More Thoughts on my Gripping Beast: Saxons

I have had these original metal Gripping Beast Saxons, as stated before, going back to last century. When the Gripping Beast metals first came out they set a new standard and took the show scene by storm, certainly for the Dark Age period. I remember they came packaged in what seemed to be old video boxes and I with a friend split a pack, so we got twenty each! My collection's ranks have been swelled now with some plastic Wargames Factory troops as well as the Gripping Beast plastics, including some pesky [expensive metal] archers before plastic alternatives were available (see below, repeating the angry Saxon Hoard look from a previous post):

 

A very useful acquisition from the Gripping Beast Plastic range, some twenty four archers (the metals I bought still have not been painted), nominally Saxon but they could easily be loaned out to other factions (Normans even Vikings). Three repetitive poses (I may be inclined to do some later head swaps) but they quickly bulk out the army with some nice clean lines (see below):

All that is required now is a stint of "Dark Age" figure painting! Vikings and Normans for 1066 beckon!

Old Skool Painting Madness (Games Workshop Madness - But I Love It!) - Respect

Sneer at (Fantasy, Science Fiction or Alternative Historical - and combinations of all three) nothing there are lessons (painting) to be learned from everywhere! I have to admire anyone who wants to paint figures by the hundreds and sets himself up in a way to achieve his goal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLHr8HMq56A

With Warhammer Fantasy you can well ask, "Where have all the HOARDS of Goblins gone?" Sad times ;)

Painting 28mm (French Army) Malburians for Ramillies

The painting of my meager contribution to Ramillies over Christmas is coming to a conclusion. It has been an intense plunge into the fiery cold waters of 28mm Malburians where you can literally see the whites of their eyes. There were "horses" (see below, still in a WIP stage)

Almost finished (see below, at the pre-varnish [matte] stage):

The horses riders were a parallel production stream (see below, both still WIP):

Meanwhile the infantry [one infantry regiment and a combined Grenadier stand] are by comparison standing almost complete. At the last moment I decided I would paint the drummer in a different base colour as was the fashion in those days (see below, I need to remove the square bases to that they can receive their "rule defined" proper bases):

The varnish stage produced a hiccup as despite "shaken and then thoroughly stirred" the 'matte' varnish dried more to a 'satin' finish. No time redo them as they were about to be passed on to "the baser". I hope they are not too 'unfashionably shiny' on the table top (see below, the riders are still WIP so they will be added to the horses on "battle day"):

I received complements all round, even from the wife, who liked the chocolate soldiers look and feel to them (see below):

Rotated for a better view (see below, the top left six figures represent the Combined Grenadiers, the flag bearers two of the normal infantry regiment are missing):

Next stop Ramillies ;)

Paint Experimentation: Vallejo .. Things other than paints, inks and washes.

What's this? What's this? Other things apart from paints, washes and inks from Vallejo. Whatever next and what do they do? (see below):

The "Retarder Medium" this slows down the drying time of the paint which gives you longer to blend colours together. I think this may be of use in larger scales and models (tbc). I do remember some painting blogs extolling its virtues.

A few drops of the "Matt Medium" makes the colour more transparent, increase paint (i.e. runnier) and produces a 'matter' finish. To me this has WWII 20mm (plastic and metal figure) potential to get a dirty camouflage look!

Lastly the "Metal Medium" again mixed with metal paint gives a paler metallic shade and can be also used for metallic highlights. I was thinking 25/28mm Wars of the Roses (Perry's), Renaissance (Perry's, Warlord Games) and other plastic 28mm ranges such a Normans, Vikings and Saxons - even up to Crusades (FireForge, Conquesr and Gripping Beast).

Watch this space for some results ;) 

Gripping Beast: Generic Dark Age Warriors

Perhaps not much to look at just now but this is an interesting collection of useful light troops from the Gripping Beast Plastics range. Some forty figures all told, with sixteen slingers (skirmish), sixteen javelins (skirmish) and eight miscellaneous unarmoured spear/sword/axe (see below):

These filler troops can be used in the Saxon, Viking or Norman "order of battle." A very good buy IMHO!#

I am looking forward to some "1066 and All That" action (or at the very least painting)! 

