tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9306429812717208232023-11-16T02:54:35.753-05:00Confessions of a Lead Junkie...The musings of a confirmed lead-a-holic, and his quest to actually paint all of his stuff!Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-68431845991688128982012-06-26T17:03:00.001-04:002012-06-26T17:03:41.319-04:00Still here...Just an update that I am still around, and will try to get an update here some time soon.<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
GregGreg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-46378546184049809652012-01-05T15:50:00.001-05:002012-01-05T15:52:15.069-05:00Be careful what you wish for....Just my advice....<br /><br />I am hoping to get this blog going again in 2012. I seem to have terrible luck with digital cameras, and I think my latest one is on the blink!<br /><br />Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's holiday, and I hope I can get more postings out here than I have in recent months.Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-63528713719962201842011-05-22T07:54:00.006-04:002011-05-22T14:24:42.199-04:00New Year, New Job, New Camera!<p>...well, the title says it all. After getting laid off, seeing my wife through a bout with breast cancer, and FINALLY getting a new job (and a new camera...), I'm ready to pick up where I left off.</p><br /><p>So, no kidding this time, more posts are on the way!</p>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-88570645360241872152010-03-21T16:38:00.003-04:002010-03-21T16:46:23.172-04:00Some musings on blogs, and local gaming storesI just don't get it. You'd figure there is nothing to this "blogging" thing. Yet, I cannot for the life of me get the formatting of my photos correct. I can never seem to post them so a viewer can "click to enlarge". I'm of average intelligence, so maybe it's the system? Oh well. I'd love to get some feedback from you on how to manage this beastie called blogging!<br /><br />Local hobby stores. They're getting harder and harder to find. I just made my first visit up to Maplewood, NJ to browse at Maplewood Hobbies. Great store; huge selection of paint and FOW items, friendly owner and patrons, and pretty active as well. Huge upstairs gaming area with 3 or 4 tables. Very nice, and a great visit. Then the owner told me he's having a difficult time staying open. This isn't the first time I've heard this. My local store, Gamer's Realm in West Windsor, NJ has told me the same tale.<br /><br />Years ago I had a dream that maybe one day I'd open a hobby store. It makes me sad to say I'm relieved I never realised that dream. I guess it's the "internet revolution", and nobody even thinks of buying from a brick and mortar store anymore. I wish both of these stores, and their owners, nothing but the best. It would be a far more boring world out there without them.Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-77145986167705719192010-03-21T16:14:00.009-04:002010-03-21T16:37:47.968-04:00The GWOT: The Good Guys<div align="justify">I've been working on these for a while. The first is a photo of all of my completed western forces:</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451184547784516450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTycT_SAFc3435-lez6zJPRhRYgYJ1at3DMfdxfbbbGwllYxzozce7HlUWeYIiqjRUZ4wVpZdIjf9tN6qv_mdAJToe9oiLZ0pIiAeZ0Xqq_t8jEfa8RiUmDaQwAV3vbU0EDnIXgAf2_7Gz/s400/Web+IMG_0584.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />This force is comprised of US marines (3 fireteams), British Infantry (3 fireteams), 1 fireteam of Australian Special Forces, and one fireteam of US Special Forces (since they all dress in the same mixture of clothing, they can be any of the services forces, Delta, SEALs, of SF). All are from Liberation Miniatures.