28mm Napoleonic French Officers and NCOs

Here are a few French Napoleonic officers and NCOs that I've knocked out for a large skirmish game I'm organizing next month. The scenario will be set within the battle of Aspern-Essling (1809), specifically focusing on the bitter struggle for the churchyard of Aspern. (I'll post a 'Worst Case Scenario' once the dust has settled.)

Most of these castings are from Perry Miniatures except for the officer with the drawn sword and bicorne, which is a Victrix plastic figure. I've tried to do them up to fit in with voltigeur, line and grenadier companies. 

I've kept the groundwork fairly neutral so the figures can fit in with either North European or Peninsular games without too much squinting.

In the spirit of full disclosure I have to say that not all the uniforms shown here are correct for the 1809 campaign. A few of these chaps are wearing uniforms which follow the later 1812 Bardin regulations. Meh. I've found that with the greying of my hair I've become less concerned about straying from the period's orthodoxies - my toy soldiers' sartorial sins have very little to do with my enjoyment of them, especially once they're on the tabletop, the dice are rolling and the lads are having a good time.

Up Next: A few more French, perhaps an Austrian or two and a bit of Mechanicus.

Part II - Epic 30K Adeptus Mechanicus Project

Here are a few more units to add to my Mechanicus force for Epic 30K. Today we have some Tech-Thralls, Krios Battle Tanks, Tech Priests and a trio of imposing Imperial Knights.

Tech-Thralls are basically penal cyborg units whose 'organics' are sourced from criminals and other undesirables. Their minds are wiped, augmetics installed and then they serve as marionettes to the Tech-Priests. One would think that the rates of recidivism are quite low amongst Imperial planets...
 

Tech-Thralls with their Tech-Priest minders.

Next up are the Krios Battle Tanks. These are wonderful little models with a very Great War utilitarian look about them. I particularly like the short-barreled 'Venator' variant with it's rather baroque looking gun shield.

Here are a few command stands for the force. Two Tech-Priests and the Big Guy who signs the cheques: the creepy, gold carapaced Magos-Prime. 

Finally we have the Knights. The Games Workshop backstory to the Imperial Knights is so incredibly impenetrable that I'll simply say that they originate from neo-feudal warrior societies which have close affiliations to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Silly fluff aside, the reason I've done up some of them is that the Knights are just so freakin' cool. I mean really, who can deny giant robots festooned with guns, chainswords and lances?

Questorious Kight-Magaera in Mechanicus Colours

There are a bewildering array of Knight designs, each constructed for a particular type of combat and each with their own specialized weapon loadouts. These guys here are called Questorious Knight-Magaera. 

Knight with soon-to-be-flattened Tech-Thrall.

They are armed with a Lightning Cannon and Hekaton Siege Claw(?!) Whatever. They look badass. Even though they probably should be in their own 'knightly livery' I decided to keep them in theme with the rest of the force, so red, steel and brass it was. I think I need a few more of these with differing weapon bits... 

Well, there you have it, folks. I have just a few more units to complete and this force will be done. 

Oh, on a completely unrelated note, some people have been asking me for updates on what I've been up to with the 3d printer.  With this in mind, I've put up a widget on the right sidebar which I'll try to keep updated with pics of my silly craft projects.

Have a great week everyone!
   

Epic 30K Adeptus Mechanicus and a 3D Printer(!)

For a slight change of pace here are the beginnings of a small Mechanicus force for our Epic 30K campaigns.

I've been a big fan of Epic since its first inception as 'Adeptus Titanicus' way back in 1988. The 4th edition of the rules 'Epic: Armageddon' is perhaps the best version, with easy to understand rules providing a quick enjoyable game (though I still feel a little nostalgia for the mental, highly-detailed 2nd edition). 

In the Warhammer 30k/40K universe the Adeptus Mechanicus is a technological organization, often known as the Priesthood of Mars. It holds a monopoly on technological knowledge in the Imperium. Their factory worlds, know as Forge Worlds, turn out the Imperium's most powerful and advanced weaponry and equipment. The organization's adepts, the Tech-priests, are vital in maintaining much of the Imperium's more technologically advanced equipment, particularly the wargear of the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines.  They are a parallel organization to the Imperium of Man, separate yet sympathetic, and even possess their own religion, based around a Machine God an 'Omnisiah'.

Yes, it's all very fun, silly and marvelously baroque. 

My good friend Greg has been doing amazing work with Epic 30K and I thought I'd pitch in with this Mechanicus force.

Riffing on the baroque esthetic, I thought a corresponding red, steel and brass paintjob was in order.

 

Triaros Armoured Conveyors

Thallax Infantry with a Tech-Priest

Usarax close assault Infantry

'Falchion' War Engine

Small but still hefty.

I have a few more of these to finish off and will report when they are done (don't worry, there are definitely some 'larger bits' in the works...).

Also, as a new addition to the hobby room, I recently purchased a 3D printer kit. I've been fascinated by the technology every since it first emerged and with prices finally coming within reach I thought I'd take the plunge.

Yes, that glass was filled and emptied several times during the build...

With about an hour a night, the kit took me a week to assemble. Huge credit for this goes to my friend Byron, who came for a weekend visit and helped me with the final wiring and calibration. (Thanks again Byron!)

I have to say that no matter what the promotional literature and advertising may tell you, the technology is not yet matured for the mainline consumer - not yet. From what I've come to understand from working (wrestling) with mine is that these printers are very fiddly and prone to repeated breakdowns/recalibrations. There are a multitude of things that can go wrong and many of the issues just can't be anticipated. Things happen. BUT with all this being said, when it works it's truly AMAZING. I can't get over the rush of simply 'printing' a 3 dimensional object in my own home. It's just so darned cool.

Anyway, to close the post, here are a few samples of the things that I've printed off since we assembled the machine.

A 1:4800 scale model of Helm's Deep.

1:4800 scale Helm's Deep

A 1:600 model of architect Le Corbusier's 'La Savoye' (now one of France's World Heritage buildings)

Le Corbusier's 'La Savoye'

A few Epic-themed buildings downloaded from 'Thingiverse'.

For the wrecked building below I added a bit of rubble to make it a bit less sterile.

A shattered building for Epic

I'll keep at it and if I can, I'll let you know what I'm up to with the printer from time to time.

Thanks for dropping by folks! I hope to have some new stuff next week so please come over for a visit.