MINI-WARS 2025 Sat Oct 11th at 7pm: "How to Paint Figures the Frank Patterson Way"!

THIS JUST ANNOUNCED: HMGS-PSW Mini-Wars 2025 adds a FIGURE PAINTING CLASS being taught by local O.C. miniature painting legend Frank "'bama" Patterson Saturday night from 7pm til closing (circa 11:00pm)!!!

Frank is known for being generous with information and advice on the figure painting front but this is the first time he's ever agreed to teach an official "class", so if you're looking to learn the basics or if you're a good painter looking to up your game with some cool advanced techniques, and you're free that Saturday night, don't miss out on this special opportunity!

Here's a link to Frank's Instagram page, where he often posts pics of his hobby handiwork:

Frank's Instagram

...and here are some pics of figures he's painted for himself & others...

First up, 92nd Highlanders and a handful of 20th Punjabis...

Next up, a full unit of 23rd Sikhs he painted for me, seen from in front:

...and behind:

Some 10th Bengal Lancers in midst of charging from Afghan Tribesmen:

Perry hard plastic English Agincourt Foot Knights:

And last but not least (even on my strictly historical gamer list!), some of his Old School Orcs:

Here's a LINK to the convention's homepage on the Table Top Events website where you can buy a badge for one or both days:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025

...or if you've already got a pass and would like to sign up for Frank's Painting Class event, here's a direct link to do so:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025/schedule/39 

…& finally, here's the MINI-wars 2025 convention flyer with all other pertinent info:

CUBA, 1898: Breaking the Blockhouse, Sun. Oct. 12 at MINI-WARS 2025!

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR TACTICAL WARGAME in 28mm...

As U.S. forces push inland from the Cuban coast, the advance toward Santiago grinds to a halt.  A heavily defended Spanish blockhouse manned by disciplined Colonial Marines and supported by local Loyalists stands in their path.

Facing them: a mixed American force of U.S. Marines, Army regulars and Bluejackets from the fleet.  Lightly supplied but determined, they must assault the fortified position and clear the way for the final drive on Santiago before night falls and the enemy can slip away to reinforce the city's garrison.

This scenario pits mobility against entrenchment in a fast-paced tactical engagement using Osprey's popular "The Men Who Would Be Kings" rules.  Can the hodgepodge American task-force crack the Spanish defenses in time, or will the Red and Gold still fly over the little fortress by nightfall?

JOIN US AT MINI-WARS 2025 at PORTOLA PAVILION on the campus of CAL STATE FULLERTON on Sunday, October 12th from 9am to 1pm for this exciting game on TABLE B03, run by renown Game Master "Last Stand" Dan Gurule!

Use this link to register for the convention on the Table Top Events web-site:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025

...OR, if you're already registered, use this DIRECT LINK to grab one of the 5 tickets and sign up for this game:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025/schedule/38

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE -- WHETHER IT'S COMMANDING SPANISH TYRANTS OR YANKEE RASCALS!

Some pics from Dan's Spanish-American War games, slightly different scenario but also featuring his awesome BLOCKHOUSE, steam launches, troops and terrain...

VILLA RIDES! The Battle of Conejos (1914) at Mini-Wars 2025

 

Villa Rides! The Battle of Conejos! (1914)

The forces of Pancho Villa are advancing towards the city of Torreón, a key stronghold held by the Federale Army. Control of Torreón is vital for Villa's campaign and must be seized. This scenario is semi-historically accurate and inspired by the 1968 movie "Villa Rides!" It is Last Stand Dan’s version of the “Battle of Conejos” at the Nazas river. Villa has been tasked with attacking this heavily fortified Federale position, which could spell the disastrous end of his campaign against the Federales. Join us at MINI-WARS 2025 for a chance to play in this game run by renown Game Master "Last Stand" Dan Gurule, bringing it all the way from Colorado to Southern California, and play in this bloody but fun “Hollywood” rendition of the battle that serves as the epic climax of the movie!

WHERE:    Titan Student Union, Portola Pavilion
                   Cal State University, Fullerton
                  800 N. State College Blvd.
                  Fullerton, CA 92831 

WHEN:       Saturday, October 11th, 2025 from 12 Noon to 4pm

HOW:         Use this handy LINK to buy a one or two day pass to the convention and reserve a spot in this GAME #3:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025

SUNDAY OCT. 12 AT MINI-WARS 2025: ‘BAMA & THE MAD GURU’S TERRAIN WORKSHOP 101

Learn some simple, low-cost methods to build eye-catching tabletop terrain useful for a wide variety of Historical, Fantasy & Sci-Fi miniature games!

Sign up & you'll be able to build and take home multiple terrain pieces, such as roads, crop-fields, rail-fencing and rocky terrain!

For the first time ever I am teaming up with my friend, fellow miniature wargamer and Terrain-Making-Maniac Brother-From-Another-Mother Frank "'bama" Patterson to run a "HOW TO SCRATCH-BUILD TABLETOP TERRAIN CLASS" on Sunday October 12th at MINI-WARS 2025!

If you plan on attending the con and have some free time on Sunday, PRE-REGISTER FOR THE CLASS so we can prepare materials for you to build your own versions of some of the cool stuff shown below, which you can then take home and game with however you see fit!

Frank Patterson and I have fought many MANY tabletop battles side-by-side and against each other, and teamed up to help create some epic miniature battlefields over the years -- but neither of us has ever done something like this before, so... please don't leave us hanging!!!

Here's another handy link to the MINI-WARS convention page over on the Table Top Events website, where you can pre-register to attend the convention and reserve tickets to participate in our event:

https://tabletop.events/conventions/hmgs-psw-mini-wars-2025

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF 'BAMA'S SCRATCH-BUILT RAIL FENCES, ROADS & CROP-FIELDS:

...AND SOME EXAMPLES OF THE MAD GURU'S (AKA: MY) SCRATCH-BUILT ROCKY TERRAIN PIECES:

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, HERE'S ANOTHER COPY OF THE MINI-WARS 2025 FLIER:

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!