Last night’s play test game, a stripped down Battle of Hastings with half-finished Paperboys forces. In two games, the English and Normans won one each. Thanks Paul and @thatchapscrivs.bsky.social for helping to shape this! #miniatures #wargaming #spreadthelard #1066 #nerdlings

Warmaster/Midgard crossover!
#Midgard #Warmaster #SpreadTheLard #Nerdligs

tomstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2026/09/midg...

@tabletopmog.bsky.social

And that’s the 2 Pdr AT guns for my early war Burma troops cleaned and assembled. Still got to sort out a couple of the crew but otherwise, happy with that. #CoC #spreadthelard #wargaming #15mm

This advert is from Wargames Illustrated Nov 1998 with photos by Duncan Macfarlane. The chap in the foreground is one of the ‘Wolftail Warriors’ from my collection in a classic Colin Patten pose, the backswing with sword!
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Merlin, Arthur, Mordred, Nimue & Morgan were all brought to life along with hordes of Saxons, Romano-Britons, Blackshields & war dogs. While Foundry already had a small ‘Arthurian’ range, the GB range felt like the definitive article.
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Gripping Beast appreciation post #3

For many of us, this was THE release of 1998. Sculpted by Colin Patten, Gripping Beast’s Arthurian range drew directly upon Bernard Cornwell’s ‘Warlord Chronicles’ trilogy.
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Day 59 of No Shame Painting

Washed and highlighted first Bren Gun Carrier, applied most of the decals but discovered I am missing AoS decal.

3rd Infantry Division btw.

All 3D prints are produced at the scale settled upon after extensive consultation with myself.

#wargaming #spreadthelard #20mm

Parcel arrived! Reinforcements for my Burma early war project. 15mm anti-tank (2pdr) and light anti-air (40mm Bofor) options from Forged in Battle. They’re 8th army but will work well as 17 Div during the retreat. #CoC #spreadthelard #15mm #wargaming

A few touch ups and a spray of varnish are needed but since I am travelling tomorrow I’m going to call these done! More SS for an upcoming MARKET GARDEN-themed #chainofcommand event. #ww2 #spreadthelard #tabletopwargaming

Day 58 of No Shame Painting

Vickers teams finished, just need to reprint a telescope I knocked off somehow while basing them??!

Bren gun carriers started, inspired from WHWF 2026

All 3D prints in a scale available in all good 1970s model shops

#WeHaveWaysFest #wargaming #spreadthelard #20mm

This mounted noble was one of my favourites from the range and has fought many battles in Scots, Welsh and British forces over the decades. Not everyone was a fan of the horses but frankly I was just delighted to have the figures!

#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Previously, ranges of Dark Age Celts had been extremely limited. The variety and character in this range was extraordinary by the standards of the time. These models included several designs inspired directly by Angus McBride’s work.
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Gripping Beast appreciation post #2

I was pretty impressed with the Saxons and Vikings, but the next release blew me away. It was probably 1997 when the Scots-Irish appeared in Wargames Illustrated and I immediately ordered the lot!

#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Day 57 of No Shame Painting

Continue to work on Vickers teams with highlighting and bases.

Plus a little hardware from WHWF 2026, a nice Hetzer and a dodgy Pzr Mark III.

#WHWF #WHWF2026 #WeHaveWaysFest #wargaming #spreadthelard

When Dad blows up your Tiger. #spreadthelard

As well as the metal miniatures, resin boats and buildings - impeccably sculpted by Colin - were soon added to my new favourite company’s ranges.

#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

What was abundantly clear was that GB’s mission was to focus on ‘the Dark Ages in miniature’. There weren’t going to be any generic Saxons based solely on one picture in a WRG book; period focus and flavour was the plan!
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

A characteristic of GB minis (unusual at the time) was that they were open-handed to receive separately cast weapons - a variety of period-specific swords, spears and axes .
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Gripping Beast appreciation post #1

I think I first encountered GB around 1996 when they started up. Brothers Colin and Duncan Patten did the sculpting and painting, and dad Derek handled the sales.
#miniatures #wargaming #grippingbeast #nerdlings #spreadthelard

Another weekend spent with the “terrain machine” Joe Bilton, extolling the virtues of small resin tanks and the beautiful rules of What a Tanker. At where else but the place of tanks! Bovington tank museum. #spreadthelard @joewargamer.bsky.social