Conquest Games: Normans

I cannot complain with respect to the number of figures you get in the Conquest Game's Norman Foot Soldiers box, forty four all told. Smiles all round. This immediately helps flesh out the "Invading French" (aka Norman) Army of 1066 'Saga' Campaign (see below, early days on the painting front, initial basing courtesy of UHU glue waiting for a spray painted undercoat):  

To complement the Foot Knights twenty four Archers (see below, as per the Foot Knights waiting for an undercoat):

All that remains is to pick up a couple of boxes of Mounted Knights to complete the Norman "order of battle".

Test of Honour: 28mm Samurai Skirmish Games - "The One That Got Away"

I was too slow to grab this on first release, but managed to "see" somebody else's "OPEN BOX" and was very, very impressed. I have to add that I am not a Samurai buff myself but nevertheless could feel myself tingle at the quality of the game (see below):

Hope to be able to pick up a version on second printing! The figures looked stunning (though apparently fiddly).

It has all the hallmarks of a "one box" game and extensions only if you want to!

Stormin' Normans in 28mm (Conquest Games)

I made the mistake of mixing gardening (the type that is quite hard on the hands) with 28mm hard plastic figure assembly, Conquest Games 1066 Normans. I was in tears by the end of it but I soldiered on. You cannot complain with forty four foot soldiers (see below):

Spear, sword and two handed battle axe (see below):

I seem to have a bad case of 28mm plastic figure disease, I do hope there is no cure :)
These will do well for my Saga and Impetus meanderings

More Foot Sergeants - 28mm FireForge

Seeing as I was down a few crossbowmen for my Renaissance Army I made up 24 FireForge Foot Sergeants as crossbowmen (see below):

The remaining 24 were a combination of Spear, Battle Axe, Sword and Mace. Excellent figures (see below, another gamer noted their potential usefulness for Frostgrave):

Need another box of these ;)

Dreaming Big - Maximilian Renaissance Army List 1499-1518

Dream Big: Laid out in "card bases" (suitable for 28/25mm figures) as per the Impetus Rules. I give you "The Maximilian Imperial Renaissance Army List 1499-1518" (see below, note that's not a small carpet it's on!):

And (sadly) this is the (small) portion I have managed to paint over the last decade, but on the upside I have had fun (see below):

Compare the above to when the ensemble includes the lead mountain (see below, approximately 50% of the potential full army):

You will know what I'll be doing for the next twenty years (if given the chance)!

Foot Sergeants (FireForge) The first "few" of the "many" 28mm

The 'plastic mountain' is being attacked. The next box of 'sexy 28mm plastics" under scrutiny is the "foot" equivalent of the Mounted Sergeants, the humble "Foot Sergeant". As a complusary Impetus 'Crusader Army' maneouver element the "crossbows" are assembled first (see below):

I am planning to mount six to a base (2 x Trained Crossbow), needing two for the army minimum, leaving enough in the pack of forty four to assemble the four compusary (FP) Foot Sergeants, again mounting six to a base. As there are ten figures left over I could even up the figure count to eight a base if necessary wrt the Foot Sergeants, all depending on how the aethetics of the base looks!

Footnote: The more I look at my current FireForge boxes, rather than looking to the Holy Land the boxes point to a Teutonic interest. The "good" news theer is that their enemies (Mongols) come in "Plastic Box Sets"! Hmm, a cunning plan is forming in my tinty mind ;)

Missing "Back Four" Found - 28mm Mounted Sergeants (FireForge)

Handed back to me by my errant son, the four Sergeants-At-Arms were made, finally armed in the end with short spears (see below):

I had toyed briefly with the thought of geting four metal mounted handgunner figures from Redoubt Enterprises (and there is still the chance that I may) but looking at these I am hoping to fit them into a Renaissance army .. but looking at the army lists they seem more Crusades. Am I branching out (again) should realy just paint them first and then decide ;)

Mounted Sergeants-At-Arms (FireForge Games) aka Mounted Crossbowmen for my Impetus Renaissance Army.

