First of the First Corps Fallschirmjaegers Painted

 There is a lot of stuff nearing fruition on the painting desk currently, plus another Zombicide AAR I need to share, but tonight it's the first (of three) sections of Fallschirmjaegers. Each section comprises an NCO with SMG, two 2-man MG34 LMG teams and seven rifle armed Schuetzen. These are based up as two lots of three riflemen, the two LMG teams and the NCO and one rifleman.

Again, I am not so keen on these First Corps figures as their Wehrmacht equivalents - given the choice again, I would probably go with Crusader instead - but they will do the job and as we all know, it does not really matter what they look like - sometimes the oldest, most poorly painted figures are the ones that win the game for us!

The whole section - once again, based on 50mm rounds of my own creation.

The NCO Base

Rifle Base 1

Rifle Base 2

LMG Base 1

LMG Base 2

They have turned out fine - just not awe inspiring - I will be working on something different for the next few days but the next post will likely be last week's Zombicide encounter at Julians place!

Thanks for dropping in for a visit and I hope you find time to leave a comment!

Some Recent Arrivals Painted

 I have been quite productive recently, in an unfocussed, butterfly-like manner - with several different batches of figures on the go simultaneously, as well as some building and construction work - more of that anon.

Tonight, I present most of the Sultana Heteira's court by Effincool Miniatures - I say most, because the snake charmer is not yet finished - it's the snakeskin pattern. you see......! Here are the rest of the ladies, however, plus a few potential scenes from future Pulp scenarios....

The Sultana and her retinue are entertained.

The Court entertainers

Sitar Solo!

European Slave Girls are employed in the Court of the Sultana.

Female Nazis presented to The Sultana.

Visiting African royalty pay their respects.

A brash Pulp Hero tells these dames, what's what....

Not so noisy now, is he?!

And his female companion does not look happy either!

The Court with a couple of Egyptian additions.

I am very happy with how these figures have turned out and I must just figure out how to work them into an upcoming episode of "The Desk Mask of Ramallah".

Finally, I recently purchased and have just finished watching this DVD that many British readers may remember from their dim and distant youth - I am unsure if it is known to our N American colleagues?

The Flashing Blade

The Flashing Blade (French: Le Chevalier Tempête) is a French television serial made in the late 1960s. It was first broadcast in the UK on BBC children's television during the 1960s, with several re-runs throughout the 1970s. The British version of twelve 22 minutes episodes was created from the original four French 75-minute episodes.

The fictional story is based upon historical events during the War of the Mantuan Succession (1628–1631) between France and Spain and its allies. Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy, a supporter of Spain, laid siege to Casale, the capital of Montferrat on the Savoie (Savoy) border. Despite numerous attempts to scale the defences, the beleaguered garrison held out. The Savoy army was eventually defeated by a French relief force on 18 March 1629.

The castle of Casale, seen being besieged in the opening credits, was filmed at Château Gaillard in France.

Plot

The series revolves around the efforts of a dashing French spy to engineer the garrison's rescue. François, the Chevalier de Recci, and his servant Guillot are trapped in a besieged castle on the border between France and Spain. When the Spanish elite hear of a possible truce between France and Spain, some of them do not want a truce because the capture of the castle has greater strategic importance.

The Spanish begin a bombardment in order to capture the French castle before any form of ceasefire agreement is signed. The garrison commander, General Thoiras, recruits François and Gullot to break through Spanish lines to get word of the attack to the French Army. The pair, with their superior swordplay and horsemanship, embark on a daring mission evading capture, enemy spies and pursuing soldiers to deliver their message. The series ends with the Chevalier bringing news of the peace conference's decision to the Spanish Forces surrounding the castle.

The hero and heroine of the tale - the Chevalier de Recci and Isabelle de Sospel.

The evil Spanish adversary - Don Alonso.

