Perry AWI Project "Complete"

 Well, at least the figures from a box each of the plastic kits. May add some Militia and Hessians later on. As mentioned in the earlier post, the Continental units are supposed to be Green Mountain Boys, 2nd NH, 11th Mass. and Seth Warner's Regiment. The British are various units from the Saratoga Campaign - although the grenadiers probably didn't wear their bearskins.

The 25mm round bases and skirmish trays are from Litko.

Need to add 3 more figures to one of the British units, but the plan is to use them in Rebels and Patriots - as I just ordered a copy of the rules. Several gaming buddies here play them all the time and they invited me to join in.

Glad to have finally gotten around to painting these figures as they were glued together and primed since last summer. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the post; and best wishes to you all.

Perry AWI Project - WIP

Well finally started on these plastic Perry AWI figure - which were sitting in bins already primed since last summer. Minwax stained over block painting. As mentioned in an earlier post (from last year), firing and more "active" arm combinations from Perry and Victrix British Napoleonics were used on some of the figures to give them more skirmish poses.

These are from a set each of Continentals and British. They are broken down into units of 6 for smaller skirmish scenarios. They'll be on individual 25mm rounds with movement trays. Not exactly sure of which rules to use, but Black Powder, Muskets and Tomahawks and Rebels and Patriots are options.

I based the Continental units on the ones which participated at the Battle of Hubbarton: Seth Warner's Regiment, Green Mountain Boys, 2nd New Hampshire and 11th Massachusetts Regiments. 

The British units are based upon those that participated in the Saratoga Campaign. The grenadiers and lights have Wargames Factory head swaps.

Just a little blog update to let you all know what I've been keeping busy with. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best.

Perry FPW French La Hitte 4 and Crew

 This set was ordered along with the Chasseurs d'Afrique. Figured they could provide the French a little more fire support in Bolt Action games.

The uniforms are reminiscent of 1st Empire ones - with current fashion updates.

The sculpting and proportions of the crew are excellent as expected from the Perrys. The paired-stripes on the trousers are nicely detailed.

Vallejo Prussian Blue was used as the base coat for the uniforms, and then highlighted with white added to the blue. Without the highlighting, the uniform would look almost black.

The next image shows a comparison next to a Spencer Smith Mitrailleuse gun and crew painted a few years ago. The two size up well-enough, but the Spencer Smith crew are in greatcoats (with epaulettes), and the Perry crew in short jackets.The Perrys also make a Mitrailleuse, but will just use this one for games.

Waiting on an order from The Assault Group for some mounted Renaissance commanders to use in the Marston Moor game. The order also includes Ottoman troops for a future project to go along with Perry French from their Egyptian Campaign range. Thanks for dropping by and checking out the post. Until next time, wishing you all the best in health and hobby pursuits!

Perry Mounted Rifles Officer and FPW Chasseurs d'Afrique

Been off the blogosphere for a bit, but did manage to paint these figures up. The mounted Rifles officer will be used in the La Haye Sainte game as Major Baring. The Warlord Games set came with a foot figure for Major Baring, but he is noted as being on horseback for most of the battle (until the horse was killed). The Chasseurs de Afrique are more figures for future FPW Bolt Action games.

The were all painted in the usual block painting style followed by Minwax staining and finally some highlighting here and there. The uniforms are fairly simple in design, but very colorful - particularly the Chasseurs'.

Probably overkill with two officers for such a small unit, but as I only ordered a set each of Chasseurs and command. As I play FPW using Bolt Action for skirmish games, a lot of figures aren't needed.

Perry also has a set of Chasseurs with sword held out in a charge, but chose these with swords shouldered as they would be better for handling on the gaming table.

The red baggy pants and light blue tunics are a nice color combination. "They sure are pretty, but can they fight?" They indeed have an illustrious battle record in many wars fought on several continents.

The mounted Rifles officer is part of a 3-figure set. I've yet to paint up the other two, but as mentioned above, wanted one to represent Major Baring at La Haye Sainte.

He's on an oval 50mm long base as I didn't want him taking up too much space while inside the farmhouse complex.

