December 2018

Closing out the year with continued progress on the VBCW figures. About 300 more to go...all primed and ready to go.

Christmas loot

VBCW figures...300 to go!

Vega Baja Musketeers...a commemorative unit for the time my National Guard unit spent in Puerto Rico for hurricane relief

VBCW battle in progress

PAINTING
53 x 28mm VBCW Figures: 53 points
12 x 15mm imagi-nation figures: 12 points
TOTAL: 65


GAMES
1 x AVBCW game


BUDGET
$50 in rules from Nordic Weasel. Some very interesting skirmish rules.

July 2017 and Historicon

Noah and I spent a few great days at Historicon playing in some fabulous games. My thanks to Peter and Miles for running these games for everyone's enjoyment; each won an award for their game time slot.  I am looking forward to next year in Lancaster.

I played in 7 games (including 5 with the Junior General). Had so much fun spending some father/son bonding over toys.

I only spent $50, well below my expectations. Paint, brushes and a can of Army Painter dip. I am still in shock from not buying any figures. I then fell off the wagon and bought a bunch of 6mm sci fi figures on the last day of the month.

A few pictures from the convention before my usual painting/gaming/spending diary entry:

DAK and Dragons...GM ran 9 games over the convention; we played in 3.

Fantastic table with the catacombs.

Italian Armor vs Troll

Beautiful layout

Panzer Mk III killing the Red Dragon

Noah leading some cavalry at the Battle of Ravenna

My kind of charge

Feel bad for those horses

2nd game on the same layout

Action shot. 

Pacific Island invasion with LSNC:WW2

Peter Anderson's FOB Battle of Raab

Turned the enemy flank and brought the game to a victory for the French in the end

Kudo's to our CiC, Luke, for pressing the enemy center...twice.

Operation Battleaxe in North Africa using 3mm PicoArmor.

My British 6th RTR were about to have a hard day. The unit bases are color coded to the dice...very nice. 

Germans in the distance on Hill 208.

Junior General giving me "the look" for this picture I sent to the Countessa. 

PAINTING
14 x 12 figure Katzenstein 15mm units: 168 pts
Total: 168 points

14 new regiments for the Kingdom of Katzenstein

GAMES
7 (all at Historicon)

Junior General and a friend playing Field of Battle in my basement

SPENDING
$50 at Historicon, $144 on 6mm sci fi = $194
$1228 for the year. $228 over budget...not good.
plus $1000 total expenses at Historicon with the hotel, gas/tolls, and food.
Budget: <$1000 plus Historicon expenses.

The Gathering Storm

It has been almost six years since the Grand Army of Katzenstein has taken the field against an enemy on the continent. While there have been several small colonial campaign around the globe, for a time, peace reigned and the country prospered. The rise of a new Emperor in the Imperium, Miroslav-the sixth of his name, and an unlikely marriage have set in motion events that could lead to war.

Miroslav's open belligerence to the break away kingdoms that once belonged to the Imperium is no secret. Since taking the throne, some whisper of poisoning his father, the new Emperor's regiments have brought several smaller states back into the fold. After a short, sharp war, Miroslav's legions have even occupied the Kingdom of Falkenberg right on the doorstep of the Kingdom of Katzenstein. Only the Mountains of Tobsk and the Katzenstein fortress in the pass stand between the bitter enemies.

Events further South, however, threaten to spark the next war. After a hundred years of constant skirmishing, the unlikely romance between the oldest children of the ruling houses of the Duchy of North Nitch and the Duchy of South Stich could bring prosperity to both minor states. There is even talk of the union resulting in a new Kingdom of Nitch-Stitch, an outcome the Emperor would not tolerate.

In anticipation of a possible conflict, King Yertle of Katzenstein has ordered that all regiments of the Grand Army parade for his birthday. He has even called on the colonial regiments to send field forces for a series of exercises in the homeland. Could this be too much for the Emperor? With his forces being reinforced every week in Falkenberg, might the Emperor strike first?

---With the "OPFOR" forces painted, and the latest expansion to my Katzenstein army done, it is time to get back to some horse and musket gaming. It has been almost six years since my last battle...December 10th, 2011. I will use the Field of Battle rules and I plan to use some battle maps from http://perfectcaptain.50megs.com/bfinder.html There is an example of how to organize all of the maps to make a campaign map. This will help give some direction to the campaign.

June 2017, mid year review

Half way through the year. Good progress on my painting projects and a few enjoyable games under my belt. I am looking forward to Historicon next month.

