NAPOLEONICS - Serbian Napoleonic Infantry

New Year, New Project!

One of my projects for 2025 is to paint up a load of 28mm Napoleonics for Sharp Practice that I have been buying over the last couple of years. A while ago I took advantage of a sale at Steve Barber Models and bought a load of figures for a Sharp Practice project, inspired by "The Frontier Sea - The Napoleonic Wars in the Adriatic" by Dave Watson (aka The Balkan Wargamer). It's a great book with a very useful section at the end for wargamers interested in gaming in the Adriatic. Along with the figures for this project I also bought some of the Serbian Napoleonic Infantry as I thought they might come in useful for some Sharp Practice games set in the fictional Black Sea country of Andreivia created by my good friend and fellow wargamer Richard C (Steel Lard Organiser). Richard has run many games set in Andreivia from Ancients to Modern and many of us have been involved in these games for over ten years! 

First up are three bases for my Serbian Napoleonic Sharp Practice force. 

Great figures and very nice to paint up. One of the more unusual forces you'll see on the tabletop!

Unfortunately for the time being Steve Barber Models are unavailable as I understand he is moving to France and as yet there are no updates on when he plans to reopen. Fingers crossed it will be soon as i'd like to get a few more of these plus some other figures in his ranges. 

THE BUNKER - Alfa Zone/Rogue Stars Project (Part 3)

I'm lucky in that three times a year there is a very good wargames tabletop sale not that far from me. I usually book a table and sell my wares which keeps me busy but I always try and make time for a wander round to see what bargains can be unearthed under the mountains of Warhammer! 

The last one was at the beginning of May and was very busy but after the initial rush I managed to find time to grab a bacon and sausage sandwich and head off for a quick scan of the other stalls to see if there was anything suitable for my current projects. One stall was selling a lot of old MDF buildings, mostly 15mm, but buried among them was a bag containing two sets of the Red Vectors 28mm Sci Fi Doors currently available from the marvelous chaps over at Pendraken. So this meant I now had six double doors and six single doors to add to the Bunker Project. 

After assembly I noticed there was slight damage to the keypad on one of the single doors but after painting them up it just looks like a damaged keypad. Maybe a stray shot destroyed the panel? 

So now I have twelve doors ready to go. 

Six double doors complete with added rust. The keypad and little screen are a great addition to an otherwise very simple design.

Six single doors again with added rust. The door bottom right has the damaged keypad and I just painted what buttons were available on the panel. 

As always thanks for looking.

THE BUNKER - Alfa Zone/Rogue Stars Project (Part Two)

A quick update on the Bunker project. A couple of rooms starting to take shape and some ideas for future areas for the Bunker.

L-R Two computer stations made from computers from Ainsty Castings plinths with added Actual Size Miniatures computers. Ice machine, washing machine and fridge again from Actual Size Miniatures.

Idea for another room is a small workshop complete with lathe, milling machines and pillar drills. All from Anyscale Models.

Rough idea for a room layout. Plan is to add a couple of workbenches.

Two completed wall sections for Computer Room A showing the doors I have decided on from Blotz.

Computer Room A starting to take shape. The flooring is some left over roofing felt from a bike shed.

Another view of Computer Room A.

Computer Room A again showing the Blotz door which I'm really pleased with as I think they match the feel of the Bunker.

WIP Hover Truck from Oshiro Models. I have a trailer section for this as well. Going for the industrial yellow scheme.

Another corridor section added.

Computer Room A leading out into the new corridor section.

As always thanks for looking. 

THE BUNKER - Alfa Zone/Rogue Stars Project (Part One)

 Over the Easter break I have finally taken the plunge and started a project that I have been thinking about for many many years. I have been collecting bits and bobs at Bring & Buy sales, eBay and various other places for a long time with this project in mind. After a false start a few years ago I have finally got a plan mainly thanks to my good friend and wargaming buddy Richard C introducing me to Rogue Stars and then later coming across Zone Alfa. 

