54mm American War of Independence Figures

 I am still experimenting with Army Painter Speed Paints and my latest effort is this group of American riflemen in hunting shirts.  They are from the firm 'A Call To Arms' and are in 54mm scale.  They are described as Maryland infantry, but I guess they could be used for a variety of units.

The painting was indeed quite quick, being essentially washing over a white primer.  I used a Halfords rattle can for the primer, which worked well.  Overall the result is OK with Speed Paints, but not as neat as either enamel or acrylic colours.  That said, if you want to paint units in short order the paint system works well:

The other half of the box contains troops in regulation uniform and I am slowly working my way through them.

The Young Pretender

 I painted this figure some time ago but never got around to posting the picture.  The Young Pretender is encouraging the troops, originally from the Bob Black collection.  The 54mm Bonnie Prince Charlie figure is from Steve Weston Figures and is painted using Speed Paints.  

I got rid of the original horse and replaced it with a Britains Deetail show jumper mount:

The tartan trews and cloak looked a bit of a challenge, but I borrowed a technique seen on Youtube, that emplos crisscross lines and spots.  It worked quite well.

Norman's WW1 Collection

 Norman Paterson has shared some more images of his extensive and beautiful collection of military figures.  This time it is the First World War, with a mix of french, German and British figures set up in the most dramatic and striking poses.  

The figures are a mix of Britains and King and Country castings. Although not historically accurate given the mix of figures, the display is quite stunning.

Funny Little Wars - British

 I have been really busy recently, which has distracted me from my current projects.  A friend gave me his collection of 20mm Russo Japanese war figures.  They are mostly Jacklex and a large portion were owned and painted by Jack Alexander.  There are three armies; the Japanese, the Russians and a Red army for the Russian Revolution.  My time has been taken up sorting them out and basing them to suit my playing rules.

I did however manage to sort out a British battalion for my 'funny little wars' project.  These are Britains Highlanders in tropical dress.  I haven't done much to them, other than paint the bases a sandy colour:

I also painted a test figure.  This is a Irregular miniatures 54mm colonial Sepoy.  He looks rather good and I am thinking of getting some more to create another battalion:

Britains Deetail French Foriegn Legion

 Linked to my Funny Little Wars idea I have now finished painting the French Foreign Legion (FFL) infantry.  As with all Deetail figures the mouldings are quite nice and look so much better with a little painting. I have enough for a couple of companies  and a Gatling Gun.  They will be supported by a squadron of cavalry, which I painted a couple of weeks ago.

The whole unit:

The Gatling gun

And the Bedouin Arabs, twice as many cavalry as the FFL:

As well as around 50 foot:

Most of the Arabs are still in their rather gaudy factory finish.  At some point I will paint them all.  In the meantime, I have just repainted the bases to get rid of the lime green colour.

Funny Little Wars - Turkish Infantry

 Over the last few days I have been assembling and painting a small Turkish force.  The figures are 54mm from Irregular Miniatures.  They went together well, required a small amount of filing and drilling and the paint went on easily.  I used a grey primer for these figures.

The uniform colours may not be strictly correct, but I based my colour scheme on that used on early hollow cast figures:

Funny Little Wars

 Some time ago I purchased a copy of the book 'Funny Little Wars', a set of rules based upon the  famous HG Wells rules, Little Wars.

Over time I have been accumulating some 54mm figures to try out the rules.  My firs unit, Turkish artillery, are by Irregular Miniatures, having adapted some kneeling riflemen into gunners.  the gun is an old Britains matchstick firing piece:

I have also painted up some Britains Deetail mounted French Foreign Legion (FFL).  They started off like this:

And after some paint applied:

I have also painted some FFL infantry as well as a Gatling gun.  My plan is for the FFL to take on my Britains arabs.  The Turks/Egyptians will provide an enemy for my Britians British.  I also have some Mahdist warriors.

Norman's North American Wars

 Once again Norman has sent me some pictures of his delightful 54mm soldiers.  This time it is a fort set in North America, with some pesky local natives lurking in the woods.

Some locals are spotted in the forest:

The fort alerts the troops:

And they deploy out of the fort:

Followed by a brisk engagement:

Back in time for tea and medals!

The Battle of Dunkeld 21st August 1689

Bob Black visited at the weekend and we decided to play a scenario from the Command And Colors game, Jacobite Rising.  Bob had recently played the first scenario, Killicrankie, so it made sense to attempt the second, which turned out to be Dunkeld.  I planned to use my 54mm collection and having recently purchased some small houses, I went about setting up the game.  Some buildings were knocked up from foam board too.

After the action at Killiecrankie, Jacobite forces realised that the city of Dunkeld was held by a single unit, The Earl of Angus's Regiment, The Cameronians. The Jacobites, having numerical superiority decided to attack from the hills surrounding the town.

Essentially the battle would consist of Government forces holding the town while being assaulted by the Highlanders.  This is the starting point of the battle.  The Highlanders occupy the hills at the top of the table, with Government troops in the buildings.  The 'cathedral' forms a strongpoint:

With the roofs removed the redcoats can be seen:

Highlanders move towards the town:

The redcoats take up firing positions, but initially plan to sit tight:

The first attack came from the Jacobite right; their plan becoming clear to attack each building with overwhelming force and this happened against two buildings that stand proud of the main position. Two Jacobite units storm one of the houses:

More Jacobites come charging down the road. 

