ACW Union Reinforcements

Hello Again! As a follow up to the Confederate post earlier here are some Union reinforcements. Again there are cavalry to fight off those pesky bushwackers. Here is the complete painting group.

These are all Perry figures with a flag from GMB. GMB's website is here. I noticed when posting the picture the trooper behind the officer, pointing a rifle at him. I was going to change it when |I thought 'Well every unit has an unpopular officer somewhere!'

Here is a close up of that officer. You will see in the unit that I have used a number of different shades to the trousers. After reading a number of different painting forums and then photographing some reenactors I came to the conclusion that although a company or even a regiment could be out fitted all at the same time the dyes in clothing during this period could fade at different rates, due to their wearers activities, and the unregulated dyes used. Also I wanted to get away from the 'cloned' look where everyone looked identical, down to their shirt buttons. M Union cavalry have many different shades of trousers and most have a hint of  Vallejo 974 Sky Green. This is because there were two dyes used to make this colour and one faded at a faster rate than the other giving a slight green hue.

Again I painted another casualty marker. This a Redoubt Enterprises Union cavalryman, now available from Grubby Tanks, on a warbases base. 

Here is the bugler and another trooper. The jacket colours are Vallejo colours again: 898 dark sea blue, 899 dark Prussian blue and 965 Prussian blue.

Obviously my Union cavalry shall be desperately short of buglers!

Here the rear view of another group of figures. The basing details are from Great Escape Games and the stones are courtesy of the Local Council after they gritted my road!

Lastly a picture of the Standard Bearer and that popular officer! The flag is flapping in the breeze as per the feature I had published in Wargames, Soldier and Strategy Magazine Issue 101.

More ACW Recruits

Hello there! I have recently completed some further recruits for my ACW project. As all units are on bases of four for infantry and two for cavalry each unit requires a casualty marker.

I make a point of completing one marker for every group of figures I complete. This avoids the chance of me having to paint a lot of markers all at once which I could find boring.

I believe that this marker was a casualty figure from the Perrys range. Over the years I have collected many such markers from different companies and scrap boxes from a number of wargaming shows. This is based on a dial from Warbases. Their website can be accessed  here.

For this figure I decided to use a mixture of browns rather that greys and standard black accoutrements.

Here is the complete line up. On close examination you will see that there are two standard bearers awaiting standards. These figures are from the Redoubt range of figures which are now available from Grubby Tanks. Their website is here.

These are painted in a mix of browns, greys and civilian dress.

Here an officer, who looks like a Mississippi card player and gambler leads the way.

Next a couple of figures in shirts. These seem quite common in Confederate cavalry of the time, especially bushwackers and raiders. All figures have also had an airbrush at the bottom of the trousers to show some wear and dirt.

Lastly the two standard bearers who are awaiting flags. It is difficult to see the figure when there is a standard in the way. There is another Mississippi gambler and further  troopers.

Further recruits are on their way!

  

Desert Game

Hello There!  I have realised that I have not posted my most recent wargame, so before I go on a short holiday. As the weather is so sunny at the moment a desert game would seem appropriate.

Here is the battlefield from the Italian end. A scattering of dunes with an oasis on the centre right. The objective was for the Italians to exit the board at the top with as many forces as possible. The forces from both sides entered the board as per random dice throws which determined when and where they entered.

The Italians led the way with their tanks and the motorised infantry following. The British entered at the top left and their infantry headed for the ring of dunes which provided cover and to leave the open area of desert to the British tanks following them.

The Italian tanks lead the way, hatches open looking for any threats.

A small recon unit pushed past the oasis looking for the enemy.

The British, complete with their recon, debussed from their vehicles and set up their heavy weapons under cover.

The Italians started an attack on the enemy infantry position while using their attached anti tank unit to keep the enemy armour at bay.

Both sides used smoke to try and either delay or cover their advance. With a number of poor dice throws for the British the Italians gradually overwhelmed them.

Meanwhile the armour slogged it out for the Italians to again get the upper hand.

The figures and vehicles were 20mm and were mostly SHQ Miniatures and some Kellys Heroes from Grubby Tanks.

We used Rapid Fire rules but with some personal modifications.

Although it appeared a little one sided this was an exciting game with dice results going too and fro during the game but eventually the Italians out flanked and overawed the British forces.

Wargames, Soldier & Strategy Magazine, Issue 102

The next issue of WSS is nearing completion and in this issue is a feature on making explosion markers and large woods, written by myself.

The idea for this feature came from my time at the Coltishall Cowards Wargames Club, in the 1990's. 

The magazine can be purchased here

Birch Seed Scale - Leaves

Hello There! I have been asked about the leaves that I use for some of my models. I saw these used on a model makers web site many years ago then bought some from a supplier soon after that.

Apologies for the poor photograph, as the weather here is very overcast today. I looked into how I could make some of these. Living in the countryside, here in Norfolk I was surrounded by Silver Birch trees. All I had to do was wait for the right time of year! These have been soaked in glycerine and then paint.

The packaging I have used is an old Perrys blister pack. I have included a ruler to show the size of packaging and leaves.

These are £4.00 a pack plus postage. Due to the labour intensive way of making these I only have six of these currently in stock.