The skirmish rules for this scenario doesn't have command distance penalties, but he adds +2 to any combat he participates in. He also cannot blunder - again per the scenario rules.

Thanks again for stopping by and wishing you all the best!

Perry FPW French Chasseurs a Pied

Nice sculpts that match up nicely in both size (large side of 28mm) and style with Eagles of Empire FPW figures. I had added these to an order of ECW stuff and was pleasantly surprised to see the match up as I was expecting them to be a bit smaller. I'm wondering if their plastic FPW figures will also be larger than their usual sized figures too. Anyway, as I only intend to do FPW as skirmish, not planning on getting too many of their figures.

Their uniforms being fairly simple, they painted up quickly with my usual block painting followed by a Minwax stain and highlights afterwards. The piping on their kepis being the hardest part of the whole process; and even this wasn't too bad as I painted them for effect, rather than accuracy.

Havings some spare 25mm round bases, went ahead and based some as singles and some paired on 50mm rounds. This is similar to how some folks base their figures for Lion Rampant and Rebels and Patriots, etc., and looks good, IMO.

Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue was used for the coats and kepis; a mixture of gray with a little bit of blue was used for the trousers.

A comparison shot below shows how the Perry Chasseurs size up well with the Eagles of Empire figures on the left. They are slightly larger and taller than their own ACW plastic Zouaves (painted as Turcos), but not really noticeable on the gaming table.

On the gaming front, I plan to host a La Haye Sainte Black Powder game next month at the Veterans Museum down in Chehalis. I'm also signed up to host two La Haye Sainte games and a Marston Moor Pike and Shotte game in May at our annual big convention, Enfilade. I wanted to host these games in part due to our Canadian gamer-brethren finally being able to make it down from the border. This will be the first time since 2019 that we'll be able to spend time gaming and carousing together again. Thanks for dropping by and wishing you all the best.

Battle of Marston Moor - Pike & Shotte

Well, got to finally get the ECW figures on the table today thanks to four of my buddies coming over to play out a Marston Moor scenario. Although I am familiar with the Black Powder/Hail Caesar style of play which the Pike and Shotte rules are based upon, wasn't exactly sure how it would play out with the specific rules. All in all, it was a really fun game had by all. The one thing we felt should be changed in the future would be to lessen the amount of rough terrain which slowed down the Parliamentarian-Scots Covenanter advance. I had tried to replicate the terrain from what I read in the Osprey book as well other sources, but agreed that less of the rough would've made the game play better. Anyway, here are some of the images from the game - with captions as best as I can recollect.

The Parliamentarian-Scots Covenanters were allowed to go first as this reflects them charging into the unprepared Royalist the evening of the actual battle. Top of turn 2 with part of the Royalist foot having successfully made it up to the hedge and ditch.

The Parliamentarian horse on their right wing led by Sir Thomas Fairfax being met by dismounted dragoons and cavalry led by Lord Goring.

On the Parliamentarian left Cromwell and his Ironsides charge into Royalist cavalry led by Prince Rupert. The Royalist cavalry, less their cuirassiers, had the Galloper rules which increased their basic movement to 12" from the usual 9". Also, units which were joined by Prince Rupert had the Ferocious Charge rule which allowed them to re-roll missed attacks in every round of combat when they charge or counter-charge. This was used to good effect in the game. In fact, the cavalry action was continuous for the 5 turns we played. Not the least due to the Galloper rule of them having to countercharge if able to always have to make sweeping advances.

View from the center of the battle; Newcastle's Whitecoats in center facing Scots Covenanters. One thing the players learned midway through the game was to remember that the foot regiments were made up of 3 separate units: 1 pike and two shot, and that they don't have to stay in rigid line. Soon the players got the hang of this and would use the shot more effectively, and while staying within 6" of the pike unit could always attempt to form hedgehog formation if needed.

The Royalist right. Most of the foot regiments had a light or medium cannon attached to them which allowed fire support to be manhandled along with them. The large areas of rough hindered the advance of the allied army. Although later in the game, once the players realized they could move units around terrain in smaller individual units, it became less of an issue.