After all this work on micro (1/3000) scale stuff I had the urge to put together some 28mm plastics (aka the "big stuff" that I can see better - 15mm scare me these days) together and chose the FireForge Games Sergeant-At-Arms (mounted) as it was on top of the "stack" (a "last-in" but "first-out" of data structure). Nice kit and I have been waiting to do these for some time. The box is a direct copy of the Mounted Sergeants but it has a 'sprue' of six crossbowmen which was the deal breaker as it will be ideal to give me an extra Impetus stand (or two, if I hide a sword armed chappie in the midst of the block of four and get eight from six .. a cunning plan) for my Maximilian 'Italian Wars' Renaissance Army (see below, notice how there are only two sprues of bodie parts to make up eight men, strange at first I thought I was going mad as I thought I had counted twelve, I then thought it must have been a packing error. I then found out I was the victim of a childish prank by my eldest for pulling him out of PS4-land making him see natural sunlight - silly as he obviously forgot his birthday is coming up soon .. looks like the Physics or French text book it is then! So all is well I have twelve to play with):

So the horses went together sweetly, very reminiscent (in a good way) of Games Workshop standard troop types that will lend themselves well to good brush stroke painting, The mounted crossbowmen were cool to put together although I cannot vouch for the poses I chose given the horses were all going at the gallop. The boys might in reality "fall off" in real life (see below, there are eight here but now that I have been reunited with the missing 'body sprue' I have another four axe, sword, spear and mace ones to make):

They are a good but and together with the Mounted Sergeants (FireForge Games .. still to assemble), the Men-At-Arms (Perry's Miniatures .. still to assemble) and the Teutonic Knights (FireForge Games .. assembled but still to paint) I have more horse than I can shake a stick at (or should that be 'pike at'). I do still have the mad urge to get the Perry, Light Renaissance Horse too, but that is because I am getting a little "28mm mad" seeing everything that comes as plastic in a box circa £20 as a bargain!

January/February "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 8) The End

A dispatch has made if in front the battle recounting its last hours ...

The final position: While the French consolidated their gains the arrival of the Dutch guard and the spirited defence of the Prussians (pounded by musket and shot and harassed by the guard cavalry) meant that the allies were able to hold on.

The stalwart allied defence of their right (see below): 

The Dutch guard come up to support the wavering English defenders (see below): 

The Prussians (an 'all musket formation' the shape of things to come) hold off all attacks despite suffering 50% casualties (see below, one base missing and a lot of casualty rings on one of ones remaining): 

The French hold the two towns on their right (see below, a fortified tavern the scene of murderous hand-to-hand fighting): 

The left most strong point has fallen but the French are in no position to contest the bridge without a deadly firefight they are unlikely to win (see below): 

The battle progressed a few more moves but the French decided that they were running out of infantry to press the attack home. Therefore we stopped it last night. The idea is to have a look at the campaign board game next week so we can learn it ready for the campaign.

So in the end the Allies have successfully defended and gained the "battle honours" of the day (an unhistorical result) for simply "still being there" at close of play. As indicated it is the best of wargame results as it allows both sides to return to the map to plot a "what-if" and possible follow up battle/mini-campaign.

Great fun was had by all. I just wish work and family commitments could have let me play some more, maybe the next one!

:)

January/February "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 7)

Sadly I missed the last instalment of the "Big Batle". However I was fortunate to receive this update from one of my fellow commanders ...

"The French are pressing the attack on their left (the allied right). One battalion has left the town in column. The allied cavalry allowed them time to form up before charging!" (See below): 

My comment: The French march remorselessly onward (see below):

"Fortunately after a little persuasion one allied cavalry squadron ploughed in. The infantry were shaken by the charge and fired high missing most their targets. In the ensuing melee they were routed from the field hotly pursued by the allied horse." (see below): 

"Also both towns on the left of the allied lines fell with the allied forces eventually fighting to the very last man. The French forces on their far right were sent orders to turn the allied left since the towns had fallen. Their forces came out of the town in column and then lined up at the river. They exchanged volleys with the defending allies who reformed to face them. The French volley was largely ineffective but the allies withering return volley caused the French to run." (see below): 

"Despite this local success the allies are only slowly forming a viable defensive line against the ensuing onslaught of infantry ploughing through the towns and fields on the allied right." (see below): 

"Still the situation on the allies right looks difficult. As the French bring more of their troops to bear, the allies are awaiting the appearance of the Dutch guard, who they understand are marching down the road in support. Can the allies hold their nerve?"

The battle continues ... and I hope to rejoin it :)

The (Early Imperial) Romans are coming ... in 28mm

For a while now (well it seems to have been about ten years actually) I have continually found myself "humming and 'arring" about moving up to 28mm for certain ranges of figures. My thoughts ...

