More Plastic Arrivals - And More On The Way!

Well, before I could finish the EIR Cavalry, a few more recent orders arrived and they've distracted me a bit. An order each of Victrix Polish Lancers, Victrix Armoured Warriors and Warlord Games Ancient British Warriors. The Lancers were ordered back when first released, but the mailing was held up due to Covid-Ops. The other sets were ordered from US ebay sellers and they arrived within a week.

Victrix is now using large zip lock bags with their kits; which I don't mind as I can use the bags for storing stuff like terrain and such.

Check out the nice detailing on the horse blankets for the Lancers. You should be able to pick out the "N" monogram and Imperial Eagle by careful dry-brushing. These two horses are the for the trumpeter (l) and officer (r). Very nice poses.

Another ebay purchase is set to arrive this afternoon or tomorrow - a box of Warlord Games EIR Auxiliaries. The Auxiliaries and Celt/Ancient British figures are a decent match for Victrix.

Above is a comparison shot between the two makes. The two on the left are from the Victrix Gallic set and the two on the right are from the Warlord Games Ancient British set. Their heads should be interchangeable as they both have the same kind of stump at the neck. The Warlord British is the same basic set as their Celts, but with additional metal parts specific for Britons. Spikey haired heads, a command figures and various shields like the iconic Battersea shield.

And finally I am awaiting a shipment from Victrix of a set each EIR Advancing and Attacking. I ordered these several weeks ago, but according to an update from Rory there, they had run out of the Advancing set. Should be re-stocked early next week and mailed out.

Well, once I get over Plastic Shell Shock, I should be able to return to finishing up the EIR Cavalry. Until next time, stay healthy and safe!

Victrix EIR Cavalry - WIP

Just a quick update of my current project - started in yet another momentary lapse of judgment, clouded by fermented grape juice.

Dry-brushed the metal areas first, and then the flesh and leather areas. All given ink washes and then again, highlighted.

For the record, I ordered this set from a seller in the US, Phil Vernon, who I met at the WAB GT in Nottingham back in 2013. He runs an online business out of Louisiana which sells most UK-made plastic miniatures at very good prices. I'm also waiting on a set each of Advancing and Attacking EIR infantry from Victrix.

So much for now. Best wishes and good health and to you all.

Display Cabinet Rundown - Socially Distant Sharing

Well, since all the yard work is done, figured I'd share images of my display cabinets. I shared a similar post several years ago, but since then I've sold off some of the earlier stufff and acquired new stuff as well. Anyway, hopefully you'll enjoy the virtual tour.

All the armor pieces are reproductions - the samurai stuff is from Iron Mountain Armory - a company in China. The others are mostly Indian-made stuff. The plate armor legs and arms were made in the Ukraine, and could actually be used in HMB/Buhurt - but not by me!

This is the larger cabinet with a sliding glass front door. Great to protect the stuff inside, but not ideal when taking photos.

 The smaller cabinet - with more conventional side opening doors.

Starting with the larger cabinet - mostly Verlinden 120mm-200mm figures. The top shelf also has some 13th C. mounted knights from Fireforge, Mirliton and others - many with heraldry from the Codex Manesse.  The bottom shelf has has 14th C. foot and mounted knights from BTD and a few Front Rank (mounted) - most of the heraldry is English nobility.

Here again, 120mm Verlinden resin figures in the back - Napoleonic French - with a lone Prussian Leib Hussar in the corner. Mostly Perry and Victrix plastics in front - a few Black Hussar, Front Rank and Foundry (Napoleon and Staff) also present.

Top shelf, Perry and Victrix British foot and some KGL Hussars; Perry French cavalry assaulting squares. Some Front Rank command figures. Bottom shelf, Trojan War figures - Redoubt and Foundry - and several OG chariots as well. A few specialty figures (like Herakles), but can't recall the maker. Some of these were the very first 28mm figures I acquired - Redoubt Trojan War range; before getting into Wargaming - I just loved the period.

Top shelf with some 120mm resin figures of various make - mostly Verlinden. Couple of Aventine elies on the right, supported by Victrix plastic Samnites and Greek cav. On the left are Crusader Gladiators. Behind them is a space reserved for a current project - hint: starts with "Victrix" and ends with "EIR." Bottom shelf a mix of large scale resin and plastic kits. The Roman Signifer is a 200mm Verlinden resin. The knights are re-released 1/8th scale Aurora plastic model kits. The Black Prince and Skinner's Horseman are 1/12th scale Airfix plastic kits. The Samurai is a resin figure from Jimmy Flintstone.

This is the top shelf from the smaller cabinet. 1/16th scale plastic Knights from MiniArt and a 120mm resin Swiss Crossbowman in the rear. In front of them some Curteys Medieval foot and some Perry HYW French. Sandwiched between the larger figures and 28mm ones are various 1/35th-54mm scale figures; a lone Tamiya 1/24th WWII German squad leader is also present.

120mm Samurai and Mongol figures - the Samurai on foot is a Verlinden with a scratch-built sashimono (the character is the Chinese character Mu - "nothingness"). Can't recall who makes/made the other two. Perry Samurai and Choson Koreans, as well as some TAG Chinese cavalry in front.