Mid-year Review
1- Katzensetin OPFOR expansion: figures on hand, in progress
   a. Finish infantry by end of January---DONE
   b. Leaders in Feb---DONE
   c. Artillery in March---DONE
   d. Cavalry by end of July (Historicon)---DONE

2- Pulp: two batches of about 30 figures each (one from Christmas, one batch to be bought at Historicon)---One batch DONE; will not do another this year.

3- 6mm Sci Fi: this will be the big new project for the year ---the focus for after finishing the KoK expansion---Postponed until Katzenstein figures are complete

4- 28mm Zombies: if I need a change up and find some of the plastic kits cheap---Purchased figures

5- Attend some conventions: NJCon, Historicon...maybe even splurge for Cold Wars or Fall In---Historicon next month

6- Spending: <$1000 for the year plus Historicon; I have been saving my change for a few years and plan to cash in for convention spending---OVER SPENT, I will need to keep Historicon spending low

7- Gaming: Keep up on my solo pulp and fantasy gaming, expand my opportunities with gamers in NJ.---SOLO gamed a few times, need to reach out to the locals again

8- Fantasy Rules: next version with updated stats, magic, and custom card deck---Continuing to TINKER

9 of the 17 cavalry regiments for the Imperial Army

8 more regiments

14 infantry regiments for Katzenstein being recruited

PAINTING
48 x 15mm cavalry figures: 96 points
TOTAL: 96 points

GAMES
No games this month...I keep wanting to try out a Pulp Alley zombie game.

BUDGET
$6 for the month! (can of primer)
$1034 year to date.
$1000 for the year in my budget, plus Historicon.

May 2017

Good painting progress this month. I have broken the back on the imagi-nation cavalry figures, with just 6 units to go. I am on track to finish them before Historicon in July.

With that finish line in sight, I have to decide what comes next. I was thinking about four of my projects:
1- Finish final 14 units for Katzenstein
2- Start Zombies
3- Continue 15mm Fantasy
4- Start 6mm sci-fi

I have decided to finish the Katzenstein units. I started ordering the 14 units worth of figures today with the goal of completing them by end of the year. This will allow me to start a new campaign in 2018.

I may work on some of the Zombie figues as the mood strikes as well, at least enough to get some test games in. I am deciding upon a rule set with Pulp Alley, Advanced Song of Blades and Heroes, and Savage Worlds under consideration.

PAINTING
7 x 8 figure cavalry units: 112 points

GAMES
1 fantasy game

BUDGET
$324 for the month. I registered for Historicon and bought figures for the KoK. I also bought the Advanced SoBH rules and more Pulp Alley Cards.
$1028 year to date...so much for my budget! I will have to really watch my spending for the rest of the year and keep my Historicon purchases to a minimum.
$1000 for the year in my budget, plus Historicon.

March 2017

An early post to close the month since I will be traveling this weeks. Took a few days off at the beginning of the month from painting after the hard push in January and February, Picked things up over the last fortnight to finish the horses for the 17 Katzenstein project enemy cavalry units. I will start the riders in April with a goal of being done before Historicon in July.

The stables are full.

Last month I splurges using some of the money I got from selling unused figures and rules. I bought the zombie apocalypse survivor below, designed at www.heroforge.com

Neat software service that lets you design 28mm figures and have them 3D printed (I think they sub contract to Shapeways). Expensive, but a great item for a special occasion or character figure. 

PAINTING
0 points...I will get credit for the horses when the units are complete.

GAMES
0 again...still have a test game of Pulp Alley Zed on the table.

BUDGET
$128 for the month on my re-subscription to Wargames, Soldiers, and Strategy, and a batch of fantasy 15mm figures i could not resist for the price. I was doing so well trimming my lead stash.
Net: $111 for the year! Budget is <$1000 plus Historicon. I am in good shape so far.

Artillery and Leaders

Finished the artillery and leaders for my Kingdom of Katzenstein imagi-nation OPFOR..."The Imperium".

I am going to work on the 30 Pulp figures before tackling the cavalry.

Imperial Army

Last Summer,  I sold off all of the figures I purchased pre-painted to use as the opponents for my Kingdom of Katzenstein imagi-nations project. It is now time to reform an enemy force. I am going for a generic "Imperial" force that I can add onto as needed. I purchased a lot of mixed figures cheaply and I will form 95% of the army from this batch.

