Four Mounted Men of Renaissance

Four Renaissance "mounted harquebusiers" finally are completed (see below):

These are from the Redoubt Enterprise Renaissance range and are lovely little things. In Charles V's Impetus Holy Roman Emperor's army list they are Skirmish capable but for some reason in the Italian Wars they are Medium. They are much more useful in the former role as they can shield the heavies (Burgundian or Men-At-Arms) from unwanted harassing attention

Nice to finally get them done :)

28mm Renaissance Mounted Harquebusiers (Impetus Troops)

This posting has been over a year in the making.

Ever since my Burgundian Knights and Germanic Men-At-Arms were added to my Renaissance army I felt the need for lighter mounted troops to cover them to create a sense of balance (speaking of which the infantry needs more Pike). My Mounted Crossbows (CL) were only one half of the equation, these Mounted Harquebusiers (CM in Impetus terms) are the other (see below, in their current most advanced state, with the basing 'half' complete):

"Impetus" has fast become my favourite wargaming rule set for linear pre-musket era (stretching back to the ancients, but I still am active in the DBMM camp). It certainly ranks alongside "Chain of Command"  for enjoyment an non-deterministic "shock" value. My only problem is that I have kit but seemingly not the time to paint them! The painting started over a year ago (see below, a basic undercoat black):

Though technically not Light Horse (so it is harder for them to get out of the way) these are destined to be an important screening force to 'shove in front' of some decent impact cavalry to avoid them getting cheaply spent. Wanting them to do "them proud" I searched the Internet and pulled this useful  "crib painting sheet" in the below  photograph from:

http://rctlittlesoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/detail-on-knights-and-light-cavalry.html (see below):

I tried to give the horses a three-tone treatment, but always feel I chicken out of washing the legs dark enough. My lack real horse experience shows here methinks, I paint almost a typical cartoon representation, but at least try and vary the shades of colour. I decided to make these rider's jackets a bit more brighter (see below):

Then the riders were 'browned-up' in the legging department (see below):

The good news is that the 'boys' have already made it to the tabletop for an Impetus wargame in a "basic paint form" (see below):

They did well enough, shooting at some offending infantry at close range, but true my earlier comment "got in the way" of the very troops they were supposed to be screening. CM cavalry seems to have been more useful in earlier ancient times, when armoured four-legged tanks were less common. I might even 'pretend' they are Mounted Crossbow if the need comes in the next game ;)  

At the moment they just need to be finished off with the basing painted, highlighted and flocked. Watch this space for a final photo later.

Renaissance Impetus: Substituting "Quantity" for "Quality"

My ferocious Landsknecht Maximilian Pike Block. The army list is circa that of the Great Italian Wars Supplement (upgrades). The Pike is only three ranks deep, it looks more as I have used the maximum number of figures (see below) becase I had them and I thought it looked impressive. The Pike are protected by two sleeves of "Trained" Harquebusiers to their flanks and a line Doppelsolders "Skirmish" but with Impact (3), to the front. The Doppelsolders job is to chase away enemy skirmishers with a fierce charge and clear the way fro the Pike to charge. The Pike Block is still the heart and soul of this Renaissance killing machine I call my own. I nominated the Pike Block to be where my General is. (It seemed a safe enough sort of place, what could go wrong? H does needs a special "representative" figure though).

To the left of the infantry mass is a screen of Crossbow "Skirmish" protecting my proud Burgundian Knights and to the far left my newest acquisition, the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", a unit of Light Horse, Mounted Crossbowmen (see below). Very pretty they looked too, we'll see how they perform, I have a theory regarding pretty painted units on a wargames table and "dice".

On a hill to the right of the Pike stands my "Big Cannon" (that old Games Workshop plastic classic and soon to have the Artillery based filed out with a second cannon, just to look good - no more combat dice). Next to it comes a ferocious unit of Germanic Men-At-Arms (MAA). They MAA have reasonable/respectable Impact and combat dice, but have great staying power being a "deep" unit (causalities transfer to the back and the front rank retains its "impetus" dice in combat). Flanking them to the right is a small band of merry Harquebusier armed "Skirmish", essentially the end of my line on the right flank (see below).

