Snag

Hi all,
          The title of this little piece ? Well, it makes a change from Pause, doesn't it. Yet again I am here to write up another halt to my proceedings. This time it was a, thankfully short, stay in hospital. I'm all fixed up now, (touch wood), thanks to some new pills, but it did put the brakes on things. Now that I'm out, of course, it was the Christmas season, with all that entails, doing overtime at work, reading mail, decorating the home, card writing to the folks, getting the xmas grub etc.
               I've also started another painting, so I will be flipping between all that lot and the TV, I did do another couple of pages, but my printer ran out of ink, So I had to redo them using the other side of the paper. I wonder if Hercules had days like these ? It will get done eventually, fingers crossed. Maybe I should have called the blog, "Trying to catch up from behind", it would be slightly more accurate.

I have updated the Scum Gang profile, Planetary Data 1 and Camp Livingstone entries, I did a new post showing the Leadership contest for the mutant tribe, updated the Lookout tower post, plus actually doing a bit of snipping of paper to my transport..

Happy new year, everybody. I have just been at my sister's for a few days, very nice.

According to the blurb, "Star Wars The force awakens" is as good as the hype, its been a long time coming. I went to see it in 3d. No spoilers, I give it 7/10. Mi take

A quick "Yaaayyyy", for Tim Peake's great spacewalk with Tim Copra.

I have now added my Spaceport layout table to the blog.

The transport vehicle is now complete, I just have to make a bit more scenery, the battleground  would be too sparse at the moment. Just added another bit to it. I have also to decide on the positioning of them, which could be important, not to say vital, in who lives and who dies in the sun's fiery gaze.

I have now added more stuff into my Spaceport layout table and added more background to my
5P heroes, I have added a News report that slots into the 5P Job 1 post, along with my thoughts on Star Wars VII. I am brushing up on the 5P core rules again.

I have been out with a few friends saluting the brave sacrifices of the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger, Columbia, plus Charles Krenek of the Texas Forest Service and helicopter pilot Jules "Buzz" Mier who both lost their lives while searching for wreckage.

I have managed to do a bit of painting on my terrain. That's now done. I have got the layout of the fixtures sorted. Next, The Character status markers to do and do a print of Alex Hanson, then I think I'm ready to rock.

Ivor

Sticking my head over the parapet and waving for attention

Hi all,
         I'm just going to "send this up the flagpole and see who salutes", as they say. This is (or rather was when this was posted) a new blog, compared to most of the ones I have seen on the net that have been stomping along for years, it does not have much actual battle content (it has more now) and I will admit that it is not expanding as quickly as I would have hoped when I started (this is still true). My painting skills need improving, which I hope will come with practice. My terrain skills are firmly stuck in novice mode and I don't mind admitting it. I am gradually increasing my props with 3D cutouts gleaned from the net.
          What I am after with this post is to get some feedback on the blog. Good bits, bad bits, any programs that you find useful when you are writing your blog, such as adding speech bubbles into photos, links to check etc.
          I don't expect a great long reply from everyone that reads this, although that would be nice, if you would like to contribute on here or elsewhere on the site, that would be great.

Thanks in advance for me trying to pick your brains.....

Ivor

P.S Its been at least a month since this was posted, should I have added a "Pretty please ?" in there ?. Eighteen kind folks have actually looked at this page, I suppose you guys and gals out there are all busy doing your own stuff, I can't blame you, it's more interesting than typing away in here.  :-)

I will probably learn more by reading other folks' blogs anyway, it's just finding the time to see whats out there in Blogland.

No comments, but at least I got some likes. Thanks for that.

Have fun and have a happy and safe life.

6th October 2017. The offer still applies, comment away.

W3 - Background Story

No one, but a small inner faction of an unknown government, knew who wrote and planted the "Black Eater" sleeper computer virus into the computer networks around the world. At first, it just lay dormant, spreading itself across the net and into storage backups, just notifying a particular web address that another node was affected.
                      When it finally reached critical mass and was activated, it crashed the global banks and that, in turn, crashed the economy of the world. Of course, each government blamed their most hated foe for the deed. Once the banks had been done away with, the riots began. Here and there at first. They just kept growing larger and larger, the destruction got more widespread.
                       The cities were not safe anymore. It soon spread to the outlying areas, as the law broke down under the pressure. The military were called out, but they were too little, too late, spread too thinly. Little pockets of stability here and there survived intact, if they were isolated enough and self sufficient, but it was just delaying the inevitable.
                        Luckily, the nuclear bombs did not fly, as many warmongers had predicted in the past. There was no one to aim at who were not suffering as you were suffering. The command structure fell apart as communications were disrupted and then failed altogether.
                        Some say that if that had been all of our troubles it would have been enough to end our civilization, but when Maxwell's Comet hit Siberia, it shifted the polar axis and released massive amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.
                        The weather went crazy after that. When Mother Nature turned her back on us, then our civilization was doomed. The sea level rose and flooded low level areas, hurricanes ravaged the land, desert areas grew in size, in many cases finishing off what the rioters had started. The rotting bones of our civilization lay everywhere.
                           Gang battled gang, fighting over what was left of any use to them, The population of the planet plummeted, as the innocents were caught as targets or just in the crossfire of conflicts between opponents. Survivalist skills became valued, alas, too many did not have them when it mattered,

(To be continued).

