Painting a Zuzzy Verdant Fields Latex Mat

I have been looking for a transportable mat for some time, it really is impossible to transport styrofoam terrain pieces. There are a lot of options out there and I have already purchased 2-3 mats. When it came down to it I just did not like what I had purchased.

I had come across Zuzzy mats on TMP so I said why not. It was $52 for a 4x6' mat which I thought a pretty reasonable price. You certainly have to be patient, as the wait list is 2-3 months. But what I got was well worth waiting for, it comes in a plastic sheath wrapped around a hard cardboard tube. It is make of latex and it has some very interesting characteristics. But why not let photos do the talking. I could not find many resources or guides to painting the mat, so I just went ahead and designed my own. I was looking for a colour scheme that would jump out, less importnat was a natural look.

The mat come in a green colour, I suppose I could have started from that but I find that a Raw Umber  is an excellent choice. I use Sargent Art acrylic paint, it is quite inexpensive and it dilutes easily. I used about a 50:50 water paint mix to lay down a priming coat. I should note that you are advised only to use acrylics on these mats.

Once dry you can see it's first interesting characteristic, there are essentially two different major textures to the mat, one more upright and ridge like and the other flatter with less detail. I of course use the upright for grass and the flat for the brown patches. It does take 24 hours for the first coat to dry well.

So next up is the grass. I apply the dark green initially as a heavy dry brush I used Winsor and Newton Galeria acrylic Phthalo Green, this is a very dark green but when diluted is a little brighter. It is then diluted to fill in the crevasses. You can see the two effects here. Try not to let the dilute paint bleed into the earth parts.

Next I use a mocha coloured brown as the first highlight on the earth, I used  Americana Sable Brown as a heavy dry brush. This is followed by a light dry brush of VMC Iraqi Sand.

I found that I needed to blend the two colours together at this stage to take them down a bit. I used a  very thin wash of raw umber. And I mean very thin, I let the mat dry then for another 24 hours.

Next up is a medium dry brush of a Grumabacher Sap Green, and then a slightly lighter drybrush of a 50:50 mixture of the Sap Green and Newton and Winsor Galleria Cadmium Yellow Light.

Final dry brush with the Cadium Yellow Light on the grass and VMC Iraqi Sand on the dirt. You can also see the second interesting characteristic of these mats; the imbedded stones which I have painted black.

Well all done, the final step was a successive dry brushes on VMC Neutral Gray and Citadel Ulthuan  Gray  on the stones. I take them down then with some Citadel Nuln Oil black wash. All done! Maybe a little garish in the photo, but under natural light the colours are a little more restrained.

Close up with all the details.

With some terrain........a quiet little farm in Northern Britain around 500AD.

Tree bases and hovel from Architects of War, Houses from 4-Ground. Wattle fences fron Renedra.

Crop fields made from pieces of Zuzzy mat and cereal strips from Tamjima1. 

Longstreet Campaign: A Rebel Victory!

Myself and Adam had the final game in our American Civil War campaign last night at the Hobby Bunker. It was by far the longest game we had (going almost 4 hours), probably because of the difficulty of the scenario. Adam has been rolling for the scenarios and he rolled a 10, the River Crossing. This is a scenario we had not played before and looked like a difficult one for the attacker. Neither of us had an advantage in the dice roll for initial position so we decided, after some debate, to go with it. Of course, I lost the toss and ended up taking the attacker's role.

used with permission

Essentially we have a wide river that only can be crossed at 4 different fords. The defender sets up first after the additional 8 pieces of terrain have been laid. The attacker gets to place one additional ford as well as the two objectives. I placed the last ford to the bottom right and the two objectives as far apart as I could, I also broadened one ford (they were all 3 BW's wide) to 4 BW's.

I think Adam kept on thinking that I had a specific strategy, but really it was pretty simple........to get Epic Points by engaging in combat. I had a significant advantage in both troops numbers and some advantage in quality. I think in retrospect, I should have placed the broader ford to the right of the one I chose or to the central ford. I also should probably have placed the far right objective a little more west and  north.