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here are a few close ups:<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451187774457099042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHBYWDXHKKER_iohoNXnhFdnlrHf6i0EvQxqSYmc_yHTBlFaMUWKE_XNbPOuF3Rjxq87UWZJm3iaaUj-g-AWrw0P9vnJQyZ4zsLNmbT2YH5ow5Rle7yowHTQoff6AsJhMthDrUS-1EkyX/s400/Web+IMG_0585.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>USMC<br /></em><br /></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451187779214779874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 379px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJT3iBqbzJG9KePZDRR6QxHgljJsDe-XxMO5B9StOLTFjGcqyTGOIoZz85DmNsRtOUVnSoKcwmWbiBa1RcFAbqLBXAQwo27xhz3ImZfERhkqe_2kD7JsAYeg9MBjWavl3Bdrj4DUrXFrL/s400/Web+IMG_0588.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>Australians<br /></em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451187787372531634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvG3l7IdWhQg926zqTAxx5SFHsrwxnxLT4OnSPlstV3zezwEHbo-AJ8aZ59ajS_u6_ftJQTdvho5Teq7pSPUbSCd8EpyHr0EWHzpazTL5CfvpBTp8ObGPYZh4xJ6YQKqBLKFejz5Je7c3/s400/Web+IMG_0593.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em>British<br /></em><br /></p><br />I've painted and organised these for use with Ambush Alley, and they'll soon be seeing service in Afghanistan. <br /><br />I found these incredibly easy to paint and base up - I'm using US nickels as bases as they have the "heft" I prefer.<br /><br />In a near-future posting, I'll have some photos of the bad guys.Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-23411530837066558742009-10-05T15:05:00.000-04:002009-10-05T15:06:30.084-04:00Rumblings afoot!It's been a long time since my last post, but I'm just about ready to re-ignite the flame!<br /><br />Stay tuned for reports on what I've been up to lately.Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-34333017968422524382009-06-29T08:01:00.016-04:002009-07-01T15:42:15.166-04:00Ambush Z!!<div align="center">We had our first game of Ambush Z over the memorial day weekend. Here are some photos of the game: </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353571429452402434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VpCycoAjMp9nHd5lan09eCkJhIhBgh0GaWql5tEdXlU-6tJcoUnXKW_zcixVHHKsXHQArAhmtM29EyvydXTNWS6UC5-K-5P0N0PSWn9UAiO7t2AK8zwfMGrLVD9eQGp3iFmQJzRTzjqv/s400/Web+IMG_0334.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="left">This first photo gives shows the table layout before the action started. It's the first scenario in the rulebook, modified slightly to take advantage of the terrain I currently have. The objective is the red house (by Perry Miniatures) at the lower right. The teams had to rescue 2 scientists holed up in the house.</div><p align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShoh1dtfeUp1V13qLyOLW_GTrcjmK1fAmldRzfnskzKjpa8onnnvAm6okfZm2itZx8pHMdNw7Z_yMyFaJi4MIpwFpz4z6OwUnW61GFJGvxktDT4i3ZoI4Su2Hr9yLFr9k5Ey-X9iBIA9E/s1600-h/Web+IMG_0343.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353577421360574034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShoh1dtfeUp1V13qLyOLW_GTrcjmK1fAmldRzfnskzKjpa8onnnvAm6okfZm2itZx8pHMdNw7Z_yMyFaJi4MIpwFpz4z6OwUnW61GFJGvxktDT4i3ZoI4Su2Hr9yLFr9k5Ey-X9iBIA9E/s400/Web+IMG_0343.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em>The teams enter...</em></p><div align="center">The teams started in the upper left hand corner, behind the colonial brick house. Our dear friends Cliff and Deb, as well as my wife, controlled 3 teams of 3 spec ops types. They had to cross the board, rescue the scientists, and escort them off the board. The game length was supposed to be 6 turns, but being everyone's first game we ignored the turn limit. All the players are non-gamers, and my wife Carmen only has some TSATF experience under her belt. I was the zombie player/umpire.