Ivor

P.S. This is my made up background, not from the Wastelands 3 rules.

Pause 4

Hi all,

I've been painting up my wasteland Heroes, my first two pictures of my work in progress are on the blog, I have made the picture larger for you, I had updated their stats, since they have no guns. I tried to prime my next set of scenery, but my spray nozzle was faulty.  I have given it a lick over with Acrylic, but with no real success. Will have another go at it when time permits.

I am making up some paper crates for scenery and cover for 5 Parsecs. The first one has been completed. I'm not going to bother with a photo, when you've seen one crate, you've seen them all. Downloaded a few more to keep the variety up.

Just been painting some of my 5 Parsec heroes too. The pictures are in the 5 Parsec characters entry - 27th August 2015. Its all gradually coming together.

I have added to the W3 background post of how the wastelands began - in my universe anyway.

I had printed out a truck for 5 Parsec, but the size was too small for my minis.  I had been looking on the net for other paper vehicles and there are lots of sites out there to check, often the scale is not right. But it is interesting seeing what is out there. Any 28 mm vehicle suggestions ? Put them in the comments, please.

I have found a suitable vehicle, but don't let that stop you from making suggestions though.

Slow down on here due to reading Larry Niven / The Smoke Ring. Just been looking at some other blogs, just to see what some other folks are up to out there in wargaming land. Bit of scratch build dioramas, plenty of painting, a few battle reports. Keep it up, guys and gals.

The first three pages are now assembled, the fourth to 6th pages are printed. One good thing has come out of this process, the notion "Don't start an episode until you can complete it in fairly short order." has been grasped. Ok, ok, it is fairly obvious in hindsight, but I am new to this game. That's what the comments sections are for, to point out the obvious to us new bods on the block, or what we might like to try out hand to next.

I've added another picture of my watchtower build and some extra dialogue to Droid Job pt2, since part three was taking so long to appear. Its coming along slowly, like everything else on here.

Ivor

W3 - Heroes 2

Here are my heroes so far.

Not exactly Constable, but coming on. I will post more pictures as I progress.

Slightly too close, never mind. I had to redo their stats in light of them only carrying a pistol and a night stick. (Not sure on designation yet, have to check the rules).

Ivor

P.S. No, the one on the right is not pretending to be an Elk,

Battle Reports

Hi all,
         I have just completed my battle report for Army Camp Livingstone, using the KR 16 rules from Angel Barracks, which I hinted at in an early blog, my notes were missing, so I decided to do the battle description from memory. One or two of the details may not be in the right order, but you should be able to follow the action.
         Posted next was the Leadership battle for the Mutant tribe in the Wastelands.

          Completed - 5 p Job 1 - Droids parts 1 - 3.

         Just added, Testing the road rage rules, Wastelands 3 style.


Enjoy,

Ivor Cogdell

Terrain - Building 4Ground Corner Ruins Type 3 Plus D.I.Y Additions Part 3

Hi all,
          This is my next stage photos of my d.i.y. section of the ruins.

"My knife must be here somewhere."

There are still bits of final decoration to add.

Added more wall, texture, and floorboards.

 Some of the floorboards were supplied, (I did not use them all here, I saved some for later use on other projects), others were made from more lolly sticks. The texture is made from brown umber paint and sand.

I think that will do.

"Anybody home ?"

With better lighting

More defences were added (mainly against nasties) from floorboards.

The spike section, lower right, is removable for entrance / exit. 2 spikes then remain.

Diagonal spar now removed.

Can you see the broken glass in the window?

With added walkway

Some of the defences still need painting, but I thought it was about time I posted again with something new and this was all I had.

I'm pleased with the results. Are you going to buy one now and see what extras you can add to it?

Thanks to 4Ground for putting in the effort and making great products.

Ivor Cogdell

P.S. It has now taken residence in Mordheim, along with other goodies. See The Journey and WHF - Arrival at Mordheim.

Pause 3

Hi all,
           You will be pleased to know that I have finally got around to purchasing some more models  for the Blog. em4 and Crooked Dice Games came up with the goods for me. Thanks to Colin on the Nordic Weasel Yahoo Group Forum for pointing me in the right direction with some handy suggestions.

As someone almost once said, "Mr.Scott, ready to beam down goodies."

