Double Timing "Plumbers"

Double timing to their next position, these Marine "Plumbers" (light mortar crewmen) race under fire as they try to stem the Imperial Japanese forces in the Philippines.

 

The war in the Philippines is not going well for the American forces, supplies are running out an no reinforcements are in the foreseeable future.

So, these Plumbers are forced to use a captured Japanese "Knee Mortar" and its ammo as their issued 60mm mortar has been destroyed in combat.

The "Knee Mortar" was so named due to its curved butt plates that looked like it was designed to fit on the leg above the knee. Woe to any soldier foolish enough to try this as the recoil of firing the mortar would shatter the leg bone.

These are kit-bashed plastic pieces for my early war Pacific Americans that I painted this week.

Need to Break the Defense-Send in the Berserkers

With the cry "ODIN" on their lips, Berserkers Mordor and Bjorn charge into their opponents with reckless abandon. Many enemies have fled in the face of one of their fearsome attacks.

Berserkers, those who ignore pain, fight with near superhuman strength and ignore even serios wounds, are adept at smashing through even the strongest opponents Blood Bowl lines.

Mordor & Bjorn are two more Blood Bowl plastic pieces I painted in October.

Ulfwereners Know How to Tear though their Opponents

Ulfwereners (Shapshifters) are some of the most brutal Norse Blood Bowl players.

Using their beast like powers Nor and Snor,...

 literally tear through their opponent's line to take down the any one foolish to have the ball. 

 Nor and Snor are plastic pieces I painted in October .

It was Ugly-But DA BEARS WIN!

                                                                  Da Bears 12 - Vikings 10

It was one of the ugliest games this year (3 Chicago fumbles vs 4 Interceptions and 2 fumbles by the Vikings), but da Bears Defense, Fields and four field goals by Santos won the day for DA BEARS!

When Samurai's Raid AFR

 A simple raid on an unsuspecting village in the late 16th century leads to a bloody clash of Samurai and Ashigaru retainers.

Tom readies his raiding forces, while I prepare my Hojo defenders.

The raiders enter the village, they have already captured one "loot" site.

Hojo defenders rush forward to engage the raiders.

The raiders split up to find more loot.

Hojo open fire with no visible results.

                                              

The Hojo Samurai Tokima Seiji and Minaki Yoshio charge into combat while their less than brave ashigaru hang back.                       

For hand and to hand is the true way to test a Samurais skill with the katana.

Luck was with the Hojo Samurai and the battle is short and sweet

  For while both Hojo Samurai are seriously wounded, the kill three of the raiders. Soon the raiders heads will be presented to the daimyo. 

Meanwhile, three of the Hojo dispatch a lone raider who was attempting to flee with his loot.

Only one raider escaped with any loot which gave the superior numbers of the Hojo a marginal victory.

Valkyries and Football-Sexy Football At Its Best

                                      

Valkyrie sisters, Sigrdrifa and Hildr, are known to strike hard and fast when they play Blood Bowl.

Sexy and violent (what fan could ask for more), the two hold the record for the most points scored by their Nordic Warriors Blood bowl team.

Unlike their hard drinking teammates, the sisters prefer to drink from the helmets of their defeated opponents after the game. They even, usual, remove any bits of their enemies from the helmets before they fill them with Beer/Ale or harder drink.

Sigrdrifa, Hildr and their blood stained "Warhammer-Ball" are plastic pieces I painted last October for Richard's next Blood Bowl team.

By the Early Light of Dawn

 

While it's not a miniature, I did just finish the acrylic light house 60.9cm x 45.7cm (24in x 18 in) canvas on Wednesday.

Even Unicorns Love Thanksgiving

                 Stareye and Scarycrow wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

Music to Kill the Savage Beast or Man

 

After the untimely death of her abusive husband Winslow, the Widow Wisty Widshipp has spent her time removing monsters from Empress Victoria's capital city with he "Victrola of Soul Rendering" (V.S.R.patent pending). Many threatened or abused women and children owe their very lives to Widow Widshipp's deadly V.S.R. Those of pure heart and soul need not fear for the V.S.R. has no effect on men who are not beasts.

