Where's the Wally?

No wargaming activity of any kind has taken place as this "Wally" has been enjoying a fabulous vacation with his better, and more beautiful, half.

The question for you is, where has this Wally been for his hols?

Follow the clues and make your guess.

It's Real, but it's not all what it looks to be.

Formerly walled but now just a small section remains.

Famously not a native, this oceanic mariner's remains lie in this tomb.

Famous for its tiles outstandingly on show in this locations big square.

Ole!

Put your guesses in the comments and I'll reveal all in due course.

2025 into 2026 - A Brief Reflection

First of all, let me wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2026 that provides a hobby rich environment in whatever fashion that brings you joy.

So, let me review my hobby 2025.  This will be short!

Figures painted - I don't keep a count.  Though less than I could've and yet enough to keep me happy and still enjoy doing it.

Games played -Not enough (never enough to be truthful), but all of them fun - which is the main thing.

Projects developed - The Great Italian Wars, which has also seen a couple of remote games.

So, what about plans for 2026?

I don't make resolutions or set hobby targets - too many targets and lists involved at work and I want wargaming to remain an escape from life, not a reminder.

However, I hope that my painting remains meaningful and enjoyable.  This includes wishing for my motivation to sustain itself at a constant through the year.

As the majority of my gaming has shifted to remote games, I hope to make the most of this and umpire a campaign of some description.  Plus, I would also like to umpire a couple more games in the Shed than I did in 2025.

One thing that I will continue from 2025 is the rationalisation of my wargaming.  So far, this has included sorting and reducing the library.  It now needs to move onto a very serious and critical look at the figures currently residing in my collection - unpainted and painted.

No project really comes to an end.  After all there is always something to add to it.  With that in mind, I look forward to continuing with my Renaissance Italian Wars and French Revolutionary Wars as a focus.

In short, for 2026, I hope to continue thriving and enjoying my wargaming and the superb company of the community with which I share this hobby.

Thank you for your encouragement and Happy New Year.

A Book Giveaway.

In my continuing and desperate attempt to clear the decks and make space, I am getting rid of a shelf load of books.  I'm doing so very reluctantly as I've enjoyed all these books.

You'll detect a theme.

If you want one or some, let me know.  I'm happy to bear the cost of the postage.

If homes aren't found then the local charity shops will benefit from a donation.

First up, a couple of memoirs from WW1 aces.

A couple about the Battle of Britain.

The following are memoirs written by WW2 pilots.

The next two are stories and interviews of WW2 pilots.

And a last one. The title is self evident and from a much respected writer of conflicts.

Just let me know in the comments which of the books you want, then send me a message with the details for posting.

First come first served.

WW1 Planes for Postie

A bit of a diversion.  Postie (Stuart) kindly gave me two boxes of Warlord Games landsknechts.  In return, I offered to do a little painting for him.  I expected to be working on some medieval knights, as I have done in the past. But no! Instead, he gave me World War One planes to do.

These ones are all circa 1914 to be used with his early war rules. 

All planes appear to be 1/300th scale.  Not sure of the manufacturer.

From left to right, starting at the top:
French Moraine-Saulnier N x2
German DFW B1, Taube monoplane
British Moraine monoplane, FE2b

My favourite is the Taube.  It's funny how the thinking was "if a bird flies, make the plane look like a bird."

The following are for later in the war.

Top row is 3 crashed planes: British, German and Turkish.
Bottom row: British Bristol F2A, British Sopwith Pup, German Fokker DR1 and German Fokker E111.

All in all, I got my box of Landsknechts very cheaply.

Now, I can get the paint brushes back into Renaissance mode.

Renaissance Cavalry Armour in Vienna

More Armour, I'm afraid.

Whilst in the Neue Hofburg, I wanted to take time studying the cavalry armour in the period of the Great Italian Wars.  In particular, I was keen to see the horse armour.

The horse armour was made in 1477 but is almost identical to that used by Emperor Maximilian in 1514, especially the face and neck defences.
The knight's armour was assemble c.151.  It may not be clear on the photograph, but there are signs of thrusting and slashing on the armour.

I was intrigued to see the metal covering on the reins.  A lot of miniatures are painted with coloured reins.

 - see notes on photo above -

I liked seeing the gold on the face armour.  Something I may do more of.

 - see note on photo above -
I was quite taken by the ear protectors for the horse.  The ornamentation and embossing on the rear is intricate.

The armour for this horse and knight, used in both tournaments and in battle, was made c.1526.

Seeing gold on the front boss and the metal straps on the rear flank are also features often ignored or painted on miniatures in various colours.  Perhaps some combinations done in metal is a consideration.

 - see notes in last photo -

Finally, this painting - whilst religious/fantastic in nature - gives a nice contemporary observation of mounted knights.  In this case, the horse covering highlights the damask designs popular at the time. Noting, also, the cover for the reins and the presence of big plumes on knight and horse.

St George and the Dragon.  Painted by Leonhard Beck, around 1515.  This was one of a number paintings commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I between 1512 and 1518.  

In short, more gold and a mix of the metal trimmed and cloth trimmed horse straps and reins.