<br /><br />I won't go through a turn-by-turn description here, but give an overview.</div><br /><div align="center">The game started with an ominous event, when a quirk of fate card rendered the team's support weapon useless. So much for the M-60!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721716643309282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa6WY0N7Mc1OdYuyu4xg_CLTxrzJuCtEAo4ia5Errfd2mAQxGz8tScOKYrcjhzSZKsLAU_eMeC5O_ZkslH6ZkzBtPE6zlLCWXOTdcIDSv0I9huNHnNvlvcbdbUvnPsdvHPVqu96cWQhK3/s400/Web+IMG_0342.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <em>The first zombies move towards the team</em></p><p align="center">Much to my surprise, Deb showed great tactical insight and immediately indicated that her team would climb to the upper floor of the ruined building to provide covering fire while the 2 remaining teams moved out towards the target.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352720585411763202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5XsTgZeQXHiCE8NRlKq56jwdvGtU70Cc8TgMxT3xou063tdg5j1HBz12xlmQ_y1X2d8HaRkO-LrQychLgP1AfQuP7OaLDZCf97PRZWQrTYEdgxNUrCU6R5eXAGLXnN54xJc2YsDBi11K/s320/Web+IMG_0347.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Note Deb's team on the top floor of the ruin</em> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721707735147346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSN5QQf-NUymloL1YpQOECPpR0FskNJezDkcfvGqCjwITrhBXl2pnDLOr7w8bvul-dodxHoAqi1ku73hyphenhyphengnXTSskEvRwiuCKSuPmDnYT4iYh9bP7fEyHEp7XZQbTgTO6KsDB4aJgAqlrPY/s400/Web+IMG_0340.jpg" border="0" /> <em>A pre-game view of the cemetary</em></p><p align="center">Cliff and Carmen's teams moved smartly through the graveyard, dispatching several zombies along the way. Deb's team, although hampered by some bad dice rolls, did a great job of eliminating larger threats before they could get close to the moving teams.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721259679865522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5rAPYbYOqbTwbWDjq8Hl2F7VX8aPj43Ck383R4mEIPOB0h5WU4LhS_VMlXOTo9Gb6us7LNu4pHCjJHWi-Lz7kx28bvqmH8gP_GyElIqfQPexa-6yREO7pPDDAxePMT9eShe5LC7xP8sW/s320/Web+IMG_0348.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721721044503874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwZdTNFKh79UetW4HLV0GIkEDPv9T1ptZCr0nkg7WH6bzfjtVAT-BArLqxsq2e0HTrmVqAsUsrwdYZ1HQeBTpTTgbg-SWW_wqcRIR7bj0rWP9e7F7EVoDHsJdeG6EawUBSVtPrVGqY91a/s400/Web+IMG_0351.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">It didn't take long for the 2 moving teams to approach the target house. The 2 scientists, seeing their rescuers approaching, burst out of the house and linked up with Cliff's team.<br /><br />It was also at this time that another quirk of fate card brought happy news - Deb's team witnessed some inspired leadership and their troop quality went up a die!<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352722570266801826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWd3f-TCtRBlcly4OjrmxNgSbwZ1GHEvSQ7-Mcfaf_J0iOWEIMu30Z472gvIFzRbKSZzQfSW_WjiZST9PtrhB-YeKdPnYfAsOzqm6YP7RfaTjL_IPzKCf0_kLdR9wqKMg54N8gtS9VZrG/s400/Web+IMG_0355.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <em>The scientists are rescued...or are they?</em><br /><br />The teams moved back towards their entry point, again eliminating any zombie threats as they appeared. During the first part of the game, taking into account everyone's inexperience with gaming, I reduced the number of zombies appearing during the reinforcement segment. At the player's insistence, I removed this artificial limit and gave them "both barrels" for the remainder of the game. That's when things began to fall apart.<br /><br />In true zombie movie style, as the teams approached their exit point the nearby "hot spots" spawned massive numbers of zombies. By this time, Deb had removed her overwatch team from the ruined building so the zombies were able to approach the teams up close and personally!