A Year's Hiatus

Sigh, finally back to the long-neglected blog. House renovations, travelling, and a general painting ennui have brought about an almost 12 month vacation from updating with hobby progress. While almost six months passed last year with absolutely no painting or building (aforesaid renovations included a new basement hobby area), gaming continued at my normal pace. But with the randomly-decided turning of the New Year, my painting mojo seems to have returned. So, some recent additions to my collections and something new...

First up, the last of the planned Wars of the Roses figures. I believe the collection is now up to 383 figures. These are two light horse units from Front Rank. To be fair, only one is new but I decided to base/re-base on round bases to provide a more light-horse-y feel.

In a similar completion vein, I have finally completed the last of the French & Indian War units. From Galloping Major, these are two skirmish groups of Stockbridge Indians for the British side, along with one Big Man. 

And two final units for the FIW collection, Royal Navy landing party with Big Man, from Galloping Major. This well and truly finishes the FIW collection (well, at least until something else shiny comes along).

And for something new?

AWI continentals from Wargames Foundry...

...and some state line (2nd NY) also from Wargames Foundry.

FIW: colonial militia

My last order from Galloping Major included some non-uniformed colonial militia, and lovely figures they are (as are all the GM figures).

One group loosely modeled on Pennsylvania Provincials (or Delaware - part of the the Province of Pennsylvania).

Two groups of generic militia/non-uniformed provincials.

A couple of figures were left over so went into a Deployment Point for the Provincials.

And a group shot of the British FIW force, not including any natives.

FIW: British grenadiers

I had a hankering to add some grenadiers to my British FIW force and wandered around the interwebs in search of suitable figures. My two favourite figure ranges for this project are North Star and Galloping Major. Unfortunately, neither include British grenadiers. The only other manufacturer that I like and somewhat closely matches my current collection in size and sculpting style is Front Rank but no raised detail on the mitres. This would be my fall back position if I found nothing else. Continued searching and found a vague reference on a forum or blog (can't remember where) to the Wargames Foundry SYW British range. My first thought was that Foundry figures would be too small (as is the case with most of their ranges compared to more recent sculpts... despite the fact a lot of their figures are quite lovely). But the online reference also mentioned the bulkier size figures. So an order went off to Foundry!

45th Foot grenadiers on the left (green facings); 40th Foot grenadiers on the right (buff facings). Both of these elite companies were part of the Louisburg Grenadiers, a composite battalion formed for the Quebec campaign in 1759 (along with the grenadier company of the 22nd Foot).

The Wargames Foundry figures were easy to paint and suit my painting style perfectly. Lots of raised detail guides the brush, making the large amount of lace and equipment a breeze (relatively speaking), and allowing washes to flow well.

FIW: Galloping Major and Front Rank additions

I recently received more fast turnaround orders from Galloping Major (best & friendliest service I've ever experienced in the hobby) and Front Rank. This time around I decided to bulk out the British forces with the addition of two skirmish groups of British infantry, a Royal Artillery gun & crew (from Front Rank), and some various command figures. I also included some leader figures for the French in the GM order. I had always thought that Front Rank figures were larger and bulkier than most other 28mm figures but the GM figures are even more so. Just the size and style that suits my painting style and ability.

Two skirmish groups of the 60th Foot, Royal Americans.

(Galloping Major)

Three new leaders for the British in 60th Foot colours.

(Galloping Major)

All of the 60th Foot together. 

Northstar figures in the rear and GM figures to the fore (with GM leaders). The GM and NS figures match well in style and size.

Royal Artillery.

(Front Rank)

Compagnie Franche de la Marine officers and NCOs. These will command their nominal troops as well as the Milices Canadienne who, historically, were also commanded in the field by CFdlM officers. These figures replace the few leader figures I painted from last year's Brigade Games FIW kickstarter. There is nothing wrong with the BG figures (sculpted by Paul Hicks); in fact, they're quite lovely but their sculpting style and lesser size don't match well with my current Galloping Major and Northstar figures.

(Galloping Major)

Two Deployment Points.

Left: These Front Rank figures were completed previously but rebased onto a larger round base.

Right: Galloping Major figures with GMB flags... 60th Foot.

 

FIW: Galloping Major Mohawks

My recent order from Galloping Major included some freebies, specifically native Mohawk warriors. While I didn't really need (or indeed plan for) another unit of natives, I could not ignore these beautiful figures. They are well-cast with few serious mold lines, and are sculpted with depth and character.

Six Mohawk warriors with leader.

(Galloping Major)

And with perfect timing, my next GM order arrived today... 60th Foot skirmishers and various command characters for the collection. And an order from Front Rank arrived yesterday with some British SYW/FIW artillery (and some more WotR figures... but they're for later).

FIW: new Galloping Major additions

I placed an order with Galloping Major on January 21, received the order in the Great White North on February 1, and completed the painting and basing today. That may indeed be the fastest turnaround time from order to completion ever for me. The GM figures are quite lovely (in a "fighting natives on the frontier" kind of lovely) and are chunky like the North Star miniatures. If I am to add to the collection, Galloping Major will definitely be my first port of call.

This completes Phase III of the French & Indian War project...

Two groups of Massachusetts provincial regulars

(or New Jersey... or Virginia post-1755).

(Galloping Major )

Two groups of armed settlers or frontier militia.

(Galloping Major)

Sundry armed civilians.

(Galloping Major)

FIW: British regulars

A recent order from Northstar included a few reinforcements for the French & Indian collection. I had decided that the project needed some of the iconic redcoats of the period. For these, I chose the 60th Foot (Royal Americans), mainly because I had painted the force commander with blue facings and I had the 60th Foot standards already in hand.