So here goes. First up is a collection of bits from Ainsty Castings and Actual Size Miniatures (eBay) that I have been collecting over the years plus a few more recent purchases from the same suppliers.

Two Nuka Cola machines from Actual Size Miniatures. Fantastic little additions. Obviously Fallout inspired. These will take pride of place in the Barracks area.

Nice detail on the reverse of the models.

Again from Actual Size Miniatures. This is part of a set of 4 similar items. Bill at Actual Size has very kindly done me 4 extra of these as I plan to use them throughout the Bunker as a communication system.

All Actual Size apart from the cupboard unit which is from Ainsty Castings.

Beds and chairs are from Scotia Grendel.

Table and chairs from Scotia Grendel.

Good view of the added Nuka Cola bottle in the machine.

Some scatter terrain rubbish piles for the entrance to the Bunker. Again mostly Actual Size.

Computer Room WIP with Ainsty Castings. Not sure where the bookcase is from, possibly Fenris Games.

The walls are made from 10mm Insulation Foam for underneath laminate floor painted up to resemble concrete slabs. The floor is an offcut of roofing felt that came with a small bike shed. The roll was enormous and after using what I needed for the shed roof I have a load left. 

That's it for Part One. Thanks for looking and hopefully Part Two will be along soon. More walls and scatter pieces. 

SALE ITEMS - Having a Bit of a Clear-Out (Part One)

I have decided that I have far too much stuff and most of it hasn't seen the light of day for a long time. So it's time to concentrate on a few of my favourite projects and add to them and at the same time get rid of some stuff that I will never use. 

£18.00 inc postage UK only

£25.00 inc postage UK only

£25.00 inc postage UK only

£15.00 inc postage UK only

£15.00 inc postage UK only

£12.00 inc postage UK only

£12.00 inc postage UK only

£12.00 inc postage UK only

£12.00 inc postage UK only

£12.00 inc postage UK only

£30.00 inc postage UK only

£30.00 inc postage UK only

If you are interested in any of the above please email me at coldwarcommanders93@gmail.com

BAG OF BITS - The Carrier Bag Project (Part Two)

So in between commission work and painting figures for Steel Lard in November, at which myself and my good friend Richard C are running a Sharp Practice game set in Riga in 1812, I have started on the Bag of Bits I bought at Penkridge for the princely sum of £3.00. 

After a good sort through I found several bits of Necron Warriors in various states of repair! From the bits I managed to make two complete miniatures. Now I haven't played WH40K since the original Rogue Trader, however Richard C recently introduced me to Rogue Stars, one of the Blue Books from Osprey, a great little Sci-Fi skirmish game which is ideal for utilising all sorts of miniatures. So these two chaps will be added to the Rogue Stars collection. 

BAG OF BITS - The Carrier Bag Project (Part One)

On Sunday I headed over to the Penkridge Wargames Tabletop Sale. I had booked a couple of tables to get rid of some stuff that I've accumulated over the years and that I don't think I will be using now that I have opened The Unit. Most of my projects are related to future games etc. Had a really good morning and sold a load of stuff but as I was so busy I didn't really get chance to have a good rummage through all the stalls. I did pick up some 28mm terrain pieces for future games at The Unit and I'll post more information on those later this week. However one thing I did spot was a carrier bag on the stall opposite with a label saying 'Bag of Bits'! So when I had a minute I popped over to have a look but didn't get long as a customer at my stall appeared. What I did see where a few bits that looked interesting including some Warhammer Bretonnian horses which are always useful for Italian Wars etc. So after some hard haggling I managed to get the chap down to £3.00 from £5.00. Result! So today I have had a chance to have a look at what I have ended up with and I have to say I am rather pleased. Aswell as the horses there were quite a few 28mm plastic Landsknechts, 28mm skeletons and enough figures to make three groups for Rogue Stars. 

So I thought it might be interesting to document my progress through the carrier bag and see what I can create.