If this makes no impact on my painting, at least it was interesting to have the opportunity to see some primary sources.

An Aside
When visiting the Kaiser Crypt, where almost all the Habsburg are laid to rest, it struck me that only two areas were obviously remembered by the public.  The trio of tombs with Emperor Franz Josef, his famous, controversial and much adored Empress Elisabeth (better known as Sisi), and their son Rupert.  Rupert brought tragedy to the family by killing himself, after having murdered his lover in what was a suicide pact.

The second part was the tomb of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico.  I was quite surprised.

Thanks again for your patience.

When in Wien... See Italian Wars Armour!

In a visit to a part of the Neue Hofburg Palace, I expected to do a tour on the history of the House of Habsburg.  Unfortunately, my better half and I found ourselves experiencing something different.  On the plus side, for me, we spent time wading through rooms of Renaissance period armour.

Well... it would've been rude not to take some photos... if only for research for my Italian Wars project.

If you're not into armour, look away now.

Suit belonging to King Ferdinand V of Aragon and Sicily, made around 1490-1500.

I was interested in seeing the articulation of the armour available, the degree of variation in style and the degree of blackening and gold gilding of Renaissance armour.

Suit belonging to Roberto da Sanseverino, around 1487

One thing that became apparent was the variety of helmet that existed during the early to mid 16th century and the life span of designs.  Which shouldn't be a surprise bearing in mind the incredible expense involved in having a suit of armour made.

The top half of a suit made for the Emperor Maximillian I, made around 1494.
I should add that the background is an enormous wall sized family tree of the Habsburgs.  They married well... then later on, incestuously!

None of the armour on display was blackened.  Possibly because blackening was for battlefield wear.  Though many pieces in the museum were made for tournament and field wear.  However, the following suit certainly shows that some armour had large amounts of gold gilt.  Funnily, this level of gold armour would be something that I might've previously associated only in painting fantasy figures.

Another suit worn by Emperor Maximillian I, from 1508

Made around 1485, a suit for a younger Maximillian.

Made around 1485, a suit for a younger Maximillian.
This is an example of late Gothic armour.  The Germans preferred slender and ornate forms of armour.  This one imitating the courtly dress of the time - observe the foot armour.

In the following portrait of the Emperor Maximillian, it appears that his armour is blackened somewhat.  However, it did make me wonder if the museum pieces have been too polished to a display standard.

Maximillian cemented his reputation as the "Last Knight" with his passion for tournaments and culture of chivalry.

Again, there is evidence of the armour being made to measure.  Apparent in the height and in the form.  What was interesting to discover was that on occasion suits of armour were worn to parties and festivities.  Some with specially made helmets with faces on the visors - a bit like Venetian masks.

The armour of Matthew Lang von Wellenburg, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, made in 1511.  He was a close advisor to the Emperor and an imperial diplomat.

With the previous and next suits, I was looking at the gilt on the torso and how they ran vertically.  The one below has recessed blued areas.  A shame it doesn't show on the photo.

Count Eitel Friedrich II von Zollern.  An imperial commander and confidante of Maximillian I.  Made between 1505 - 10.

Count Andreas von Sonnenberg, a military commander under Emperor Maximillian I.  The suit was made sometime between 1505 and 1510.

Lastly, a suit to imitate the look of the landsknechts.

Made in Augsburg in 1523.

I guess that's enough metal for now.  Thank you for your indulgence.

Guess When?

As part of our vacation to Vienna, my better half and I enjoyed the culture on offer.

For your entertainment, here is a bust.

I had this sculptor's work on my "must see" list.  His head is pulling a great face and is one of a collection of very amusing and expressive faces.

Can you guess from which period of art this comes?

I'll give you a moment...

Here is a random painting to give you some thinking time.  You should know this person as Eugene of Savoy - one of, if not the greatest general of his age and contemporary of the Duke of Marlborough.

Okay! Time is up.

The bust comes from the Baroque Period - mid 18th century.  The sculptor is Franz Xavier Messerschmidt.  He was known for doing busts like this one of the Empress Maria Therese.

Quite a change of style!

In later life, Messerschmidt explored sculpting human expressions. The result is funny and unique for its time.  It's art that really cheers you up!

All of the above are found in the Upper Belvedere.  One of the palaces that Eugene built for himself.  Ahhhh, the fortunes of war. Literally in this case!

Table Out! Mat In

My 6ft x 4ft wargames table has been temporarily repurposed for quite a few months now.  A couple of weeks ago, the temporary nature of the situation became permanent.  Consequently, with no dedicated gaming area, I will be giving away my terrain boards and most hills to the Rejects after the Broadside Show in June.

As my space shrinks, I will occasionally commandeer the dining table and have compensated my loss with the purchase of a fleece battle mat from Geek Villain, which arrived today.

I am rather pleased with it.  It feels soft enough to use as a blanket in the winter.

The mat with some 28mm troops on it.  Pleasingly, the basing style I use is reasonably complimentary with the mat.

And a slightly closer look.

Just got to work out when I can set up my first game. I must take into account all games can no longer be left set up for multiple sessions.

New challenges = new opportunities.