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352722256124742418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtGfAKp1rJaRme4sJm32F-w4vTdxd1v8OZtEiP55oOKRKQ395NWbDnM39GhwUF33CCylhrzJt20K_ZGN_OjtSqeBtB2sqTcc-CvX1Grn_jPeRrVuz5FvR2D2a_10ZKyFelgh7BY2hRYH5/s400/Web+IMG_0345.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"> <em>The mission starts to unravel</em><br /><br />Two large mobs of zombies descended upon the teams, and in the first melee of the game were able to kill one of Carmen's team members.<br /><br />The teams move as quickly as possible towards the exit, but neglected to use any type of fire-and-move tactics, resulting in a horde of zombies descending upon Cliff and Carmen's teams. Deb did all she could to kill as many zombies as possible, but the writing was on the wall.<br /><br />In a massive melee, another team member went down, and then, horribly, one of the scientists bit the dust.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352722247452229282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJp9H3TEsUeNbmq8dtbrR9OML3EEubhcFgPggHVxZ1kHjD_zQJj4oHQXCJeCzG4yiJXv0-1W2-Z93D3IYLQC_nyIf8dl2TchIpjqf1GppT58IFCCqQV-F3cQKbQ8npYW_4PivkZzbsLnnf/s400/Web+IMG_0358.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><em>The huge melee that resulted in 2 team members lost</em></div><p>Finally, the 3 teams regrouped and were able to kill any zombies that were close enough to pose a threat. The teams managed to exit with one scientist as a dependent.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352721728988267378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCUBmSmunukj1g7__6wsasrfwhErwBjGTK2ON73U0X9_eIhfYQ1aqVP7w8aHFJ5Fg039pFMRWTVqz0hGkOcp1-JeKhe4r4EgSb59himIDkrOQeRNmQq0T_BxsuqBzfHRls4iL3XSZc67Y/s400/Web+IMG_0357.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>A team covers the other's escape</em></p><p align="center">The humans won, but just barely.</p><p align="center">I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had playing this game! Upon further study, I was able to identify a few rules that were either misinterpreted, or not applied. I'm not sure if it would have made a huge amount of difference to the outcome, but next time we'll be even more prepared!</p>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-37538212347929456182009-05-11T07:08:00.004-04:002009-05-11T07:28:42.374-04:00Perry Sudan BritishHere's my completed 20-man unit for TSATF.<br /><br /><div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334522046620544370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgg39Khhjw2BWBmncimT-OEWST1Pp1unCTD75xOEUrMvF48TollIPGIWYTtI4ycBZ2GwH13-vtj1lB662croPyb-3qUjphsVW9YZOVIvmVt351_-7jNJAbZgx_eg-G7WmEZ_7s3O_mTbu/s320/Web+IMG_0322.jpg" border="0" /><br />I also took a few close-ups of the rankers and Officer/NCO:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334522048968429810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWH8w-_7DMO3iK8MEJNwuNQ7sby-5iAyZnotb7icANWioQNRJEaxiB7bWYx0hf4kSIx4r1yZIP2CQiwEWR8_2C_TGwDXUzE2I30tuOT0dRcByxg3rFS97iYzp1QGApiDoPv5NXSdlDhpjn/s320/Web+IMG_0324.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334522044273266818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV65TIeVn42GiWbbIDWuu5pnMLkGbfK-bTMXnE6Vo008r-JxS6ICyXNmqiVigD0XYA810dkQFkfHd4xYEkfuo-RG_X00yMgXU9qSMvwIUbwlwvpc5vuG0pGX1K7KujOPgEw6YTHGQThgsw/s320/Web+IMG_0325.