For ECW and Renaissance is sensible in 25mm/28mm to me (so I have collected some Warlord Games, a pack here and a pack there od Scottish ECW to honour a Scottish connection in the family but .. ahem, sadly without painting them .. er yet - but hang on I did paint up some Wargames Foundry metal Landschneckts, a herd (12) Redoubt Miniatures Mounted Men-At-Arms and some old Games Workshop Warhammer Empire figures to great applause).

Napoleonic's (as in big battles) were traditionally 15mm (but I painted them so, so slowly), but then the likes of Sharp Practice gave an excuse for 28mm and likewise, and I should say recently AWI "skirmish" gave me the excuse to unashamedly buy a box of Perry's AWI British Infantry (of which I have fully painted one out of the thirty odd to date, head hangs in shame) as well as collect a pack here and a pack there of various Napoleonics.

Ancients though were always thought of as safely 15mm for me, particularly because of my painful obsession with collecting DBM armies starting with the Greek City States. Just as that seemed to be going out of fashion Xyston miniatures (perhaps briefly) breathed life back into in and bring it into fashion IMHO. Their hoplites "stole my breath away" Top Gun style but I fear ruined my ageing eyes, I will still paint my Thracian tribes. To be fair this was fun as I did paint a fair few hoplites (and true I still have a fair few still to do). But then the Romans a dilemma ...  but I had time. I had read lots of Greek history and I would naturally have to do the same for Rome. There is a lot to read.

I made a small 15mm DBA army (Early Roman Imperial actually .. that's one of the reasons I still need the Thracians) but stalled, it didn't feel right. I knew it all started with "Foundry" and how their 28mm figures looked so beautiful when well painted. Republican, Caesarian and Early Imperial  .. but the lead was horribly expensive (though Xyston was not cheap for anything beyond DBA into DBM or DBMM territory) .. so I held back for fear of financial ruin and then came the plastic 28mm revolution, so it went back on the list "of wargaming things to do before you die", the Warlord Games Early Roman Imperial starter set became a "must".  I must have passed one by half a dozen times but held back as my attention was on "other matters of import". Then they went "out of stock" ... argh ... then they restocked, but I saw this bargain advertised on eBay and the deed was finally done (see below, 80% percent of the figures already put together [cleanly] but painting not started):  

The "defence" rests its case and I throw myself at the mercy of the court! The Army Painter method (aka dip) will be applied this year methinks. Note: They will also be very useful for my "Roman Fantasy" .. "Lost Legions" from Osprey Wargame Rules and perhaps a run out with "FrostGrave" game nights!

That's my plan or excuse anyway ;)

Footnote: WW2 is 20mm (a huge assortment collected over the past 25 years, lots unpainted) and 1/200 (a sensible early war collection) or 1/300 (a lot of donated and aquired lead in the form suitable for a proto 1944 German Panzer diviusion) anything else is madness .. so don't ask me why I have a large box of unpainted 15mm in the loft and why on earth I have a pack of Perry's 28mm 8th Army and DAK in the "should be a simple Project Box". Naval and Air will have to be dealt with elsewhere dear reader ;)

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere inthe 'LowCountries' (Part 6)

The artillery dual continues. Despite the French cavalry being frozen in place my gunners performance is lamentable, I guess we were shooting at where we thought they were going to go. Our counter battery fire was much more effective as we dispatched a large French piece of ordnance to the heavens (see below):

Meanwhile the Allied right flank was in turmoil as "about face and form a second defensive line" was the order of the day. Word had come from the farmhouse on the far right (unhelpfully out of camera shot) that it was more likely to "rain whiskey" than retain hold of the bastion (see below, as movement with these formations is ponderous best start any convolutions early to stand any chance of getting it right):

The French were also on the move. Seeing that they had far to many troops crammed in such a small place they thought it best to "recycle the troops" so those that were getting worn by the Allied defensive fire make way fro the fresher troops at the back. It was also hinted that the french needed to extend the frontage of their attack to avoid being "condensed" and not so manoeuvrable (see below):

A horrendous second round of melee is fought with a third French infantry brigade fed in as support. The Allied (British) have seen far better days, rolling a paltry 5 combat dice (needing 4,5 or 6 to score a hit) compared to the 18 combat dice of the French (again needing 4, 5 or 6 to hit). Three to one odds in favour of the French, lots of  "Brigade Level" command with (3) Colonels shouting encouragement  and a (1) General "with a fine wig" attached to boot, plus probably an elite here and there, it all added up (a "+1 for pike was dismissed as thankfully we were fighting in a built up area"). We were quite pleased at the 3 hits inflicted on the French until we received a staggering 13 in return ... that was impressive dice throwing. All that remained of the British was a reduced strength stand "containing the colours" (see below, the flag stands aloft waiting to be inscribed with its new battle honours):

The morale rsult was a forgone conclusion as the brave British are force to retire. The Allies are now scrambling to form a second defensive line before the French infantry can make their mass of infantry count.