60th Foot, Royal Americans (Northstar Miniatures).

Mounted commander from Front Rank and sergeant from Brigade Games.

British Deployment point 

(Brigade Games figures from the recent kickstarter with flags from Flags of War)

FIW: Phase II complete!

A recently-received Front Rank order brought some bits & pieces for the French & Indian War project. Amongst some reinforcements for Michael's ImagiNation contingent, I slipped in a few FIW command figures and vignette pieces. This officially completes Phase II of the project. Phase I included basic SP2 forces and support options and Phase II completes the Deployment Points and some various command figures. Phase III is awaiting the fulfillment of the Brigade Games FIW kickstarter.

Primary Deployment Point for the French: mounted French general officer and Jesuit priest. 

(Front Rank)

British officer from the 60th Foot (Royal Americans). This figure will act as the British force commander (usually Level III). I have some British regulars on order from the Brigade Games kickstarter that will be painted up as the 60th.

(Front Rank)

Civilian vignette. 

I ordered a pack that included these and the priest above but it was only the latter I really wanted but decided not to waste these lovely sculpts.

(Front Rank)

British Primary Deployment Point:

Artillery officer scouting the terrain accompanied by an infantry officer (James Wolfe figure, I believe)

(Front Rank)

Ranger leader to command the Provincial Rangers.

(Front Rank)

FIW: French reinforcements

One of the advantages of having a completed project is the ease with which a new unit can be added. Now, when I say completed, of course I'm not naive enough to think that this is the end of the project (I'd certainly hope that 45+ years in the hobby has provided at least a modicum of wisdom... but I've been mistaken before). In an earlier post, I mentioned that I had completed Phase I of the project and in this case, that was not an attempt to obfuscate. Over the last few months, I've been able to complete a playable Sharp Practice 2 force for both the British and the French (and terrain pieces to go with them). In fact, both sides have a few options beyond the basic forces recommended in SP2. And after the announcement of the Brigade Games FIW kickstarter and its expected delivery date of September 2020, I judged the first part of the project complete and that the kickstarter figures would constitute Phase II . (edit: the kickstarter figures will be Phase III... I had forgotten that I have some Front Rank reinforcements on the way....primarily command figures and others for deployment points...these will be Phase II).

Thus, in a recent order to Northstar I slipped in a single pack of Compagnie Franches de la Marine. I already have one group of these but had eventually planned to augment this with another (so these are part of Phase III??). Adding them into the painting queue alleviated some burnout from working on the ImagiNations project (more of this anon).

Northstar figures painted primarily with GW contrast paints.

Both groups with Leader.

FIW: provincial gentlemen & native deployment point

Another filler effort while waiting for more FIW figures to arrive in the post. Digging around in my spares box, I found a couple of civilian figures from Blue Moon (produced by Old Glory). While not meant to fulfill any particular function in games, they nonetheless can add some character to the scene.

Here we have a somewhat haughty local land owner, perusing his holdings.

Another local, donning his provincial regimentals.

My last two Northstar native figures based together as a deployment point. I would have preferred some "skulking" figures, scouting the enemy by stealth, but those types of figures are rare and difficult to find (in my unpainted boxes and on the interwebs).

FIW: starting the French

My first batch of Northstar French FIW figures arrived a week or so ago and promptly pushed their way onto the workbench. These are lovely chunky figures that suit my painting style admirably. I also have a second batch of French figures in transit, including some fusiliers and grenadiers from Crusader Miniatures (also supplied by Northstar). As well, while waiting for the first Northstar batch to arrive, I had rummaged about in my lead pile o' shame and found a few extras to add to the force. All these together had been completed a week ago and waiting for their matt sealer. Unfortunately, Canada Post saw fit to spend 12 days delivering a package with the AP spray sealer cans the immense distance of three kilometers to my house. And after the first two coats (to all the figures below), they came out with a decidedly glossy finish. Check the can.... yup... "matt sealer." Try one more spray...nope... if anything, worse. Sigh... I then pulled out my trusty but time-consuming bottle of brush-on matt sealer. Tedious work... hmmph!

Compagnies Franches de la Marine

(Northstar)

Milice Canadienne

(Northstar)

natives

(Northstar)

Cannoniers-Bombardiers de la Marine

(Crusader Miniatures)

These were a boredom project while waiting for the Northstar order to arrive. These started out as Prussian SYW artillerists with some carving and filing. The uniform is close enough for my purposes, although they would normally have discarded the uniform coat and worked the guns in their habite-vestes. The gun (possibly not accurate) was from the extras pile and the limber (Front Rank) was purloined from the unpainted 18thc. ImagiNations pile.

 I chose also to leave the gun un-based to allow adding to the limber. Even though one horse would have had serious issues dragging such an artillery piece along crude tracks in the North American wilderness, I chose the single-horse limber for convenience. It has a smaller footprint and, more importantly, I had run out of limber horses.

Also from the lead pile, I found this 18th c wagon. Again, only a single horse because I had no more in the pile o' shame. I also needed to modify the limber arrangement to suit only one horse. The original wagon comes with a two-horse abreast limber so I ended up affixing a single-horse limber (same as the artillery limber above). I also added a barrel to the front of the wagon and baggage to the back of the horse (to cover up the limber-saddle). Incidentally, this entire piece was painted using GW contrast paints.

French CinC

(Crusader Miniatures)

This is actually an Austrian figure but the closest I had to French.

The french force so far. 

On the way are three groups of French infantry and another group of natives.