Widow Widshipp is a plastic piece I painted back in June of 2018 for our Rise of Mologh Game.

F4F Wildcat-USN's Early War Fighter

Flights of F4F Wildcats were all the USN/USMC had to hold off the excellent Japanese Zero in the early years of the War in the Pacific.

While the agile Zero was by far the more maneuverable of the two fighters, the solidly built, well armored Wildcat with self-sealing fuel tanks was able to take far more damage.

As the war progressed and the American pilots became more experienced at taking advantage of the Wildcats strengths vs the Zeros weaknesses slowly changed the battle for control of the air.

By the end of the war Allied Wildcats (it was used by the British and Canadian Naval Air forces as well) had earn a 7 to 1 kill ration vs the Japanese.

These are small (the base is only 20mm wide) plastic pieces from a long lost (50 years at least) plastic USN Essex Aircraft Carrier model kit. I just found them this week in an old box and repurposed them for "Victory at Sea" Naval Rules. I made sea bases, used push pin as stands and pained in a beat up three tone paint scheme, dark blue top, blue gray sides and gray bottom.

Call Me Odysseus or Ulysses, it Matters Not Now You DIE!

 

Never known for a calm deminer, Odysseus takes aim on those who have wrong him, his wife and family. Known for his actions in the Trojan War, his Odessey returning to his kingdom of Ithica and his brutal slaying of his wife's tormentor's, Odysseus (Ulysses to the Romans) is one of the most famous of the King heroes of Ancient Greek Myths.

                                    Odysseus is a plastic piece I painted in July 2018.

Military Uniforms and Weapons Reference Works by Time Period

 This is a list of my favorite/most useful reference works for historical miniature painting.

My first uniform reference book was "Knowledge Through Color Military Uniforms 1686-1918," that I purchased in 1971. 

Ancient -Medieval-Renaissance-17th Century (in historical order by earliest listed uniform/equipment):

Saxtorph, Niels. Warriors and Weapons of Early Times in Color, Macmillan Co. 1972.

Connolly, Peter. The Greek Armies, Macdonald Educational Ltd. 1977.

Wise, Terence. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 69, The Greek and Parsian Wars 500-323 B.C., Osprey Pub. 1980.

Cassin-Scott, Jack. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 121, Armies of the Carthaginian Wars 265-146, Osprey Pub. 1982.

Connolly, Peter. The Roman  Army, Macdonald Educational Ltd. 1977.

Newark, Tim. Celtic Warriors, 400BC- AD 1600," Blandford Press. 1992.

Rothero, Christopher. Blandford Colour Series Medieval Military Dress,1066-1500, Blandford Press.

 1983.

 Fearn, Jacqueline. Discovering Heraldry, Shire Pub. 1980.

Wise, Terence. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 50, Medieval European Armies., Osprey Pub. 1983.

Wise, Terence. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Conquistadores, Osprey Pub. 1980.

Winter, Janet & Savoy, Carolyn. Elizabethan Costuming for the Years 1550-1580, Other Times Pub. 1987.

Bryant, Anthony.  Osprey Warrior, Samurai 1550-1600, Osprey Pub. 1994.

Turnbull, S.R. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 86, Samurai Armies 1550-1615, Osprey Pub. 1979.

Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Warriors, Blandford Press. 1994.

Potter R. & Embleton, G.A. The English Civil War 1642-1651, Almark Pub. Co. Ltd. 1973.

Franklin, John. Navy Board Ship Model's 1650-1750, Naval Institute Press. 1998.

Young, Peter. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The English Civil War Armies, Osprey Pub. 1973.

18th-19th Centuries (in historical order by earliest listed uniform/equipment): 

Grant, Charles. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Black Watch, Osprey Pub. 1973.

Mollo, John & McGregor, Malcolm. Hippocrene Color Guides, Uniforms of the Seven Years War 1756-63, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1977.

Braithwaite, J. Uniforms of the Seven Years War, Prussia, Uniforms Reference Serie No. 1, Greenwood & Ball ltd. 1974.