A full corps of 12 Musketeer Regiments

The Army:

12 Line Infantry
4 Light Infantry
3 2nd Line Infantry
1 Rifle
2 Grenadier Infantry
3 Guard Infantry
2 Garrison Infantry
1 Militia
2 Border Grenz
2 Landwehr
7 Provincial Regiments
40

5 Cuirassier
1 Guard
1 Guard Dragoon
5 Dragoon
1 Hussar
4 Lancer
1 Uhlans
18


2 Howitzer Battery
4 Field Battery
6

16 Generals

I can then add to these forces with small contingents from allied states and mercenary contingents.

August 2016

A very nice month for painting. I leisurely worked my way through some figures while also starting a fantasy game. I am about to embark on a major addition for the Katzenstein project...time to get my OPFOR painted and return to some horse&musket gaming. I am planning on this expansion taking about a year...we will see. Things did not start out well. The white primer has left a gritty covering. I tried putting white gesso over it but that only helped a little bit. I will see how these 144 figures turn out. Time for new spray primer or just stick with brush on gesso.

I will continue with Pulp Alley as well. For anyone who has not checked out the Pulp Alley rules, I suggest giving them a go. Absolutely fabulous skirmish game.
http://pulpalley.com/

Pretty Detective and an Ancient Horror

PAINTING
36 x 15mm infantry figures: 36 points
8 x 15mm cavalry: 16 points
2 x 28mm Pulp: 2 points

TOTAL: 54 points

Added the four units for the Kingdom of Katzenstein; each represents a significant life event:
- Duchess of Bartley "Viva's Own" Guard Grenadiers - named for my dog, very small 15mm figures since she is very small...these are the men who are too small to make the other guard units.
- Carlisle Musketeers - named for my War College graduation site
- Westfield Dragoons - location of my unit armory
- Madison Musketeers - twenty years since graduating JMU

Carlisle Musketeers

Duchess of Bartley "Viva's Own" Guard Grenadiers

Madison Musketeers

Westfield Dragoons

Next up: 12 x 12 figure units for "The Imperial Army"

GAMES
1 x Fantasy game in progress
---also scheduled for a game over Labor Day Weekend

PURCHASES and BUDGET
$58 this month: 2 Pulp figures and more Pulp Alley cards
Total for the year: $411
Budget: $389 under budget, 
Plan: <$100 per month; on target
Reminder: bases (round), paint, and brush supplies...plus some shield transfers.

July 2016

One of my more motivated months in a long time. Despite being away for two weeks for work, I finished up some more fantasy figures, bought a batch of figures for the Katzenstein project, and played two games. Even worked on the fantasy rules mash up. Hoping August is this productive.

Disappointed to have missed Historicon...plan to be back in 2017. I also have my eye on two local conventions and the HAWKS Barrage convention.


PAINTING
29 x 15mm fantasy figures: 29 points
---a mixture of large monsters, leaders/characters, and markers
TOTAL: 29 points

On the table:  four units for the Kingdom of Katzenstein; each represents a significant life event:
- Duchess of Bartley "Viva's Own" Guard Grenadiers - named for my dog, very small 15mm figures since she is very small...these are the men who are too small to make the other guard units.
- Carlisle Musketeers - named for my War College graduation site
- Westfield Dragoons - location of my unit armory
- Madison Musketeers - twenty years since graduating JMU

Demon, giants, and other baddies

Elementals...like the iron one best

Cattle to use as disorder markers

Leaders and characters

Lizardmen with their leader

Mummies

Wildling warriors with spears and bows

Mantlets and stakes

GAMES
1 x Napoleoncics using Fate of Battle; played with a new group
1 x Pulp Alley game w/ Junior General and one of his friends

PURCHASES and BUDGET
$250 this month: HUGE lot of mixed Napoleonic figures for my "Imperial" army and to field the 4 units above; I will be able to resell a portion of this
Total for the year: $353
Budget: $347 under budget,
Plan: <$100 per month; on target
Reminder: bases (round), paint, and brush supplies...plus some shield transfers.

June 2015

No games or painting this month, but I did finish the texturing/flocking of my entire imagi-nation army. Took longer than expected in man-hours, but I had put it off long enough.

In other news, I will miss Historicon next year because of work...good news it will be the end of a two-year military education course on 22 July 2016.

PAINTING
none

GAMES
none (Junior General did play one game with a friend)

PURCHASES and BUDGET
$30.69 for the month and $604 year to date. This is $296 under budget for the year. I have a large budget for Historicon next month with a few planned purchases. Most of the expense goes to travel, hotel, and food...I include that in my budget for the year.

