I don't enjoy painting limbers. There. Glad that is out of the way. In some of my projects limbers are a necessary evil. In a few projects, fielding limbers and teams is not considered. In most projects, though, limbers and teams receive their due and are appropriately mustered into the ever-expanding collections. The 1859 project in 15mm is one such project in which limbers and teams are built to accompany each battery. Work continues on bringing the French artillery park up to requirements of one limber per gun model. When the latecomer French first appeared on the scene for the 1859 Montebello battle, fielding guns was a given priority. I figured limbers could debouch from the confines of the painting desk onto the battlefield at a later date and at my leisure. This is exactly what happened.
Off the painting desk today are three French limbers and teams from Freikorps 15s. Perhaps one reason for my continuing hesitation to produce limbers is that I chose to field each limber with a six-horse team. A six-horse limber team is the equivalent of two squadrons of cavalry. Cavalry that could be quite useful in actual combat operations. With three limber teams, the effort to paint eighteen horses could easily be diverted toward the production of six cavalry squadrons. Well, I made my choice. Six-horse teams look impressive on the battlefield!
Thank you, Mark! Yes, the Freikorps limbers fit in quite well with the more modern manufactures. It helps that the limber and teams are self-contained BMUs so little cross-contamination with respect to slight size differences. Almost all of my limbers for this project are from Freikorps 15s.
Back in the '80s we used to manufacture Frei Korps under license so I have fond memories of fhem. I painted many hundreds of them. My favorites were the French and Indian Wars
Nice work Jon.... and in the case of Limbers, it is indeed work! :-)
I am afraid I could easily spend a years budget of money and painting time were I ever to attempt to field anything like the number of Limbers needed for the batteries I already have!
There you go again more great additions, my ACW limbers and next in the que but at 28 mm I’m going for 4 horse sets as 6 is too big for the table. 6 does look better tho in smaller scales🙂
6 horses per limber is of course madness; more accurate but madness all the same. 😀 I started with 4 per limber and quickly went to 2 for the ACW. The first game I placed on the table they did look good but the players on the first turn removed them for being in the way... These look good though and I hope provide a sense of satisfaction for completion. Well done😀
Quite right. Madness! To waste figures would be equally as mad. N'est pas? For all other projects, four horse limber teams seems to be the standard. For my 10mm ACW project, Old Glory sells limber packs with enough horses for six-horse teams. What I did was request extra limbers so these extra horses did not go to waste.
It is with some relief to have these three limbers and teams finished. Still more in The Lead Pile awaiting their turn, though.
They look great, and I have come to believe they are a useful part of the table. I think the fact they 'get in the way" adequately reflects the reality of the footprint required to support the guns on the table. The 'king of battle" requires a substantial logistics tail which should be modeled somehow. Also, I like how it makes the artillery element seem more substantial on the table.
Limbers are a useful table complement. That they tend to get in the way is a good thing too. Having limbers present does provide a sense that the artillery arm is more substantial. Of course, as soon as my opponent's artillery begins hitting me I am convinced of its substantive effect on my battle line.
I know exactly what you mean, but once done, they are nice to use, rather than just turning a gun base to represent it being limbered and moving.
ReplyDeleteQuite right, Norm! While I do not like painting them, once finished, I am very glad to add them to the collection.
DeleteYou don't enjoy painting them Jonathan, but I do like seeing them, especially on a battlefield, I think they add a lot to the atmosphere...Great job!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy seeing them, Phil! Having your support helps ease the pain.
DeleteYou might not have enjoyed them but they look great! I think I might have gone for four horse teams but six is splendid!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! The Freikorps 15s limber come with six horses per limber. Not wanting to have surplus horses lingering about, I field all six.
DeleteGreat sets Jonathan. I hadn't seen those Frei Korps models for years. They are lovely pieces still stand up don't they?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark! Yes, the Freikorps limbers fit in quite well with the more modern manufactures. It helps that the limber and teams are self-contained BMUs so little cross-contamination with respect to slight size differences. Almost all of my limbers for this project are from Freikorps 15s.
