Lion Gate of Mycenae WIP +1

Finished the left side wall. Used some pink foam to represent the natural stone at the base of it. 

After smoothing out some rough areas, will give it a coat of paint. Note, the end of the left side wall doesn't show stone work as the actual wall continued on a bit longer and sort of wrapped around to the right, following the contour of the hill the citadel was built upon. For a gaming scenario, figures can only enter the gate from the end of the terrain (i.e. they can manuever around it).

Frankenstein'd foam prior to spackling.

Thanks for visiting the blog, and hope you all are doing well!

Lion Gate of Mycenae - WIP

Started on some terrain for use with the recently painted Foundry Trojan War figures. Working on repairing/reworking the Lion Gate I made many years ago. The lion heads were originally facing each other (arching upwards toward the top of the center pillar), but after seeing the heads facing out in several sources, I carved them off and was in the process of having them facing outwards. I gave up after a while, but hope to finally finish this long-standing project.

In addition to reworking the lions' heads, also added another row of stones to the top of the gate structure, and adding the crenallated parapet. The left side wall will be worked on next - it has a base of natural stone as the foundation which I need to figure out how to make it.

Being cheap, I used left over spare pieces of foam from earlier projects. Here's what the pieces looked like prior to adding spackling over them - sort of a Frankenstein look.

Here's an old photo of the original Lion Gate - basically just a facade - along with Redoubt figures. The figures are the very first 28mm figures I ever collected - and still have them to this day, almost 30 years old!

A couple of pictures of the gate, present day. Amazing it's well over 3,000 years old.

Artist's rendition of the gate during Mycenaean times.

So much for now, thanks again for stopping by and hope you all are doing well.

Foundry Trojan War Armored Warriors

Here are the remaining figures that were originally in David Sullivan's (I Live With Cats blog) collection. 16 armored warriors with smaller with smaller shields.

The spears are made from plastic broom bristles, which are not only sturdy, but lighter than metal spears which could make the figures topple over more easily.

The clothing and armor are quite accurate from the few historical sources available, which include frescoes and other period artwork.

I tried to use muted colors for the clothing, but they sort of appear pastel-like in color.

Below image is all of the figures together; 16 armored warriors, 8 spearmen with body shields, and 8 bowmen. As mentioned in a previous post, I plan to use them in skirmish games in memory and honor of David.

Here's a comparison shot with Redoubt figures (on square bases). As with the body shields, the Redoubt  shields are larger than the Foundry ones. Otherwise, the figures themselves fit together very well, IMO.

Thanks again for checking out the blog, and hope you all are doing well.

Pike & Shotte Italian Wars - Battle of Bicocca

Here are some pics from today's game. Since I was one of the defending Imperialist players, I wasn't able to take pictures of a lot of the action going on. Thankfully, the three other players were fairly well-versed in the rules, one knows them better than me. We played 7 turns with the Imperialists still hanging on inside of the their defensive position near the Villa Bicocca, but called the game as it would be an inevitable French victory due to their overwhelming numbers. I should add, two of the defending pike units were lost after back to back bad break test rolls. The French, however, did not achieve their minor victory in capturing the Imperialists' camp as they failed multiple activations to move forward. In fact, they lost their most mobile unit, Giovanni de Medici's mounted crossbows early in the game after being defeated by Spanish heavy cavalry. In the center, the two large battalia of Swiss pikes slowly podded forward, while their Venetian allies eventually made it onto the defensive earthworks on their right flank.

French MMA charging into the Black Band's mounted crossbows. The French cavalry were slow to move with multiple failed activations - which allowed the Spanish cavalry to close in on them early in the game.

The remaining French cavalry regrouped after the Spanish cavalry retreating from combat. Note the stream terrain on the Imperialists' right represents the deep ditch there. The terrain in front of the Imperialists' position is representational of the sunken road in front of them as well as the earthworks that that was behind it. I didn't want to include too rough a terrain for the attacking French as attackers would lose any charge bonuses when they hit the terrain. In fact, the Swiss pikes only could use their attack bonuses either once inside the defenses, or if they were able to enter via the causeway on their left flank.

The Swiss pike were in two formations, but chose not to form into Kiel formations. They did have small detachments of arquebusiers screening them.

