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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A bit of a reorganisation on the blog. My post on the British for for 1944-45 had become too long. It made sense to divide it into two posts - infantry and armour. Much more manageable. Lots of new stuff in there if you hadn't visited for a while. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/10/seco...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Little and large. Two kits from s-models, neither tank was really fit for purpose, but for entirely different reasons. Oddly enough, in a one-on-one encounter I’d tend to fancy the chances of the PzII, only because of its ability to manoeuvre.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A bit of heavy metal for my Russians. 1/72 (20mm) - two ISU152 plastic kits from S-Models and one ISU122, a 3D print via Dark Castle Terrain. They come in any colour you like.....as long as it's green.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Good game of Infamy, Infamy! yesterday. Reminds me what an excellent rule set this is for asymmetrical warfare on the edges of the empire. Of course, having my Germans drive the Romans from the table may have influenced my opinion just a bit. Fanatic warriors doing what fanatics do best!

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Been busy traveling but back home and finishing off projects I started before I left. Three M3A1 half tracks for my US armoured infantry from Plastic Soldier Company plus an M4A3E8 a plastic kit from Trumpeter. All 20mm as usual.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Rebased my British figures for the Sudan. Putting an end to using sabots and very happy with the shift. More compact units look better; footprint is smaller and figures look like they actually belong on their base. All just personal taste, of course.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The 5th scenario in the Driving Charge campaign and it hangs in the balance. A win for the British sees them win the campaign. If the Japanese capture the table we go to one final scenario for a British counterattack to retake it. All to play for then. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-dr...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A Driving Charge Scenario 5: Jats in Rubber

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

A game changer? Perhaps literally. I’ve rebased my AWI for Sharp Practice from 25mm rounds and sabots to multi-basing. Huge difference in footprint (not to mention aesthetics). 3 groups now occupy same frontage as 2 did before. Don’t know why it’s taken so long. Inspired by @johnsavage.bsky.social

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

We reach the fourth scenario in the 'A Driving Charge' campaign for Chain of Command. The Japanese continue driving forward but now reach the Jitra defensive line, where they run up against British regulars in a prepared position. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/06/a-dr...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A Driving Charge Scenario 4: Holding the line at Jitra

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

More Romans for Infamy, Infamy. Once again sticking with Victrix plastics. They are lovely figures but I'm finding the spears worryingly flimsy. Suspect I should have replaced them with wire ones to save doing ongoing repairs. We live and learn. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/06/more...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

More Romans for Infamy, Infamy

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Lots of small projects coming to completion. Either that or more evidence that I'm a wargaming butterfly…… thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-li...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A little bit of this and a little bit of that....

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

More of ‘A Driving Charge’ campaign for Chain of Command. The Japanese now face a newly recruited Gurkhas defending a bridge at Assun. They may be inexperienced, but can they hold up the fine traditions of their regiment? thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-dr...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A Driving Charge Scenario 3: Gurkhas at Assun

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

The Japanese continue their relentless advance down the trunk road towards the defensive line at Jitra. Speed is the key and the initial defenders are only green recruits from the Indian Army. Can they continue to delay the more experienced Japanese? thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-dr...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A Driving Charge Scenario 2: Roadblock at Nangka

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Set up for a Sharp Practice game using the Magistrate’s Daughter scenario from one of the Lard Magazines. First game against a new opponent who I met in the Lard Zone at CanCon. He lives close to our holiday house, which is in a quiet spot with a dearth of gamers. No longer it seems. Yippee.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

This is the opening game in ‘A Driving Charge’ a campaign for Chain of Command, set in Malaya. The initial scenarios find inexperienced units from the Indian Army trying to hold back battle hardened Japanese units - an interesting tactical challenge. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/04/a-dr...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

A Driving Charge Scenario 1: Probe at Chaglun

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Need an earthwork for a forthcoming Sharp Practice AWI game and finally made some use of a set of Renedra gabions that have been lying around waiting for a moment like this. Gun and crew from Foundry. #sreadthelard

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

It seems like an age since our last Chain of Command campaign, so it was great to kick start a new one today. We’re in the Far East, Malaya to be exact, playing ‘A Driving Charge’, the Japanese breakthrough of the Jitra Line. I’ll be writing these up in full for the blog.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I think my workbench is trying to tell me something….too many periods? I’m a wargaming butterfly? I’m arguing back that this is just reflective of an active and vibrant hobby. Not sure who’s winning this….

