How many scales is too many ?

 One of my issues, is the collection of armies in multiple scales - a particular problem in Napoleonic, WW2 and the 18th Century. Or too big !

 

 

    Luckily, in ACW I have only two scales. I have a very small collection of 15mm, which will offloaded later this year, they are a hangover from the 15mm age that occurred locally in the late 90's

 

    The original 1/72 collection that started in 1992 perhaps, and has grown to a rather ridiculous size and the newer Epic 15mm side.  The 1/72 set, was from older games, 3 to a base and 24 figures to a Regiment played many times against the armies of Archduke Picolo. They are the second wargame army I ever had, so I keep them as I am quite fond of them. 

 

    Due to snapping up various bulk buys in the last 1- years, I also have enough to make the Fire and Fury army list for Day 1-2 of Gettysburg, which is a long term project of mine. I find 1/72 is incredibly easy to paint, and  also don't go the extra lengths 28mm figures are taken to. So when I set my mind to it great volumes are churned, such as Buford's Cavalry below (painted late 2024).

 

Very simple painting, simple flocking and away we go.

Epic Scale plastics took my fancy, so after picking up various second hand auctions the forces are slowly being put together. The first unit below. many mistakes reverting to a smaller scale and the strips, but easily adjusted.

Musings of a Fool

 

 I have not blogged regularly since 2022, Covid-19 and other things have either sucked away my time and motivation, as well as children growing into teenagers.  Travel and a heavy workload took its toll, as well as purchasing a 100-year-old property to renovate last year.

 Painting has been erratic, with bouts of heavy work and then nothing for months at a time. Gaming-wise, I think I have played 2-3 games a year, mostly 28mm Napoleonic and a single 15mm ACW game. My house has taken a lot of time, though a year in now so I know what needs doing. A developer could easily bowl it and make 5 shitty apartments, but where is the adventure in that.

 I've always enjoyed the painting side of the hobby in truth, I have armies painted that have never seen a game. Too many armies and gears to be honest, as at times the hobby has been an unhealthy one, as it was always easy to buy and paint and ignore the real world. Also having around 20+ projects has not helped, so slowly I am reducing my stocks. I have enjoyed the games over the last few years; I am lucky to have a good group of like-minded players. I did branch out a good few years ago to try new things but found I didn't have time or simply got tired of games being used by players to yell about their latest political or social "expose".

  Over time I have a found a good balance, while PC games can be fun, I'd rather paint, and then mixed with regular life a good way to unwind. I traditionally used to paint as a teen while watching cricket on free TV, not days everything needs a subscription and cash, so I simply listen\watch YouTube.

 Some highlights.

 A 28mm Spanish 1812 army was slowly built, packed with religious undertones. 

 

My lord the eyes on that fellow, he must have been on the holy wine the night before.

A visit to Singapore and their museum, with a replica Type 95 Ha-Go, used in the series "Pacific.

A visit to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

An exciting Valour and Fortitude game using Warlord Epic battles

 

An exciting adventure under the floor of my house, where the 37cm crawl space allowed me to insulate under a floor. As part of this I stapled the insulation to my finger, hilarity ensued, who needs finger nails anyway. I replaced the floor of the lounge, 100 year old Native Rimu was past its sell by date and I also needed to evict the borer. Only 3 more room floors to go ! Then the walls.

 

 

 Lead paint removal, gib linings, insulation, rewire, house leveling. Why did I do this again ?