Reload marker for the Irish unit
Two casualty markers for the Irish
One last look and now time to paint the musketeers!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Montrose Irish Pike and Command all Complete!
. . . and I am very pleased with the results. After looking at the photos I need to touch up the commanding officer's face a bit but other than that - I like! Great figures from Warlord Games which makes it fun to paint.
I'm a retired Colonel of Infantry (Regulars by God!) and Military Historian who likes to play with toy soldiers. I've been married to the love of my life since 1986, I have 5 honorable sons (my geeks in training), 4 daughters-in-law, al2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 dog and a gazillion miniatures.
Hobbies include . . . wait for it . . . Toy Soldiers, Reading, Wargaming, Reading about Toy Soldiers, History, Reading about Wargaming, Gardening, Reading about History and Reading.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Montrose Irish Pike and Command WIP #2
I have finished painting the pike and command figures and it is now time to base them. My infantry are mounted for Victory Without Quarter and are on 60 x 60 mm wooden bases that I purchased from Litko Game Accessories. Litko's prices are extremely reasonable and their service is outstanding.
When positioning the figures I try to think: "What is happening in this moment of time with this unit?" The idea I came up is the officer is positioning the pikes and using the unit color as a guide. Some of the pikemen are still moving up while others are already positioning the pikes forward.
Pikes have not been added yet. The metal pikes that came with the figures are top quality and will be the last items added after the bases are finished.
Sand has been added to the base. I just use ordinary hobby sand that is sold at most stores that have model railroads for sell. I am generous with the watered down white glue. After letting it dry overnight I add another layer of glue to seal the sand in place. This extra step is worth the effort as it makes it easier to paint and protects against wear and tear.
Reload marker and one of the casualty markers. I experimented using GW's Flesh wash on the jacket of the casualty and then I went back over the jacket with the gray I was using. In the picture you can see the difference in the two jackets that were painted the same way except the musketeer reloading does not have the wash. I liked the result and will probably do that on a few of the musketeer figures to give some variety with the gray jackets.
After positioning the figures and checking their spots I affixed them with copious amounts of white glue. The Irish Brigade Flag is from Project Auldearn 1645. If you have not checked out this site you are in for a treat!
When positioning the figures I try to think: "What is happening in this moment of time with this unit?" The idea I came up is the officer is positioning the pikes and using the unit color as a guide. Some of the pikemen are still moving up while others are already positioning the pikes forward.
Pikes have not been added yet. The metal pikes that came with the figures are top quality and will be the last items added after the bases are finished.
Sand has been added to the base. I just use ordinary hobby sand that is sold at most stores that have model railroads for sell. I am generous with the watered down white glue. After letting it dry overnight I add another layer of glue to seal the sand in place. This extra step is worth the effort as it makes it easier to paint and protects against wear and tear.
Reload marker and one of the casualty markers. I experimented using GW's Flesh wash on the jacket of the casualty and then I went back over the jacket with the gray I was using. In the picture you can see the difference in the two jackets that were painted the same way except the musketeer reloading does not have the wash. I liked the result and will probably do that on a few of the musketeer figures to give some variety with the gray jackets.
I'm a retired Colonel of Infantry (Regulars by God!) and Military Historian who likes to play with toy soldiers. I've been married to the love of my life since 1986, I have 5 honorable sons (my geeks in training), 4 daughters-in-law, al2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 dog and a gazillion miniatures.
Hobbies include . . . wait for it . . . Toy Soldiers, Reading, Wargaming, Reading about Toy Soldiers, History, Reading about Wargaming, Gardening, Reading about History and Reading.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Montrose Irish Pike and Command WIP #1
For my ECW infantry regiments I paint the pike block and command for a unit first before doing my musketeers. I am really enjoying painting these figures and a ragged bunch they are - except for the officers! The pike stand will have 4 men with pikes, the commanding officer in his finest clothes and an ensign with a flag to be determined.
After spending last year painting oodles of highlanders, I can't believe I am painting plaid again! Fortunately they are being worn as bedrolls on these figures and paint quickly!
I decided to give the above pike man a faded red coat as some references on the Irish regiments in Montrose's force state that initially some of the foot had red coats. His coat is wearing out and he hopes to replace it with some Hodden Grey taken from one of my ancestors.
To give the unit a sense of uniformity, I decided to go with the "white" breeches that are mentioned in some references of the period.
The unit's commanding officer made a quick stop at the local store and was able to pick up the latest that the dashing gentleman of the period would be wearing. The figure is one of my favorite figures sculpted for the ECW from any manufacturer. Nest to him is his nephew who will be carrying the unit flag.
