Fort Gaines

     I recently traveled with my family and friends to lovely Dauphin Island, Alabama for a relaxing vacation.  

      Dauphin Island is a beautiful beach community which is not overly commercialized; a few eating establishments, a bakery, great seafood, the Dauphin Island Sea lab and museum plus miles and miles of beach.  So let's recap: beach, great food, cool museum and the bonus of an American Civil War fort.  Sweet.

 

     Located in Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island had been home to the Native Americans and was first settled by the French in 1699.  Fort Gaines is on the eastern tip of the island and was built between 1821 and 1848. It was occupied by Confederate forces in 1861, and captured by Federal troops during the Battle of Mobile Bay.The phrase, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," was spoken by U. S. Admiral David Farragut just a few hundred yards from Dauphin Island's shore.  Exhibits include the huge anchor from the USS Hartford Admiral Farragut's flagship during the battle.  

USS Hartford

The fort also has the original cannons used in the battle, five pre-Civil War brick buildings in the interior courtyard, operational blacksmith shop and kitchens, tunnel systems to the fortified corner bastions, and similar features.  A self-guided tour is available which took us approximately 1 hour to complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perry French Artillery in Overcoats

It's been a bit of a dry spell on the mustering (painting) front lately. The Emperor's forces in the Peninsular are sending dispatches as to when the artillery will arrive. Sat down last week and knocked out Perry Miniature's French Line artillery in overcoats.





As I started to paint, I was concerned that the blue overcoats would be too dark and the figures drab with the overalls also painted blue. I experimented by painting the overcoats with GW's Regal Blue and then using GW's Blue Wash over it. The effect made the overcoats shiny; but I wasn't concerned since I spray the figures with a flat overcoat when done. Just to play it safe, I did one figure completely first to make sure they weren't too glossy. As the photos demonstrate, they came out just right.




Now I just need to paint the guns and then mount them on two stands for Volley and Bayonet.

Perry French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery WIP #3

I finally finished the Perry Miniatures French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery for Volley and Bayonet. The conversion of the old Minifigs artillery turned out okay; the gun carriages look a little small but, hey, they'll work.


Next up will be the French Foot Artillery in overcoats with the actual 8lb guns provided by Perry Miniatures. In addition, I'm going to do 2 batteries of Front Rank Royal Horse Artillery at the same time.

Perry French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery WIP #2

As I mentioned last time, I mount 2 gunners per base for my Volley and Bayonet artillery in 28mm. Since I have 4 Guard Horse and 4 Line I was short 2 guns. I have 2 old French Guns that I have kept for along time with my "bits" and I believe they are Minifig 25mm. My plan is to utilize them as 6 lb guns. One of the guns has a broken axle so I sent it to the local depot for repairs.


Tools for repair will be the hand drill I bought from Games Workshop, a wire cutter, some small files (not shown) and super glue.

Brass rod is extremely handy an available in various diameters in most hobby shops. I have used brass rod for making standards and for strengthening the fit of some models.
I used the hand drill to drill out the old axle and make a deep enough hole for the brass rod. After a quick measurement and snip of the wire cutter, I put a few drops of super glue down the hole and inserted the brass.


I let the rod dry for five minutes and then glued on the wheel. I waited about 20 minutes to make sure the bond was set and then filed the end of the rod smooth.

I then gave the gun a quick (and I do mean quick!) paint job. For the wood I used GW's Goblin Greena and then a wash of Ork Flesh followed by a dry brushing of highlights with Camo Green. The metal fixtures are just black and the barrel was "wet" brushed with Shiny Gold.

Perry French Imperial Guard Horse Artillery WIP

I finally got started on the French Imperial Guard Horse artillery from Perry Miniatures. I've said it before and I'll say it again - there is nothing like painting great miniatures to bring out the best you have as a painter. These figures are a pleasure to paint. The base colors have been finished and now it's time to do some highlighting, detail work and clean-up of some painting "mistakes". The finished product will provide 2 batteries of artillery for the Emperor's Volley and Bayonet army.


I think that technically the above figure is an NCO, but I decided to paint him based on a print of an Imperial Guard Horse Artillery officer at Waterloo. Looking at the picture, I need to clean up the cuff and gold trim on his right arm.


Above are the other 3 gunners that come with the pack. I recently started using mounting the figures on bottle caps when I paint. Previously I would put them on hobby craft sticks; but now that I am doing more 28 mm figures, the craft sticks were not working as well for me - especially for this period! More straps, lace, etc., to paint - not to mention poking myself with bayonets and hoping I don't break them off.


This figure screamed old campaigner to me. Most of the time I paint the faces first as it gives the figure "character" and helps motivate me as the painter. Nicely animated pose; you can imagine him sighting down the barrel or making sure all is ready to fire on the enemies of France.


Just a shot of the Battery commander and the old campaigner. The pictures really does not do justice to the coveralls that all of the figures are wearing.


Parting shot of the other two figures that will be on the other battery. Once done, I'm going to repaint some old Minifig artillery pieces for them to use. The 8 pounder that came with the pack I'm going to use with the Line Foot artillery pack.