Monthly Archives: February 2019

Ready for the Weekend?

This weekend I will be attending the ‘Bingham Napoleonic Days’ event and on the Saturday, participating in a small Wargames demo game set in the Peninsular.  The game scenario has been devised by Andy Callan and he has also put the rules together – they are a version of his ‘Rules for Old Wargamers with Short attention spans’. Pete Harris is building the table. The game is a skirmish around a small Spanish hill top village. My contribution is to supply the British contingent, who will be assaulting the village and driving out the French and rescuing the villagers.

Protect the pub! They still have beer!

Protect the pub! They still have beer!

As the game is a fictional event and is designed as much as an introduction/explanation of wargaming to a generally bemused set of non wargaming visitors, we aren’t too precious about the details of the uniforms and combatants. However, It was an excuse to dig out some of my unpainted Peninsular figures that I had accumulated and create a ‘Forlon Hope’ that would lead the assault on the village.

Another six figures to complete!

Another six figures to complete!

Well, I am just about there but as usual, I will still be painting and basing the last few figures on Friday night. They are not critical to the event, so if they are not finished, it wont be a disaster but it will be nice to have them done. I am quite pleased with the ‘command’ base that I have put together using the two limited edition figures that were supplied with the ‘Albion Triumphant’ supplements for Black Powder.

Albion Triumphant!

Albion Triumphant!

I’ve used a Sarissa Precision Bolt action gun team base that will allow me to use the figures separately if I choose to do so, or to remove them as casualties. These ‘sabot’ bases are very useful and allow a bit more flexibility than permanently basing figures in a Vignette, so that they can be used for wargaming but look nice in the figure cabinet.

Albion Triumpant rear view

Albion Triumpant rear view

Incidentally, when it comes to basing, I always try to work in three’s or five’s. Hence the little rock formation at the front of the base that’s there to ‘balance ‘ the figures. It’s something that I was taught in my earlier career in retail whilst learning how to put up window displays ( something all shops used to do in the olden days!). The idea was the everything should be grouped in threes or fives as it was more appealing to browsing customers. My wife worked in H Samuel and was taught the same trick, although they also had to set the clocks at ten to two as it gave the impression of a smiley face….I digress somewhat!

The Drummer boy is finished - jst some tufts to add to the base.

The Drummer boy is finished – just some tufts to add to the base.

You can see that I have mixed figures for the unit. There is the Warlord figures, some Foundry figures and some from Casting room miniatures ( although these are an off shoot of Foundry). The height differences are minimal and I have no hesitation in mixing and matching. The figures that are still on the workbench ( casting room miniatures) are a bit slighter than the others but a trick to hide that is to add a bit of plastic card to the base to raise them up. It will only need a millimetre or so but helps to level things up. I don’t really have a problem with the slight height differences in some figures. I know that some of my colleagues can get vexed by this but I like the variety and if anything, it is more realistic to have different sized people!

Another view of Albion Triumphant.

Another view of Albion Triumphant.

So I better get back to painting these last few figures. If you can get to Bingham on Saturday, you will be able to see them ‘in the flesh’ so to speak! The event is free to attend – just click on the link below for details.

Cheers! Happy Modelling!

Cheers! Happy Modelling!

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

The details of the Bingham Napoleonic Days can be found here:

NAPOLEONIC DAYS 

Although the figures in this weeks blog are not available from Arcane Scenery ( I think some of them may be OOP) all of the finishing and painting products are, even better, we send post free!

ARCANE SCENERY

You can see a huge range of  bases and movement trays in our shop but here is the link to the base used in the article above:

GUN TEAM BASES

I hope that you enjoy your modelling and wargaming!

 

Whats on the work bench? 21/02/19

Despite being busy painting, nothing is really finished! I seem to have too many ideas and not enough time, although that isn’t really unusual. So this weeks blog is as much an attempt to re focus as to show what is on my work bench. I guess that I am steadily working my way through the lead pile, although I visited the ROBIN show at the weekend and managed to add to it…more on that later.

The Forlon Hope gathers strength!

The Forlon Hope gathers strength!

My Forlorn Hope gathers strength, with another eight figures completed. The facings are yellow, as they are supposed to represent the 29th Worcestershire’s in the Peninsular. They are all individually based as my intention is that they are for a skirmish game rather than a ‘big battalion’ game.

Ensign completed

Ensign completed

The limited edition Warlord Games Ensign is also completed but needs basing. I’m dithering as to whether to put him onto a standard 20mm square base or to use him as a ‘big man’ and base him on a 60mm round base along with the limited addition Rifleman from Warlord. It’s the second option that appeals at the moment as I think they will make a nice contrasting pair.

Riflemen and drummer boy

Riflemen and drummer boy.

As you can see, I actually have two of the Riflemen, so basing one up separately and one with the Ensign will work nicely. I’m going to try a quick paint job on the riflemen as an experiment. I have undercoated them with Army Painter Dark Angel Green and will leave this as the base colour for the uniform, just painting the rest of the detail. Out of focus is the drummer boy for the 29th – yellow is not an easy colour to paint and there are constant queries on social media as to what the best method is. In this case, I have first painted with Vallejo Yellow Ochre and then recoated with Vallejo Deep Yellow. In reality, this is perhaps a bit bright but should show nicely on the wargames table.