The Renaissance camp placed (nay hidden) behind the hill. Dubbed a mixture of saint and sinner. "Heaven" is nearest with a Monk and "Nun", contrasting with "Hell" and a Lady "G-Spot" figure that came from an old subscription to Wargames Illustrated when Duncan MacFarlane was running the show. This is another area where the appearance of the Renaissance army can be "improved" on. I plan to add drunks, harlots, casks of wine, surgeon's tent etc. I'll have to take a look at Redoubt Enterprises and Irregular Miniatures for some choice offerings.

Albeit via the Blackberry here is a close up of my current favorite Renaissance sons, the said "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" showing a certain eagerness to get forward (see below):   

Having said the above, I still have great affection for my Burgundian Knights in their blue and whites (nothing to do with football colours I may old). Trouble is that I always seem to throw them in too soon and they consequently get ground down rather than generate sweeping devastation (see below):

For all the dash of the Burgundian Knights you still have to admire or rather respect the staying power of the Germanic MAA and their deep formation (see below) as they keep going in stoic fashion: 

I hope you will sense that this Renaissance Band has bulked out with some more units, courtesy of successful painting tray action, and is slightly less stacked with powerful upgrades which previously restricted its frontage too much IMHO. As you might tell I have high hopes for this outing, will the fickle goddess of fate be kind on my martial endeavours?

Painting Table: Deck Cleared

The panzers have pushed off now which leaves the strange feeling of space on the blessed painting tray (see below):

Something Renaissance beckons, the Holy Roman Emperor (HRE) Charles V (courtesy of Redoubt Enterprises), his horse and Paige (see above and below):

I also have a second Games Workshop "Empire Great Cannon" to add to my Renaissance artillery park before my next Impetus game in two weeks time.

The 1/300 Panzer IV Hoard Revisited

Take II: Heroics and Ross Panzer IV F2's laid out in a Spearhead/BGC battalion formation (there is an engineering half-track and AA PzIV lurking in there somewhere too). The Panzer IV's are getting an Anita's Acrylic Metallic Black undercoat over which the Tamiya XF-60 Sand Yellow base coat is being laid. 

A GHQ Panzer IVH battalion(+) equivalent formation. Barrels now straight (or as straight as I can make them) with a Tamiya XF-1 Matt Black undercoat applied to the barrels over the original Panzer Grey (yes, wrong period paint chosen by the original owner, but it's all getting redone anyhow).

The whole painting tray (including my 28mm Renaissance Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, again avoiding the paint). The thing about 1/300 or 1/285 scale is that there are lots of them that need to be painted at the same time! The factory style painting operation commences. (Note: The fifth horseman below, is not an additional member the troublesome foursome [Famine, War, Pestilence and Death], but the Holy Roman Emperor himself  Charles V [from Redoubt Enterprises], chosen as a suitable Renaissance commander for my Impetus Army)

Note: I am working from the left hand side of the table over the the right hand side :)

Painting Tray Update: 1/300 WWII and 28mm Renaissance

A 1/300 Heroics and Ross Panzer IV F2 (see below), donated to me from a very  good friend at the Hartlepool wargames club. This was part of an exchange of 10mm Pendraken ECW miniatures one way and a profuse quantity of assorted 1/300 Heroics & Ross and GHQ 1/285 models the other way. I am just left wondering how to paint these mini little beasts, so here are my first stabs (see below). 

It is a pity that my Blackberry camera does not seem up to taking photographs of things very small, losing the fine focus needed.

I was trying to go for that late war three tone camouflage look using Tamiya paints and left over odds and ends from my drying up Games Workshop pots. I discovered no point trying to micro-manage every brush stroke. Inks and washes may be the way forward.

