Erbprinz - Flats

I have got my first order of German Zinnfiguren delivered this week and was really pleased with the figures I got.  We some trepidation I painted up the first 6 figures of my Erbprinz unit based on Peter Youngs unit in  Charge.  

I used acrylics paint and inks and have used a layed highlight as I would 28mm full rounds figures.  Highlighting to create depth is the key to making these figures really pop out. 

 The first 2 photos show the figures unbased and the final 2 attached to simple terrained bases. I have made the bases thicker than normal so that they can be easily picked without damaging the figures.  

I have bought enough figures to for a 24 man infantry unit plus officers as well as 15 Austrian Cuirassier

The figures are from Fechner who figures are a good price and has the advantage of taking Paypal. Postage was 6.50 euro to the UK  

http://www.fechner-zinnfiguren.de/shop/katalog.php 

Canister Cone for the War Game

I have just got the first prototype of a Canister Cone for the War Game made by a local artisan.  This has been designed around the dimensions confirmed in the new consolidated version of the War Game rules out in April. 

If there is anyone who needs one of these devices then I can get them made for 3 Guineas (or 63/- (shillings) if you prefer) although £ 3 for cash will also work. 

Zinnfiguren for Imaginations

I have had a itch for some time to paint some SYW German Zinnfiguren for use as Imaginations

The photo below shows what can be achieved.

This photo and more can be found at  http://www.zinnfigurenfreunde-leipzig.de/g13.htm

With my birthday coming up I have finally taken the plunge and placed a small order from 

http://www.fechner-zinnfiguren.de/shop/katalog.php?seite=10

I have ordered enough of the figure 10/25 to start a flat version f the Erbprinz plus a few cavalry figures

Fontenoy - Demo Game - Part 1

The plan to put on a large demo game of the Battle of Fontenoy using over 1000 Prince August Figures gathers pace. 

The game will use the orders of battle and map from Wargaming in History - Volume 2 

And hopefully we will have a copy or 2 of the new one volume edition of the War Game rules which is due out shortly. This will be a compete set of rules, and hopefully answer some of the question gamers have raised over the years.  The book is expected to be 56 pages and will have the normal quality pictures and quick play sheets.   

We have confirmed  that we should have 22 Infantry units and at least 8 cavalry units plus artillery on the table. 

Infantry Regiments will consists of 36 rankers and 4 dismounted and one mounted officer

Cavalry units will have 18 troopers and 3 Officers 

As a change from seeing pictures of my collection here are some from Steve Metheringham and friends collections that will be used along with my figures in the game.  

This is going to be good.

Sawmill Village

Here a few pictures of my recent Sawmill Village game at the York Wargame show.  

Firstly it was a pleasure to meet Charles S Grant who spent some time chatting to me about the hobby and the game. Charles Wesencraft then strolled over - it was the first time in 12 years that the two had met.    

The game featured my take on the Classic Wargame look using 40mm Prince August figures. I spent the whole day chatting away and was surprised at how well then game was received and how much interest it generated.   

Here are some shots of the game which was a hard fought victory for the Grand Duchy of Calvados over their arch enemy the Electorate of Furstenburg-Lederhosen. 

I am now planning to put on another game using these figures at Triples in Sheffield and hope to  organised a much bigger game using figures from two other gamers collections which will see nearly a 1000 figures on the table - Fontenoy perhaps ? 

 

Plattville Orders of Battle

Plattville Project 

The following orders of battle have been taken for the War Game and the description of the battle.  There seem to be gaps which I will have to fill in. 

Union Forces - George H Thomas 

Kearneys Brigade: 10th Iowa and 2nd Illinois

?              Brigade: New York Fire Zouaves and Berdans sharpshooters

?              Brigade: 5th New Jersey and 20th Maine  

? Cav      Brigade: 6th Illinois (Grierson) and 1st Vermont

Artillery Battery   : 44th Illinois

Confederate Forces - Jubal A Ealry

Penders Brigade:  7th Texas and 5th Kentucky

?           Brigade:   1st Maryland and 6th Louisiana 

?           Brigade:   18th Georgia and 2nd Mississippi

? Cav   Brigade:    2nd Virginia and 1st North Carolina 

Artillery Battery:    Peckhams

Map borrowed from

http://steve-the-wargamer.blogspot.com/2011/05/action-in-plattville-valley-redux.html

Plattville Project gets under way

Next year is an ACW year for me.  With the 150th anniversary of the conflict this year and with next year being the 50th anniversary of the publication of the War Game by Donald Featherstone I think it seems the time is right for a Plattville project.  

I aim to recreate this famous miniatures battle once again. Some say it was the Confederate defeat at  Plateville Valley that was the turning point of the war and not Lee failure at Gettysburg.        

I plan to use Spencer Smith figures and to recreate the forces involved - this will require 6 infantry regiments  of 22 figures each, 2 cavalry regiments of 15 figures and 2 artillery batteries.  Infantry units are organised into 2 regiment brigades.  

My first unit finished is the 10th Ohio. The figures have been painted in Acrylics and then given 2 coats of gloss to get the old school fell. Figures are left unbased .

And here is the same photo in good old black and white -