New Research Material

 Hello There! I have plans to paint some 'fluff' for the table and for a future feature for WSS.

In the eighties I purchased the cantiniere from Minifgs. It was the only one, to my knowledge, available at the time and was my first contact with such 'fluff'.

The women who followed Napoleon's armies provided food and luxuries to the men and others carried out the laundry for a fee.

These duties were carried out on campaign as well as at barracks. The French army was the first to allow these women to follow the army and became accepted into the regiments where their husbands usually served.

Some women served in a more subversive way, notably one general dressing his mistress up as a cavalryman so she could accompany him on campaign. Probably missed his 'home comforts'!

If these women had children with their husbands they would take the children with them on campaign and would share all the privations experienced by the men. These children would be taken into the regiment and could be taught a trade such as armourer, cobbler or tailor. They couls also be recruits for the regiment in the future.

Illustrations include all the above professions and the text includes the military regulations which governed these followers. The illustrations make me think of the Stephen Andrew illustrations in the German Army of WW II series, in that all the figures look very similiar, if not identical.

The illustrations are however very helpful for ideas of colours and styles to paint the figures that are now available from companies like Eureka and Warlord.

I have always been interested in the American Revolutionary War and this is the start of a hopefully extensive series on the German mercenaries involved in the conflict. The uniforms give a continuing feeling of  the uniform fashions of previous wars. 

One thing I noticed in this edition is that the normally black and white pictures that are at the side of the text are all in colour here. This is a welcome change and helps the painter no end.

Another addition for the AWI period and this covers the changes in the tactics on the battlefield and the uniform worn by the troops. This books has some nice illustrations including not only the painting we have come to expect from Osprey but also a few photographs of re enactors as well.

I first came across this unit in the first book I ever purchased on Napoleonic uniforms. The Blandford book on 'Uniforms of Waterloo' is very well thumbed through and was bought from the wargames shop on Elm Hill in Norwich in the 70's when they had just opened. I was then learning about Napoleonic uniform for the first time and that book was a useful introduction to the subject if a bit misleading for the beginner. 

This is well illustrated by Patrice Courcelle, whom I met at the small market at the 201st anniversary of Waterloo, in the museum on the battlefield. The unit was very colourful but rather shorter lived than many of the units in the French Army.

All the above came from Paul Meekins books. I have ordered books from Paul, and visited his stall,(Salute & War & Peace Show), for over a decade now and I have always found him very helpful with a comprehensive knowledge of what is available. In the past I have e mailled him with a list of either 'wants' or an idea of the information I needed for an planned project. He has always given me a list of good alternatives.

His website is here.

Warlord Games 'Carrot' Mule Train

 Hello There. This is another model that has languished on the painting table for a while. 

This Warlord Games model was bought at Their stand at Salute a number of years ago. I also got the companion 'stick' and have nearly completed that.

Both are intended for a feature for WSS about logistics and their absence in wargaming games. This seem strage to me as in the real World logistics is of paramount importance but is largely ignored completely.

I have since found a further cantiniere and mule train which are also on the work bench and will also be subjects of the feature, 'fluff' on a large games table and suitable for the skirmish project as well.

Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy Issue 112

 Hello There! I have recently received my complementary copy of the above magazine after having a couple of features published in it.

The feature on the battle of Medina de Rioseco comes from a renewed interest in the Peninsular War. The availability of figures for the Spanish army and reading about the experiences of Spanish forces has opened up a completely new view of this area to me. It is really well illustrated with figures from the Perrys collection and sets it off really well.

The other is a continuation of my previous feature on highlighting and shading yellows and reds on wargames figures and covers white. This comes from the first Austrian Napoleonics I have painted and what I finallt settled on for their painting.

I hope these features are of help to the gamer and I am currently working on a mini campaign of three battles again fought in the Peninsular. 

Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 110

Hello there! I have recieved my free courtesy copy of WSS 110 after my feature in the Battle of Bir Hacheim was published in it.

I have completed a much longer feature, which was unsuitable for publication in the magazine. I hope to publish this on my blog in the near future after further up dating as I have found some more sources to refer to. I have also completed a feature on the hybrid vehicles used by the French defender during this battle which if not published by WSS will be on here soon.

'No Surrender' Coltishall Cowards Club Magazine

Hello There. In the 1990's I was a member of the Coltishall Cowards Wargames Club. They had a bi monthly club magazine which was very popular and was edited for a while by Nigel H. I found this copy in the loft while searching for some other wargames paraphernalia.

This was from January 95 and had 48 A5 pages and showed that it was a very vibrant club at the time. Full of campaign information and games held at the club. I noticed this issue was the one where I advertised a visit to Ian Weekleys house to view his latest projects and buildings he was making. Ian, now sadly departed, was a great supporter of the club.

Here is an American War of Independence campaign and battle report. Illustrated by John P, an accomplished artist, who was also taking part in the campaign. One episode I remember was after John read about an AWI battle where the commander of a British unit ordered his troops to remove their flint from their muskets to encourage them to close with the enemy more quickly he then did this with every attack he made from then on! 'No Flints Parke' became a common sobriquet for him from then on!

Here is on of my first attempts of writing features! I had been in the Falkland Islands for 4 months and had visited all the battlefield sites. I wonder if anyone has any more issues of this magazine as I would like to see the other features in this series.