"Aye, Sir. Energizing now."

The postie has arrived, unfortunately, so has the Xmas move around at my shop. this means I will not have much free time to do my other stuff for a bit. I'm also mid decorating, but I may do a bit of priming during a break.

Just added a few names to the Hugemont cast list.

I do want to be generating more posts than I am at the moment, but real life keeps butting its nose into everything. Just had to buy a new Digital aerial, I have fitted it and it works ok, I have just got to get some more co-ax cable to reach the tv downstairs.

Just painted the missing bits on the model. Pictures posted

Next day, loose keys - so have to change lock barrel on front door after I get home (had a spare key to get in with), check for cable extenders while shopping, all gone.

Frustrated, yet again.

I have finished off my Corner ruin, unless I find other bits to add to it.

Thanks to the person who bothered to vote in my poll,which is situated right at the bottom of the blog, on the left. I will try a different question and see what results I get this time. Maybe a different place would be better, if you think so, leave a comment here.

Another shout out and thanks everybody who has taken the time to have a look at my site, I have now topped the thousand mark. Please feel free to comment on anything I have done or suggestions.
                   I am wondering, what is the difference between a follower and someone who has me in their circle ? Google plus is in a world of its own.

Ivor

Terrain - Building 4Ground Corner Ruins Type 3 plus D.I.Y. Additions part 2 of 3.

Hi all,
           This is part two of my 4Ground "Corner Ruin Type 3" build, with additions made with foam core and recycled bits of lolly sticks. Originally posted in one part, it was getting too long, so I decided to put it into three parts.
                     The wooden floorboards on the upper layer have been glued in. They were carved so that they would rest on the walls to give extra support, not just having the line of glue along the floorboard edge. There is mock brickwork added, to the right of the soldier.

The things you can do with lolly sticks. (Still to be weathered).


"Looking for tracks."

The back of the house, showing weathering details.

This project is continued in Part Three.

Part One.

Regards all,
Ivor

Terrain - Building 4Ground Corner Ruins Type 3 plus D.I.Y. Additions part 1 of 3.

Hi all,
          This was meant to be just a short, quick post for the Wastelander's out there. You are not forgotten. It did run away with me a bit. On the 25th September, I built the 28 mm scale pre-decorated "Corner Ruins Type 3" from 4Ground. It is mainly aimed at 19th century to WW II scenery, but it will do for the "Post Apocalypse" setting with no problems, even fantasy with some extra props.
              Please note - their difficulty rating is - 14 and older. PVA wood glue is recommended. There are simple easy instructions or photographs, apart from the door. The door in the diagram is painted dark green and it is hard to make out the details.
             Item V (a choice of two colours) is the handle and goes sideways into the door slot, item W goes on the inside of the door, fairly low down. I added a piece of sellotape along the inside of the door to give a working hinge.

What you get

This is almost the complete official assembly, minus the ladder, window. door and the brick and floorboard rubble supplied. I was enjoying myself so much, that it inspired me to put a base on it and get out some foam board and continue to add to the model. With a bit of recycling of lolly sticks and cutting, I am now at this stage.

I have some more work to do on it, painting the white walls brick red to roughly match the original, putting down more floorboards and adding the details provided by 4Ground, (spare bricks, wood, ladders and tiles).

He is one of my partially painted Heroes of the Wastelands.

I've weather worn the back section to blend better, not sure what details I shall add. The floorboards need adjusting, perhaps more weathering.

Continued in Part Two  and Part Three.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

12 July 2015 - Barrage Wargames Show, Stafford UK

Hi all,
          Here are some pictures taken at the Barrage Wargames Show this year. The venue was in a School about 15 minutes walk from the Railway station and about an hour to walk to the Castle, (There was a pub on the way). Unfortunately I cannot attribute tables to their owners, as I was not expecting to be publishing them at the time. All Copyrights reserved on behalf of their owners.
          This was my first time attending the show. There were two halls, one of which I nearly missed out due to lack of signs. The catering was basic, a Burger Van in the car park, but the burgers were tasty. The participation games were virtually all booked up before hand, so I did not get to play any of the games.
     
All being well, I shall be back next year.

Stafford Wargames Show Barrage 2015

Ivor

P.S. There was a music event at the castle, (approx. £3 entry fee), so check if this is happening again in 2016.

Dropzone Commander _ Hawk Wargames.

Dropzone Commander

WH 40 K ?

That's something you don't see everyday down the High Street.

Horror setting using Very British Civil War Rules ?

Aliens v Predators.

"Holy Gothic Guns, Batman"

Russian Campaign

 Barrage Wargames Show, Stafford UK

Drop zone Commander

A very British Civil War ?

Victorian setting

Wh 4ok. Getting stuck in.

I hope you liked them.

Ivor