The Government troops cause some casualties but are forced out of the first house, and make a stand on the road

Several Jacobites fall and the Government forces regain control of the building:

The pressure builds and soon troops in both of the forward buildings are forced out:

The Government troops cling on, holding back the Jacobite charges, but are taking casualties all the time:

In order to restore the situation more troops are ordered forward to push the Jacobites back:

Fierce fighting occurs in the narrow streets.

The government troops regain one of the buildings mow down some of the Jacobites with musket fire:

The threat of Jacobite cavalry, however, forces the redcoats to scuttle back to the protection of the houses

With most of the Government troops in buildings the cavalry are not effective and take casualties while negotiating the narrow streets:

And are beaten off:

Having been slowed down in the centre, the Jacobites tried an assault from their left, with their infantry bursting out of the trees:

Although they manage to score some hits, the return fire is devastating and the remnants of this failed attack pull back:

While all this was going on over on the flank, in the centre the Jacobites manage to evict the redcoats from another building:

Now, technically the capture of the second building should be a win for the Jacobites, however, they have lost over half of their men and the Government troops still hold more of the town.  As per the real battle we mutually agreed that this was really a draw and that the Jacobites had no real hope of taking any more buildings.  Thus we ended the battle at this point and adjourned for tea!

This turned out to be a more exciting game than I expected.  The close combat amongst the buildings saw the fortunes of each side swing back and forth.  The spectacle of shiny 54mm troops added to the fun.

More of Norman's Soldiers

 A few days ago Norman Paterson sent me some more pictures from his collection(s).  This time we are taken to the Napoleonic wars in Egypt, with 1/32 French infantry under attack from Mameluk cavalry.  They are all beautifully painted.  I think the infantry are Airfix and Armies in Plastic, while the cavalry are by Italeri. Enjoy:

Norman's Soldiers

 I have recently got to know Mr Norman Paterson, who is an avid collector of military figures.  Over the last couple of months he has kindly shared some pictures of his collection, set out as dioramas. 

I thought that the figures looked so good that readers of this blog might enjoy seeing them.  So, with the permission of Norman, set out below are the first pictures of part of his stunning collection.

This set of pictures covers the American Civil War, with some dramatic images of close quarter combat.  The figures are by 'Collectors Showcase' and Norman has entitled the diorama as 'Battle Carnage':

Stunning stuff!

Lone Star Paratroopers - The Mortar Section

 A little weekend project saw the painting of these wonderful old figures by Lone Star Harvey.  They date back to the 1950/60s and I have a couple of boxes of them.  There is another set in berets, but they have more modern weapons and wear battledress.

These figures make up the Mortar Platoon.  Somewhere I have some loaders, which I will add when I dig them out.

I painted these using Speed Paint, however, unlike my ancient figures I gave them a sepia wash and when that was dry, I dry brushed them to give some highlights.  

I am quite pleased with the results:

More Herald Trojan Warriors

 I had a few more Trojans hanging around and I thought it might be fun to paint them.  I have a plan for these figures, but will see how things go before i confirm what it is.

Rome vs Carthage

 

A few says ago, Bob Black visited with the aim of employing my 54mm Punic War figures in a Command and Colors Ancients battle.  The figures were laid out on the table and quite impressive they look, Rome on the right, Carthage on the left:

A view from the opposite direction:

The Carthaginian army consisted of a significant number of Spanish infantry and cavalry, African heavy infantry, Numidian light infantry and cavalry, as well as several units of Gallic warbands and cavalry. They also had an elephant (which neither of had worked out how to use).

Carthage began the action with Numidian light cavalry and skirmishers moving quickly forward to engage the Roman first line:

The left flank:

The right flank:

Bob's plan to ride down my skirmish line was largely ineffective as Roman heavy cavalry crushes the Numidian light horse and then ploughs into some Spanish light infantry.

Over on the opposite flank more Carthaginian cavalry join the fray.  Here the Numidians do better, supported by some medium mercenary cavalry, which moments later are destroyed on Roman spears.

The same fate befalls the Numidians on the right flank as Roman cavalry pushe them back.

Some of the Roman skirmishers do fall, but the Spanish light are destroyed.

In another wave, Numidian light infantry shower Roman auxiliary archers with javelins, but with little effect.  However the lightly clad Numidians suffer from Roman arrows. 

The Numidian cavalry on the right rush forward again and are met by Roman cavalry.  This tussle would go on for much of the battle, with the Numidians slowly pushed back.

Having resisted the Carthaginian skirmisher's attack it was the turn of the Romans to harry their enemy.  The Romans were more successful causing a lot of damage to their opposite numbers.

The battle swung back and forth in the centre as waves of skirmishers fight it out, however, Roman medium infantry move up in large numbers and sweep the lighter enemy away

Roman infantry pushing into the centre:

Bob, decides that it is time to unleash his Gallic warbands:

...... and having carefully studied the rules, launches his elephant, with great success.  Roman medium infantry are scattered as the beast ploughs forward:

On the other flank Bob's Spanish heavy cavalry charge into the Roman horse causing mayhem.

The Roman heavy cavalry is destroyed:

But these attacks are not enough to stem the tide of retreating Carthaginians.  Most of Bob's cavalry and the bulk of his light troops flee the field cause a rout (brought on by lunch being ready).  Bob concedes victory with a score of 9 - 4 to the Romans.

This was a great game.  The rules are excellent, although we did get a few things wrong, which might have changed the outcome a bit.  

Till next time.