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334522048600183570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwBfSn8I8m2x7VfZCEsvqJHw0-_ZNe0-_boGIksctcsHUJ4TFIryI-FNdTUo_YbQu_0V4yMn2jaFH62_apHiiO0jpeZOz4zOCp3qPZvUEQj4OBqc8-1BM29lI5PYuTxrFNxZgkVHUHnmb/s320/Web+IMG_0326.jpg" border="0" /><br />...and here's a view of their backs, just for the heck of it:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334522052242187090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPmedD1bEf7X_mvIx2IaMzTATzwqWBMo2BYzK4bCzgRPc8A-zJiM_xKBw_syj6rP89n1OuCCyLqJUREe9TTBaOc5SBDDSFeEIl4FN_VQAA3kqcv-3oNKRKi060MPk9QjOp6IF2_5chKJM/s320/Web+IMG_0327.jpg" border="0" /><br />I painted these quite some time ago, and they were quite easy to paint up. I've used Litko bases (25mm square), and pumice gel from my local craft supply store. A few sprinkles of small rocks and ballast and there you have it.</div><br /><div></div><div>The uniforms have been painted with Vallejo Medium Blue, and then washed with GW's new-ish blue wash (Tellarn blue, I think?). I hilighted them with the base color + white.</div><br /><div></div><div>Over the years, I've changed my way of painting; it used to be I primed white, and then did my own version of "stain painting" - anyone remember Duke Siegfried's handout about speed painting? In the years since, I've switched to black undercoating, with more of a 3-color method of base, wash, hilight, and additional hilights as I see fit.</div><br /><div></div><div>Here's a photo of my in-progress Highlanders:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334525634795671570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XPVpAS70w3Kr_nJDEpf-WfjNx7nTu4hp-xBjx2Wg50ERgjUBx_NPJ_2y3F0Oh9kvNPhOH1vUgK5EGn-cAvewELfzbc1DNMbWCSdm6WM7RljvF6XpdY4_No8IDwyvttkVnvh3vAgJjHx5/s320/Web+IMG_0328.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334525646173282594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrmL15bQ1UBPFgCPPQMmiHvXq94WcZvaFPd1q7txvtaGbJBq7zZo3SMQOcTRYHbgV5gyFK1Au_lE2CQ5opXaMWQ43UipjQjowgqOG36XhePARrlodg9lYJ_8SRzaE8ub8bZAqPwG2sKTG/s320/Web+IMG_0331.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334525642427966434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f2HQQjcMi25NxaHeokjr6aKGLEMBiJQm70TPQt08qqU8XT33ovbmTB30oDdRLuBxsLKDinaZ0dhJPpeCaOuoQZ8_OgUoL2D7ga_SMByCGNZDz-BAiCaeTZ_6X_iz4oWryo-VULE9IvH4/s320/Web+IMG_0329.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334525645142600434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1Yt3S5WYkoI9JydCvgciImyEonc2KYlITz4URtOKu1Fad__G2dkRNp2mBaL23UJT9uVGZK4gC2zBHiLIpH43U8r6So57Ve3IwLl7tlPOJmZ_-arfSMDxx0hyphenhyphenunYK6zd5EBpeNSBQnWAV/s320/Web+IMG_0332.jpg" border="0" />I hope you enjoy the (poor) photos as much as I enjoyed painting them!Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-83619746602763772192009-05-03T15:29:00.010-04:002009-05-04T06:51:25.993-04:00Eureka 28mm Austrian Grenzers<div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJQrY8KFIhu6blw_IeHSxw_NbLMt5osBdBFomoCGCt01EVV3YYAExA7d6zCUEFf2qyLRtUYwB1ATi2zHVhRWOZ_GLzR2r5POJvAh2jnUh4RLeEAz9bXQMXvDDC7jNCDCDoc1EVsqyyp-d/s1600-h/Grenz1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331684929970224002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJQrY8KFIhu6blw_IeHSxw_NbLMt5osBdBFomoCGCt01EVV3YYAExA7d6zCUEFf2qyLRtUYwB1ATi2zHVhRWOZ_GLzR2r5POJvAh2jnUh4RLeEAz9bXQMXvDDC7jNCDCDoc1EVsqyyp-d/s320/Grenz1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've just completed 4 of the 8 Austrian Grenz miniatures that I'll need for my 1st Austrian Corp.</div></div><div><br /></div><p>These are Eureka's miniatures, which I picked up at last year's Historicon. The figures were a joy to paint, and the cleanup was minimal, with the only assembly being the attachment of the ramrods which hang from a strap on the fronts of the miniatures (I have to admit that I lost a couple of these to the "carpet monster", but I'm hoping that no one will notice once the unit is finished!).</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331918471055523330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDZ8w_gir8IXAf-C6tM5GMqtsJphHUjDRfFKVLP4uhit_ypJz_GVsmL3tiZfWhhcFSVgejjoh5JbQgpIi9bnkDbUqC7PoBCH71V9FbOEvBL4pWFWKgZ9-2ggINnzpcfHQuXsrEKT-NCvg/s320/IMG_0319.