Bottom of Turn 2 with Fairfax leading his cavalry through the openings in the rough areas. Goring's Royalist cavalry preparing to charge into their flank.

Turn 3 with foot regiments in the center closing in for musket fire.

A view of the Allied foot battle line. Behind them, on Cromwell's Plump are their heavy artillery.

Prince Rupert's cavaliers charging into the flank of a unit of Parliamentarian musketeers.

The Royalist left with some of their foot forming hedgehog - one unit of musketeers, while another staying in battle line for more firepower. The redcoat foot is a unit of commanded shot with firelocks.

Scots Covenanter musketeers getting into close range.

Parliamentarian foot on the right giving traversing fire upon Goring's Royalist cavalry. The troops in green are a unit of commanded shot with firelocks.

Prince Rupert and Boye in the heat of the battle on their right flank.

View of the center of the battle with Scots Covenanters closing in on Royalists.

As it was the last turn of the game, a unit of Parliamentarian cuirassiers charged into Sir Thomas Tyldesley's Regiment, even after the latter successfully formed hedgehog. The muskets failed to cause any casualties with closing fire, and the hand to hand was a draw - even with the pikes doubling their combat dice and the cuirassiers losing any charge bonus. With most of the Royalists unit holding out behind their cover and the slow advance of the allied army, we called it a close win for the Royalists.

All in all a great first time experience with the Pike and Shotte rules. Looking forward to more games with the rules. Thanks as always for visiting and wishing you all the best.

Battle of Marston Moor Set Up

Set up for a Pike & Shotte Marston Moor game this Friday. The layout follows the overall terrain in a simplified way. The high ground on the Allied Parliamentarian - Scots Covenanters side represents Cromwell's Plump. This high ground allowed the allied army to view the dispositions of the Royalists. The hedges nearest the Royalists side represents ditches and hedges running the length of the battlefield.

The ever useful Hotz mats representing cultivated and plowed fields.

The Allied army arrayed with 9 foot regiments with artillery interspersed between, and cavalry troops on each wing. Commanders are the Earl of Manchester, the Alexander Leslie, the Earl of Leven, Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell.

The Royalist army consisting of 7 foot regiments with artillery also interspersed between them, and cavalry troops on either wing. Royalist commanders are Prince Rupert, the Marquis of Newcastle, Lords Byron and Goring. King Charles may or may not appear on the battlefield.

"I will mark you well for that insult, sir. Be on your guard!"

Another view of the Allied army. The cavalry on their right wing led by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

The Royalist army; the cavalry on their left wing led by Lord Goring, who, according to his secretary, "...strangely loved the bottle, was much given to his pleasures and a great debauchee." He no doubt would not have gotten on well with Cromwell. Until the next post with the game's AAR - Tally Ho!

ECW Pike & Shotte Muster Formation

Finished the main units for the ECW Pike & Shotte project, and with a game scheduled for this week figured they should be arrayed for a visual inventory. There are 16 pike and shot foot regiments, 11 troops of cavalry, 2 troops of dragoons, 3 units of commanded shot with firelocks and 19 cannon. Of these, 4 pike and shot units, 4 cavalry unit, the firelocks and several cannon were painted in 2020; the remainder were painted since the beginning of the year. Most of the command were also painted in 2020.

As I currently only have an 8x5' playing area max, it might get a little tight for maneuvering all of the units. I'll likely have to pick up another table to increase the area to either 12x5' or 10x6' - depending on how the tables are configured.

Took pictures of the figures from several angles as they probably won't be posed en masse like this again in the future.

The first game for these will be loosely based on Marston Moor - with King Charles being unhistorically present at the battle along with a unit of his Foot Guards and Horse.

In fact, as mentioned in earlier posts, many of these units weren't actually at this battle, but will be used in any case. This shouldn't pose much of an issue as many of the coat colors and unit standards are not fully documented or verified.

Plan to have the Parliamentarians get the first move, as they had at the actual battle, then it'll be all up for grabs. Also plan to have the Royalists have pretty much the same amount of units as the Parliamentarians - even though they were outnumbered historically.

Thanks again for visiting the blog and looking forward to getting these figures in their first battle - a post with pictures will follow.