I really wanted to split Adam's forces so he could not concentrate in one place, forcing him to hold some of his troops to the centre in reserve which he did. I did not really appreciate before the game that if Adam got entrenched on the far side of the ford, how difficult it would be to cross the ford or dislodge his troops.

The center of the battle from the confederate POV, those cannon were a big problem.

Far west of the battle with it's well protected objective.

I think the battle played out in a fairly historical sense. Artillery fire comprised the first third of the game, I believe we both placed our artillery batteries well and there was a lot of counter battery fire, with which I was generally successful. I believe by the end of the game Adam had lost 6 of his 9 cannon, while I had lost only one. Unfortunately, his cannon did cause significant infantry and cavalry loses before I was able to eliminate them from the game. I suppose I could have held back my infantry attack until my cannon had done their work, but that would have lengthened an already long game and have been pretty boring. Really I probably should have just raced to the fords in the hope of arriving before the rebels and hopefully not too badly mauled.

I was able to eventually advance my troops to position where they were able to get in position and cross over the river, I think I did get three infantry units over ultimately. It was very difficult though as Adam had by then entrenched so all my infantry fire was skirmish (hit on 6's only) and all attacker melee was hit on 5 or 6 as I was fighting against troops in cover from difficult terrain. The Union troops also had to suffer canister fire from the remaining Rebel cannon, before they could engage the Rebel infantry.

By now I had lost 18 stands to Adams's 12 with a breakpoint of 22, fortunately Adam lost the first morale test so I got to have another turn. Knowing it would be most likely my last, I threw the remaining troops of the 5th NY, the 7th Wisconsin and the 54th Massachusetts against the rebel troops in an attempt to gain an Epic Point (I had 15 bases, so one EP). All were in poor combat position but both the 54th and the 5th had an even chance of winning their combats.

And lo and behold, Adam plays the Old Rivals card on the 54th...........immediately halting their attack! There was really not much to do then but withdraw and concede the game to Adam. Well played. Victory to the Rebels by 1 Epic Point.

You can see Adam's AR on his blog the Fencing Frog. This was my first campaign and it was enormous fun. I really have to thank Adam as he lugged all the terrain to the Hobby Bunker for each game and lent me a Union army until I got my own troops in place. Longstreet is a great game and I felt the campaign system was very well designed. We are hoping to get a multi player campaign started.

Well what is next for Thursday game night at the Hobby Bunker? Well myself and Adam are going to initiate a Dux Britanniarum campaign so we will finally see the return of the Chronica Iohannes.

Longstreet Campaign: Game 8

Our 8th and penultimate battle was fought at the Hobby Bunker June 26. We played the Crossroads scenario for a second time and I elected to defend. 

used with permission

I set up my artillery on both flanks but this was a bit of a mistake as Adam's main thrust was towards the centre. It took me quite a bit of time (ie near the end of the first deck) to get them brought into battle.

Adam's initial attack was quite successful and I was thrown back and he captured the crossroads to earn himself an Epic Point. I was also a little unlucky with my deck as all my interrupt cards were very slow in coming. It really did look quite grim but eventually my cannon were brought to bear and I was able to defeat the Rebels. It was a very close game though and we both I believed played quite well. I lead going into the last game by 1 Epic Point. You can see the complete AR on Adam's blog the Fencing Frog.

146th NY being pummeled in combat.

My post game process was so-so, I got 2 Light Artillery cards which were of little benefit. But the Priority card will be quite useful in the last battle and with the See the Elephant and Hail to the Chief cards I was able to improve my units. But the best card was the US Coloured Troops which allow me to field a 10 base regiment of eager troops. You can see the full post battle process below.

As you can see two new units have entered the fray (still need to base them), the 19th Indiana and the 54th Massachusetts. I see that Adam has had two more Longstreet games at the Whiz and he has a many experienced troops. He has been a formidable opponent. 

Well we will see how it goes, the Campaign deciding game is in two days. Stay tuned.

Winter War Soviets: NKVD Squad

I recently received the figures for my Chain of Command Winter War Soviets. There are several choices in 20mm Soviets, but none really for early war. My research leads me to believe that the Soviets troops sent to Finland in 1939 had slightly different uniforms then those in mid and late war. I believe they had a different helmut and neither snow suits nor telogrieka uniforms had yet been issued. Really I had not much choice except for troops in overcoats. I had a long look and really the nicest figures were TQD Castings Kursk Soviets. 

