40th of Foot, Grenadier Company, French and Indian War.

 Something completely new for me and the entire product of painting over the past five weeks.....such is the hobby when life throws monumental brickbats at the family.  These are British Grenadiers from Front Rank Miniatures destined for service in North America between 1754 and 1763. At least I got to try out some new paints from AK Interactive over the last month or so and the freehand work was rather fun to do. I stop short at attempting to paint regimental lace because life is simply too short. The hatmen will follow but goodness knows when the entire unit of thirty figures will be complete given the demands of real life for the next few months. 

Setting out the toys on Steve's table.

 Last week, Steve was good enough to let me set out most (not all) of my WW1 Tommies on his table to allow me take some photos of the collection amongst his wonderful terrain. I was particularly keen to set out my Heavy Artillery Group, hence the photos of 6 inch howitzers, an 8 inch Howitzer, 60pdrs an a 6 inch gun with their transports. The eagle-eyed among you will recognise the Holt tractor produced by 1st Corps but the 60pdrs are being pulled by Holt Tractors made by John Hart who, for fun, built a 1/56 model and cast up a couple from resin which have now made it into my collection. The 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzers and the Model B FWD trucks and towing limbers are also the product of John's skill. John's work can also be seen in the Model T Fords. These are the prep-production models that eventually became part of the Empress Miniatures range. John is also responsible for both the 4.5 inch howitzer, the 18pdr and their respective limbers, again, now produced by Empress Miniatures. It was fun indulging my inner twelve year old, just setting out the toys and looking at them.......