AB Miniatures SPANISH. Painted by RBP.

Hi Team

Here are some pictures of the Spanish Napoleonics I commissioned RBP to paint for me.

(see the review of their service here).

As usual, painted to a very high standard. I've not completed the basing yet, (still awainting the flocking), but I guessed some of you would like to see how they came out.
All the miniatures are the magnificent 18mm AB MINIATURES available from EUREKA MINIATURES in Australian. I think Fighting 15s produce them in the UK.
They are almost all from the AB Miniatures Spanish range of figures. The casualties are actually from the AB Miniatures EARLY PRUSSIAN Range, (Jena 1806).

CHEERS!

The bases seen here are from Litko BTW, (highly recommended).

EUREKA! Some more figures to paint!

Hi All

Thought it was about time I came through with an update. Before I start, I thought I'd show you what MY painting table looks like. Not at all the neat and tidy desk that the vast majority would be use to I expect.

Here we see some MINDEN MINIATURES French Infantry I'm working on, (more on these later), and some completed EUREKA MINIATURES and some near completed AB Miniatures.

First let's look at the Minden Miniatures French.

I'd like to say I could paint to a standard that these guys deserve, unfortunately I can't. What I can say is they are beautiful little miniatures. They are probably the most anatomically correct miniatures I've ever seen. Fantastic detail. My only criticisms are that they are all posed the same, (marching), and they just don't seem to fit in well with other "28mm" figures, (IMHO). It must be remembered though that these miniatures are a "Private" venture, so the commissioner has stipulated that "Marching Troops" is what he wants. I suspect he also doesn't give a flying fig (no pun intended), if they don't fit in well with OLD GLORY or FOUNDRY miniatures.

The other miniatures I'd like to show you are some delightful French and Indian War (FIW), Militia that I picked up by chance from Nic at EUREKA MINIATURES. I say "by chance" as it was whilst I was discussing some ideas pertaining to sculpting of 18th Century Artillery that I noticed on Nic's work desk one of these little guys. In short order I'd purchased about 26 of these little fellas who will be soon (I hope) painted up as a fictional Militia Unit for my Imagi-Nation, The Holy Mormoan Kingdom Of New Wales.
They are available in either "Marching" or "Firing Line" poses. As usual for EUREKA MINIATURES, there are some subtle differences within each pose, (about 4 within each "pose"). I couldn't find any reference to these miniatures on Nic's Website, but I'm sure you could get some if you either described them as FIW Militia, ("those figures with Tricorn Hats and hatchets in their belts,..") or point him to his blog!

I was also lucky enough to pick up some of EUREKA MINIATURES soon to be released "French Revolutionary War" Austrians. I picked up three casualty figures, (including a drummer), two officers on foot, one mounted officer and a drummer and fifer. The French are fantastic miniatures, but so far (with what I've seen), I think the Austrians will be even better. I particularly like the Drummer that has been hit, (cannister or a well placed French musket ball the cause; your choice)! I was going to upload some pictures of the French, but go to the EUREKA website for a good look at the figures in the raw and painted form. Cheers for now!

New Figures from Eureka

Hi All
I've recently obtained some new miniatures for Nic at EUREKA MINIATURES.
They are as follows:
28mm Revolutionary French, (Grenadiers in Bearskins and Bicorns, Voltigeurs and Fusiliers)
28mm Wars of Austrian Succession Dutch, (Foot, Artillery and Cavalry),
28mm 7YW Saxons, (Foot, Artillery and Cavalry),
28mm F&I Wars Colonial Malitia, and;
28mm AWI "Ragged" Continentals, Artillery and "Marbleheads".
I'll get some pictures up soon.
Quality is excellent, crisp, well detailed casts with heaps of character.