The Imperialists' right, with Spanish jinetes and MAA. The French gendarmes exacted vengence by destroying the Spanish MAA unit.

Landsknecht pikes with supporting arquebusier detachments defending against Swiss pikes attempting to breach the defenses. Two Spanish colunela formations defending on the right.

View from the left of the Imperialists defenses.

Swiss pike blocks advancing towards the Imperialist defenses.

Left flank of the attacking French including three units of gendarmes and one unit of mounted crossbows. The French cavalry were very slow moving with consecutive failed command activation rolls. In setting up the scenario, I had envisioned them reaching the Imperialists' baggage camp early in the game, but they never reached it even after 7 turns.

Two Swiss pike blocks, from different batallia, making it inside the Imperialist defenses. The one on the right in combat with a Spanish colunela formation.

Spanish colunela having moved back after defeating a unit of Swiss pike. More Swiss advancing into the defensive position. A Landsknecht pike unit already having retreated to the high ground near their artillery. For the record, neither French nor Imperialist medium artillery made an impact in the game. The light gun with the Venetian battalia managed to move up on their right flank to take multiple shots, but again, with little effect.

Swiss pike attacking Landsknecht arquebusier detachment. The arquebusiers were, not surprisingly, wiped out.

Clash of Swiss and Landsknecht pikes in the center.

All in all, it was a very good play test of the rules, although we didn't use the Kiel formation rules as it likely wouldn't have been used to good effect in an assault on a defensive position. We did discuss the option to have the French artillery either being moved up closer at the start of the game, or possibly allow them to have the guns limbered in the first turn. Other than that, we all agreed it was a fun game and played out well. Until next time, thanks for checking out the update, and wishing you all the best.

Battle of Bicocca Set-Up - Death and The Landsknecht

Just finished setting up the table for the game on Friday - got back from a late dental appointment - I now have another implant/crown! Anyway, here're the photos of the tentative starting positions of the units. I may allow the players to reposition some of their units, particularly the artillery pieces.

Imperialist forces on the left behind defensive positions; French forces on the right; Toy Poodle in the center (the wife wanted her in the picture).

The Imperialists' baggage camp - a victory condition for the French if captured.

French forces consisting of Swiss mercenary pike blocks in the center, Venetian allies on their right flank, and cavalry on the left flank - including gendarmes and mounted crossbows.

Imperialist forces with Spanish heavy and light cavalry on their right flank, Spanish colunela to the left, and landsknecht pikes on their left flank. Artillery to their rear on higher ground.

French left, with Giovanni de Medici's mounted crossbows, and mounted gendarmes (using proxy models including Warhammer Fantasy Empire Knights).

French center led by Odet de Foix, Vicomte de Lautrec, with Swiss mercenary pikes and supporting arquebusiers.

Venetian allies and light gun on the French right. The infantry are Warhammer Fantasy Empire 6th Ed. figures.

Imperialist right flank with Spanish jinetes and heavy cavalry behind them.

Spanish infantry colunela formations next to the cavalry.

Karl Franz standing in as the Imperialists commander until a suitable figure arrives on game day with one of the players. He's also bring a few more mounted commanders. I really wanted to get a few from Steel Fist Miniatures, but procratinated.

Landsknechts on loan from Emperor Charles V on the left flank, anchored next to the Bicocca manor. 

A post game update will follow; however, I like to get photos of the table and troops prior to, as getting photos can be forgotten during the heat of battle! Until then, thanks again for checking out the blog, and wishing you all the very best.

Foundry Trojan War Archers

 More of the figures recently acquired from David Sullivan's (I Live With Cats blog) collection.

These sculpts have been around for some years, but the still hold up to the highest standards, IMO.

Below, comparison shot; left to right: Foundry, Redoubt, Foundry, Black Tree, Redoubt, Foundry. They all work well together, the Black Tree guy being slightly oversized (heroic). I should add that some of the Redoubt bows (like the one on the left) and quite thin/spindly.

Next up are the armored warriors, but they may have to wait as I need to set up the table for my long-awaited playtest of the Death and The Landsknecht Pike & Shotte game this Friday. Otherwise, thanks for visiting and wishing you all the best!