Progress on the Military History Library Annexe

Things have been quiet around here on the blog front and the painting (miniatures) front.  The main reason is that I have been labouring away with the DIY bug on building the bookcases for the military history annexe to our library.

You may recall from my post at the beginning of March that we had quite a bit to repair after the old builtin wardrobe was removed.  So after gyprocking, searching for a matching cornice and struggling with out of alignment and damaged wall, I can happily report that the room once again looks like a whole room.

 



Might not look like much to you, but when I consider this is how it looked in March when the wardrobe was removed, then I am happy.

I have also started construction of the bookcases and yesterday installed the bottom cases.  This is just the carcase - there is still a shelf, then much higher carcases to come on top and then a nicely detailed face frame.  The wood is all cut for the remaining carcases - just need to rip down to size a thick piece of MDF for the shelf. 

It has rained heavily here most of the weekend and so I have been curtailed as I need the heavy saw setup in the garden to proceed.  Next weekend is a long weekend so I have great hopes and plans - as long as the rain holds off.

Despite the workload on the construction front, I have found time to continue the search for new and old interesting books and I am glad to inform you that more have been acquired.  Don't know yet whether the bookcases when finished will be big enough.

US Heavy Lifting

A couple of specials which are more 'eye candy' than useful on the table.  But I like this stuff because 1) they are different and 2) they are BIG. 

First up is a Cromwell models Dragon Wagon. It was a beautiful resin kit that went together well.  I got it second hand (but unmade) and a few bits were missign or broken so some (minor) scratchbuilding was required to repair it.

Next up is a Retrokit Ward La France wrecker.  Quite a lot of work to put together - but very well cast and I think makes up a beautiful and different model.  Adding the thread for the cables is always difficult - especially to get it lookign taught.

A few more US tanks

Finished the ones posted a few days ago. 

Something special to post tomorrow.

Hun horses - basecoated waiting for oil rub

These are about half the horses for the Hun army (I'm not going to give accurate numbers incase there are spies about).

Primed and then coloured with various Humbrol emanels to form a good base for the oil rub tomorrow night.

Will do the horses all at once and the riders 12 at a time. 

Huns - the beginning

OK, finished off my US armour this evening (pictures to come tomorrow), cleaned the desk down for space and pulled out the recently purchased Huns with some of their Germanic helpers. 

These are a mixture of Foundry bought on their last special and Musketeer Miniatures for the Germans. 

Bases were ordered from Litko some two weeks ago - but they are still showing on their site as 'In production"

They are going to be painted and based for Impetus using their beta lists from the website. 

This is all quite foreign to me as it will be my first Ancients army - but I am loving playing Impetus so wanted to get one.

I am going to attempt quite an aggresive schedule for these - but I am not putting it into writing publicly lest I fall short and have to take stick for not getting it done.

WIP on next batch of US stuff

Nearly finished these.  Need to glue back on all the broken bits, then a little bit more painting on details and then it is to the matt varnish they go.  Hope not to loose too much pigment through varnishing.

Sorry pics are so poor - but just a quick shot to show that I am not sitting around doing nothing.