As was to be expected, it is of its time (production values, what's that then?!) and does not really stand up to modern expectations, but I am glad I got it and no doubt I will watch it all again some day in the future, although I would be hard put to recommend anyone watch it, unless, like me, it's for nostalgia's sake!

Ye Ballade o' Sweet Lady Mary Bell

 I ran through a couple of quick "catch up/plot bridge" games recently, as I felt this story had stalled somewhat and my ideas for the next game were getting a bit "samey"

Game 1

In the dead of night, a small party cautiously navigates the countryside not a million miles from Dunholme Castle, the border stronghold of Sir Julian Bell.

Rab Kerr, Lady Mary (in suitable attire) and a couple of the Kerr household reivers creep slowly through the darkness.

"The meeting place is just ahead, quietly now!" Rab whispers to the small crew.

As the dawn starts to break, a small girl is revealed, holding in her right hand a small clump of juniper bush. "Wait here, lassie!" whispers Lady Mary, and she disappears into the nearby glade, unstrapping the leather satchel carried on her back.

A few minutes later, the young girl leads a "maid" back towards the small hamlet where she lives.

"Gude morning, Annie" says the watchman, giving the unfamiliar maid an appreciative glance as the pair walks confidently by.

"Over here, mistress" Annie whispers to Lady Mary. "Here is my sister Jean, who works as a maid in Dunholme Castle!"

As "the maid" adds water from her bucket to Jean's wash tub, urgent whispers pass between the pair.

"I need some more water, Mary!".  Jean exclaims in a loud tone, so that the guard can hear her words. "Head back to the burn and bring me another bucketful."

Once again, "the maid" passes the watchman without let or hindrance.

He watches her swaying hips with interest as Mary disappears again into the early morning gloom.

Restored to her "travelling clothes" Lady Mary quickly shares her news with Rab Ker. "So, it's on to Dunholme Castle then, lass? Right boys, off we go!"

Game 2

As dawn breaks through the windows of a spartan room in Dunholme Towers, Jessie Nixon steels herself for another round of "questioning" by Sir Julian and Lady Catherine Bell, and Sir Julians sister, Lady Barbara Faine.

"She is a stubborn little trollop" Sir Julian growls.

"She is a worthless peasant, and she will break, soon enough!" sneers Lady Barbara. "But, brother, this work has brought on an appetite - let us retire for an hour and break our fast." 

The rising sun reveals the imposing bulk of Dunholme Castle.

As her master and mistress relax over a hearty meal, a serving girl enters the room, ostensibly to clean up the evidence of the night's "discussions".

"Mistress Nixon, fear not, your salvation is at hand. Here, let me help you up. Your clothes are over there - get you dressed and be ready to act!"

In a few moments, Jessie is dressed and ready.

At the castle gates, a maid carrying water for the kitchen and a couple of local shepherds delivering meat on the hoof for the garrison are waved through by the sleepy guards, whose only thought after a long night on watch is for their beds.

Once inside, the shepherds head to the castle byre, whilst the maid moves towards a door in the main castle building.

"I have to say, that bloody girl has some spirit" Sir Julian exclaims through a mouthful of cold chicken. "Spirt be damned!" snarls Lady Barbara. "She is an execrable wretch, and once we are refreshed, I am going to beat the truth out of her before its time for luncheon!"

Unobserved by the gentry, a maid enters the room behind them and quickly exchanges a few words with another servant.

Shortly thereafter, Lady Mary enters Jessie's room. "Jessie, my poor, dear friend - quickly, there are clothes here in my bucket!"

Minutes later, no sign remains of Jessie Nixon, the lady's maid!

The two serving girls exit the castle, as the shepherds reappear from the direction of the byre.

Together, the quartet pass through the gates and stroll calmly off into the cover of the nearby trees.

Back in Dunholme Castle, the empty room is filled with screams of rage and vile curses when the escape is discovered!

A few miles away, the two "maids" discard their disguises, as do the "shepherds". Now, it's time to head back to the security of Caidhaugh Tower!