Done!

Here is the first complete unit.

 

Starting on line.

The goal is at least a unit a week.  

First unit done (almost)

Everything is based.  2 stands left to flock and some touch up. Not my best work overall but good enough to play with on the table.  Hopefully I'm in the grove now and the other 8 units will go pretty fast.  Almost went with 6 figs a stand but like the look of 8 to a stand.  Using 40x30's for my bases.  Next in the que, German line... ummm, white...

Bases flock, just drying:

The whole unit:

AB vs BH

I took a few pictures for comparison between AB and Battle Honors.  I must say the AB have some very nice detail.  I went with BH for the cost which is about 1/3 for what I ordered.  The issue I am running into is command.  The big value bags from Old Glory and BH just don't have enough command so I ordered a few AB to compare.  Not bad but the AB are overall just a little bit bulkier compared to the BH.

I'm almost done with my first unit.  I would be if those darn Austrians were 4 stand units... on well, back to painting.

First stand completed

Finally finest my first stand of Grenz.  All of my Litko bases came in yesterday and since it rained here all day, I was motivated to do some painting. Getting the colors that I want and shading took a while but I'm happy with them now.  Hopefully I will be able to crank out the rest of the unit pretty quick.  My speed painting routines and techniques are slowly coming back to me.  I have also been experimenting with the line units.  I find painting white one of the bigger challenges. I have tried out 5 different colors and a several techniques, but I think I have found the look I like.  Using an off white base color with a very thin light gray wash then doing the belts in white.  Several other attempts were either too dark or looked dirty.  Once I get all the colors figured out, I think these guys will go pretty fast.  After that, horses... my least favorite.  Not that hard to paint, I just have never really liked paint them.  I have also been work on a few commanders. 

This is my primary reference:

The first unit:

The production line:

Test line colors:

Well, off to watch the rest of the game.

Grenz colors

Okay, I think I have my colors for the Grenz.   Trying to get some colors while making them easy to paint.  The big deal for me is trying to speed paint.  Hopefully the bases will arrive the next couple of days.  I interested to see what these guys will look like once based.  I should get these finished up tonight.

Hopefully I will be able to crank-up production the next few nights.

Primed, ready to paint

So, I did get to units primed.  LSooking a colors now.  Spend awhile looking at the colors for my Grenz.  Still not sure if I should go with white or black straps.  I have found reference and discussion about both.  Here are some pictures of the first few with test colors.

The white horde waiting to be painted.

There is a good discussion on Grenz unifomrs on TMP:  http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=103836

I also found this great website.  Some great stuff (to bad it's in German)   http://www.croebern-1813.de/index2.html  At first look, I thought this was a painting or something.  Really incredible work.

That's a bunch of figures!!!

Okay, got the first 2 units of Austrians on their paint sticks.  Still need to do some minor clean-up.  Still rainy here, so not sure if I will get to prime today.   Overall, the Battle Honors look okay.  After comparing them to the AB, I would say go with AB if you can.   I'm still going with BH for the cost.  In the end, I plan on having 2 armies so cost is an issues. 

Another minor issue I have is basing.  The line guys will look good with 8 per base.  The BH Grenz however come in 3 poses, marching, firing, advancing.  With the firing and advancing figures they have a lot of depth due to the pose.  Looks like I can use all the advancing poses for skirmishers and for irregular bases and will have the front line firing.  Since I don't have my bases yet, I can be 100% sure.  Here is a base I cut (40x30) with irregulars (4 to a base).  As you can see, there is no why to put 8 figures on a base. Max would be 6 figures per base.

Last of all, my Litko flight bases came yesterday.  They look good.  I was going to use their clear flight pegs but not sure how I'm going to stick them together.  The ones in the picture are cut from aluminum rods.  I have them in several different lengths and have them with pins in the end so the stack easily - I have stacked to up to over 12".  It just takes a little time to cut and paint them.

Pictures of AB Command and Dave's buildings

I got the AB miniatures on their painting sticks and a sample Dave's building.  Still trying to figure out what size I want the buildings.   Rain today, so looks like I will be priming with Gesso. 

AB command and some buildings

My order from Eureka came today and it only took 2 days-outstanding! I will get some pictures up later. Working on clean them. Only some minor model lines and then mounting them on my paint sticks. Overall, some outstanding miniatures.

Meanwhile, I been surfing for some paper buildings to use. I found these:

Dave Graffam Models 

Great service by Dave.  I had a question right after I download the files (a great plus with paper - instant project and no postage fees)  Per the instructions, 15mm should be reduce to 50%. Overall these still seemed a little big so I'm going to give 40/45% a try.  While the 50% was probably more true to scale it just looks a little big.  David has a free sample to give it a try.  I have used paper terrain for other projects and I think it works very well for the price. Plus you can modify the buildings and/or print out several copies.  Great for the Old West.  Will post some pictures in the morning.

Here is a great review of LaSalle - REVIEW.

Jasta 37 - first six done

Here are pictures of the first six planes for Jasta 37.  I think they will look great on the table.  I hope to set up a table to take pictures of each plane and each squadron the next few days.   Next up - 4th AFC Snipes. 

Actually, after looking at the pictures it looks like a little touch up needs to be done.  Also, need to get ready for a couple hundred 15mm Nappies!!!

It was the Postman

More planes and the Blue Violet paint I needed.  Updated pictures:

Finally got some decals on.  I finished up the Nieuport 17s, N.3 Les Cicognes.    Overall I like these, simple but nice looking aircraft.  First pictures is a before (on left) and after.  The pictures have some shadows, early morning sunlight.

Next up is a couple overall group shots.  The original model is in the lead.

 

Only had on minor issues.  The command pennant for Deullin rolled on me and in the process of unsticking it from itself some of the black come off.  Seems like black is the worst color at coming off.  I lost a few of the numbers off the serial numbers on the tail.  Not letting the decals "roll" on themselves is the #1 priority when working them.   I try to cut the decals down as much as possible, it seems to help, but the long thin ones like the pennants can be a challenge.

My favorite one from this group, Drome:

Just placed a big for15mm Battle Honors Napoleonics from WarWeb to use for LaSalle.  After reading through the rules the last couple of nights, I really like this set.  I have a few questions but they were quick answered by the author, Sam Mustafa, on the LaSalle forum.  With that, Quar and Martian Empires is back on the shelf for now.

Ummm... mailman just dropped off a package.  More planes for The Warstore????   Got to go check...