Highlanders!

Highlanders!

I’ve 48 Highlanders assembled, 24 of which are undercoated and 12 of those have made it to the back of the workbench to have their hands, knees and faces painted in flesh. At the moment, I’m distracted by other projects so these are getting a sort of deferred batch paint job! When ever I have some spare time or paint, I’ll put the next colour on – black hats next!

Napoleonic Trebuchet!

Napoleonic Trebuchet!

I mentioned above that I had been to the excellent ROBIN show in Nottingham. Being determined only to buy if it would help me complete an existing project, I had kept my wallet firmly in my pocket until I came across the IronGateScenery stand. Well it was loaded with goodies, all produced using 3D printers and top quality too. My will to hold onto my money was broken by the Mortars and siege ladders but then, having succumbed, I bought the rather lovely Trebuchet, the village well and some Aztec scenery – don’t ask, it all just looks fantastic…

Aztec Scenery

Aztec Scenery – the finished product on the Irongatescenery stand.

To be honest, I could have spent a great deal more as the range is superb. There’s a link to their web site at the bottom of the page so go see for yourself.

DeeZee White Rhino

DeeZee White Rhino

As if I haven’t got enough to do, plans are afoot to expand the DeeZee range. I would like to produce a painting guide to each one of the 37 packs ( with more to come….). I also don’t have my own painted version of this model so I’m starting with him. It’s going to be a busy year!

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

Although the figures in this weeks blog are not available from Arcane Scenery ( I think some of them may be OOP) all of the finishing and painting products are, even better, we send post free!

ARCANE SCENERY

You can see the full range of rather lovely scenery from IronGateScenery here:

IRONGATE SCENERY

You can see the full range of DeeZee Models here:

DEEZEE BEASTS

Happy Modelling!

The First Bull Run

Our journey through the American Civil War battles continued this week with a refight of the First Battle of Bull run. Just to put the game in context, Andy Callan had recently acquired a superb collection of ACW figures that he has added to, and as well,  built a very nice selection of scenery and buildings. His plan is to refight the major battles of the American Civil War over the next year or so, more or less in the sequence of the war itself.

We are using Black Powder Rules, modified with the Glory Hallelujah! supplement, as well as some house rules that enable each battle to reflect some of the challenges that the Commanders faced on the day. For this battle, the First Bull Run, Andy was to be the umpire. Pete would play the Union side, commanded by Brigadier General Irvin Macdonald, I would command The Confederate forces under Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard. Whilst the individual units in our game weren’t strictly accurate, the main Brigades involved were represented, as was the general disposition of the battlefield. This was after all an evening club game not a full blown demo game!

The Table set up

The Table set up

Manassas Junction - all the main features of the battlefield were identified.

Manassas Junction – all the main features of the battlefield were identified.

Neither Pete nor I were aware of the details of the battle but we were supplied with a basic briefing for our troops. Neither player knew exactly what the other had in terms of troops and guns available, that would only become clear as the battle progressed.  Having won the initial dice off, the Confederates were allowed to deploy two infantry brigades and a cavalry brigade onto the table. I knew that a third Confederate Brigade would be arriving via the rail road junction , just not when it would appear. With this in mind I deployed Jacksons 2nd Brigade in line to defend the railway junction ( resisting the temptation from the umpire to detach pickets to guard the bridge crossing). They would be supported by Jeb Stuarts Cavalry Brigade in the centre, with Bonhams 1st brigade assigned the left of the battlefield.

Confederate Deployment

Confederate Deployment

The Union forces then attempted to deploy onto the battlefield using the three entry points over the bridges. As they had lost the dice off, they were considered to be ‘under fire’ and so a command point was deducted for the initial turn. This made the deployment a slower process for the Union forces and combined with some poor command rolls from Pete, only the leading Regiments from two of the brigades managed to deploy onto the battlefield.

Union Deploy - the bridge slows the advance.

Union Deploy – the bridge slows the advance.

Pete’s unfortunate dice rolling was to be a major factor as the battle progressed. Not only were the Union forces finding it difficult to deploy in strength but the dice results meant that they suffered heavily when under fire. To make matters worse, their own shooting was in the main, ineffective. This was perhaps best illustrated as the Second Union Brigade under Hunter attempted to cross the river in front of Jacksons brigade. Artillery fire and accurate musketry took a heavy toll of the leading Union regiments, whilst true to form, Jackson stood firm!

Bonhams Brigade under pressure!

Bonhams Brigade under pressure!

If the battle was going well for Jackson, on the left, at Robinson House,  Bonham found himself out numbered, out flanked and in some disarray.  The union forces under Sherman had found a ford across the river that helped with deployment and a strong flanking force, of two brigades had appeared at the bridge at Robinson House. Jeb Stuarts Cavalry, were ordered to redeploy in support of Bonham to shore up the flank until more reinforcements could arrive.

The fighting is intense around the Robinson house!

The fighting is intense around the Robinson house!

