JOHNB: tuesday terrors: IRREGULAR VIKINGS in 40mm (25 points)

Squirreless again! The Vikings failed the test..... First though you get a sample of Irregular Miniatures 1848 Range! of course repurposed from their other ranges! Enjoy Danes, Romanians, Tuscans, Modenanians and Parmese oh, and a cafe selling wargame figures......

In March Ian Kay who runs Irregular Miniatures will be retiring and his business will cease production. As someone has said he cast a million figures in 45 years and they travelled to wargamers all over the globe.

Ian Kay represents that era of the metal miniature where sculptors often were manufacturers as well. I met Ian at wargame shows where his stand was an extension of his workshop - it was not flashy but a veritable mine for figures piled in recepticles with the ranges laid out on shelves above.

A far cry from todays pre packed and branded ranges on offer.

I have even met the man at his home when I collected some figures but wanted to do a size comparison check first. He said just pop in when I was passing. He was just so accommodating and I thank him for that and his service which I found to be excellent.

All the best Ian for your retirement.

For some people Irregular were or are marmite - the rugged nature not loved or the style unappreciated.

In years to come people will recognise that these figures were an artform in the same way that a printed digital STL file is an art form of sorts - at least if it gets painted!

The cast metal figurine is most definitely a piece of sculpture and the mere fact that flames, heat and sweat are involved means its a very human creation.

We should celebrate the metal casters even more so as their kind diminish. As it happens I bought these 40mm Vikings at a cafe in York - back in 2022!

It is a pity the sets came in threes...............

They have since sat in a corner but in pursuit of squirrels I suddenly thought - their different. Only after painting them did I consider the 25 point cut off. Its hilarious as this AHPC I have done quite a few items for squirrels without considering their below the points threshold. heyho.

Whats more I had a varnish disaster with these figures - a first for me.

I had decided to play around with some washes and super diluted some colours to create bland cloaks on two figures. Two days of drying before varnishing did not prevent the vallejo matt varnish reigniting the washes. However I stopped and actually decided I had just made them a bit more timeworn!

The paint jobs are a mixture of citadel and vallejo paints regular and contrast even the odd one dating back a decade or more and still in great condition. However I also used some windsor and newton sepia ink wash over the initial white primer which while excellent for shading may have contributed to my varnish issues.

TOTAL POINTS are 3 x 40mm vikings = 3 x 7 points = 21 points.

First of all thanks for taking me down the Irregular Miniatures memory lane John.  For me if I was looking for that niche figure, or one that could be morphed into a niche figure, Irregular was THE go to place.  Looters with torches, wagons, odd animals, medieval bombards - check, check and check!  Love these old school vikings and the old school paint job that suits them to a tee.  I'm round you up to 25 for the nostalgia.

From John B: Friday Crew: 1848 Modena Dragoons (Lust) (84pts)

When I stumbled on 1848 (a lone warrior article on 19th century warfare) I quickly became absorbed by the Italian Wars of Independence. I also quickly discovered that the three wars also traversed uniform revolutions and seemingly few figure ranges were available in any scale. Well it turned out that this period between the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War/Franco Prussian War saw troops still wearing Napoleonic uniforms alongside nascent spiky helmet/kepi uniforms. So I have pundered all sorts of ranges to get what I want. However these figures are from a period relevant range. We won't talk about submarines and machine guns but lets say the 1848 inbetweenie era has a lot going for it. Today I have returned to the Italian peninsula after last years AHPC14 preoccupation with the 1st Schleswig Holstein War. The wars in Italy were fought against a backdrop of duchies and small states jostling with the big guys like the Kingdom of Naples, Austro Hungarian Empire and the odd French intervention. One such duchy the Duchy of Modena had a story that sums up the conflicted nature of the peninsulas occupants. The Duke of Modena remained loyal to Austria even eventually taking his whole army into exile to serve the Austrians.

In the first war of independence (1848/1849) the army remained in place and the revolutionaries set up a provisional government after the Duke departed on the first occasion. The small army of the Modena Duchy only had 1 mounted squadron of Dragoons who were disbanded but then reinstated by the provisional government. So these Dragoons can be men of Duke Francis V or men of the Provisional Government of Modena. Take your pick as it all happened so fast that uniform regulation changes were patchy at best or non existent - maybe an arm badge or a piece of cloth tied to headgear marked you as revolutionary while wearing the oppositions uniforms. The figures are actually Neapolitan Dragoons from Irregular Miniatures (Yorkshire UK) and are in their metal 20mm range.

