming! White Dragon Miniatures took to the live stream last Thursday to show off the upcoming release. This massive MRAP is definitely one I’d love to add to my force (even if it’s technically in the wrong scale for my collection) and it’s safe to say that Alan at WDM has knocked it out the park with this one. Even down to daring to do the stand-off armour around the edges. Release should be soon and, although it’s going to be asking for a centre-piece price for it, I will definitely be getting one.
UPDATES
Well, I did some painting! The main reason for doing these twitch streams is finally coming into effect as I am getting a reasonable rate of having something finished each week. As in the last session, I managed to get my pair of adventurers from Hasslefree. I need to do a few little touches to them (cleaning up the Agrax from the base) but they were great fun to plan out and then paint with everyone.
That’s it for this update, expect more updates next week!
New update from Empress – they are working on a version two of their two page ruleset “Danger Close” to add vehicles and aircraft. This will double the ruleset size up to four but should also make it more interesting for anyone slowly building up a collection of Empress’s products. I’ll be keeping an eye on it, ready to update the comparison doc when it releases.
UPDATES
Lichen! As part of my terrain building efforts, I’ve been picking up elements I’ve previously not needed before. Trees came first, but now it’s more rough ground cover for scrub brush. Ideal for concealment, this should help to make some of my boards “pop” a little more.
Wednesday’s stream saw me finishing these guys off – five more USMC guys for the collection all ready to go. You can also see the effects of the light box I picked up, which should make all my painting look slightly more passable.
Friday night saw me sit down with a few beers on a zoom call and start painting some of my WW2 British, inspired perhaps a little bit by it being VE Day. I only managed to get the first two layers done (and a few pieces of flesh) but I’m already pretty excited to be working on them. Amazing what a few colours can do!
That’s it for this update, expect more updates next week!
Bit of a short post this week – nothing much new to report. That said, a few places are reaching the point where they might come back online, so maybe we’ll see some more news and even releases soon?
Personal news, going to be back streaming again this Wednesday! Plan is to take a look at some USMC, either applying the final stages of camo on current set or beginning anew on the next fireteam. Same time as last week, starting at 8pm UK and going for two and a bit hours (or until we get bored).
NEWS
Not grabbing the news stories for this, seeing as they are short, but Games Workshop and Perry Miniatures are both back online and ready to ship out orders to people. As with other companies that have remained open, both are running a little slower than usual and may have limited stock. But it is a good sign to see people finding ways to safely continue business and keep running.
UPDATES
As everyone who joined in the stream saw, I finish off the Baba Yaga model from Spectre, in a slightly different colour scheme. I’m also seeing him as a different character – Alexios Jonhnovich, freelance intelligence agent and fixer down in Aden.
I had decided on the light tan suit when I first picked the model (wanting something different from the usual black suited John Wick) but it was chat that suggested the pink shirt to go with it. I really like the overall look and can’t wait to get him into a scenario.
That’s it for this update, expect more updates next week!