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Finished off the first batch of Romans to oppose my Germanic tribes using the Infamy, Infamy rules. All the figures for both projects are from Victrix Miniatures. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/04/roma...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Romans on the Rhine

Having put together a force of Germanic tribes to use with the Infamy, Infamy rules, I felt an irresistible urge to then create an opposing force of Romans. Hole... Rabbit....you know the story.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Finished off 8 plastic Perry figures as 72nd Regiment of Foot for the Second Anglo Afghan War. A first attempt at painting tartan at this scale, fortunately a fairly simple pattern. Pleased with the result.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Lovely to see my scenario getting a run out and happy to see that once again it gives a good, close run game.

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Reposted by The Tactical Painter

The Dex McHenry @thedexmchenry.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Chain of Command 2 with @stormofsteel.bsky.social at the Outpost tonight. Playing @tacticalpainter.bsky.social 's Tank Banzai scenario from WSS magazine 138. Will it play different in 15mm? #15mm #wargaming #spreadthelard

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Not looking to stir up controversy, it’s only click bait, honest guv! More added to the AWI collection. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/02/filt...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Filthy, revolting Americans...and their law abiding neighbours

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

This way madness lies. Painting tartan trousers on 28mm Perry plastic figures. They’re intended to be 72nd Seaforth Highlanders for the 2nd Afghan War. Now if someone would only come up with a tartan speed paint…..

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Love the versatility of the 28mm Perry plastic sets. All of these were made using the AWI Continentals (except the mounted figure, he’s from their metal range).

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

A new Jagdpanther to join the German tank park. This is a Revell 1/72 plastic kit and a nice little model. Moulded in black plastic for some reason, not the easiest colour to work with, but happy with the end result. The crew is from AB Figures.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Toy for the new puppy. I think the appendage is supposed to be a tail, but it defaults to the front instead of the back. The unfortunate choice of colouring doesn’t help. I doubt the dog gets the joke….

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Here's a look back at the four participation games of a Konigsberg 1945 scenaro that I ran at Cancon in January. The game was in 20mm using Chain of Command. I've finally put together a blog post about how it all played out with plenty of pictures. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/02/twil...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Twilight of the Reich - Chain of Command at Cancon 2026

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I’ve had these 28mm Foundry late Victorian figures in the pile for a while. Purchased with Sudan games in mind, as leaders or characters but also perhaps as something like a survey party or government officials in need of rescue. Lovely figures, many uses.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

While I've never thought it worthy of a blog post, I've had a few people enquire about how I do the basing for my figures. A couple of people on the Lead Adventure Forum suggested it would be something of interest to them and so, here it is. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

How I texture figure bases

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

A year since our dog of 14 years passed away and Mrs TP has decided it’s time for a new dog. Much enthusiasm and a search and now we have a 6 week old rescue puppy. Lovely little dog, but clearly Mrs TP has forgotten how much work a puppy can be. Regrets? Perhaps not, but maybe second thoughts LOL.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Second day of running my CoC participation games at Cancon ended with a very tense struggle that finally went the way of the Russians. A plucky SU-76 found itself in a duel with a StuGIII and refused to go down easily. Until it did. Very entertaining and cinematic. Great stuff.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Two good participation games of my CoC scenario in the Lard Zone at Cancon. Excellent games between like minded players in the spirit of Lardy games. Good to showcase 20mm, a scale that gets very little love at an event like this. Lots of nice compliments on the terrain too.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Pie and a pint dice towers for Cancon Lard Zone game organisers, courtesy of Battlefield Accessories. Very nice indeed, big thanks to @toofatlardies.bsky.social

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Table all set up and ready to go for Cancon. A Chain of Command seven to set in 1945 Konigsberg, twilight of the Reich. Running four games over two days. No voice by Sunday!