As Bonham was pushed back, the third Confederate Brigade, under the command of the somewhat mis-named Colonel Early had arrived at the Railway junction and rushed to the left to rescue Bonham. Jackson had pinned and  all but defeated two Union Brigades, In a desperate move to break the Confederate left the remaining Union regiments in front of Jackson attempted to move to the Left Flank to support the  Union force there.

Colonel Early marches to support Bonham!

Colonel Early marches to support Bonham!

Although Bonhams Brigade had now broken under the Union pressure, they had inflicted a heavy toll on the Union forces. Jeb Stuart had led two successful cavalry attacks, crashing into the flanks of exposed Union regiments during the confusion of the battle here. Colonel Early had managed to get his brigade in position around Henry House, joining with Jackson to beat off the final Union push. With more brigades broken than effective, the Union were forced to concede the battle.

Colonel Early moves to defend Henry House and covers Bonhams withdrawal.

Colonel Early moves to defend Henry House and covers Bonhams withdrawal.

So the Confederates whooped with joy as the Union fell back from the battlefield. There is no doubt that the Confederates had benefitted from some very fortunate dice rolls whilst the Union were hampered by the opposite. The result of the battle was of course very similar to what happened in history and despite not knowing the details of the battle, it was strange how somehow key moments were reflected in our game.

Andy had done a tremendous job organising the evening and providing us with great entertainment. It is worth pointing out that much of the scenery and buildings that were used have been scratch built by Andy – I need to persuade him to do a tutorial for the blog!

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

If you fancy a go at the ACW, there’s no doubt that a great place to start your army will be the impressive Perry’s plastic range. You can see them here:

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR PLASTICS

The Warlord Games Glory Hallelujah! Supplement is available here:

GLORY HALLELUJAH! 

Of course, we have a massive range of wargaming, modelling and painting accessories in our web store, all post free worldwide at the time of writing!

ARCANE SCENERY AND MODELS

 

 

Forlorn Hope.

My painting this week has been a bit hit and miss. That said, I have still found plenty to do, sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards. So I’ve been tidying, dusting, researching and preparing a couple of projects for the future. One of those projects is in support of the Bingham Napoleonic day to be held on 2nd March. I’ll post a link at the end of this blog to the event itself,  but it involves a small Napoleonic demo game set in the Peninsular War. This was a good excuse for another dive into the lead pile to see what I had that would be suitable.

Peninsular skirmishers

Peninsular skirmishers

I found a few Foundry Peninsular Light infantry and the limited Edition Warlord Games Ensign that came with the first Black powder supplement,  Albion Triumphant ! I actually had about 20 figures but decided to focus on just eight, leaving the ensign to one side for the time being, as the rest lent themselves to a quick batch paint.

Early stages of the batch paint

Early stages of the batch paint

I used my tried and trusted approach to painting, working from the inside out, to block paint the various colours. Flesh first for hands & face; Black hats, boots cartridge cases & bayonet scabbards; Iraqi Sand Bread bags; Pastel Blue water bottles; Flat brown for muskets. It was only during preparation that I noticed there were some differences in the figures. Four of them are clearly light infantry ( kneeling and climbing), four are line infantry but in light kit. Also, these final four are clearly very early Peninsular uniforms.

Facings done.

Facings done.

The early Peninsular chaps still had their hair in the ‘queue’, so I followed the colour scheme for the 29th Infantry 1808 ( Worcestershire Regt) from the book ‘Military Dress of the Peninsular War’. The others I painted as 52nd light infantry. As they are intended to be part of a ‘Forlon Hope’ assaulting a village somewhere in Spain, I’m not too worried that they will be from different regiments. In the same casual approach that I have adopted for the new year, I’m not going to get too excited about the differences in uniform. It will make a nice conversation piece at the game, should any one notice!

Figures nearly complete.

Figures nearly complete.

The picture above shows the figures nearly completed – at this point, I just needed to paint the lace and cross belts, brass for the buttons and buckles and touch up any obvious mistakes. The final step would be to paint them in Army Painter quick shade, matt varnish them and then re paint and highlight the lighter colours.

Completed figures awaiting basing.

Completed figures awaiting basing.

The picture above shows the completed figures. Of course the next step is to base them but I am waiting to see how our demo board looks before proceeding.

Capture the house!

Capture the house!

As you can see, the next project is to finish a house for the board. It may be that we don’t actually use the house. It was originally bought for my Caribbean project but the building looks ‘Spanish’ enough for both the Caribbean and the Peninsular, so whether it’s used or not, it will be another useful edition to my collection.

Assault on House 13!

Assault on House 13!

So, I’ll go back and finish that Ensign and following a meeting planned tonight, I may need to paint a few more figures for the game. I also need to do quite a bit of work to finish the house, so the next few weeks look busy!

THE COMMERCIAL BIT

Although the figures are not available from Arcane Scenery ( I think some of them may be OOP) all of the finishing products are, even better, we send post free!

ARCANE SCENERY

If you would like more details about the Bingham Napoleonic weekend, including time table of events and how to get there, click here:

BINGHAM NAPOLEONIC DAYS

Happy modelling!