Tuesday 12 September 2023

Plans to wrap up loose ends

I recently finished painting a unit of English Civil War dragoons to add to my existing armies, and it got me thinking about all the other unfinished units I have for a number of different armies. These are the types of units that were purchased to add to my existing painted armies as they would be useful in some scenarios, or would add to the variety of games I can play. For example, I recently purchased some 1/72 plastic Gaul units to add to my existing Punic Wars collection. This will allow me to play Roman vs. Gaul games, with the addition of only a few units.

A couple of ECW dragoon bases.

A handy hedge for the dragoons.

The catalyst for looking at the loose ends is that I'm retiring soon and we are moving back to New Zealand in 12 months time to be closer (but not too close) to our adult children. I'm reluctant to start a new project. Most of my projects seem to take about 9 to 12 months to complete, so I think it's a good idea to focus on finishing the loose ends.

Here's my initial list of the loose ends I want to start tidying up:

  • Ancients: 1/72 plastic Gauls to beef up Carthaginian army and also a separate Gaul army.
  • Dark Ages: Viking paper soldiers to be made to add to the existing Norman and Saxon paper armies.
  • Samurai: A number of mounted Samurai, Ashigaru, levy units, and supply units.
  • English Civil War: One cavalry unit to complete.
  • Seven Years' War: Quite a few infantry but mostly cavalry units which are the old plastic Spencer-Smith miniatures to be painted.
  • American Civil War: A few units of cavalry, mounted and dismounted, to be added along with some limbers.
  • World War I: A few artillery and infantry units to be painted.
  • World War II: A couple of tanks and mortar team still to be painted.
  • Fantasy: A number of Elf units and rebasing of Orc units.
Some 1/72 plastic Ashigaru figures leftover from the headquarters box. Their spears have been replaced with wire.

I'm not sure how far I'll get through the list, or in what order. It may be a case of whatever takes my interest at the time and dipping into the list here and there.

19 comments:

  1. That all sounds very sensible, like most of my plans ... if only I could stick to them, perhaps you're better at it than me. ;o)

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    1. Yes, the temptation of new projects is always out there.

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  2. always good to wrap up loose ends and you look like you have plenty to keep you busy. Will all of your wargaming toys make the move with you?

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    1. I was surprised at the number of loose ends. As for the wargaming toys all are to be shipped as they are considered vital to a happy retirement :-)

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    2. Good! They are certainly essential in my book.

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  3. Good idea to work through the loose ends. I find it very difficult to get the motivation to finish off odds and ends.
    Congratulations on the impending retirement and move back to NZ Peter.

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    1. Thanks. When just finishing a project there is a lack of motivation, but I find after some time has passed it is much more enjoyable just painting one or two units. Often as not it gets the army out on the tabletop with the additional unit.

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  4. A great idea Peter. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.

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  5. Good to have a plan to wrap up projects, but I can never quite seem to finish mine, as there is always another tank, or unit, that could be added! However I am trying to maintain a core focus for my games and miniatures, but how long I can keep this up remains to be seen...

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    1. The odd addition here and there are such a temptation. I need to only stick to the plan for 12 months.

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  6. That's a very good way of taking stock and finishing off. Should still keep you busy though before new projects tempt you away.

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    1. All being well there should be enough there to keep me going. There are no plans to start a project until after moving.

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  7. Nice to have a list to ‘attack’, Peter…a great way to focus the mind, and also to avoid too many diversions (!!), at least until you’ve relocated. A few varied and interesting topics on it ✔️.

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    1. When you add up all the odd units and models there is quite a bit to do, not as much as a new project. Ideally it will help with the tidy up prior to moving.

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  8. Nice work reaching retirement age Peter and an excellent decision to jump back across " The Ditch"! Looks like you will have plenty to keep you busy too.

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    1. Looking forward to the retirement and counting down the months.

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  9. I concur, filling in the gaps makes sense with a major move coming in the not too distant future

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    1. I sometimes have forgotten what was the purpose of those additional kits bought. Anyway, the loose ends will provide lots of mini projects.

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