MID-YEAR REVIEW
1- Pirates: Struggling to get started...but I am determined.
2- Texture/flock Imagi-Nation figures: Done!
3- Historicon: two weeks to go.
4- Cut spending 20%: well ahead of my target.
5- Small additions to existing projects: none, but started a Pulp project.
6- Fantasy Rules: did some work on my home version of FoB/HR.
7- Next Project: Pulp snuck up on me.
8- Lead Mountain: Painted everything I purchased, slow work on the Pirates.

Grand Army of the Kingdom of Katzenstein

(updated 31 December 2016) A milestone for the year and for my Katzenstein project...after must procrastination, I finished texturing/flocking all the bases to bring my entire miniature collection to a single standard. Nothing fancy, but the flock matches my game table.

The entire army in all its glory

Unit totals:
Infantry: 85
Cavalry: 26

INFANTRY
1- Liebgarde Grenadier Regiment, Gd
2- Countessa Genessa Foot Velite de Garde Regiment, Gd
3- Prince Noah Petite Garde Regiment, Gd
4- Eiffelberg Grenadier Regiment, Gr
5- Gekko Grotto Grenadier Regiment, Gr
6- Gwark Isle Grenadier Regiment, Gr
7- Mount Crumpit Geibergs Regiment, R
8- Zoomba-Na-Tant Geibergs Regiment, R
9- Mount Zorn Geibergs Regiment, R
10- Oif Provisional Marine Regiment, R
11- Lake Winna Bongo Provisional Marine Regiment, R
12- Provisional Naval Landing Party, R
13- Whoville Volunteer Musketeer Regiment, R
14- Hartuh Mawtch Musketeer Regiment, R
15- Hifferback Highland Regiment, R
16- Loyal Legion of Estrangers, R
17- Herk-Heimer Fusilier Regiment, R
18- Terwilliger Tirailleur Regiment, R
19- Vavode Voltigeur Regiment, R
20- Bumm Ridge Flanquer Regiment, R
21- Fopswich Flanquer Regiment, R
22- Salamasond Shutzen Regiment, R-Rfl
23- Finnigen Fen Feld-Jager Regiment, R-Rfl
24- Jorn Jungle Jager Regiment, R-Rfl
25- Zind Janissierie Regiment, Irg
26- Nantaket Wilds Border Regiment, Irg
27- Pomplemoose Pass Pandour Regiment, Irg
28- McElliot's Friekorps, Irg
29- Tobsk Tribe Regiment, Irg
30- Boola Boo Ball Landwehr Regiment, Mlt
31- Bunglebug Bridge Landwehr Regiment, Mlt
32- Mulberry Militia Regiment, Mlt
33- Mercedd Militia Regiment, Mlt
34- Yerka Isle Yeomanry Regiment, Mlt
35- Yupster Yeomanry Regiment, Mlt
36- Flobbertown Veteran Fencible Regiment, Mlt
37- Royal Rouge Customs Constable Regiment, 2nd R
38- Royal Bleu Border Constable Regiment, 2nd R
39- Dookles Deserter Battalion, 2nd R
40- Roover River Cadet Ranger Regiment, 2nd R
41- Sneeches Seminary Regiment, R
42-Grinch Garrison Regiment, Gar
43- Garbledrum Garrison Regiment, Gar
44- Poozers Pioneer Regiment, Pio
45- Zooks Zouaves Regiment, R
46- Fuddle Fusilier Regiment, R
47- Gee Hossa Ehat Guarda de Costa Regiment, 2nd R
48- Nizzonds Volunteer Privateer Regiment, Irg
49- His Majesty's Native Infantry, Metedeconk, Irg
50- His Majesty's Native Infantry, Manasquan, Irg
51- Northern Counties Militia, Mlt
52- Southern Counties Militia, Mlt
53- Eastern Counties Militia, Mlt
54- Western Counties Militia, Mlt
55- Capital Regional Militia , Mlt
56- Coastal Regional Militia , Mlt
57- Ooblek Sappers and Miners, Pio
58- Saint Polycarp Musketeers, R
59- Saint Rose Musketeers, R
60- Saint Clement Musketeers, R
61- Saint Aloysius Light Infantry, R
62- Saint Basil Grenadiers, Gr
63- Foxin-Sox Fusiliers, R
64- Hortonhearsahoo Fusiliers, R
65- Geisel Grenzers, R
66- Merlichetic Musketeers, R
67- Jackson Jager, R-Rfl
68- Prince Noah's Own Light Foot, R- Rfl
69- The Duchess of Bartley, Viva's Own Guard Grenadiers, Gd
70- Rio de Argenta Colonial Regiment
71- Ghanta Sepoys
72- Cacao Coast Colonial Regiment
73- Bak Choi Colonial Regiment
74- Kokimo Colonial Regiment
75- Queen's Colonial Rangers
76- Jersey Colonial Garrison Regiment
77- Thorndale Colonial Garrison Regiment
78- Ataturk Mercenary Regiment
79- Carlisle Barracks Garrison Regiment
80- Madison Musketeers
81- Vegas Voltigeurs
82- Saxe-Bearstein Memorial Fusiliers
83- Lawrenceville Fusiliers
84- Sha-Na-Na Mercenary Regiment
85- Goorkamorka Gurkha Regiment
86- Vega Baja Musteteers
87- Otterford Musteteers ***