Overall I m not convinced with my first attempt (even though I have not yet flocked the base which makes a huge difference). I cannot afford to take too long on each model but at the same time want to have a little highlighting and character if possible. I am not convinced that dry-brushing alone is the answer, inks and washes, hmm, successive layers? Model wise I am not far off the OrBat of a 1944 Panzer Division (Spearhead) so that is quite a lot of stands to do (100+) so I do need a mini-factory production process, rather tan an artisan approach.

Behold my painting tray  organised chaos (see above). Two 1/300 Panzer IV battalions, one H&R (Left Hand Side) the other (Right Hand Side) GHQ. Yes I know the 1944 Panzer Division OrBat has one Pz IV battalion and one Panther battalion, so effectively I have a 'spare' Pz IV battalion, which is nice. Lurking in the background are my "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (28mm Renaissance fro Redoubt Enterprises). These will constitute a much needed Impetus Mounted Crossbow (CL) unit in my renaissance army. However they have been lurking around my painting tray for some time now successfully avoiding any contact with the paint brush. The goal is to get them painted in time for my next game of Impetus!

One slightly negative comment to make about the 1/285 GHQ models is the darned bendy barrels they have. They are finely scales, so fine in fact that the slightest touch of the gun barrel means that it twists and out have to come the tweezers. I sent several hours straightening those sixteen GHQ Panzer IVH's and they are still not quick right. I can see that handling and storing them will be a pain!

Two Gangs of Four and a Ship

The Citadel "wash" experimentation continues:

Note: A run of DIY jobs comes to assist my wargaming modelling, the mixture left over from grouting the tiles in the bathroom comes in handy to texture the bases (a very light/bright alien looking planet rock). The Red Guardian has had its base washed over, its base was also textured with a toothbrush.  

The two back figures (see above: Blue and brown) were base coated in Games Workshop "Sand Yellow" before receiving a couple of coats of wash just to see the effect. Methinks it loses all the subtle advantages of the wash and becomes just a semi opaque paint of little additional value - Golden Rule: One guide wash is enough. The chap to the front left above was base coated in Games Workshop "Dark Angels Green" (in fact the last effective use from this dried up bottle before it was discarded with a third of the paint unused) then washed over in Citadel "Asurmen Blue". The result was a very dark looking affair apart from the helmet's Anita's Acrylic "Cream" turning a shade of medium blue. Again I applied two washes which seems to be an overkill. The Red Guardian was left alone from further experimentation (and oh boy was he glad).

The double washed figures don't look so bad in the bright light of my halogen spot-light (Mr Blue and Mr Brown to the left above). I have also started a rescue attempt on the Dark Green model by using Games Workshop's "Goblin Green" (I seem to have a lot of this colour for some reason) on its body and Games Workshops "Sunburst Yellow" on the helmet. It now reminds me of the Green Goblin from the Spiderman films. The dark blue wash over the dark green base coat equates to a dark black undercoat (Ok for a bit of dark lining) but nothing much has been gained for all the extra work involved (three coats instead of one). Note the red Martian soil underfoot and an igneous flowing feel to the base ;)

Meanwhile ...

More historical plunder lies on the painting tray (see above). My 28mm Redoubt Enterprises Renaissance Light/Medium horse (two little grey's) finally get some attention. In the distance behind them is the 1/1200 KM Prince Eugen slowly getting a lighter shade of grey applied to her superstructure.

The full complement of Renaissance Horse is seen above, complete with their riders, crossbowmen. These would bring a much needed balance to my Renaissance Impetus army,  as in one base of screening missile firing light horse. Hark, the call and lure of the Renaissance is beckoning my brush. I like it when I get started, but the trouble is just getting started in the first place ;)

Painting Tray: A Distraction

Confessions of a wargaming butterfly continued ... I lasted twenty days into 2012 until I was distracted by of all things whilst wandering round Hobbycraft ... I saw it, I succumbed to it and then I bought it ... can you spot my wargaming 'January folly' below?

Now I have got to figure out what to do with it (or rather them). Of all things a small (4 figures) pack of Games Workshop Eldar Guardians. I just thought for 'general' Science Fiction they may come in useful, somehow. I tried to justify them on the basis of a painting exercise and a 'wash' technique experiment. My eldest son (nearly seven) thought they were 'cool' which is worrying for the future.

