Rigging

HMS Warrior and HMS Veteran with the rigging started.

HMS Saturn leaves port to join Admiral Parker!

Just finished rigging the 74 gun HMS Saturn.
After looking at the ships I have finished I have decided to wait to finish the waves on the base until I have most (if not all) of the ships done.  The wave patterns on each of the ships so far has varied dramatically.  So I think I will try to do them in large groups to get a more consistant look.  I do want some variation, but not as much as I am getting.  I love how these Langton ships turn out, and I am getting faster at doing the rigging.  6 down, 40 to go.

The first of the ships of the line sets sail

The HMS Ramilles emerges from final fitting on its shakedown cruise.

HMS Ramilles, 74 gun ship of the line, is the first of the ships in Parkers squadron to be finished.  Rigging took most of the day today.  The Saturn is ready to be rigged next.

Just a little more paint...

Just to be clear, I do not like the eye dropper paint bottles.  I just was trying to get a little more of the Reaper Brilliant Blue paint out of the bottle.  I am used to trying to get paint out of the bottles when they do not want to work.  After several pokes with my trusty paperclip, and some gentle shake and squeeze, I finally gave it a good (bad?) squeeze.  And the nozzle exited the bottle with a dramatic splut!!!!  And I go from being a frustrated mini painter to looking like a Pollack painting.
I did have to take a shower, clean my painting glasses (like reading glasses, only different).  And wipe up blue paint from the wall, a bookcase end, the computer, my cellphone and all sorts of other places.
On the good side I missed all of the miniatures on the desk around the paint tray with the paint.  And most importantly, I missed the 2 ships of the line hulls that I just finished.  But I did get paint up my nose.  At least I did get enough paint out of the bottle to base coat 4 sea bases.
And I had just decided that I would go change out of my work clothes after I put the blue undercoat on the sea bases...  So, I think that I have ruined the polo shirt I was wearing.
Did I mention that I do not like the eye dropper paint bottles?
(At least all the blue washed out of my beard, ears, nose and hair.  I was worried that I was going to work tomorrow looking like a smurf...)

News from this weeks DBA game (Feb 28, 2013)

Rome Daily Crier reports:

And in the East, word has arrived of the defeat of the army of Herod II from Judeah at the Bosphorus straits.  In recent months this upstart leader has interfered in Imperial operations in Canaan, Egypt and Syria.  Senator Obliviuos Realitus stated: "It was about time.  After the vile usupering of proper Roman authority from my nephew Governor Blunderous Incompetus, this rabble had it coming."  When asked if he was concerned with Herod continuing to be a problem. He said, "Problem?  He was never really a problem, with my good friend Legati Dado Fortunis and his legion intervening Herod will go back to being a good little vassal." 

There are unconfirmed reports of Herod II's army has not dispersed as expected.

And back to our regularly scheduled Cry, Toga Today, is Biege the new Black?

This week's battle was Early Imperial Roman (Me) vs. Later Judean Mike H. 

Rome was victorious 5-3.

3/3/2013

Another 4Ground building kit assembled

Here is the Parish Church kit in 15mm from 4Ground.  This is a very complex kit compared to the Timber Log House kit.  The kit went together well with only a few pieces needing to be sanded or adjusted to fit.  The most parts that needed fitting were to the roof sections.  The main roof and the main entrance roof needed to be sanded to fit in place.  The assembly sequence required paying close attention to which parts are being used and in what order they are needed.  The instructions were not very clear in spots and not always correct in labeling the parts.
The kit contained many parts and sections.  The details are wonderful.  There are gothic window frames and door details.
All of the roof sections are removable and the tower has 4 levels.  Below is a picture of all the sections spread out.  The last picture is a view of the other side of the church including a small covered entrance with a removable roof.  This is a beautiful addition to my collection of terrain.
I really enjoy building these kits. They are well designed, assemble quickly and have good details and paint finish.  The price for these kits is good for the quality of the finished product.

Another building done!

Over the weekend I put this little kit together.  This is the Log Timber House in 15mm from 4Ground.  They make very nice laser cut MDF buildings in 15mm and 28mm.  So far I have only done their 15mm buildings.
The kits go together very well.  My only complaint is the soot from the laser process.  the parts are covered in it and all the parts have a strong burnt wood smell.  I wiped the parts off with a tissue the best I could, but it still is very sooty.  For this kit the soot actually adds to the appearance, once I blended in the smudges from my fingers.  Also, I followed the directions very carefully, which left me with both doors on the same end.  After looking at the cover photo and the directions, I realized the building on the cover and the one assembled in the directions are 2 different builds of the kit, with the building on the cover having the doors much farther apart.  The directions put the doors close together, which looks odd.  Oh well.  You can only see it from the side I did not photograph.  I will have to study the instructions more carefully from now on.  As for the odor, I will wrap the building in a couple of dryer sheets in a plastic bag for a while.

2/18/13