Sunday, 27 July 2025
Slow going in winter
Wednesday, 4 June 2025
A few days on Queensland's Gold Coast
I know it's winter here and not the best time weather wise to visit Queensland's surf capitol of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast but it is a great time if you don't like crowds and surfing/night clubs are not your thing.
One thing my wife and I wanted to so was visit Australia's tallest building and the tallest residential building in the world - Q1 ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q1_(building) ) If you are ever on the Gold Coast it is well worth a visit, the lift is easy enough that if there wasn't a floor indicator, you wouldn't know just how fast it is. The views from the top are just spectacular, even on a cloudy day like when we were there.
We also wanted to take a look at the well hyped New South Wales spot by the sea of Byron Bay. The drive was easy on the freeway but we thought the town and environs very underwhelming (compared to similar towns in coastal Queensland) and we have no idea why it has become so popular. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Bay
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The Q1 tower 230 metres above sea level |
360 Degree views from the top of the Q1 buidling
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Gold Coast waterways |
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Surfboard anyone? |
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Friday, 30 May 2025
Victrix Salburg Landwehr finally finished
After being slowed/delayed by cataract treatment I have finally finished this unit. I am not 100% happy with them but they are the best I can do with these old eyes at this time. Hopefully, when I get my new glasses in a couple of months I can do the next unit in a shorter time frame.
The flag I downloaded from the net (as no commercial manufacturer makes one that I could find) and printed on plain paper. I attached the flag after spraying the figures with Dullcote after my last experience with Dullcote ruining the flag ink.
For more details on this unit please see my previous post here: https://brisbanenapoleonics.blogspot.com/2025/02/victrix-austrian-salzburg-landwehr.html
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Movement tray |
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Help needed
Hi
I seem to have a recurring problem and I am at my wits end trying to work out how to remedy it.
After assembling my plastic figures from whatever manufacturer, I attach them individually to a wine bottle cap for painting. I have used hotglue but found it a pain to get off the base of the figures when finished and (for my current figures) blutack. Whenever I detach the figures from the bottle cap for basing after finishing painting, the blutack sticks to the figure base like... blutack. Trying to remove said blutack by using blutack (those who use it know what I mean) results in various parts of the figure - backpack, head, arm etc detaching while holding the figure requiring reattachment and touch up painting. Using a knife to scrape off the blutack is also problematic.
IT IS DRIVING ME NUTS!
I have used two glues to assemble the figures, Tamiya and Revell and I have had the same result with both.
No wonder I prefer metal, if only I could afford them here in expensive to ship to land.
Anyway, if anyone has any helpful ideas PLEASE comment below as I am losing the will to do my next project.
Chris
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Victrix Austrian Salzburg Landwehr
I have finished the first company of the Salzburg Ladwehr battallion that is my latest project. I have tried to research the history of this unit to no avail; so if anyone that has detailed information about them that they can share with me, I would appreciate it very much.
I do thank Peter for the information on Austrian Landwehr in his blog here:
https://blundersonthedanube.blogspot.com/search/label/Landwehr
My only reason for shoosing to paint this unit is their uniform. I do wonder if there might was confusion if they faced the Irish Legion or Nassau troops.
A big thank you to James Fisher for his advice below in the comments. I have followed his advice and found this information about the Salzburg Landwehr online:
"... eine bloss zur Vertheidigung des Vaterländischen
Bodens abzweckende..."
"To be aimed only on the defence of the Fatherland"
On June 9th, 1808 an <above> Imperial Patent for the people did the
organizing of the Landwehr institute. The Emperor Franz said in it:
“We have opened, in our Patent, Our beloved matter with the
intention of an institution connected to the reserve establishment, namely for
the defence of the Monarchy with such means which grant the possibility to Us
to facilitate the finances of the State by decreasing those of the active Army.
In just this intention We think for good to organize a
territorial Force (Landwehr) aimed only on the defence of the Fatherland....
For its execution We have appointed authorized persons, already known for their
proficiency, their zeal and their devotion to Us and to the government, namely
for Styria, Carinthia, Krain, Trieste and Salzburg: our esteemed Brother
Imperial Highness Archduke John; our Court Commissioner Count Saurau: for
Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia... ”.
Archduke John did come on June 22, 1808, at Salzburg with
Count Franz von Saurau in order to start the organizatione of the Landwehr. At
the time they had to raise 4 battalions, the Staff Officers of which could have
been retired military officers of the former Bishopric or Electoral Principate
(of Salzburg), who had decided to be a volunteer in the new project. Only 4
officers and 1 Corporal for each Landwehr company had to come from the K.K.
regular Army.
Spring 1809
Austrian Resident Units in Austria - Salzburg
Salzburg Brigade GM Baron von Legisfeld
Salzburg – 1st Landwehr Battalion Salzburg
Salzburg – 2nd Landwehr Battalion Salzburg
Salzburg –3rd Landwehr Battalion Salzburg
Salzburg – 4th Landwehr Battalion Salzburg
Salzburg – Depot De Vaux – 1 company
Almost finished, pre-basing |
Finished and mounted |
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Piano wargames kickstarter update
Saturday, 11 January 2025
French artillery finally finished
Well I have finally completed my Victrix French artillery pieces. It has been a bit of a trial with the hot and humid weather we have been having in Brisbane lately but I am quite pleased with the results. The gabions are renedra pieces.
Next in the queue: Victrix Austrian Landwehr, I am also very much looking forward to the figures (Bavarian cavalry and French Imp Guard grenadiers) ordered from Lucas at Pianowargames which should come March/April.
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French Imperial guard foot artillery firing |
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French line foot artillery |
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