Cataloguing the collection ...

Once your collection of wargaming figures passes a certain threshold, it becomes difficult to keep track of how many figures you have and of what type. Currently, I don't even know how many figures I have. Mostly, this does not matter, but it would be helpful to have some sort of system where I can quickly look up whether I have some suitable force for some scenario I am thinking up.

Hence, I started a little experiment in putting together an excel sheet (actually, it's a Google docs document), and seeing how far I can get with listing the figures in my collection. A few years ago, I also started doing this, but if you don't have the discipline to keep up with new additions, it quickly becomes useless.

Anyway, here's a screenshot of my efforts so far - in this case for my 25mm fantasy figures.

As you can see, there are various columns for each type/group of figures:

• Description: a description of the figure(s), useful for me to know what figure is listed. The grouping of figures is something that should make sense to me. E.g. Orc Warriors are all listed as 1 group, irrespective of weapons/shields etc. But I do make a difference between Citadel and Ral Partha Orcs. I realize other people might catalogue their figures in another way - after all this should be useful for me - not someone else ;-)
• Number: how many figures in the group.
• Origin: manufacturer (if known)
• Remarks: some useful remarks for me, e.g. where I bought the figure, how the figures are painted etc. Again, this is something that is useful for me to quickly realize what figure we are talking about.
• Catalogue Reference: I plan to list here any references to the catalogues of the manufacturer. Useful for some unusual or rare figures, or from lesser well-known manufacturers. Saves me time trying to relocate a specific figure again.
• Bloglink: if the figure(s) somehow featured in a blogpost on this very blog.
• Link to picture: the idea is that here links are provided to an image in my Google Photos collection, or a link to an image posted on the blog.

If you want to take a look yourself, follow this link.

Rhino conversions

Following up on my current 6mm scifi project for our ongoing Antares campaign, I converted some epic scale Rhino vehicles. I have quite a lot of them - they came in the original Games Workshop Space Marine game, but apparantly I acquired a few additional sprues as well.

The conversions shown below are rather simple. I added some weaponry ripped from Mechwarrior Clix infantry bases.

Now I still have to paint them, but that's also rather easy ...

6mm Science Fiction Buildings

The coming months I plan to stage a few 6mm scifi battles as part of the developing Antares campaign setting. Hence, I brought out my 6mm stuff, mostly dating to the GW Space Marine days.

However, I also unearthed the buildings below, of which I do not remember the origin. I think I bought them around 2003-2004, but they might be much older than that.

If anyone can help me with identifying the manufacturer, I would be very thankful!

Update May 25, 2015: It appears these buildings are still available from Second City Games, or  SHQ Miniatures (although it is hard to confirm the latter, since there are no pictures on their website for 6mm scenery).

Funny detail: I named the city blocks in the picture above in true Judge Dredd style: James T. Kirk block, Harrison Ford block, and John Carter block.

Plastic Warhammer Quest Wizard

In my mission to paint everything in my lead and plastic mountain before embarking on new projects, painting goes rather quick these days. First, I only paint to my gamer's standard, and second, I do play with my figures!

So, here's the plastic wizard from Warhammer Quest.

My painting style is really basic for such figures: basecoat, base colours, some quick selected highlights and washes, and done. Usually less than 10 minutes accumulated time.