When they arrived a couple of weeks ago, I was quite pleased with my choice. Wrong helmets  but other wise good to go.They really are nice figures. Chain of Command lists the Winter War soviets has having 4 fifteen man squads in each platoon. To break things up, I decided to go with one squad of NKVD. Multiple sources indicate that several regiments of NKVD border police fought in Finland, but I really could not resist the blue and red cap of the NKVD internal police. Not really in winter attire but so it goes.

Soviet squads in CoC have a JL, 12 riflemen and a 2 man LMG team. There was no LMG's modeled in the TQD NKVD figures so I decided to make a slight adjustment. I substituted the LMG with 4 SMG armed men as well as an SMG armed JL. This makes them slightly overpowered at close in fighting but underpowered at longer ranges. However, according to the CoCulator both squads work out to being 25 points. I liked the idea of the NKVD being sent in has close combat troops.

As you can see these are very nice figures, it would have been nice to have more poses but that is a very minor criticism. Mark at CP Models was great with which to deal, and I can highly recommend this company and these troops.

The NKVD came with slotta bases, I cut them down and then used the residual metal to buttress the  figure

They appear pretty solid

I have only a few soviet vehicles left to winterize they should be up soon.

Longstreet Campaign: Game 7

Almost a month since my last post, and gaming activity almost down to zero. I have been finishing up some Soviet vehicles, but otherwise on the painting front........zero. The Drive on Minsk-1941 Chain of Command campaign at the Hobby Bunker has trickled down to zero, I do not think I have had a game since January, but maybe it was even before Xmas. It is always a challenge for me to game on a regular basis as as I work shifts and every second weekend but unfortunately the other players involved appear also to have had multiple distractions. Hoping for a game in early July. I have had my June, 1944 Operation Tonga campaign for the same group ready to go since April!

Then there is the tragedy of Iannick's knee. He had elective surgery on it in February and he is still not up. He has been my regular opponent and excellent gaming friend since the start of my interest in the hobby, we usually have a game every 6-8 weeks alas now none since last year. Life is just not the same without lugging figures and terrain to Montreal. Hopefully though a game in early August.

Finally there has been my Longstreet Campaign with Adam. Now is Adam is a gamer, from his blog I get a sense he gets in at least two games a week. So meeting and getting to game with him on a regular basis has been great. That has been a little slow as well unfortunately but hopefully our next game will be next week. We did get to play the last Thursday in May, and I finally gained a significant victory. We replayed the Walled Farm Scenario.

used with permission

Adam won the toss and elected to be the defender. I placed almost all my terrain choices in the middle in front of the farm. I have become quite apprehensive of Adam's superiority in artillery, and wanted to advance under cover. You can see the AR on Adam's blog. He was a little unlucky with the dice, but I think I played a pretty good game defeating him just after one deck.

The post game process is quite interesting in Longstreet and it all went well without too much attrition until the Campaign Card draw. I pulled 3 artillery cards which were of little value to me, aside from being able to upgrade to another heavy artillery battery. The Name in the Papers did allow me to pull ahead in Epic Points, but I have always found this card a little unfair. I was hoping to get the Coloured Troops card, my only route to Eager troops or at least a See the Elephant card, but nada. I did however finally get promoted up to a Major General, I think Adam must be the equivalent of a Marshall of France by now!

You can see Adam's post game process here. He still has a force with which to be reckoned as you can see.

Other things:

• Well the Habs lost to the Rangers but a great season!
• I just received my Soviet troops for my Winter war project, I selected TQD Castings and the figures are just great, plan to have 3 squads of Soviet regulars and 1 squad of NKVD. I think they are going to look very good.
• Hopefully will have some images of my Soviet vehicles up soon.
• The next Longstreet battle will see the debut of the 146th NY.