Mollo, John & McGregor, Malcolm. Macmillan Color Series, Uniforms of the American Revolution, Blandford Press. 1975.

Napoleonic Era-

.

Cassin-Scott, John. Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars in Colour 1796-1814, Brandford Press. 1973.

Griffith, Patrick. French Artillery, Nations in Arms 1800-1815, Almark Pub. Co.1976.

Lee, Nigel de.  French Lancers, Nations in Arms 1800-1815, Almark Pub. Co.1976.

Bukhari, Emir. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 68, Napoleon's Line Chasseurs, Osprey Pub. 1980.

Haythornthwaite, Philip. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 141, Napoleon's Line Infantry, Osprey Pub. 1983.

Haythornthwaite, Philip. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 141, Napoleon's Light Infantry, Osprey Pub. 1984.

Pimlott, John. Nations in Arms 1800-1815, British Light Cavalry, Almark Pub. Co.1977.

Fabb, John & Cassin-Scott, John. Uniforms of Trafalgar, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1977.

Grant, Charles. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, Osprey Pub. 1973.

Bukhari, Emir. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Napoleon's Guard Cavalry, Osprey Pub. 1978.

Pawly, Ronald. Osprey Elite, Napoleon's Imperial Headquarters (1) Organization & Personnel, Osprey Pub. 2004.

Bukhari, Emir. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Napoleon's Marshals, Osprey Pub. 1979.

Povka, Otto von. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Portuguese Army of the Napoleonic Wars, Osprey Pub. 1977.

Chappell, Michael. Hippocrene Color Guides, Uniforms of the Retreat from Moscow, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1976. 

Pickles, Tim. Campaign Series 28, New Orleans 1815, Andrew Jackson Crushes the British, Osprey Pub. 1998.

Fosten, Bryan. Soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars, French Imperial Guard Infantry, June 1815 (5) Paris and Waterloo, Almark Pub. 1977.

Pericoli, Ugo. 1815 The Armies at Waterloo, Sphere Books ltd. 1973.

Post Napoleonic Era-

Haythornthwaite, Philip & Chappel, Michael. Hippocrene Color Guides, Uniforms and Battles 1815-1850, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1976.

Wilkinson-Latham, Christopher. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Indian Mutiny, Osprey Pub. 1977.

Wilkinson-Latham. Uniforms & Weapons of the Crimean War, Hippocrene Books Inc. 1977.

Featherstone, Donald. Victoria's Enemies, an A-Z of British Colonial Warfare, Blandford Press.1989.

Haythornthwaite, Philip. Macmillan Color Series, Uniforms of the Civil War 1861-65, Blandford Press. 1975. 

Shaw, Antony ed. The Civil War Catalog, Courage Books.2003.

Katcher, Philip R.N. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, America Civil War Armies (2): Union artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, Osprey Pub. 1986.

Katcher, Philip R.N. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Army of the Potomac, Osprey Pub. 1975.

Katcher, Philip. Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, The U.S. Army 1890-1920, Osprey Pub. 1990.

Windrow, Martin, Osprey Men-At Arms Series, French Foreign Legion, Hippocrene. 1971.

Windrow, Martin. Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, Blandford Press. 1981.

McBride, Angus, Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Zulu War, Osprey Pub. 1976.

Barthorp, Michael. The Zulu War, a Pictorial History, Blandford Press. 1981.

Seaton, Albert. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Armies of the German Empire 1870-1888, Osprey Pub. 1973.

Esposito, Gabriele. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Armies of the First Sino-Japanese War 1894-95, Osprey Pub. 2022.

Bodin, Lynn (signed). Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Boxer Rebellion, Osprey Pub. 1979. (And yes 1900 was the last year of the 19th century.)

World Wars One & Two (in historical order by earliest listed uniform/equipment):

Neiberg, Michel S. World War I Illustrated Atlas, Campaigns and Battles from 1914 to 1918, Amber Books. 2021.