Wargames , Soldiers and Startegy Feature Issue 108

Hello There! Yesterday I received my complementary copy of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy. I have had another feature published, this time in the 'Irregular Column'

As usual there is a number of diverse features that will interest wargamers who follow many periods of history. I am finding the features by Henry Hyde helpful for wargaming scenarios now as he goes into details about something different that the 'normal' two line of troops and start firing. Something I find particularly refreshing.

In this issue there is some information on painting Spanish Tercios in 28mm. Although I do not game this period there are many tips for any figure painter.

The worst thing about this feature, unlike the others is that this one comes complete with a line drawing of the author. Unfortunately Guy, the editor, rejected the first pictures I sent in which coincidentally looked very much like Brad Pitt. I then had to submit  pictures that were actually of myself. Fortunately the picture has been more complimentary than I had expected.

You can purchase the magazine here

Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy Features.

Hello there! After receiving notification that my latest features had been published in WSS magazine Issue 105 I thought that I now had a lot of work now wandering around on PDF and magazines.

Here is a list of what I have had published so if you would like any help in making your scenery. I was going to do a scan of each magazine cover but it appears that my scanner does not want to connect to my computer so sorry.

Issue 74         'Building Better Terrain'                    Bring Your Scenery to Life

Have you ever looked at the efforts of the railway modelling enthusiast, possibly with a little envy, imagining how your troops would look on their scenery? Here I provide some suggestions to how you can improve your scenery for the wargaming table.

Issue 78         'Another Brick in the Wall'                Walls and Fences for the Wargaming                                                                                                       Terrain

After feeling that there was a gap in the hobby for decent walling and fencing I decided to make my own in a modular format. Using some of the Javis Scenics range that our railway modelling friends use. This led to me making the masters for a set of resin walling as well, kindly cast up by Ian Clunie from Shellhole Scenics. I also included some snake rail fencing and buck rail fencing.

Issue 80         'Covering Ground'                                Building a Canal Feature

I received some vac formed canal features from Ian at Shellhole Scenics. This included some straight sections, curves and a bridge section. I describe how to get to the point of applying the water.

Issue 82         'Water, Water Everywhere'                Modelling Realistic Water on the                                                                                                              Tabletop

A continuation of the previous feature showing how to add the water effects to the canal feature.

Issue 85         'Seeing the Wood for the Trees'        A Bit of Vegetation for your                                                                                                                       Wargames Table

Ideas on how to use Woodland scenic clump foliage and keep it on the armature and make your trees more 'wargames proof' Also palms trees and weeping willows.

Issue 88          'Don't Fence me in'                            Dividing up your American Wargames                                                                                                    Table

Description of how to make basic cross rail fencing, snake rail fencing and Hagerstone turnpike fences.

Issue 89          'Rolling Countryside'                        How to make Realistic Hills

This is the modular scenery, (600 x 600mm), hills I constructed to fit with standard club scenery.

Issue 91         'Building a Russian Izba'                   Modelling the Retreat from Moscow Pt 1

Building a Russian dwelling suitable for a number of periods. This includes using plasticard to represent timber and teddy bear fur for a roof.

Issue 92          'Snow Scenery'                                    Part 2 of the previous article

Using snow and ice products readily from the market.

 Issue 93          'Making a Desert Oasis'                    An Island in a Desert of Sand

A scratch build of an oasis in 20mm. easily suitable for 28's.

Issue  97           'A Magnificent MDF Mansion'        Upgrading Laser Cut Buildings

I merged three MDF buildings together and modelled one side as Tudor and the other as Regency period.  

Issue 101          'Flying the Flag'                                 Making Your Flags Stand Out

I describe a few techniques to make your flags look more realistic.

Issue 102         'Fun with Foam'                                  Using upholstery Foam for Wargaming

Cheap foam woods and explosion markers for your wargames.

Issue 104         'Lets Talk About Tents'                        Scratch Building Tents'

American Civil War tents which can be used as objectives for the Confederates to raid.

Issue 105         'Changing an Icon'                            Remodelling Airfix Desert Fort

A face lift for this great model and a description of a number of techniques which can be used elsewhere.

Issue 105         'Rey Patria O La Muerte'                A Discussion of the Spanish in the                                                                                                           Napoleonic Wars

As described above. A few reasons why the Spanish Army did not achieve their goals as well as they may have liked.

Issue 107          Union Blockhouse                            The Unions way to fight the                                                                                                                        Confederacys Cavalry  

Issue 107          Cherry Blossom Trees                    A colourful Piece of scenery for the                                                                                                          Samurai Period

Issue 108          There's a Feature in That!            Writing features for WSS.

Issue 110          The Battle of Bir Hacheim            Complete with photographs from The Perrys                                                                                       collection

Issue 111           Red and Yellow                               Tips for Painting more Difficult Colours, Red &                                                                                     Yellow                        

Issue  112           Rise Against the Eagle                  The Battle of Medina de Rioseco

Issue  112           Fifty Shades of White                    Tips for painting Whites

Blimey that was a long list! I did not realise I had done that many. I hope this list is a helpful index should you require any scenery making or painting information.

Quick Update

Hello There! Well after a spot of ill health I have the time for an update. 

I received some good news from Guy, the editor at Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy. Three of my features have been accepted for this months, (106), issue.

One on a refurbishment of an old Airfix fort and a feature on the Spanish Army of the Napoleonic wars will be in the magazine. Another on the Battle of Medine de Rioseco will be available on the blog.

Further details can be found here.

Secondly at short notice I am able to make SELWG. Whilst not taking a trade stand it will be nice to be a punter for a change.

Further information on the show can be found here.

When the weather permits I shall get some more photographs done for some new posts.