CAVALRY
1- Garde du Korps
2- Cavalrie Regiment de Pupilles
3- Zweiback Garde du Honneur
4- Krock Kavern Kurassiers
5- Krupp Kurassiers
6- Culpepper Carabiniers
7- Vail Valley Dragoons
8- Wah Hoo Hussars
9- Hinkle Horn Hussars
10- Hippono-Hungus Hussars
11- Boober Bay Uhlans
12- Prax Praire Cossacks
13- Drize Loyal Mamelukes
14- Lorax Lancers
15- Jivvanese Jagers zu Pferde
16- Ronk Ruin Rough Riders
17- Valing Valley Chassuers a Chevel
18- West Bunglefield Chevau-legers
19- Dutter Dragoons
20- Catin-Hatt Curassier
21- Ish Irregulars
22- Herk-Heimer Heavy Horse
23- Doft Dragoons
24- Keck Kurassier
25- Saint George Horse Guard
26- Westfield Dragoons

GENERALS AND PERSONALITIES
1-King Yertle of Katzenstein
2-The Queen, Countessa Genessa
3-Prince Noah
4-Princess Maizie
5-Cindy-Lou, adopted daughter
6-Marshal Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea
7-Lieutenant General Herman Von Stroodel
8-Lieutenant General Einstein Van Tass
9-Major General Gregory Grumm
10-Major General Johan Van Fleck: efficient, aggressive, respected
11-Major General Carmichael Krox
12-Major General Angus McPhail
13-xxxxx
14-Brigadier General Sylvester McMonkey McBean: poor, cautious, unpopular
15-Brigadier General Bart Cubbins: poor, bold, respected
16-Brigadier General Michael Van Itch: poor, charismatic, accepted
17-Brigadier General Gerald McClay: highly efficient, charismatic, brutal
18-Brigadier General Herby Hart
19-Brigadier General Alexander Van Nuys: efficient, daring, inspiring
20-Brigadier General Harry Hadow
21-Brigadier General Gerald McGrew
22-Colonel Vlad Koff
23-Colonel Morris McGurk
24-Colonel Conrad Cornelius O’Donald O’Dell
25-Colonel Ali Sad
26-Admiral Buxbaum, Lake Winna Bango Squadron
27-Admiral Bixby, Boober Bay Squadron
28-Admiral Bray, Ocean of Oif Squadron
29- Bishop-General Von Finkelstein
30-Dr Derring, Royal Physician
Miss Sneetcher, Royal Librarian
Mr Finch the Royal Florist
Gertrude McFuzz, Royal Cook
Mrs McRove, Royal Laundress
Nadd, Royal Apothecary
Dr Malone, Royal Dentist
Dr Sam Snell, Royal Podiatrist
Fanny Schultz, Royal Pastry Chef
Mr Bix, Royal Hunt Master
Mr Potter, Royal Gardener
Professor de Breeze, Royal Academy of Arts
Mr Horton, Royal Zookeeper
Mr McMunch, Royal Food Tester
Chief Drum Majorette Miz Zockie Ann Sue

ARTILLERY AND BAGGAGE TRAIN
6 x Field Artillery Batteries
Assorted Field and Siege Guns
Medical Corps with Ambulances
Caissons and Limbers
Pack Animal Corps

FUTURE UNITS
Princess Maizie's Merican Light Dragoons
Kafiristan Lancers
Eagle Scouts
Carson
Artie + Family