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p>I've lifted the uniform colors completely from Osprey's MAA 299, Austrian Auxiliary Troops 1792-1816. You'll recognize these from figure A1. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331918646255211282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKY0r4VZdEV2KGqzAzErdTAG_cd_wVOz3h9wQOfjLvlh8WWshGIvox-2siv2NdEln6saH2ukuNR_CNZBMRK4atL360PjFcRU_eW2E_-7RwfMzZRvY3hvvKe6AQynxVoNoKNMIssaevQ5f/s320/IMG_0320.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />In the coming weeks and months, I hope to update the progress I am making with my early Napoleonic collection.<br /><br />Time permitting, my next post will actually be about the Sudan miniatures I've talked about!<br /><br /><br /><p></p>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-71569112638889089322009-03-12T08:21:00.002-04:002009-03-12T08:29:02.077-04:00Sorry for the silence......but work and family commitments have been overbearing, resulting in "the sound of silence" here at confessions.<br /><br />Shortly, I'll have some more postings; this time, I'll delve into my Perry Sudan collection!<br /><br />See you then!Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-72795334315535760972008-11-19T09:15:00.004-05:002008-11-19T09:24:09.971-05:00AWI Hessian Jagers<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50nVMB9l0KgXNN8-_INX2nAGYGXmAnqnWSXtT9H4fCpq4YbcTYOmi12tEhn-RLA-Sp3jGKNRpUKPLtDRwGxj2H0J_ythyphenhyphenCRF6i5jxNuGGuzVwKvTpPNN3DmTMQUrxXbj1cNebVxHT1F0K/s1600-h/Web+IMG_0306.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270373549283061058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50nVMB9l0KgXNN8-_INX2nAGYGXmAnqnWSXtT9H4fCpq4YbcTYOmi12tEhn-RLA-Sp3jGKNRpUKPLtDRwGxj2H0J_ythyphenhyphenCRF6i5jxNuGGuzVwKvTpPNN3DmTMQUrxXbj1cNebVxHT1F0K/s320/Web+IMG_0306.jpg" border="0" /></a>Work has been brutally busy lately, so I'm very late with this posting. Here are a few photos of these Perry miniatures.<br /><div><div></div><br /><div>I painted them earlier this year, and have based them individually with hope of using them with "Sharpe Practice" rules (once I get around to finishing off enough of my unpainted AWI collection to have the forces available!).</div><div></div><br /><div>One thing I remember: At Historicon 2007 I picked up some Howard Hues paints, once of which was Jaeger green (I think). Anyway, the coverage was horrible! So I resorted to using some other brand. It's a shame because HH has some interesting colors in their range. If anyone else out there has had the same problem, let me know how you overcame it.</div><div></div><br /><div>Perry Miniatures, painted early 2008.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270374167448627746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtV43DSAw1VTe_9ambequtGex5bCT06NKOanEZ7u_q8sDmaDP54_4HdfO3yk9DPWB0DOYincba3kwdbH9FCZ64D3zJIRwpadKzG2sx2ern7-YaastpPeV-FvLRwkCmytpPraHsMqbMLDx/s320/Web+IMG_0305.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HW8xOw7_4Bm4sYmyhwK609CaL90OI9xgs080z45I7t0_tvWX67zU-bF5CYOWiJyv6IgJWgPduJYcQ1W_Z8tGeT1bmHDAyOvvmwvMnJ7FpJmZj52Z8uCd1uFE2o3zqLDzVnmx-GH7IVsH/s1600-h/Web+IMG_0305.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-2975370458188161162008-11-03T13:13:00.006-05:002008-11-03T15:56:41.179-05:00British Light Infantry - The Revolution<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs-vArWApkBhGNl5tcgSw_mt2Lk_bJlA5b-Do_vTCr1S0VLVV8dw8AHnOPeG1gs7s1sZ5qu7CYdK6BEOFE7CA05gNj3B0vIH4t63lfBA0GQiOCDC1aCz0tls4fEe9QKX1Qd5tFt_A-bW6/s1600-h/Web+IMG_0302.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264497678161440978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgs-vArWApkBhGNl5tcgSw_mt2Lk_bJlA5b-Do_vTCr1S0VLVV8dw8AHnOPeG1gs7s1sZ5qu7CYdK6BEOFE7CA05gNj3B0vIH4t63lfBA0GQiOCDC1aCz0tls4fEe9QKX1Qd5tFt_A-bW6/s200/Web+IMG_0302.