Ten Minute Pike Unit & Back to Square? One

       While cleaning up my desk, I came across some of my Peter Laing ECW figures. I was wondering how long it would take me to paint 4 pikemen using the basic painting such as I used for my SYW project. I took a quick look at my cellphone for the time, then started painting. When I had the figures painted I checked the time again, and realized that I didn't look at the clock. I got 4 more pikemen out and, after checking the clock, tried again. 10 minutes later they were painted, except the base. That includes a quick telephone call from my wife. I did put a coat of gloss lacquer on them. Perhaps just occasionally painting figures like this I will have two ECW armies done before I know it.

     I did receive my gaming mat from HOTZMAT.  It fit on my gaming table as I hoped. But after putting some figures on it, I realize the hexes are too big for my plans. They would be good if I use my based 1st generation Minifigs Napoleonics, or my old Airfix figures.

        After painting the pikemen, I played a quick war-game using a chessboard and my Sudanese and Arab figures. I was disappointed with the game. I just find using hexes make for a better game. That brought me back to the Heroscape  hexes. So once again I am planning to set up a board using the BATTLE CRY or COMMAND & COLORS board as inspiration; a 9 hex by 13 hex board. I also decided to try to find one or two hex terrain pieces for the board. I decided to go on Ebay to see if I could find a good buy on the pieces.
     While looking, I came across some pieces referred to as swamp water hexes. These pieces are shaped the same as regular pieces, except they are flat green pieces, much like the water hexes. I think that these would make a better game board than the regular pieces. What's more, someone had three lots of 42 pieces, more than enough for my board, so I bought all three. I do believe these were made by another company to supplement Heroscape  after the game was discontinued.  By having a flat top instead of raised detail, I think terrain pieces will fit better on them.

One of the units of the 10 minute pikemen.

The two completed units.