Down Sizing

I am looking to build up some smaller scale armies for quick pick up games to play against my son on the kitchen table.

I already have some Napoleonic in 15mm  however the lure of the 18th Century is too much of a pull. I have a few old SYW Minifig Figures plus some Dixon Marlburian Cavalry, left over from the collections sold many years ago, which can be used at a pinch. 

Well I started painting some Blue Moon  French 15mm figures however I wanted too create big battalions a la Grant (48 figures, 4 officers and a mounted CO).  Digging around I found 8 Austrian Minifig Grenadiers and some Lanchashire games French to bring the numbers up to full strength.

It's been a while since I painted 15mm however I found them easier to paint than I thought.

Anyway here they are with the full unit deployed in line. In all the unit is 24cm, or over 9 inches, in length. A unit this size will be interesting to move and maneovre on the table top. More thoughtful planning and positioning will be required to bring these into action.

A slightly closer look.

In addition I have renovated these old Minifig Austrian Cuiassier. Both these units will form part of my Imperial Army.

These are organised as 6 figure squadrons with an officer type.

Next up will be some renovated Minifigs painted as the Saxon Leib Garde (2 companies in Mitre and 2 in Austrian style bearskins). These will be organized as a converged Grenadier unit with 32 figures, 6 officers and a mounted Officer).

Battle of Noelsville

First game of the year is a small affair using my classic Spencer Smith collection.  Each side has 2 infantry units, a cannon and a cavalry unit (I used unpainted figures for these).

My opponent for this little affair was my son Max who commanded the Union forces.  

The rules used mix of Charge and the War Game plus some of my own rules.

The Confederates mass their Infantry in the centre, 

With artillery support. The rebel cavalry are massed on the right close to Cringle Wood.

Max deploys his Federal forces with his Cavalry and artillery in he centre and am Infantry unit on each flank. 

The Irish Regiment face Cringle Wood.

The Rebel battle line moves forward with their battle flags flapping in the early morning breeze,

Max is a chip of the old block as he quickly launches his first cavalry squadran against my artillery who are only able to remove one figure as the cavalry close and ride down the gunners.

Max quickly makes the stone wall his and deploys his artillery supported by his second cavalry squadron.

In support of his cavalry he moves his infantry against the Confedrate Infantry.

Panorama of the battle.

The Union infantry move into close range however the Rebels hold their nerve and let rip bowling over 8 Federal Infantry.  The subsequent morale test is failed and the Union turn tale and skedaddle. This unit fails subsequent rally rolls and leaves the table.

The devastation in front of the stone wall where Union cannister fire and a failed Union cavalry attack leave the ground littered with grey and blue soldiers.

The final stage of the battle sees the Irish unit take on the 2 weakened Rebel regiments.

Although outnumbered the Irish rout one of the Rebel regiments however with Rebel cavalry attacking their flank and rear they are forced back into Cringles Wood and then rout from the field. 

Max had a good time and I think I am going to have to paint some more of these figures up for the next game.  

French Regiment - Rohan Montbazon

An impending house move has meant I need to consider building a small collection for gaming on a kitchen table.

I had a half painted unit of Blue Moon French in 18mm for the WAS/SYW so I decided to finish them off.

Flags were downloaded from Kronoskaf and edited in MS Paint.

Miniature Warfare Magazine

My first wargame mag was Miniature Warfare by John Tunstill. I bought my first one in August 1969 and I still have 30 or so copies.  

I was flicking through them and found a few images that I liked.

Firstly Wargames and Advertising. Back in 1970 Wargaming must have been cool enough to be used to advertise chocolates. 

 

The figures look to be Staddens and may have been from John's own collection.

Next up a rather nice set piece.

The caption with the picture says they are Willie figures by Ed Suren.

Les Higgins - WIP

I have been able to get some painting done this week on a 30 figure unit of the wonderful Les Higgins 20mm WSS figures I bought earlier this year.

They are 75% done.

They look a bit vivid due to using the flash on my Iphone.  They are for my imagination War of the Saxon Succesion collection. This unit is the Hessian Erbprinz.

I have another 30 man unit to paint up as tSaxons as well as some Cavalry figures.

Saxon Flags

I was going to get some Saxon Flags from Maverick Flags but instead I knocked some out yesterday lunchtime at work using the flags Kronoskaf, MS Paint and a decent colour printer. 

Although cheap and cheerful they look ok on my Spencer Smith unit. Note the standard bearers are Tradition NCOs.

Basing Update

This week I have been able to complete the re basing on a few of my SYW/WAS collection.

First up a Hungarian Unit consisting of Front Rank and a few Crusader Grenadiers.  I painted these figures over a decade ago at at time when I painted eyes on figures. The unit is organised with the Grenadier company attached to bring it up to strength at 30 figures.

  

And to add a bit of fire power I have finished the re basing  of 2 light artillery pieces. These use Front Rank figures.   I iintend to use one Light gun for every 2 infantry units.

Anf finally I have finished the Saxon Spencer Smith figures. I need to get some Flags for both the Hungarian and these chaps. As far as I know only Maverick have Saxon flags.

Next up on the painting table are the 20mm Les Higgins figures started earlier this year.