I reckon I get another 20 points for lusting after painting these light blue dragoons for a fair while. And I get 8 mounted figures of the 20mm variety. Scoring is therefore 8x8= 64 plus 20 pts for the 2nd circle of the Abyss completed. TOTAL SCORE = 84pts

I agree that the mid-19th century is a very colourful period for wargaming.  At some point between 1845 and 1875 almost everybody fought anybody, and the contrast between Napoleonic uniforms and tactics and "progressing" technology is fascinating. The chaotic situation on the Italian penisula only adds to the fun, and these Modenan dragoons are great for that!. I guess this also (narrowly) satisfies the criteria for Lust, so I won't deny you your bonus. Another 84 points then, well done.

Martijn

From John B: Friday Crew: 1848 8th Prussian Hussars [Limbo] (52pts)

Finally I am up and running in this years AHPC15. Way behind compared to last year which was my first time having a go. I was better prepared this year but life got in the way - of course that's what hobbies are about - fitting them in. First up I offer a couple of squadrons (my scale) of Prussian Hussars - the 8th Regiment circa 1848 to be precise. What I hear you say - those are 1806 Hat Napoleonic Prussian Hussars sporting the even then the venerable "flugelmutze". Well yes the models are Hat figures. Fortunately for 1848 followers the Prussians went retro at the same time as going cutting edge with their spikey helments and frockcoats.

Now I confess these figures were started back on the 13/01/2023 (sadly I have a painting diary with such detail) and they were on the paint table for AHPC14 but kept being bounced. So proper LIMBO figures then.

Having finally made it into the Wargaming Erratics Painting Portrait, I reckon they get me off the mark with 4 x 1/72 or 20mm mounted figures plus a LIMBO bonus. So the score is 4x8 = 32 pts plus 20pts for the 1st circle of the abyss - LIMBO. TOTAL SCORE = 52pts

Also this is the very first outing for my "painting portrait" theme for 2025 with a brand new backdrop painted today by yours truly. 2024 has turned out to be the last year of my "painting pedestal" theme - the pedestal got sold! Onwards and upwards or maybe that should say onwards and downwards into the 2nd circle of the abyss.

Good to see you on board, John! Yes, life does tend to get in the way, doesn't it? Well, you seem to have succeeded in pushing it back a bit, as I even see two entries from you today! I like these Prussian retro-hussars a lot. What rules are you using for them? And why 1848, the Year of Revolutions? Incidentally, your painting backdrop looks really good. 

52 points then!

Martijn

Wrapping it up for Lorenzo - AHPC14 - a great challenge!

Well back in December 2023 as I mulled over whether to join some online painting sessions I went and joined two at the same time, having never done these before. No regrets though. My painting capacity was stretched so that was a good thing and in more ways than I thought - I had assumed it would be just volume or rate. First up - the other event - Dave Stones "Paint what you've got" was meant for my existing paint queue. Well I managed just two lots - for 1848 - Pickelhaube Prussians and some Danish Volunteer Kepi Cavalry. I have been a bit naughty and slipped the Volunteer Cavalry into the "Final Collection picture". Its just a shameless plug for the the First Schlieswig Holstein War (which started on 24th March 1848). Hopefully Curt and my minion Sylvain will forgive me. Turning to Sylvain I must say a big thank you for his Musee des Fossilles backdrop to our Monday Crew. And I have really enjoyed discovering AHPC. Thanks to the Monday crew and all the comments people kindly left for me. The big story for my AHPC14 was I encountered the library challenge. This completely derailed my 1848 army painting plan. So the Lancers, Hussars, Cuirassiars, Dragoons, and more Artillery remained in the paint queue. In the event I managed..... 8 Danish Riflemen 8 Schlieswig Holstein Chassuers 12 Danish Guard Infantry 1 Danish Artillery piece I am happy with that, not to mention that at least another 5 units have now been started. Now back to the library challenge - this was fascinating - I got lost there. Which is at it should be. I then descended into fantasy courtesy of Doncaster Christmas Toy Fair. A venerable 1980's Games Workshop Cyclops was found hiding unloved at the back of one trade stand, who along with a Partizan freebie Empress Matilda 1140's era, made up my first non 1848 entries. Second up was a reconnaisance Spitfire from 1939 in "Camo Mint". A five quid snip at the same toy fair. I had then envisaged doing pink and then blue versions but I simply took too long on other entries that now demanded my attention. Suddenly Nissen Huts invaded my mind - apparently my first library trip was to one in a Nissen Hut. So this hut took a lot of time as it was built from scratch including the whole idea generation - Truly out of the blue: However it was the "more satisfying" for that creativity moment. Then another Partizan Freebie took my eye in the great figure heap - General Sikorski. He was duly painted up and some more DIY gave him a suitable plinth. Then it was back to 1848 with some Schlieswig Holstein Chasseurs. To complete the challenge I offered up a "figure bashed" sci fi character (magazine freebie ww2 german + bits and bobs) plus another toy fair bargain (1/32 ww2 soldier) who morphed into a cute monster - idea courtesy of the Wargaming Pastor. And last but not least was Noggin the Nog in 28mm from the little soldier company. Next here are some pictures.