New Developments

Hi All
Well I've been busy of late. What seems to be consuming most of my free time is my new "Imagi-nation" (See link in the "IMAGI-NATIONS" Section).
It's become rather time consuming; what with writing up a whole nations "history", designing uniforms (see an example of the "3rd Regt of Foot at left), and also sourcing some rules to cover the period I want to set this all in (approximately 1730-1790).
As a consequence I'm awaiting the arrival of a ton of 28mm lead from Perry Miniatures in the UK, and OLD GLORY in the US. Mostly Seven Years War (7YW) and American War of Independence (AWI) types. These I'll add to the magnificent EUREKA MINIATURES "Age Of Reason" range of figures I recently obtained.
I hope to have Tricorn and Pigtail wearing troops marching resplendent across my wargame table.
On the "Napoleonic" front, I've recently sent a swag of Napoleonic British AB MINIATURES off to MCM to be painted, (hopefully I'll see some of them back before the new year). That just leaves about 200 or so 18mm Russians, Westphalians and Poles, (and still a few French) left for me to finish off.
I've also recently received my copy of "SHARP PRACTICE" from "Too Fat Lardies".
What cracking set of Skirmish Rules for the Black Powder era these are. Hand in hand with them, I've also taken delivery of some plastic 28mm figures from PERRY Miniatures and VICTRIX Miniatures. I wasn't too sure that you'd get the same quality of figure in plastic as you do in metal, but I was wrong. Both are cracking good mini's, (with the Perry's a little nicer IMHO).
I hope to get some pictures of them up on this blog soon. Anyway, 'nuf for now. Do check out my "Imagi-nation" and drop a comment if you think either of my blogs are worth the effort.
Cheers, OH, AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The Results are in!

Hi All
I've already made comment on the service provided by Reinforcements By Post's (RBP), (see my comments dated 15 Sept), but since the actual figures have now arrived, I thought I'd finalize my review of their work.
I sent of several units to be painted, (mainly OLD GLORY miniatues). One unit I was keen to have was A Young Guard Battalion. (seen here on the left). The Young Guard miniatures were actually AB Miniatures with a Old Glory Miniatures mounted officer.
You can see more pictures of the work done by RBP by looking up my 15 Sept comments.
I was very pleased with the results. Very subtle highlighting and washes were applied, and and the units had a level of character about them that the other service providers didn't seem to provide in my humble opinion. I also had the figures based, and am pleased to say that aspect was also done to a very high standard. The OG miniatures, (that really require a good artist to get the most out of them), were very pleasing.
Packaging:
GOOD. I'd have to give them a 7.5/10.
The figures were packed by units in small boxes with foam "peanuts", and then sealed within by tape. Given the figures were based, it would not have been possible to wrap them as MCM or FE had, but I did think that DPS packaging system was superior. All the same, I think only two bayonets were "lost" in shipment.
Accessing the figures from the packaging was hassel free,
PAINTING:
As for the figures themselves; they were painted to a very high standard; 8.5 out of 10.
VALUE FOR MONEY:
These guys were the "mid-range priced" figures to get painted, (MCM the most expensive, and DPS probaby fractionally cheaper given the miniature was included). I won't include FE here, as they painted my figures to "COLLECTOR" standard, (a level below that of the other painting service providers).
Score? I'd say 8.5 out of 10 .
Finally, a customer service score is now required.
Communication was great! Neil kept me informed every step of the way, asked for clarification where needed, and provided exaclty what was asked for. Banter was polite and friendly, and he offered suggestions that ultimately resulted in a happier customer.
Like FE, the figures also took quite a while to get to me, but there were some issues at the "customs" end of the line that was beyond RBP's influence.
Lets give RBP a 8 out of 10.
That gives RBP a total of 32.5 / 40.
In summary; fantastic customer service, and beautifully painted minatures at a reasonable price.
Now lets look at all the service providers SIDE BY SIDE!
The Infantry First:

Here we have (L-R) MCM,RBP,FE and DPS


MCM French Light Infantry, (based by me), and RBP French YOUNG GUARD, (based by RBP).
Next we have FE French Line Infantry (based by me), and DPS OLD GUARD, (based by DPS).
Now for the Cavalry:
Here we have them in the following order, again L-R)
MCM Saxons, RBP French Chasseurs, FE Italian Chasseurs and DPS Bavarians. As with the infantry, I'll let the figures speak for themselves. The final results are as follows:
FE- 31
MCM- 32.5
RBP - 32.5
DPS - 33

If you discount FE, (as they were requested to paint to a standard below the other three), you'll see that only half a point separates them.
Personally I like MCM's work the most, but RBP is a very very close second. So much for the scoring system.
I'd recommend buying DPS via EBAY. You can get some real bargains going that way. For me subsequent communication issues with orders I've since placed with them, (DPS) has turned me off. I'd also recommend FE, but make sure you're very descriptive in EXACTLY what you want.