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>..better known as "AWI", but I won't get into that here....</div><br /><div>Being a fickle gamer, I first based my miniatures for British Grenadier. I diligently amassed my regiments, and was quite happy.</div><br /><div>Then, along comes "Sharpe Practice", and all of my plans go to heck!! The level of gaming in SP better suits my vision for my revolutionary war games. So, back to the drawing board.</div><br /><div>I am remounting all of my miniatures in single bases. Even if I want to go back to BG, I can just rank them up and move forward.</div><br /><div>These are Foundry miniatures, and they're great fun to paint up. At some later point I'll post some photos of the 5th LI figures - once I get some command miniatures painted up.</div><br /><div>I'm hoping to get all of my Foundry/Perry revolutionary stuff photographed and posted over the course of the next few months. But, knowing me, I'm sure I'll throw something else in the mix!</div><br /><div>Foundry Miniatures, painted 2007/2008</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6nGDkT_xGyvURetZBbROIWZYaFgbo3VgYmK3fgiscUEEQ3Ky80jVOL2FnmpkVPSM7-DC0fJlTB24JxzI5ihFZNM6ebKWaJAkt0GyvkxE5wK4gvBTwhoIrrlRow3uPHhnlD8CRMOMRCQq/s1600-h/Web+IMG_0301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264498031740610914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6nGDkT_xGyvURetZBbROIWZYaFgbo3VgYmK3fgiscUEEQ3Ky80jVOL2FnmpkVPSM7-DC0fJlTB24JxzI5ihFZNM6ebKWaJAkt0GyvkxE5wK4gvBTwhoIrrlRow3uPHhnlD8CRMOMRCQq/s200/Web+IMG_0301.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264497876365123538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnot2oFZCNzz8hsMBJZpSpes6P5hxHL0z8wpaFjYq1zG_41jJSW-R076KK7tmDd-ak5a1wbz9No1wyCuJGt-uyQMpY3oBnhCA_Y0trswMwx8-3QMoLpr6JXuwCSAqYDqom6tnjRsHq5eSL/s200/Web+IMG_0303.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-36538013191542491032008-10-26T16:04:00.004-04:002008-10-26T16:14:35.360-04:00Eureka Early Napoleonic French<div>Well, finally a new post.....</div><br /><div></div><div>These two photos are the test miniatures I painted from the first Eureka Napoleonic release. I picked these up at Historicon, and I must say that they couldn't be nicer miniatures.</div><div></div><br /><div>And it's also worth mentioning that while I was at Historicon, I misplaced a purchase from the Eureka stand. I posted my plight on TMP and much to my delight the fine gentlemen at Eureka USA replaced my loss at no cost!! Now THAT is customer service, and an indication of just what great fellows they are over at Eureka.</div><br /><div></div><div>I've probably painted these incorrectly - after finishing them I noticed that the red turnbacks should be white. But who's to say?</div><br /><div></div><div>While I like to be as accurate as possible, I don't think I'll be losing any sleep over this since they are such nice miniatures and paint up very easily.</div><br /><div></div><div>Eureka Miniatures, painted September 2008</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXS8G_Y-I4d2vOHL25pTcnI0Xp-BXZ2tWaB1L1pFwtxKyvuPadqrJM4W85A8gwQ8rBr9mnFE5p7Sgq84Ki2x9dja1qba2aLI-HYq91J-g8kcy_fZgspHhFWInP_L9wIvEx5DSa9qZlmGB/s1600-h/Web+Eureka+French+officer+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261557729260874146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXS8G_Y-I4d2vOHL25pTcnI0Xp-BXZ2tWaB1L1pFwtxKyvuPadqrJM4W85A8gwQ8rBr9mnFE5p7Sgq84Ki2x9dja1qba2aLI-HYq91J-g8kcy_fZgspHhFWInP_L9wIvEx5DSa9qZlmGB/s200/Web+Eureka+French+officer+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJjpJZO8KendhM0mleF4YTuKz4cuwnVaNQz-2y-q9g7BxPZTcjSM7u5VtJlBbyZR6TBiiaAarqEJ1Y0FmVpd_U0jeCfypMfgxq2JZOrd6G0znoohyphenhyphenI5hMNg_rxJt9RQNGosugTDL6SPLc/s1600-h/Web+Eureka+French+officer+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261557975133381330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJjpJZO8KendhM0mleF4YTuKz4cuwnVaNQz-2y-q9g7BxPZTcjSM7u5VtJlBbyZR6TBiiaAarqEJ1Y0FmVpd_U0jeCfypMfgxq2JZOrd6G0znoohyphenhyphenI5hMNg_rxJt9RQNGosugTDL6SPLc/s200/Web+Eureka+French+officer+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-20489759662486179202008-09-22T10:24:00.000-04:002008-09-23T14:02:19.183-04:00Slight