Hinchcliffe 120mm metal "Taisho" Heian Samurai flanked by mostly TAG Heian Samurai. A few Kingsford Sohei also - including the mounted one. A Reaper Bones red Oni in the back being surrounded by Sohei.

WHFB Empire. I sold off all of the "Core" troops, but the remnants can be used in smaller games like Dragon Rampant.

Top shelf has 1/12th scale Imai/Imex plastic knights. In front of them are Eagles of Empire, North Star and Perry (Zouaves) FPW figures. Bottom shelf a mix of larger figures - 120mm resins and Airfix 1/12th scale plastic kits of Richard I and Joan of Arc.

Addendum: Here's my Ikea bookcase with my reference material. I like the ones with a lot of illustrations and not too many words.

Thanks for stopping by and it would great to see posts of your collections or displays too. Until next time, stay healthy and keep up the hobby!

Spencer Smith Miniatures Mitrailleuse Gun and Crew.

As I was intending to host my Bolt Action Franco Prussian game at Enfilade in May, I wanted to add a Mitrailleuse "grapeshot" volley gun. I was hoping Soren at Eagles of Empire would have one ready in time, but it seems he had a few more projects in line before getting to it. Perusing the internet, I stumbled upon Spencer Smith Miniatures and found one in what is listed as 30mm. However, the site states that these match up quite well with current 28mm figures. As Foundry's range is quite smaller than most 28mm, and especially the largish Eagles of Empire figures, I figured I'd give Spencer Smith a shot. I'm glad I did as they do indeed match up very well, size-wise, with the 28mm figures I have for the period.

The sculpting is sort of "old school" with minimal details and somewhat static poses. The catalog list this range, as well as several others, as "Classic." In any case, the poses are fine for artillery such as these. Due to the these attributes, the figures painted up quite quickly. I haven't based them as I'm waiting until Hobby Lobby opens up again.

It's cool that the gun has a nice hand crank for the gun. There's a YouTube video showing the firing of reproduction of one of these.

The overall effectiveness of the gun in the Franco Prussian War was not impressive. A few contributing factors for this was its employment as field artillery and not used closely with the infantry. It was also slow to load and acquire targets, particularly with inexperienced crew.

Peter at Spencer Smith is a great guy and ended up sending me two orders. My original order was sent to my old address which was still in Paypay. Because of this the order was lost in the mail, and once we discovered this, Peter immediately sent a replacement set (free of charge) to m current address.

As mentioned, these "30mm" figures size and scale up nicely with 28mm, in this case Perry plastics.

Well that's all for now; wishing you all good health and the best of hobby endeavors during our current state of affairs.

La Haye Sainte - Set Up And Staged Shots

I went ahead and set up the La Haye Sainte table - just to see how things would look and fit. As I don't expect any in-person gaming anytime soon, figured this is one way I can let folks see what we could be doing once things get better again. Without further ado, here's some pictures I took with appropriate captions below each of them.

View from the east of looking at the Main Gate of the Farmhouse and the Brussels Highroad. In the bottom right corner of the picture is the Sandpit with a unit 95th Rifles.

French Engineers attempting to break down the barricades at the Main Gate. French Legere supporting them in their endeavor. Major Barring directing his KGL Light troops from the gateway. Light Company men of the 5th KGL Line have arrived to support their Light brethren.

North of the Farmhouse KGL Hussars speed down the roadway to assist; 79th Highlanders also advancing in support. 95th Rifles occupying the Sandpit, with an RA battery covering.

View from the south, with the Orchard and Barn in the foreground. The pond is just in view in the lower center of the photo. The Nassau troops had large cooking pots with them and these were used to help put out the fire in the Farmhouse.

A bit blurry, in the center, within the Orchard KGL Lights are exchanging musketry with French Voltigeurs. Another French battalion is approaching. In the actual battle, the Orchard was lost to the French early on.

Scene west of the Farmhouse. Another French battalion is advancing towards the rear door of the Barn. The night before, during a heavy rainstorm, the KGL troops occupying the farm had torn down the Barn doors and used them for firewood to keep warm. A makeshift barricade was made and this area was heavily contested throughout the battle. French Horse Artillery supporting an attack by a French Heavy Cavalry Brigade.

I'm not sure if the Red Lancers were part of this particular part of the battle, they are here for this game - as well as more French Horse Artillery, this one being a Guard unit.

5th KGL Line Battalion in square to meet the charge of French Cuirassiers. The 8th KGL Line wasn't so lucky and were cut down. Scots Greys charging the the flank of the Cuirassiers.

French Carabiniers being fired upon by RHA and Nassau troops.

Looking northeast of the battle with the Kitchen Garden being defended by Nassauers. Scots Greys rushing to save the KGL Line troops. Hanoverian Verden Field Battalion, in line in the distance.

View from the north - this is approximately the side of the battlefield where Wellington and his troops were staged.

