Arthur's Knights for Dux Bellorum

First of all since I am not working in an academic environment I will steal a good idea in a heartbeat; I'll give credit but steal it non the less.  Before I go any further I must point out as I build my Dux Bellorum forces how inspirational the following blogs have been:  Paul Scrivens-Smith at the site Scrivsland and Steve Jones at Steve's Paintingshed.  In fact Steve has an excellent Dux Bellorum article in Issue 62 of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy which is where I was inspired to use 120 mm as my base width for Dux Bellorum.

Here are the first 3 units for my Roman-British Army featuring Arthur and his "knights" which are a mix of Wargames Foundry and Old Glory.

In the lead are the Mounted Companions of armored cavalry with Arthur himself.  Had to put my new trees in the background!

The other 2 stands are Noble riders which are 2 units of armored horseman.  I may do another unit of Noble riders if I can convert some other cavalry.  The banner with the religious icon of Mary and Jesus was downloaded from Wargames Designs and I made the pole with 2 plastic pikes from Warlord Games' ECW infantry box.  I just notched the back of the pike to make a snug fit for the cross bean and instant banner pole.  I really like the trend of hard plastic miniatures.

Arthur's army for Dux Bellorum will of course have the Imposing Horseman special rule!  I am still working out the composition of the rest of the force and that will have to wait until I am done with my Late Roman army and Saxons (Early era).

Making Trees - Sorta

As I prepare for the going away game for Honorable Son #2 as he as his wife move on I suddenly realized that I had no trees for my growing collection of 28 mm figures.  I suddenly realized this while at work on Monday and the game is on Saturday. Yikes!  Here is what I did to get them ready in 3 easy days in the evening after work.

About 6 years ago I bought a kit to make trees from the local Hobby Lobby which were a perfect scale for 15 mm gaming.  By putting the trees together the price was also cheaper and I mounted each tree on a steel washer to weigh them down.  They turned out well but it took a while to make them.  With an English Civil War game this Saturday using the rules Victory Without Quarter I would not have enough time to make trees for 28 mm nor was I inclined to make them. 

Fortunately Hobby Lobby has a 40% coupon just about every week and after a quick stop I picked up 6 trees in the model railroad section for $14.00 US - what a great deal.  In addition I purchased 1/8 inch think beach oval plywood that is roughly 100 mm in diameter for the bases for $.84 US.  They had seven and I purchased them all.  The size of the bases are a bonus for me as I am using 120 mm for my base width as I build forces for Dux Bellorum.

The first step I took was to paint the edges of the bases using GW's Steel Legion Drab. I then used Elmer's All Purpose white glue to glue the trees to the bases.  Elmer's All Purpose white glue has been my go to glue for just about all my hobby needs except gluing metal to metal.

 

Once the glue was dried I liberally applied glue on the base and then watered it down with an old brush and spread it out over the entire base.

Standing by is an old plastic storage container filled with sand.  I have discovered that various grades of sand sold for model railroading is much cheaper than hobby sand sold for miniature gaming bases.

Once the glue has been spread out I dip the base in the sand and spread it around.  Once this was complete I let all six dry overnight.

The following morning before going to work, I applied another layer of white glue and watered it down to spread out over the sand.  Though an extra step, it is well worth doing this as it seals the sand better and makes it easier to paint.

 

When I came home on Day 2 I did the painting of the sand.  All paints are GW and I used my usual three step process of a base of Rhinox Hide, then a "wet" brushing of Mournfang Brown followed by a dry brushing of Bone White (I'm not sure what the new name is).  Since I am bachelor dad this week that is all I did that evening as I wanted to watch the movie "The Eagle" on Netflix.  Does the movie deviate from Eagle of the Ninth?  Sure it does - but there are cool fight scenes and a good reminder that the Roman army was the first professional military.

Now it is Day 3 and I once again spread some white glue about and then applied static grass from Gale Force 9.  About an hour later I added some additional scenic materials and some rocks and behold - new trees with 2 days to spare!

Starting with Dux Bellorum

Last Christmas Honorable Son #1 and his lovely bride gave me a copy of Osprey's Dux Bellorum by Daniel Mersey.

All I can say is "Wow".  The Dark Age rules that I have been waiting for.  Dux Bellorum focuses on Dark Age battles in Britain from the end of the Roman era to about the year 1000 AD.  Fortunately for me I already have figures to field a Late Roman Army and Early Saxons and I plan on building a Romano-British (Arthur of course!), Late Saxons and Land/Sea Raiders (Vikings).

Dux Bellorum is element based and to set the correct atmosphere for the armies, I have started 3 Leader bases for the Late Romans, Early Saxons and the Romano-British (Arthur of course!).  For basing I am going to use a 120mm frontage with a depth of 60mm for foot, 40mm for foot skirmishers and 80mm for all horse units.

First up is my Late Roman commander with his comitatus of Huns (hey it's my army, if I want Huns in Britain I'm going to have Huns in Britain).  I painted the Huns as "Roman" as I could to reflect them personally serving my Roman general. As you can see I haven't finished the bases yet.  Late Roman officer and armored Huns from Wargames Foundry.

 Next up is the leader of the Saxon Warband that will be causing problems for the Romans and Arthur.  Figures by Wargames Foundry.

 

Last but not least is Artos, Comtes Britannia leading his companions.  Arthur is by Wargames Foundry and his "knights" are from Old Glory Miniatures.  The flag is my first attempt at making my own flag and was created using Powerpoint of all things!

Army Command for the English Civil War

Honorable Son #2 will be departing for his officer basic course with Honorable Daughter-in-Law #2 in about 5 weeks so of course he wanted to have one more game before he goes.  Since I've been working on my English Civil War project (hint, hint) we decided that Victory Without Quarter would be the perfect send off.  For the game we are going to draft Honorable Sons #1, #3, #4 and #5 to be subordinate commanders during the game.

Just in time (I will be doing no painting, repeat, no painting leading up to the wedding in 9 days) I finished the army commands for both the Royalists and Parliament.

First up is King Charles I from Warlord Games with the Royal Standard carried by a hard plastic infantry officer from the Warlord Games ECW infantry box.

Flag from the wonderful site Wargames Designs.

The foreshadowing on the back of the command stand is an accessory from GW's Bretonnian Archers hard plastic box.

For Parliament we have the Earl of Essex by Warlord Games being cheered on by a Wargames Foundry officer.

The cuirassiers providing a Lifeguard for the Earl and the mounted officer are from Perry Miniatures.

Second Lieutenant Honorable Son #2

Long time war games opponent Honorable Son #2 and his fiancee have graduated college (Roll Tide!) and will soon be married.

Over the years, Honorable Son #2 has commanded Australians in the Western Desert against Rommel, High Elves against hordes of green skins, both Union and Confederate forces, the forces of Louis XIV, star ships and forces to numerous to count.

 Honorable Son #2 commanding his Australian Flames of War Army.  You play better if you wear a hat.

I was honored when he asked me to administer the oath of office as an officer in the U. S. Army.  I was even more amazed that I could still fit into my uniform.

So here's to you my fine son and future daughter-in-law.  God has truly blessed us and I look forward to our last game before you start your life with your beautiful bride to be.