Painting Guide pulled from the Net:
http://taleofpainters.blogspot.com/2010/04/eldar-tutorial.html

Meanwhile the KM Prinz Eugen slowly acquires more Atlantic Grey paint (the Airfix painting guide was not that convincing so I decided two shades of get would suffice). A more pressing need is the four Renaissance Light Horse from Redoubt Enterprises that are needing painting in the next eight days for my next Impetus game.

Xmas Painting Tray

While the turkey is roasting, you never know I may be able to slip away ... and do a quiet spot of festive model painting. Perhaps the "Sink the Bismarck" Airfix HMS Hood in 1/1200, 25/28mm Mounted and Foot Renaissance or ... 

To attend the small matter of some Polish WW2 armour from SHQ (see above dressed in Tamiya Matt Black) waiting for their funky three tone early war camouflage scheme. It must have been effective as the Germans seemed to copy it later in the war when they needed to hide their tanks!

Nicely cast models, but I want to "plastic-card the bottoms over" (explain that last sentence in a court of law) as they have a rather "hollow shell" structure (understandable by SHQ to keep weight and costs down). Maybe it's just me but it somehow feels wrong when I pick them up (makes them slightly less durable in my mind too)?

Note: There are two of the "gun version" (for the fighting tanks) and a "command" twin MG version tank, good enough to field as an independent Polish tank company (in CD3 terms) against my early war Panzer I's, II's, III's and IV's..

Painting Tray: Renaissance Mode

The painting tray is currently cluttered with the figures needed to complete my Renaissance Impetus army (although I hear that in the new Impetus IV supplement the "killer pike-block" armies are getting rule-restricted", so by the time I field my army it may have waned in its 'effectiveness' and scare factor, such is wargaming and I didn't paint it to win anyway, it's more of an interesting project to finish).

Going clockwise below, top right has a unit of crossbow men (Perry's miniatures), lined out and under-coated are some "DoppelSoldners" (again Perry Miniatures), top left is a "pile of lead" which needs to be transformed into some Burgundian Knights (Redoubt Enterprises) and finally at twelve o'clock some "horizontal" stabbing pikemen (Wargames Foundry). Eagle-eyed readers may also have spotted a recently reactivated Necron Warrior hiding in the shadows ;)   

A closer look at the"skirmish formation" crossbow men. These are a "cheap" army point option to put out in front of the advancing pike block to soak up the initial missile "hits", so the pike block can hopefully get in "fresh" and do the business. The Perry Miniatures painted up really quickly and I think are very nice (see below):

The Wargame Foundry pike men are a Renaissance classic. Here the "pikes lowered" is effective as most of the pike length is taken up in "dead ground" on the base. That means the "pikes" won't interfere with bases placed in front of the unit, something the Impetus basing has over the old DBM approach IMHO (see below). I also plan to put some Perry's Miniatures DoppelSoldners in the front of the base between the lowered pikes (as per historical deployment, but it is still a unit of "pike" nothing "funny in the rules" is being attempted here). 

The "pile of lead" from Redoubt Enterprises, the horses being the same as the Germanic Men-At-Arms mounts but the riders "true flowery knights". Very solid figures and I am looking forward to painting these (again), but I am wondering how "full-on" I have to go with the heraldry of the knights, watch this space for developments (see below):  

If I manage to shift this stuff off the table before the end of October I can get back to some WWII early war panzers as my November project.

Renaissance Reinforcements (5): Germanic Men-At-Arms texture the base

Paint it brown (courtesy of Anita's Acrylics Earth Brown) and when dry cover base in PVA/wood-glue and add ubiquitous "gravel and sand". Then let set (see below):

The base is now "dusty and sandy" and almost impossible to paint on. A watered down wash of Anita's Acrylic Earth Brown, with a little bit of black added, is then soaked into the base to seal the "grit". A touch of left-over PVA can find its way into the mixture.

Note: The metals are heavy so when the cardboard base was sodden, care had to be taken with it when moving it about. Super-glue was used to stick the horses to the card-stock.