DeleteBack in the '80s we used to manufacture Frei Korps under license so I have fond memories of fhem. I painted many hundreds of them. My favorites were the French and Indian Wars
DeleteMark, you are full of surprises!
DeleteThese are marks of a true, dedicated gamer, Jonathan! Lovely work on these oft overlooked and neglected pieces.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Dean, and that you approve of my methods.
DeleteLimbers are a bit of a snooze fest to paint, but I always like having them on table. Yours are very nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Work before pleasure...
DeleteAnnoying, but essential bits of kit! Nicely done Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteRighto! Thanks, Ray!
DeleteExcellent work, an often overlooked element but adds a lot to the look and feel of the game!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! Limbers do add a lot to the look of a battlefield.
DeleteNice work Jon.... and in the case of Limbers, it is indeed work! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am afraid I could easily spend a years budget of money and painting time were I ever to attempt to field anything like the number of Limbers needed for the batteries I already have!
Limbers are work but when the task is finished, worth the effort.
DeleteWith the number of 28m Napoleonics you have, outfitting the entire collection with limbers would be BIG WORK, for sure!
Thank you for your comments, Peter!
Awesome work sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteVery nice work! Clear and detailed painting!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated! Not the most flashy units but necessary, I think.
DeleteThey look great! I always liked the look of limbers.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you, Christopher. I like the look of limbers too...when finished!
DeleteThey look really good. I bet it feels good to have them done though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Simon. Good, yes, but still plenty of limbers remain...
DeleteI like the look of limbers on a table but could not imagine investing the effort to do them (aside from my 6mm collection). Well done!
ReplyDeleteLimbers are not usually at the top of my queue but sometimes you do what must!
DeleteThere you go again more great additions, my ACW limbers and next in the que but at 28 mm I’m going for 4 horse sets as 6 is too big for the table. 6 does look better tho in smaller scales🙂
ReplyDeleteFor limbers in 28mm, I go with four horse teams as well. Six would be too large even for a big table.
DeleteThey look great, Jon, and they will certainly add to the game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scott! Limbers do add to the game. Notice, however, that I don't field any for my SYW project. For most other projects, I do.
Delete6 horses per limber is of course madness; more accurate but madness all the same. 😀
ReplyDeleteI started with 4 per limber and quickly went to 2 for the ACW. The first game I placed on the table they did look good but the players on the first turn removed them for being in the way...
These look good though and I hope provide a sense of satisfaction for completion. Well done😀
Quite right. Madness! To waste figures would be equally as mad. N'est pas? For all other projects, four horse limber teams seems to be the standard. For my 10mm ACW project, Old Glory sells limber packs with enough horses for six-horse teams. What I did was request extra limbers so these extra horses did not go to waste.
DeleteIt is with some relief to have these three limbers and teams finished. Still more in The Lead Pile awaiting their turn, though.
They look great, and I have come to believe they are a useful part of the table. I think the fact they 'get in the way" adequately reflects the reality of the footprint required to support the guns on the table. The 'king of battle" requires a substantial logistics tail which should be modeled somehow. Also, I like how it makes the artillery element seem more substantial on the table.
ReplyDeleteLimbers are a useful table complement. That they tend to get in the way is a good thing too. Having limbers present does provide a sense that the artillery arm is more substantial. Of course, as soon as my opponent's artillery begins hitting me I am convinced of its substantive effect on my battle line.
DeleteKudos Jonathan, I can't stand painting cavalry let alone limbers...and mine are only 6mm blobs. Your work is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, TJBM!
DeleteThey DO look impressive though.
ReplyDeleteI refused to paint limbers for my 15/18mm ACW Reb's for exactly the same reasons you stated. LOL
Thanks! A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do...
Delete