OK, I’m sorry, it’s a cheap click bait title to what is really a work bench update! There is some truth in the title though. If you have read my previous blog on how I stay motivated, you will realise that I tend to plan my hobby output six months in advance. For the six months from June to December, my main focus has been and will be to work through my Lead Pile or Model Stash, and turn bare metal and plastic into finished kits. I am happy to say that I am making good progress and gradually, my model cabinets are filling to overflowing point and my shed is emptying!
To be fair, there’s a long way to go. I have been lucky in that whilst I was running Arcane Scenery prior to my retirement, I accumulated a large collection of kits but gradually, I am working my way through them, where possible, sticking to the main threads of my hobby. A good example of my progress is the original Test of Honour Boxed sets. I had all ten in my stash. I have now completed seven of them with the eighth currently in progress.
As you can see, I am working on the Masked Men boxed set. However, there was a glitch. When I came to put them together, I realised that the metal heads were not the correct masked versions but simply normal Ashigaru. After a slight twitch brought on by my OCD, I decided to make them up as a mixed batch of Ahigaru that could perhaps be used as Ikko Ikki. I also decided to convert five of them ( the front row) by using arms from the Fireforge sets. I had thought that they would be incompatible but to my surprise, they work really well. Some of the arms needed a bit of filler and adjustment and on close inspection, they look a bit big on a couple of the figures but once painted, I doubt that it will be very obvious on the gaming table.
Prior to the masked men set, I also finished the Sohei monks set. I now just have the Onna Bugeshia set and the Ronin set to finish.
I’ve also spent some time adding crew and detail to my growing Medieval Navy. The crew are straight out of the lead pile and are old Grenadier figures, I think. Talking of which, I finally got around to painting some hand gunners for my embryonic Swiss army. Again, I think that they are Grenadier figures.
Finally, I am still working my way through The LOTR Battle Gamming part work that I collected way back when the films were released. I’ve now reached issue 49 of the 91 issues that I have, although I have some of the later models painted, so technically, I am well past the half way mark with my collection
I cant say that I haven’t bought any new figures in the last few months but nearly all of my output has been from my collection, meaning that I have succeeded in reducing the Lead Pile and kept focus on my current interests. However, I have promised myself that in the New Year, I will start a brand new project. I still haven’t decided what yet but Romans, Crusaders, ECW, Vikings and Hussites are all on the list!
Happy Modelling!