WIP - Ogres

The first Ogre is nearly completed. All that remains is to finish the gear on his belt and his feet. I will complete the base when all the models are completed. As I have already mentioned in my previous post I am painting up the ogres in different state colours of the Empire. the first batch are from Talabecland.

Ogre Army - Beginnings

I have decided to build the ogre army with an 'Empire' theme in mind. I have bought one box of Ironguts and a Battalion box set to get me started. As I have already mentioned this is an exercise in modelling with green or grey stuff. As you can see I have based all of the Ogres using Gale Force 9 basing materials. I began with placing larger 'boulders, blocks etc'. Next I used the fine grit, followed by their medium grit to create a more interesting base. Once the models have been painted I will add dead/winter static grass, also made by Gale Force 9.

I have added greenstuff to three of the models so far. The first model has already been undercoated black. I decided that some of the ogres would have served in the far north of the Empire, either in Ostermark or Ostland. While others would have served in Averland or Talabecland. The Leadbelchers that come with the battalion box set will be painted up either in Nuln or Nordland colours.

The next step in the process is take six models and start to work on them as a batch. Meanwhile I will do a test paint on the undercoated model.

Something to fill my time

Well the paperwork is underway and I am hurrying up and waiting. Getting myself registered in NZ is a lengthy process and while I wait for forms to come in and go out again I have put myself to work on a fantasy project to keep me occupied.

I have bought an Ogre Battalion box set and an extra box of Ironguts. The purpose of this project is to develop my sculpting skills. I have already added greenstuff to two of the ironguts, giving them a northman look. I have stopped there for the time being while I refocus on the bases as I want to give them a uniform look.

As for the rest of the army I am going to think a little harder on the theme I use. Some ideas so far - Arabic - Saracen, Northmen - vikings or an Empire feel. I will post some pics in the next couple of days of the progress I have made.

A New Blog!

I have begun a new blog to track my War of the Roses project. I felt that it deserved one as it is this period of history that fostered my passion for history and helped to get me involved in historical wargaming. I have called the blog "The White boar". A dedication to Richard III. You can find the blog here - http://jerseyprivateer2.blogspot.com/

War of the Roses Update

Well my travels are coming to ahead. In a couple of days Andrea and I head to New Zealand and I will be attempting to add some more background info to the blog about that turbulent period in Medieval England until I can lay my grubby paws on the models I bought some time ago. I am also giving consideration to setting up a dedicated blog.

Travels Continue...

Andrea and I are leaving Laos today and flying into Vietnam for a couple of weeks. It has been an amazing journey so far. We have seen and done so much. Looking forward to a new country...although I may have to reinforce my pockets after some of the 'stories' I've heard from other travellers in Vietnam.

On the Road...

Well Andrea and I have made it into Georgia. A couple of weeks ago though we were in Istanbul and took time out of the city to travel down to Gallipoli. It was a very interesting and moving experience. I have never been on a battlefield tour, this one being my first and it gave me a real sense of what happened and how the soldiers must have felt. I didn't realise that 250,000 Turkish soldieers lost their lives defending their homeland from the Allies - mostly through disease. The Allied cemeteries are kept immaculate by the Commonwealth War Graves Association and the Turkish government have also ensured that the entire site is kept to a high standard. So many Aussies and Kiwis make the pilgrimage to this site. I explained to someone on the trip that what the Somme was to the British, Gallipoli is to the ANZACS.


The tour lasted three hours as we were bused around the various sites at Gallipoli. I also bought a map of the campaign, which is very interesting to look at and is memento of the afternoon.

Update on the War of the Roses Project

Even though I am far away from home (Bulgaria at the moment) I have finally found a sound internet connection! On checking my emails last night I received an email from my friend telling me that the Perry order has finally arrived. I now have all the models I need to put together enough contingents for both sides of this English conflict.

When I eventually stop moving around on my 'Walkabout - come Honeymoon' I will settle down to some serious nights of building and painting.

Until then....

On the Road

Well, Andrea and I are finally on the road to Australia, Darwin and then we head straight for New Zealand. For now this blog will lie 'slightly dormant.'

However I have been to Salute and met up with various people and wished them well. I also went and picked up a copy of Hail Cesaer, I'll have a read of that in the future when we get settled.

It was quite liberating going to Salute as I couldn't take anything with me!

Cheers for now,

Richard

Married!

On Saturday 2nd April 2011 at 1pm I married Andrea in St. George's chapel at Gorey Castle. It was a truly magical day and fantastic to see so many family and friends there to share it.

Old Miniatures Part 4 and Richard III Billmen

Well I have managed to complete some old Foundry bowmen I had stashed away. I have painted them up as levy archers with sympathies lying towards Henry Tudor. They have taken longer to paint than I expected, too many individuals! But I am reasonably pleased with the end result.

Here is my first stand of miniatures for my Bosworth Project. I am using orbats published by Terry Gore (Saga Publishing) for my Bosworth project. For Richard III's contingent I'll need to build and paint two more bases like the one shown below. I will need to complete the basing but I will do this at a later stage when I have more of the army completed.

Old Miniatures...Part 3

I have had the opportunity to do a little more work on the old miniatures I found in my lead pile. They are mostly Foundry miniatures, so they'll blend in well with the Perry miniatures. They are not taking to long to 'spruce up' either.

More Reading Material

I have just finished reading on the texts I bought recently on, The War of the Roses by Trevor Royle. The first half of the text discussed life in England prior to 1455. The story begins with Richard II before moving onto Henry IV and Henry V. It is during the times of these three kings that the seeds of disruption are sown. Had Henry VI been older (much older) when he ascended the throne then the story would have been very different.

I have two more books coming my way, Richard III and the Bosworth campaign by Peter Hammond and The Red Rose and the White: The War of the Roses 1455 - 1487 by John Sadler. Both of these books are more geared to the military campaigns fought during this 'First English Civil war.' I am about to start Lancaster and York by Alison Weir.