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Always good to have @toofatlardies.bsky.social in town and a good chance for a final playtest of my Chain of Command participation game for Cancon. Rich played Dave as I watched on. Dave proved a poor host, driving off Rich’s Russian in a hail of StG44 fire. A good game that just needs a few tweaks.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

I didn't think 2025 had been a particularly productive year, but that's because I don't keep a log of what I've painted or played. So looking back to compile a retrospective ended up revealing I've done a lot more than I thought. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2026/01/2025...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

2025 - a gaming year in review

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

They don’t make war movies like they used to. Circa 1971 we made two. Shot on Super 8 by one of our friends. Sadly, the films haven’t survived, but a friend sent me this still yesterday, perhaps the last surviving element. That’s 12 year old me jumping down to knife the German sentry. What a hero!

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

It's that time of year again and a look back at 2025. This time, rather than a review of everything, this is a focus just on Chain of Command. #spreadthelard #chainofcommand #wargaming thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2025/12/chai...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Chain of Command in 2025

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

This is a story about a trip down memory lane that was less about nostalgia and more about testing my current modelling skills. My childhood love affair with @Airfix never ended it appears. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2025/12/airf...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Airfix, nostalgia and modelling madness

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Far too hectic festive period to have any hobby time, so won’t be able to take part in this year’s #FestiveTankChallenge2025 despite having a Sherman awaiting construction in the stash. However, 2025 didn’t pass without a Sherman being made….three in fact. All for Indian tank brigades in Burma.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Looking back over the year’s new additions for my Second World War 20mm collection and I think this is my favourite. A Lanchester armoured car for the Far East, a 3D print.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Nick’s recent video on the TFL Patreon site reminded me that I still have the first hex and counter wargame I ever owned - Avalon Hill’s Afrika Korps. Bought for me by my dad, so we could play together. The start of many years of happy gaming. Still has the £4.60 price tag, a princely sum in 1973.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Lard Magazine 2025 is now out. Pleased to say it includes a mini campaign - ‘On Nunshigum Ridge’ that I wrote for Chain of Command, set in Imphal in 1944. As always the Lard Magazine is packed full of stuff for a host of TFL rule sets and is excellent value for the price.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

We reach a key game in the Scottish Corridor campaign. If the Germans can win this one, then they've won the campaign. Failure and there's a chance the British can earn a victory themselves. Much to play for then as we come down to the wire! thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

The Scottish Corridor Scenario 11: The Outskirts of Colleville

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Used some figures left over from one of the Victrix 12mm sets to make up a few stands to represent dug-in squads for my O Group games. Simple enough to make - Milliput for the base and figures cut in half. Good way to use up the additional figures.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Adding a few support options to my US Marines. The bulk of figures are from Eureka but the range lacks most support options so I’ve filled gaps with Kelly’s Heroes and Britannia. A decent fit in terms of size and sculpting style. Although not sure why all the Britannia have a full backpack load.

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Hearing new players wondering how to deal with double phases in Chain of Command, so thought I'd put together a blog post with a few tips and thoughts. thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2025/12/deal...

thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com

Dealing with double phases in Chain of Command

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The Tactical Painter @tacticalpainter.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

A few years ago, before I got back into miniatures, I was doing a lot of model making in 1/35. On a whim, I decided to see what I could do with the 1/76 Airfix models of my youth using my current modelling skills. This led to moments of sheer madness. Like rebuilding the engine deck of the JSIII….

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