Well so much for now. Hope you enjoyed the images and maybe someday it'll be actually wargamed. Until next time best of health to you all!

King's German Legion Line Infantry - Warlord Games Waterloo British Line Infantry

These will be used in the La Haye Sainte game - soon to be appearing in a safe environment  near you.

The 5th and 8th Battalions of the Legion were ordered to support their Light troops comrades holed up in La Haye Sainte. They were attacked by French cavalry enroute and the 8th Battalion was virtually annihilated. The 5th Battalion managed to form square and were saved by units of the Household Brigade. Sadly, their commander, Colonel Umpteda was killed in the engagement.

Although this set comes with a KGL flag, I had a Victrix one and used it instead. It's a little bigger than the Warlord one, but the details look nicer, IMO.

These are really nice figures for what they are - that is rank and file in marching poses. One thing to remember when painting these is not to paint them up as you may Victrix or Perry figures. That is, they aren't molded with separate arms, so when painting them you will want to leave areas like the areas between their arm and body/musket black. This way the arm won't look so wide or over sized. Leaving black lining around other areas, like their hands will also help in the overall look.

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all good health and happiest hobby endeavors during these trying times.

Warlord Games Waterloo British Line Infantry - WIP

Started on these the other day; almost finished. Just some highlighting and a few other things left to do. Wanted to paint these up as a unit of KGL Line for the La Haye Sainte game.

As with the French Infantry set, these are really quick to build - just heads and backpacks. I'm not using the Minwax stain method as they seem to paint up nicely with a black undercoat.

Speaking of the La Haye Sainte project - seems I may be diving into this sooner than later. I was holding off on this game until wrapping up the Franco-Prussian War Bolt Action game I was to host next month at our big annual convention, Enfilade. However, with the current "hang fire" order in our area (as elsewhere), the convention was cancelled. Now I can concentrate on Black Powder and not confuse myself with Bolt Action rules. Until next time, wishing you all the best of health and safety!

Swiss 4th Infantry Regiment - Warlord Games French Infantry

These are the figures that came with the Vistula Legion set. They are the same sprues as their normal French set, including the shako/bearskin heads. Really nice figures with minimal parts - body, head and backpack.

The Vistula set doesn't come with a flag or standard bearer, so I used a spare Victrix one with the number 4 repainted on the flag.

Plan to add some Brigade Games Voltiguers as they have full gaiters which will match the rest of the unit.

I really like this set from Warlord Games. Very nice details and in full-dress, which I like the look of for Napoleonics. Although, the ones from Victrix and now Perry in campaign dress (trousers) look cool too.

A comparison shot; left to right: Perry, Warlord Games, Victrix. Close enough for the battlefield.

Now that these are done, I can give my back, neck and left arm some rest. In fact, I think painting is what's causing a lot of my neck and back/arm pain. In any case, wishing you all the very best and hope you all are healthy and safe!

Vistula Legion - Perry French With A Few Warlord Games Headswaps

Managed to power through and get these guys done. My left arm is hurting, but a few rum and cokes and ibuprofen should ease the pain.

The head swaps worked out nicely. I think the Vistula Legion, as well as other Polish troops, should be in the closed lapel jackets rather than the older style open lapel and long tailed type.

I found the flag on the internet, but not from an actual miniatures flag site so the detail is kind of grainy. Still good enough for the gaming table.

The flag pole is painted with red, white and blue spirals - as in the Uniforms of the Retreat from Moscow book I used as a reference.

Well, I'm glad I finished them up as I'll likely have to take a break before working on the Warlord guys as Swiss 4th Regiment. So much for now. Wishing you all the very best during the universal Clamp Down.

Perry French Infantry (Vistula Legion) - WIP+1

Managed to get most of the work on the Perry guys painted up as Vistula Legion. Just a few more things to paint, but I had to take a break due to my left shoulder blade and lower back giving me trouble.

The Warlord Games Vistula heads seem to fit the Perry figures quite nicely. Anyway, hope to get them done in a couple of days - after resting my back and shoulder. In fact, painting increases the pain, particularly in my left arm and shoulder blade area. Well, enough of my sniveling. Wishing you all the very best during these trying times!

Perry and Warlord Games Napoleonic French Infantry - WIP

Just a quick post of my new project; picked up a box each of Perry (not the new one) and Warlord Games French infantry. Actually, the Warlord set is their Vistula Legion set and I swapped their heads with the Perry figures. As the Warlord set comes with regular French heads (shakos and bearskins), I am using them as the 4th Swiss.

I used the czapka heads for Voltigeurs - although they may have worn regular shakos in actuality. I didn't want them lost in the rank and file on the Grenadiers. The Warlord set also comes with a few shakos with the Vistula sunburst crest. I must say, I quite like the Warlord set - the ammo pouches have grenades and hunting horns, and "N's" sculpted onto them for Grenadiers, Voltigeurs and Fusiliers, respectively. They size quite well with Perry; and Victrix for that matter.

So much for now. Stay safe and healthy everyone. Until the next post, happy painting and solo-gaming - or games that don't require players to be closer than 6 feet from each other.