Next: A deadly race

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 5)

Two French infantry brigades launch themselves into the maelstrom of close quarter fighting on the Allied right flank. The French are up in starting numbers (2:1) but have suffered casualties but the considerable number of Colonels (2) and General (1) attached seemed to sway the combat via their modifiers. Nevertheless 'good' Allied dice mean that a grinding draw ensues and the forces remain "locked in melee" see below):

The Allied counter to the potential loss of the right flank stronghold is to cause the Allied reserve cavalry formation to turn about and face this developing threat (see below):

Meanwhile over on the Allied left the French Guard's Brigade (solo) attack on a fortified farm-house is an unqualified disaster and the Guards leaved the field in a rout of surrender (see below, "Where have all the Guards gone?"):

Finally a tranquil shot of another piece of quality scenery, a placid stone bridge not yet troubled by the storm clouds of war (see below):

The significance of this is that "the bridge" is now "blooded" in a wargame battle having been painted by my own fair hands (last century). Cause for great celebration methinks! It was original chosen as suitably wide for a WW2 20mm tank to cross it (even an Airfix Tiger could get across it) despite it being 25mm 'block and brickwork'.

Next: The great reckoning begins

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 4)

The "hel" of the infantry combat finally started in earnest.

On the Allied left flank the Elite Dutch Queen's Dragoons has seen of the French Dragoons and were now facing a combined infantry assault from two regular French infantry brigades. As the Frencg approached they laid down a devastating defensive fire but took casulaties in return (see below):

To the immediate right of the Dutch Queen's Dragoons an advanced Allied strongpoint was being attacked by four brigades of French infantry, including a Royal Guards unit. They had been assailed by hail and shot from two medium Allied artillery batteries as they traversed the open ground suffering badly. The steadfastness of Guards held sway as came within musket range, even though a stand was removed the attack was going to go in come hell or high water (see below):

Meanwhile the Dutch Queeen's favourites were hard pressed but fighting like demons (aka good dice rolling by the Allied side) to win the fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The key for survival was to win the first combat as the likelihood of being "strong enough" to go again could not be counted on. A small force could hold at bay a larger "worn" force (see below):

The Allied forward strong-point caused the French some organisational and command ordering problems. The elan of the French Guards took them in but their more conservative (with a small 'c') French Line failed to generate the morale courage and wavered in the attack. This left the depleted (two out of the original three stands) French Guards attacking a fortified/built-up-area (albeit still smoking from an Allied artillery bombardment), outnumbered by the defenders 3:2 and taking additional casualties on the way in. You could not paint a more 'worse scenario' for the French Guards but "hey ho", that is how they justify the pay they draw from teh French Crown (see below, the initial combat rolls look bad for the French Guards):

Meanwhile ten French Infantry brigades were hoping to smash the Allied right flank. The sound of canon and musket caried acoss the whole batlefield.

Next: The murderous right

January "Big Battle" in Seventeenth Century ... somewhere in the 'LowCountries' (Part 3)

The main concern of the Allied high command was focused on the developing major attack on the Allied right. Three brigades of Allied infantry (one of which were Dragoons) manned the stout defences and fortified buildings, with one infantry brigade in reserve (see below, it has to be noted that the French had reduced the defensive protection of the nearest house through continued bombardment):

The French infantry were massing ominously in front of the valiant Allied defenders (see below):

In total ten French infantry brigades (and two additional Dragon formations off camera) faced the defending four, pretty much the prescribed three-to-one odds (see below):

Meanwhile the French cavalry dance continued (see below):

With a jiggle here and a retire there they were a mass of moving horse slowly picking up casualties (see below):

The "yellow measuring tape of dismay" shows the direction of a retiring French cavalry reigiment (see below):

This dance was interrupted as noises from both flanks indicated the infantry was going in!

Next: Unleash hell!