As you can see a nice varied collection and Noggin the Nog sends his apologies but he is already gifted to my friend who suffers from dementia and was just delighted with him. It simply remains for me to thank everyone from Curt, organisers and minions right down to anyone who painted and presented - I really enjoyed this challenge both through my contribution and seeing what others created. thank you!

From Lorenzo: 1st Schlieswig Holstein War - Rebel Chasseurs plus History (68 points)

Next up I have completed some more of my forces for the 1st Schlieswig Holstein War. This time they are the Rebels - these were the German speaking people living in Schlieswig Holstein that was ruled by the Danish Monarchy as a Duchy. With two parties claiming ownership, against a background of mass european unrest, war ensued. 1848 was a decisive year for Europe as a whole.

When the war started no one was quite ready so the rebels who were supported by members of the German Confederation acquired some uniforms from the member states. This was important as their own supplies were of course the same colour as their opponents.

These Chasseurs are equipped in part with German style uniforms. This shako was only adopted by Prussia in 1854 for its own Jaeger. Notably they seem to have acquired some old Hanoverian British style water bottles! The figures are British Crimean Light Infantry by Strelets and are in their chunkier style. Like many 1/72 plastics which can vary from 20mm to 26mm! they always look better painted. I used basic vallejo acrylics along with some citadel contrasts on the brass fittings as a trial which i like and will probably try again. Notable with this war was the use of cockades - these figures sport both the rebels blue white and red cockade and the yellow/gold, black and red cockade of the German Confederation. One of the wargamer benefits of an unplanned rebellion is that standing instructions on equipment might not be honoured. This gives the painter freedom which is just as well because there are no complete ranges in any scale for the 1st (1848) or 2nd wars (1864). Which brings me to books. As the theme is libraries I thought I would dwell on the books I have found useful in my hunt for wargaming ideas about the Schlieswig Holstein Wars. First up has to be Ralph Weavers Partizan Historical Guide No9 "The Armies of the First Schlieswig Holstein War 1848-1851". This is most definitely the place to start. The guide gives brief details about the history before devoting most of the book to the armies along with some potted campaign sections.

I have found it an excellent and inspiring book. The bibliography shows the limitations of the print sources - but given many are German and Danish this guide as firmly anchored in my view. Another partizan guide called Uniformology No9 (again) covers the broader armies of 1848 European Revolutions. It does help give another flavour of the German confederation uniforms. Recommended.

Finally for 1848 Nick Svendsen published through Helion "the first Schlieswig Holstein war 1848-1850". This is an excellent all round history of the conflict as a military event. It covers the course of the war, the generals, the navies and armies as well as operations. It includes a good selection of old prints alongside new uniform illustrations which compliment those of the two other books. If you need more then the web has quite a bit on the naval side of things if you just search "first Schlieswig Holstein war". Finally for the 2nd war, where the Confederacy defeated the Danes in 1864, there are a lot more books available and often the war is covered in Franco Prussian (1870/71) and Austro Prussian (1866) war histories as they followed soon after: Plus Bismarck and Molke cut their teeth on the Danes, honing their political and logistical capabilities to make effective war.