Fosten, D.S.V. & Marrion R.J. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 80, The German Army 1914-1918, Osprey Pub. 1978.

Funcken, Liliane et Fred. L'Uniforme et les Armies des Soldats de la Guerre 1914-1918, 2 Cavalerie-Artillerie-Gene-Marine, Casterman. 1971.

Mollo, Andrew & Turner, Pierre. Blandford Colour Series Army Uniform of World War I, Blandford Press. 1986.

Jukes, Geoffrey. Essential Histories, The First World War, the Eastern Front 1914-1918, Osprey Pub. 2002.

Bull, Stephen. World War I Trench Warfare (2) 1916-18, Osprey Pub. 2003.

Hogg, Ian V, & Weeks, John. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, the Vehicles of the Armed Forces in the 20th Century, Wheeled and Tracked, Prentice Hall Inc. 1980.

Lenton, H.T. Navies of the Second World War-American Battleships, Carriers, and Cruisers, Doubleday & Company Inc. 1968.

Robertshaw, Andrew, Campaign Series, Somme 1 July 1916 Tragedy and Triumph, Osprey Pub. 2006.

Bruce J.M. Arco-Aircam Aviation Series- No 9 Spad Scouts SVII-SXII, Arco Pub. Co. 1969.

Bull, Stephen. Military Illustrated Stormtrooper, Elite German Assault Soldiers, Publishing News Ltd. 1999.

Jowett, Philip. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Red Army 1921-1941 From Civil War to Barbarossa, Osprey Pub. 2022.

Lenton, H.T. American Battleships, Carriers & Cruisers. Doubleday & Co. Inc.1968.

Mollo, Andrew & McGregor, Malcolm. Blandford Colour Series Army Uniform of World War 2, Blandford Press. 1977.

Grove, Eric et. al. The Military Hardware of World War II. The Military Press 1982.

Green, Michael et al. German Tanks of World War II in Color, MBI Pub. Co. 2000.

Jowett, Philip. Osprey Men-At Arms Series 532, Japan's Asian Allies 1941-45, Osprey Pub. 2020.

Mizahi, J.V. ed. North American B-25 the Full Story of World War II's Classic Medium 

Laughlin, Cameron & Langellier, John. Uniforms Illustrated No 14, US Army Uniforms Europe 1944-1945, Arms and Armour Press. 1986.

Munson, Kenneth. American Aircraft of World War 2, Blandford Press. 1982.

Taylor, John C. German Warships of World War I, Doubleday & Company. 1970.

Post World War Two Conflicts (in historical order by earliest listed uniform/equipment):

Lohnstein, Marc. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Dutch-Indonesian War 1945-49, Osprey Pub. 2023.

Laffin, John. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars 1948-73, Osprey Pub. 1987.

Smith, Digby & Chappell, Michael. Blandford Colour Series Army Uniforms Since 1945, Blandford Press. 1980.

Thomas, Nigel & Abbott, Peter. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Korean War 1950-53, Osprey Pub. 1986.

Thompson, Leroy & Chappell, Michael. Blandford Colour Series Uniforms of the Elite Forces, Blandford Press. 1983.

Multiple Military Eras (in historical order by earliest listed uniform/equipment):

Risley, Clyde A, & Imrie, William F. The Model Soldier Guide, a Handbook for the Collecting, Painting and Displaying Military Miniatures * Plus a Survey of Military Uniforms, Their Origin and Influence. Imrie/Risley Miniatures. 1965. 

N/A. Catalogue of Military Goods-1927, DIB Books Inc. 1980. 

Funcken, Liliane and Fred. Arms and Uniforms-Ancient Egypt to the 18th Century, Ward Lock Ltd. London. 1977.

Peers, C.J. Soldier of the Dragon, Chinese Armies 1500 BC - AD 1840, Osprey Pub. 2006. 

Bull, Stephen. Encyclopedia of Military Technology and Innovention, Greenwood Press.2004.

Lawford, James. The Cavalry, Bobbs-Merril Co. 1976.

Wise, Terence. Arco Color Series, Military Flags of the World 1618-1900, Arco Pub. Co. Inc. 1977.