Longstreet Campaign: Game 6

This is a bit of a late update. I have been quite busy at work, have been really stuck into the progress of the les habitants through the Stanley Cup Playoffs (including driving to Montreal and see their stupendous victory over the Bruins in game 6) as well as trying to get my ACW army based.

used with permission

For our sixth game we played the Meeting Engagement scenario. I took the attacker side. The game started off well enough, but Adam is just getting better and better at playing Longstreet and I got trounced yet again. His artillery supremacy was also quite a challenge, but he is quite a willy player and now for the first time in our campaign he has pulled ahead in Epic points. You can find the AAR on his blog The Fencing Frog.

Our next game is scheduled for next Thursday, this is a full 4 weeks since the last game so I am hoping that Adam has become a little rusty! Unfortunately although I now have the advantage in the cards, he still really has a good army whose ranks are stuffed with eager veteran troops.

Adam's Order of Battle for 1864

This is quite a challenge as you can see from my OB, which is filled with seasoned units. I did get a good draw on the campaign cards and now have a complete artillery regiment with 3 full batteries.

My Order of Battle

Anyway the exciting thing about the next battle is that we will see the debut of my own troops. Many thanks to Adam's friend Cortland who has lent his troops to date. I hate basing, but I got all the troops done that I need for the next battle and their flags fortuitously arrived this week. Still have 4 more infantry and 2 more cavalry regiments to base, as well as one more heavy rifle artillery battery unit with 3 more limbers (not yet painted). But here I present the first six infantry, one cavalry and 3 artillery units.

From back to front the 24th Michigan (mixed iron brigade regular army uniforms), the 19th Maine (thought these northern boys wold need havelars) as well as 7th Wisconsin (lead unit of the iron brigade).

Lovely flags from Flagdude

From back to front the 15th Massachusetts, the 1st Minnesota (in firing line without bayonets) and the 5th New York (hard to do a unit army without some zouaves) 

Wait until you see the 146th New York in their sky blue uniforms.

The 6th Ohio both mounted and unmounted.

Three batteries with their limbers, have a unit of howitzers,  12 pd smoothbore as well as  10pd Parrotts  light rifles.

Army in a Box from Fernando

On February 21st, this year I emailed Fernando Painting Services in Sri Lanka to tell them that I was interested in getting some Blue Moon ACW miniatures painted. By February 24th, I had a quote not only for the painting but for the painting service to directly purchase the figures in the US and have them sent to Sri Lanka. The company actually paid for the figures themselves and then billed me. We ran into some problems as neither of the two credit card companies (one associated with a local bank and one associated a national bank) would approve any payments to Sr Lanka. I had to send a cheque by registered mail. Not withstanding this when the figures arrived in Sri Lanka on March 10, they started the paint job even though they had yet to receive the cheque for the figures (I had not even sent the cheque for the painting). On March 17th they received the first cheque, and by then the painting was well underway and I was receiving photographed samples. The only modification I had to make was to get the figures with havelars painted correctly (they were painted blue rather then white). On April 24th, I got notice that all my figures were done and fortunately the cheque for the painting arrived soon the next day. Once the figures were weighed for shipping, I still owed $30, but by then I realised that I could use a Canadian credit card to finish the purchase without difficulty (after living now in the US for 15 years, I have come to the conclusion that they have the worst and most antiquated banking system in the western world). Today, May 2, the figures arrived.

Absolutely amazing service, 402 figures done in 2 months on spec! So how was the job done, very well indeed. The box arrived well packaged which each group of figures in their own packaging, not one figure was damaged. I had planned to apply washes, as I had ordered the lowest standard at 70 cents each, I believe. They do not need washes. Well this is what they look like.

The package groups from Blue Moon was preserved so there would be no confusion. Everything was carefully labeled.

Standard Infantry firing.

Iron Brigade

Infantry with havelars

Cavalry with carbines and well as some dismounted cavalry

Artillerists and more dismounted cavalry

The sergeant even has his stripes!

Zoauve command, this was the only screw up and my fault, half should be red and blue , but the other half should be light blue (146th NY), but only 5 figures to re-paint.

5th New York

146th New York

More cavalry

402 figures

Just to show that I can paint 18 mm figures, here are some of Berden's Sharpshooters and Heros as well as some limbers for Longstreet. I also have a dozen cannons ready to paint.

Well I have to give this company 10/10, just terrific job and terrific service. Highly recommended. Oh by the way, here is the OB of my ACW Union force.