Tuesday, 12 May 2026

The Big (28mm) Napoleonic Build - Attacking The (British) Plastic Kit Pile - The Great Assemble

Recently I spotted a large pile of British Napoleonic 28mm plastic figure boxes in the loft, a "hidden sin" of mine. I must have been collecting these over the last ten years. I decided that the "Great Assemble Project" was about to begin (see below, Victrix Highlanders started the adventure - Centre Company boys): 



One box lead to another, then another (see below, Victrix Highlanders, Flank Company boys):  


In the end there were "legion" (see below, Perry's British Nap Infantry done as British Peninsular Infantry, 40 in total [36 normal and 4 riflemen])


In review, Victrix Highlanders Flank Company (see below, 60 in a box): 


Continuing the review, Victrix Highlanders Centre Company (see below, 60 in a box):


Not forgetting the Wargames Atlantic British Rifles (see below, 32 in a box but I made 24 and donated 8 to a good cause - still you only need a few): 


Assembling is one thing, but painting them is another - hmm, I need to keep the forward momentum going. Undercoating (weather permitting) by mass spray painting (White) was deemed the only sensible way forward (see below, luckily the weather was kind to me, let it snow!): 


Missing from the camera rollcall were yet more Victrix Peninsular British Flank and Centre Companies (104 figures in total, 52 each pack). All told, including a few "gifted" figures I already had assembled, there are just over 300 Napoleonic British Peninsular foot. These form a "future painting project". I plan to do the painting in batches - for Sharp Practice (TFL) and/or One Hour Skirmish Wargame Rules (John Lambshead). Building up and getting games in at the same time. 

Footnote (Confession): Launching into the build (as in Perry's Nap British) I had the funny feeling something was not quite right (see below, in my defense - there were two types of head to choose from and I chose my starting point at random):


So, I had inadvertently started to put the Waterloo heads on. The Shakos are different, no feather. Did I really care? It was one of those wargaming itches. I argued the toss with myself, then as there were only nine made so far, decapitations were made and heads were swapped, we were "all" off the to Peninsular. If they have to appear at a later date at Waterloo, I can also live with that!

Monday, 11 May 2026

AI - An Inside Take (AI Developer Interview)

 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf2KFVcKQdQ

A self confessed nerdy AI enthusiast (saying which, I have a lot of empathy and respect for) who I would call at teh top of his games was at the leading edge, being completely honest about the hype and dangers of AI. Also being very honest about how little we know about their workings. Computer Science knowledge of ANN makes Physicists look good (as they guess about Dark Matter and Dark Energy). 

Saturday, 9 May 2026

Wargames that Teach Leadership - Extraordinary college

A friend pointed me to this interesting site (see below, it immediately caught my attention with the novel use of egg timers next to the counter bases):  


I suggest you take a look yourself (see link below): 

The scenarios looked appealing:
  • The Battle of Luethen
  • A Special Forces "smash and grab" from a train behind enemy lines
  • A successful Viking raid is confronted with a Saxon Shieldwall between it and its longship home
  • A Three Musketeers "look out for your friends" escapade
Interesting, although I cannot afford teh price of the games!
 




Friday, 8 May 2026

Note to Self: Following this person ... Hannah Fry (Sceience)


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iz6zFt7G3Kc

Interesting Science Info Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@fryrsquared/shorts

Hannah Fry: Cambridge Mathematician, Science Evangeliser

Note: Panzer Taster - Please avoid the wargamer cringe at the beginning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkSZN-Zs9No

Yes, I may even forgive her for showing images of a T-80, Pz I and a Pz IV Short 75mm which definitely were not worrying Allied planners in 1944) because she is a brilliant mathematics and science educator.

PS: I completely agree with her on the negative hypothesis on AI Agents. 

Thursday, 7 May 2026

Note to Self: Need to try out "Bloody Big Battle" sometime (Franco Prussian War)


https://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=296&cat=140&page=1

Possibly for use in a Franco-Prussian 15mm Campaign I always said I would do! 

Note to Self: Interesting Blog - Stephen Balagan


https://balagan.info/