delay in posting photos......okay, insert the "best intentions.." quote here. Between work responsibilities and our major house-painting project, the posting of photos (or anything else for that matter) has been delayed! AARGH!!<br /><br />I'll take this post to fill everyone in on what my areas of interest are, as well as what my collection consists of.<br /><br />Through the years, since 1985 at least, I've collected several different periods. Many have fallen by the wayside, some unintentionally, and others I have axed due to a waning interest. I have pared down my collection to the following:<br /><br />- 28mm AWI<br />- 28mm WW1<br />- 28mm Early Napoleonic (Eureka's fantastic new releases!)<br />- 28mm F&IW<br />- 28mm Early Imperial Roman and Ancient Briton (this got started when I delved into WAB, and now with the Army Painter system out there it looks like I'll actually FINISH PAINTING my collection!)<br />- 28mm Alamo/Texas War for Independence<br />- 28mm Old West<br />- 28mm ACW (but only large skirmish sized forces - I can't envision painting thousands of miniatures for this)<br />- 28mm Sudan<br />- 28mm Zulu War<br />- 28mm Lord of the Rings<br />- 28mm "The Wind and the Lion". Actually, this includes any late 19th century miniatures that catch my eye!<br /><br />- 20mm Vietnam and Modern.<br /><br />- 15mm Boxer Rebellion (my very first completed armies!)<br />- 15mm WW2 - Flames of War, but I don't use the rules. I've used Too Fat Lardies Troops, Weapons & Tactics and I find them to be much more to my liking. But, to each his own.<br /><br />Now, this may seem like a huge array of periods but believe me, before I decided to only concentrate on this I was all over the place!<br /><br />I'll end this post with a couple of old, and poorly taken, photos. I hope to have some new ones, as well as a new post, sometime next week.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoFwFXLhMKijUtT6XUx8G1ZM5TvDEPkCwlECtFUpufLET5vwMH8ks3dho9nHgORJRA1bd8dKu8DqlLMOAxD-eFIN684F3D7mWKGTn0fkTnTh8qYQP8Pm6Zz7g1wcrQII8TpuYjc8mDCRy/s1600-h/IMG_3694.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248856730032783778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoFwFXLhMKijUtT6XUx8G1ZM5TvDEPkCwlECtFUpufLET5vwMH8ks3dho9nHgORJRA1bd8dKu8DqlLMOAxD-eFIN684F3D7mWKGTn0fkTnTh8qYQP8Pm6Zz7g1wcrQII8TpuYjc8mDCRy/s200/IMG_3694.JPG" width="185" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248857264259259042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpohkdUzBoXiozo7czub5v3yfjrUeGEh9zT8z8wL9f5U_t1SpHIAwCGapfDuWxeCM9uy3DunbAU0JeRhPxk_mZV7vxK2Z-amBn6gSKXE_cwL24vflQtllqboTeBAU8V6lpctkHgwxFC8q7/s200/IMG_3689.JPG" width="186" border="0" />Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930642981271720823.post-91527340312688806352008-09-05T14:22:00.000-04:002008-09-05T14:24:34.710-04:00New in town.....Well, here goes!<br /><br />I've just started my first, and only, gaming/painting blog. In it I will do my best to keep you up to date on my addiction to lead, mostly unpainted at this stage.<br /><br />I am hoping that by blogging about my pusuits, it will motivate me to paint even more - although I may not reach the levels of an Altefritz!<br /><br />Hold on, it may be a bumpy ride......Greg Saparahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06170653448749957195noreply@blogger.com1