Bye for now!

Fernando's Troops Are Ready For Inspection; SIR!

BELOW: two views of Napoleon and his Household at Boridino 1812.
Painted by Model Citizen Miniatures, based by Trailape. Napoleon broods as Berthier dictates orders! In the background the Old Guard waits, (and grumbles).

Hi All
I've finally got all my figures back from the various Painting Service providers.
You might remember I sent a swag of miniatures off to the following Painting Service providers:
1. Fernando Enterprise (FE),
2. Reinforcements By Post (RBP),
3. Model Citizen Miniatures, (MCM); and
4. Dragon Painting Service
I've already commented on DPS, and MCM. That leaves RBP and FE.

Let's now review the offerings from Fernando Enterprise:
They were the last to arrive. They took about 5 months or so to return to me from time of dispatch at my end to their eventual return.
I asked for about 10 different units to be painted to "COLLECTOR" standard. This is one level down from what I've asked the other painting services to do. The only reason for this was that to have them painted to "SHOWCASE" standard was going to take a rather long time. As it turned out they still took a month or so longer than expected.
I did send about 300 figures!
Packaging:
VERY GOOD. I'd have to give them a 8.5/10.
Most of the figures were packed and wrapped in foam, (but some were simply placed in individual zip-lock bags and the placed in larger plastic bags. The lot was then packed buy Order Lots (regiments) in boxes lined with tissue and bubble wrap. I dropped the boxes a couple of time and no harm was done. These could easily take the normal Postal Service poundings. All the same, a couple of Bayonets did snap off.

Accessing the figures from the packaging was easy, with little chance of the customer damaging the figs in the process of un-packing!
(Trust me, it happens)!
PAINTING:
As for the figures themselves; they were painted to a rather high standard.
They were painted with some shading and highlights. We did have some issues with the occasional unit; (I thought for a while there we'd never get my Provisional Croation Regiment painted ); but other than that the uniforms were on the whole historically correct as far as I could tell.
The only other issue is that one regiment has the Fusiliers (center Company's) with red cord on their Shakos, (should be white). A minor pain, (and all the other units have the correct white cords on the Fusiliers.
As I did ask for a "Collector standard" I'll give FE a 7 out of 10.
VALUE FOR MONEY:
These guys were the cheapest figures to get painted, (obviously as they were painted to a "lower" standard in comparison to the other painting services).
Having said that, they were not that much off the mark in comparison with the other painters.
So on the Value For Money scale let's hand FE a 9 out of 10
Finally, a customer service score is now required. Communication was a slight issue. The saga of getting the Croats painted is a good example of what I'm talking about. The figures also took quite a while to get to me
Lets give FE a 6.5 out of 10.
That gives FE a total of 31 / 40.
In summary; I'll be sending more figures FE's way.
I must stress though it's VERY IMPORTANT that you provide as much detail in your painting instructions as humanly possible. Don't assume the artists can tell the difference between a greatcoat and a jacket. The best option is to send a painted sample of what you want done, and/or as many detailed pictures as possible.
I recommend using pictures available from the Histofig site:
http://empire.histofig.com/-Armees-et-Uniformes-.html?lang=en
Anyway, here are a few pictures of the work done by FE:
Italian Royal Guard (top) and Velites of The Guard (below).

Above is the Guard Conscripts of the Italian Royal Guard behind a battery of French Foot Artillery and below is a French Line Regiment. All painted by FE. Based by me.
I'll soon provide a review of our last Service Provider, Reinforcements By Post (RBP); and a final SIDE BY SIDE look at the work done.
Cheers

When will I find the time?

Hi All
Well, moving into a brand new house, and doing it with a brand new baby daughter will certainly impinge on your ability to get any wargaming or associated activities sorted.
The good news, (other than the arrival of my new daughter and my flash new house), is ALL the figures I've sent off to various painters are now back!
I think I'll without doubt find a couple of hours this weekend to post my final comments / reviews of the work done to my miniatures, and upload some pictures.
The sad news is that with the Aussie dollar getting hammered on the exchange rate, I'll be back to doing most of my own painting for a while.
I guess I'll get to try my new glasses out,..
Cheers!