Getting there! Next stop: A bit of flocking.

Renaissance Reinforcements (4): Germanic Men-At-Arms basing the Horses and Riders

From individual stands to group base:

A "Can you spot the difference" photograph?

Next: Texture base, paint and add a little flock.

Return of the Painting Tray

Not only return of the "painting tray" but the "painting tray" has been allocated a spot in the main house ... STOP PRESS ... !!! Plenty of space for models (notice TWO HMS Hood's, one metal and one plastic, and a collection of "H" Class RN destroyers in 1/1200 scale, and two Impetus bases of Germanic "Men-At-Arms" 28/25mm), paints and brushes. All illuminated by overhead halogen light which managed to "blow a fuse" four nights ago.

Admittedly the painting area has an effective "cloak of concealment" (i.e. a quick close the writing desk and nobody would guess at the existence of my hobby, bar the "quirky" library, not many Dan Brown novels there!). Meanwhile here's a sneak preview, see below, of my 25/28mm Germanic "Men-At-Arms", painted and part based (they still need a little paintwork and flocking on the bases).

The "man cave"is not as remote as before, so there are interruptions but it is much warmer and I get more cups of hot tea delivered. Look carefully (see below) and you should be able to see the lower hull of HMS Hood in 1/200 scale and Charles V Holy Roman Emperor (HRE) in 28/25mm.

My work can be scrutinised by wife, children and cat (sometimes the latter is more interested). The Royal Navy is in town, 1/1200 (darker grey) plastic Airfix "Sink the Bismarck" kit in front of a "newspaper special" metal kit. The destroyers are Argentinian copies of the ubiquitous RN "H" class purchased amongst a random lot on eBay. The intention is to use six of them them back as RN destroyers escorting the "Mighty Hood" and "PoW" as they head towards the Denmark Strait.    

The final chap to show you is an old friend:

"Maurice the Spy", aka Airfix Lysander passenger, under-coated and base-painted but waiting for that loving mid/highlight as he runs for his life away from the Gestapo or jealous French husband.

Rest assured the above tidiness is long since a thing of the past ;)

Renaissance Reinforcements (3): Germanic Men-At-Arms - Horses and Riders

Horses are now united with their riders:

Two ranks deep so hence twelve figures or there about, needed for the "large" formation allowed in Impetus. Front rank charging, back rank with lances raised, a nasty sight:

They are covered in almost as much armour as those crazy Gendarmes from France:

Lots of Anita's Acrylic Metallic Black used with varying amounts of Mithril Silver from Games Workshop (the latter was really to use it up before it went completely solid). Finally a watered down black wash to pick up some details and then just a trace of silver highlighting again.

Used three tone painting all the way through.

Renaissance Reinforcements (2): German Men-at-Arms (Knights)

The horses are under orders:

Damn them for being so big (28mm) and "gorgeous" to paint. Trying to do them fast for this coming Monday but don't see it happening.

I will have to try and 'borrow' some cavalry again, oh the shame of it

:(

Renaissance Reinforcements (1): Germanic Men-At-Arms (Knights)

High on the adrenalin rush from the last Impetus game (see previous posts), I not only purchased the rules (my gaming luck can now only go downhill after "reading [and not understanding] the rules") and decided it was time to acquire some Renaissance Germanic Men-At-Arms cavalry types (see below) to complement my Formed Pike infantry and Shot Harquebusiers:

Courtesy of Redoubt Enterprises I now have twelve armoured cavalry "brutes" which will be enough to cover two "CP" (aka "Impact" Cavalry) formations. I found out to my cost that heavy 28mm metal is not cheap, but it has to be said they look "the business" and I just hope my painting does the figures the credit they deserve.

A look at the riders (see above) and a closer look at one on the horses (see below)

All I need is some space at the painting table, watch this space ;) 

PS: Another stack/cluster of Games Workshop paints were found dry as a bone and consigned to the waste bin. The change over to other acrylics (Vallejo and Anita's Acrylics continues apace)