Barthorp, Michael. British Infantry Uniforms Since 1660, New Orchard Press. 1982. 

Wilkinson-Latham, Robert. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, The Royal Navy 1790-1970, Osprey Pub. 1977.

Cassin-Scott, Jack & Fabb, John. Ceremonial Uniforms of the World, Arco Pub. Co. 1977.

Inglefield, Eric. Flags, Prentice Hall Press. 1979.

Fitzsimons, Bernard ed. Heraldry & Regalia of War, Beekman House. 1973.

Kannik, Preben. Military Uniforms of the World in Color, Macmillan Co. 1974.

North, Rene. Knowledge Through Color, Military Uniforms 1686-1918, Bantam Books. 1971.

Knotel, Richard. Knotel, Herbert & Sieg, Herbert. Uniforms of the World, Army Navy & Airforce Uniforms 1700-1937, Exeter Books.1980.

Gould, Lewis L.& Greffe, Richard. Photojournalist, the Career of Jimmy Hare, University of Texas Press. 1977. (Spanish-American War, Russo-Japanese War-WWI photos.)

Thompson, Leroy & Chappell, Michael. Blandford Colour Series Uniforms of the Soldiers of Fortune, Blandford Press.1983.

Wilkinson-Latham, Robert & Christopher. Infantry Uniforms Including Artillery and Other Supporting Corps of Britian and the Commonwealth 1742-1855, Macmillian Co. 1969.

Wilkinson-Latham, Robert & Christopher. Infantry Uniforms Book Two 1855-1939, Including Artillery and Other Supporting Corps of Britian and the Commonwealth MacMillan Co. 1969.

Wilkinson-Latham, Robert & Christopher. Cavalry Uniforms of Britian and the Commonwealth including Other Mounted Troops, Macmillan Co. 1969.

Windrow, Martin. Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, Blandford Press. 1981.

Windrow, Martin. Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion 1831-1981, Blandford Press. 1986.

Preston, Anthony & Batchelor, John. Battleships 1856-1919, Phoebus Pub. Co. 1977.

U.S. Military

Bowers, Michael ed. North American Fighting Uniforms, Blandford Press. 1984.

Cureton, Charles H. G.I the Illustrated History of the American Soldier, His Uniform and Equipment-The U.S. Marine Corps, Chelsea House Pub. 1997.

Selby, John. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, United States Marine Corps, Osprey Pub. 1972.

Katcher, Philip R.N. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, America Civil War Armies (2): Union artillery, Cavalry and Infantry, Osprey Pub. 1986.

Katcher, Philip R.N. Osprey Men-At Arms Series, Army of the Potomac, Osprey Pub. 1975.

Katcher, Philip. Osprey Men-At-Arms Series, The U.S. Army 1890-1920, Osprey Pub. 1990.

Lenton, H.T. American Battleships, Carriers & Cruisers. Doubleday & Co. Inc.1968.

Funcken, Liliane et Fred. L'Uniforme et les Armies des Soldats des Etats-Unis, Les Guerres d'Independance, de Secession, du Mexique. L'Epopee du Far-West., Casterman. 1980.

Munson, Kenneth. American Aircraft of World War 2, Blandford Press. 1982.

Laughlin, Cameron & Langellier, John. Uniforms Illustrated No 14, US Army Uniforms Europe 1944-1945, Arms and Armour Press. 1986.

The Model Soldiers

Carman, W.Y. Model Soldiers, The World Pub. Co. 1972.

Cassin-Scott, Jack. Making Model Soldiers of the World, Hippocrene Books. 1973.

Dilley, Roy. Model Soldiers in Color, Including the Art of Military Modeling, Octopus Books Ltd. 1981.

Harris, Henry. Model Soldiers, 138 Illustrations in Color & Black and White, Octopus Books Ltd. 1962.

Opie, James Toy Soldiers, Shire Pub. ltd. 1983.

Stearns, Philip O. How to Make Model Soldiers, Arco Pub. Grp. Ltd. 1974.