Victory Without Quarter can be used with markers to keep track of "casualties". Once a unit takes casualties equal to the amount of stands it has, it is removed from play. My infantry units have three stands and I have been doing 2 casualty stands per unit. Casualties are also from Warlord Games.
The musketeer reloading will be used as a . . . wait for it . . . reload marker. Once a unit fires a prepared volley they receive a reload marker and do not receive a firing bonus until they, well, reload.
After spending last year painting oodles of highlanders, I can't believe I am painting plaid again! Fortunately they are being worn as bedrolls on these figures and paint quickly!
I decided to give the above pike man a faded red coat as some references on the Irish regiments in Montrose's force state that initially some of the foot had red coats. His coat is wearing out and he hopes to replace it with some Hodden Grey taken from one of my ancestors.
To give the unit a sense of uniformity, I decided to go with the "white" breeches that are mentioned in some references of the period.
The unit's commanding officer made a quick stop at the local store and was able to pick up the latest that the dashing gentleman of the period would be wearing. The figure is one of my favorite figures sculpted for the ECW from any manufacturer. Nest to him is his nephew who will be carrying the unit flag.
Victory Without Quarter can be used with markers to keep track of "casualties". Once a unit takes casualties equal to the amount of stands it has, it is removed from play. My infantry units have three stands and I have been doing 2 casualty stands per unit. Casualties are also from Warlord Games.
The musketeer reloading will be used as a . . . wait for it . . . reload marker. Once a unit fires a prepared volley they receive a reload marker and do not receive a firing bonus until they, well, reload.
I'm a retired Colonel of Infantry (Regulars by God!) and Military Historian who likes to play with toy soldiers. I've been married to the love of my life since 1986, I have 5 honorable sons (my geeks in training), 4 daughters-in-law, al2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 dog and a gazillion miniatures.
Hobbies include . . . wait for it . . . Toy Soldiers, Reading, Wargaming, Reading about Toy Soldiers, History, Reading about Wargaming, Gardening, Reading about History and Reading.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
2015 Start: Montrose's Irish Brigade Box from Warlord Games
Happy New Year and may the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
An unexpected Christmas gift was from Honorable Son #1's sister-in-law! Even though there are only 24 figures to finish the Viking Sea Raider army for Dux Bellorum, they will now take a back seat to some wayward Irishmen in the wilds of Scotland.
As my English Civil War forces expand, and with a middle name of Campbell, it was inevitable that I include forces from Scotland. In raising my forces I have been following historical orders of battle in picking out units that would be fun or basically look cool on the tabletop battlefield. With 2 clans of Highlanders complete, what better than to add the Irish Brigade from Montrose's Royal Army in Scotland to provide support. I know venture forth to build forces that beat the crud out of my ancestors during Montrose's Scottish campaign (more on that later).
The Montrose Irish boxed set is all metal and comes with 4 command, 4 pike (with pointy sharp metal pikes!), 16 shot and a small pamphlet on the history of the Irish Brigade, painting suggestions, 7 flags and plastic bases.
The pike and shot figures are picked randomly from the line and gave me a fine mix for the units I am going to paint. The figures are outstanding, though the Irish Brigade ensign's pole looked like a spaghetti noodle that required careful and patient straightening. Several of the musketeers muskets were also bent but they were easily fixed. Warlord Games did a great job in portraying the unit on campaign; ragged uniforms and bare feet. The Irish Brigade officer is one of the finest figures I have seen for the English Civil War and the Irish Brigade Sergeant has an eye patch! The musician that came with the box is the Irish Brigade Piper which made me happy as I preferred that to the Irish Brigade Drummer.
Most of my infantry regiments for Victory Without Quarter have a pike/command stand with 6 figures and 2 stands of shot with 5 figures each. With that breakdown I will have leftover from the box 2 command figures (the sergeant and piper) and 6 shot left. I am going to use one of the shot that is loading his musket for a reload marker for the unit leaving me 5 shot figures left. One of the things I love about Warlord Games and Front Rank is the ability to purchase single figures. To make a second unit I will only need to buy one more ensign (probably the highlander ensign charging for variety), 4 pike and 5 shot. Not bad!
An unexpected Christmas gift was from Honorable Son #1's sister-in-law! Even though there are only 24 figures to finish the Viking Sea Raider army for Dux Bellorum, they will now take a back seat to some wayward Irishmen in the wilds of Scotland.
As my English Civil War forces expand, and with a middle name of Campbell, it was inevitable that I include forces from Scotland. In raising my forces I have been following historical orders of battle in picking out units that would be fun or basically look cool on the tabletop battlefield. With 2 clans of Highlanders complete, what better than to add the Irish Brigade from Montrose's Royal Army in Scotland to provide support. I know venture forth to build forces that beat the crud out of my ancestors during Montrose's Scottish campaign (more on that later).