Taking the library theme just a step further here is a book recommendation. I have found that reading about 1848 revolutions and rebellions reinforces the point that history for most people is quite stereotyped with constantly promoted themes. So finally I would recommend anyone looking for something different about the English or rather British Civil Wars can do no worse than read Anna Keay's the "Restless Republic". Straight off it is not a book about the wars as such but what followed them. That said I found it a really fascinating read. It is published by William Collins. Here is my map so far

Finally I reckon I have met the history task so claim 20 points plus the 12 figures at 4 points each. Grand Total 68 points. 

Sylvain: I am impressed by all the books you are referencing. The bonus location of the library you are claiming is supposed to be about "local history", but you are so passionate about the subject that I feel that you made it part of yourself. Your work on the uniforms is detailed and colorful. This is a great submission!  

 

From Lorenzo: 1848 Danish Artillery (Lates & Returns) + Marine Cyclops (Fantasy) + Matilda (Sarahs Library Cart) (94 points)

Well AHPC14 has brought out the erratic in me, gone are the plans to simply paint the Schlieswig Holstein armies piled high in my figure mountain. I got lost in the library.......

First up are some lates and returns and of course these are more Schlieswig Holstein Danish from 1848. A simple Artillery piece - yes I know they had machine guns but I have none ready. The base is using my standard method and I have added some photos of the stages as well as showing that for these 20mm chaps I base them on washers to get a height match with my 1/72 plastics. The figures are made and sold by Irregular Miniatures and from their Indian Mutiny Range - mid 19th century bell shakoes were the latest thing. These figures were lying with just red coats cast aside in the heap when AHPC14 rode into town.......

I reckon the 4 figures are worth 4x4 = 16 plus the artillery piece at 8 points plus the topic at 20 points gives me a total score of 44 points? Basing technique used is pendraken mdf 60x40, pva and bird grit (as per warhammer battles painting guide) then wet brush burnt sienna followed by dry brush ochre then highlight with a yellow white. I have found by trial and error the three colour shades that compliment each other. Then I grass the base - with my danish I tend to use gamers winter grasses as shown here.

Next up is a complete surprise. Between Xmas and New Year I went to Doncaster Racecourse and toured the Toy Show (80 odd traders). Its very planes, trains and automobiles but sometimes there is a bargain to be had. You have to be careful because the packaging often is more valuable than the kit so to speak. I bought some kits and told the guy I would be making them. A few punters nearby looked horrified :)

Anyway one trader had some lead in bags tucked by he's still making no effort to sell them. They looked liked fantasy figures. Needless to say they were old and grubby but at least bagged up. I liberated one figure that caught my eye. The base had FF14 on it and I had a sneaking suspicion they were citadel - early games workshop - a quick google showed they were actually 1980 Citadel fantasy catalogue figures and I had bought the Cyclops. A further search revealed on lost wikis that I had bought version 1 - that is the pre Michael Perry version. I made him my marine cyclops - just out the sea cave. I tried a new vallejo express contrast blue on him and was very disappointed with the contrast yet he actually came out ok colour wise so all's well that ends well. He had no weapon for the hand clearly intended to possess something. So I nicked a Perrys WOTR axe for him complete with gauntleted hand and added a touch of red to show the cyclops was in a hurry....... I reckon he meets the fantasy topic so that's 5 pts for a 28mm chap? plus 20 points for the topic? total score = 25pts Finally I have an entry for Sarahs cart which I might well need to use. I remembered I had some show figures buried in the mountain and decided I would have go at Empress Matilda. I took the colour scheme from a blog search for images. I tried some contrast paints from citadel which worked ok.

So I think that's 5 pts plus 20 points for the topic. total score = 25pts So the total should be 44+25+25 =94 if my math's is correct? 

Sylvain: A very interesting post. I like your shopping stories as well as your pictures showing how you work on your bases. Very informative. And your miniatures are fabulous as well. I am (not) sorry to hear that you were charmed by the chant of the bonus themes. It brought us some wonderfully painted miniatures. Where will you take us next week?