The Montrose Irish boxed set is all metal and comes with 4 command, 4 pike (with pointy sharp metal pikes!), 16 shot and a small pamphlet on the history of the Irish Brigade, painting suggestions, 7 flags and plastic bases.
The pike and shot figures are picked randomly from the line and gave me a fine mix for the units I am going to paint. The figures are outstanding, though the Irish Brigade ensign's pole looked like a spaghetti noodle that required careful and patient straightening. Several of the musketeers muskets were also bent but they were easily fixed. Warlord Games did a great job in portraying the unit on campaign; ragged uniforms and bare feet. The Irish Brigade officer is one of the finest figures I have seen for the English Civil War and the Irish Brigade Sergeant has an eye patch! The musician that came with the box is the Irish Brigade Piper which made me happy as I preferred that to the Irish Brigade Drummer.
Most of my infantry regiments for Victory Without Quarter have a pike/command stand with 6 figures and 2 stands of shot with 5 figures each. With that breakdown I will have leftover from the box 2 command figures (the sergeant and piper) and 6 shot left. I am going to use one of the shot that is loading his musket for a reload marker for the unit leaving me 5 shot figures left. One of the things I love about Warlord Games and Front Rank is the ability to purchase single figures. To make a second unit I will only need to buy one more ensign (probably the highlander ensign charging for variety), 4 pike and 5 shot. Not bad!
I'm a retired Colonel of Infantry (Regulars by God!) and Military Historian who likes to play with toy soldiers. I've been married to the love of my life since 1986, I have 5 honorable sons (my geeks in training), 4 daughters-in-law, al2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 dog and a gazillion miniatures.
Hobbies include . . . wait for it . . . Toy Soldiers, Reading, Wargaming, Reading about Toy Soldiers, History, Reading about Wargaming, Gardening, Reading about History and Reading.
2014: The Year in Plaid
Plaid and tartans and stripes - oh my! Yes, 2014 was the year of the kilt. Not only did I finish my two clan units for the English Civil War, but I also painted a unit of Gordon Highlanders for the Sudan.
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Other than the English Civil War I made a major leap in Dark Age Gaming by rebasing and painting new figures for Dux Bellorum.
Above is the completed Late Roman army and here are some pics of the new Early Saxon army:
On the horizon in 2015 are plans to finish the Romano-Britain army (Arthur), the Sea Raider army (Vikings) and eventually paint a Late Saxon army.
Throw in some Lord of the Rings gaming and it was a highly successful year! Best wishes and may the Lord Jesus bless you in 2015.
It only took 3.57 days for my eyes to uncross after finishing
Perry Miniatures are always a pleasure to paint
With a total of 37 blog posts this year it makes it easy to track what I have done in the exciting world of Accurate Historical (and sometimes Fantasy) Representations of Fighting Men . . . or as my wife calls them, Toy Soldiers. Not only was it the year of parallel and perpendicular lines, but also the majority of my time was spent in the 17th Century with my English Civil War project. In addition to the 2 clan units I also finished 2 army command stands, 1 brigade command stand, 1 regiment of foot and 2 regiments of horse. Probably the most exciting part was playing 3 games of Victory Without Quarter which allowed the forces to fight for King and Country.
Rupert's Horse -Perry Miniatures
The Earl of Essex - Miniature from Warlord Games
The fading might of Rome
Figures from Wargames Foundry
Above is the completed Late Roman army and here are some pics of the new Early Saxon army:
You can never have enough Barbarians
On the horizon in 2015 are plans to finish the Romano-Britain army (Arthur), the Sea Raider army (Vikings) and eventually paint a Late Saxon army.
The first 3 units of cavalry for Arthur
Plus 2 Gaze of Intimidation!
Gripping Beast Vikings
Throw in some Lord of the Rings gaming and it was a highly successful year! Best wishes and may the Lord Jesus bless you in 2015.
The Vikings make their combat debut against the Uruk-Hai
The Dux Bellorum gazes into the future dreaming of future conquests . . .
I'm a retired Colonel of Infantry (Regulars by God!) and Military Historian who likes to play with toy soldiers. I've been married to the love of my life since 1986, I have 5 honorable sons (my geeks in training), 4 daughters-in-law, al2 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 1 dog and a gazillion miniatures.
Hobbies include . . . wait for it . . . Toy Soldiers, Reading, Wargaming, Reading about Toy Soldiers, History, Reading about Wargaming, Gardening, Reading about History and Reading.
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