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Thursday, September 10, 2020

Spanish in 1898 Foreign Service Dress

Off the painting desk emerges a largish bunch of Spanish infantry for the Spanish-American War project.  Well, largish for me, anyway.  With a batch of 30 figures, these Old Glory 25mm figures with form two BMUs. 

With blue tunics, red trousers, and white sun helmets, these are smart looking figures.  When I first saw the illustration below of this Havana garrison unit, I knew I wanted to field these colorful lads.  I am glad I did!  This Spanish garrison will add much color to the Spanish Army.  The Spaniards may go down to defeat but will look smart doing so.
As with all of the Old Glory figures in the 25mm Spanish-American War range, the soldiers are not too encumbered with equipment or webbing.  This lack of equipment makes painting a snap.  Great figures and a pleasing result.
Next off the painting desk for this project will be 30 US Volunteer Infantry.  Like the Spanish here, the whole 30-figure bag will be tackled in one go.  While the Americans don blue shirts, no red pants for these cowboys.

Surprising to me is that the Cuban scenario still lingers on my gaming table, unplayed.  I really ought to either put the board into play or pack it up and move on.  After having given Fields of Honor-AWI a couple of games and enjoyed that, perhaps, I ought to move on to playing the more detailed, colonial version?  I did work out a set of rules using the Combat Effectiveness engine of some of my other primary rules.  Going that direction is an option too.
What scenario is envisioned here?
With the hex grid used for the recent AWI battle tests of Fields of Honor still occupying one end of the gaming table, I am on the look out for a similarly sized scenario to give the AWI version another try.  As a reminder, the hex grid is 8x6.  I am open to recommendations and suggestions. 

56 comments:

  1. Very nice Spanish Infantry Jonathon, and how do you know they will go down to defeat...the wargaming version may result in Cuba remaining in Spanish hands and no Teddy Roosevelt as POTUS! For your AWI game how about Eutaw Springs, it would fit on that size of table I think....

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    1. Thanks, Keith! You are correct. The Spanish may not go down to defeat at all! Eutaw Springs. Hmm. I will look into that one. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  2. Really great looking Spanish. A change from all those pyjama uniforms.

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    1. Thanks! So true about a field of rayadillo. This is a welcome change.

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  3. The Spanish look great Jonathan. What size are your terrain boards/tiles and what are they made of?

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    1. Thanks! The terrain boards shown here are two foot squares made from ceiling tiles constructed more than 25 years ago. Still seeing good service!

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  4. Very nice Jonathan, we now have our second lockdown so probably going to do a lot of painting.

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    1. Thank you, George! Too about about a return to lockdown but having more time to paint is a blessing in disguise (I suppose).

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  5. Great looking Spanish Foreign Legion troops, lovely colour combo!
    Best Iain

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  6. Whoah! Very cool unit, Jonathan. Their pith helmets really set off the colorful uniform.

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    1. I agree that the sun helmets really add to this uniform. Thanks for your comment, Dean!

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  7. Cool uniforms Jonathan. The unit has a jaunty look about it with the pith helmets, they should give the US Volunteers a run for their money.

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    1. Thank you, Greg! I hope these Spanish can give the Americans a good showing when under my command.

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  8. That is a beautiful table, Jonathan. I was surprised to see it is made of ceiling tiles! Looks like they've held up great!

    The Spaniards look great. I cant wait to see them in action.

    I'm reading through the AWI FoH rules now - they look simple enough! What are the big differences in the Colonial rules?

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    1. Thank you, Steve, for your comments on both terrain and Spanish! I ought to get SAW figures into action before I decide to clear the table for something else.

      As for FOH-Colonial, it a much more complete production than the AWI version. Colonial has much more chrome, more detail, telescoping scale, scenarios, troops attributes by conflict, etc. It is a very professional production but without the hex maps and counters. Really is one of my favorite examples of a set of rules that is well done.

      I have an extra copy if you are interested in 19th Century conflicts.

      I will likely give the AWI version another run-out once I pick a scenario. Even though these rules are short, there is really a lot of nuance in play.

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  9. It’s going to be a stylish battle when you get gaming with those and your Americans.

    I’ll have to give GOH-Colonial a look. They sound interesting . I’m thinking of getting into Colonial and looking for suitable rules for mid-19th C and maybe into the 20th.

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    1. It will be different, for sure! Americans fighting in the jungles of Cuba ought to provide some interesting narratives.

      The original Fields of Honor for 19th Century was published in 1994. I still see copies on ebay. I have an extra...

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  10. You've done it again Johnathan, Spanish? The Spanish/American War. They look lovely and obviously there will be Americans to face them. Just how many projects have you undertaken?

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    1. Yeah, I've done it again! How many projects do I have? Almost too many to count and way too many to suggest I am a rational collector.

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  11. A lovely looking unit and very distinctive in their pith helmets. I could certainly use my 10mm British Colonial troops quite easily for these. Yet another possible project!

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    1. Thank you, Steve! The pith helmet is a terrific headgear, don't you think? In 10mm, Colonial British in pith helmet ought to work for Spanish.

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  12. Very nice job Jonathan and they do look smart. It is amazing how much figures with only minimal equipment can cut down on painting time.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence! Less Equipment = Faster Painting!

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  13. Nice group, they will definitely stand out amongst the more somber tones of the rest of your Spanish army.

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    1. Thanks! These troops will over a welcome spot of color to the Spanish Foreign Service. Good to see you back to reading blogs.

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  14. They DO look smart in those uniforms!

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  15. Nice unit and indeed will look dramatic on the field of battle.....but as others have said above you do seem to have a lot of projects on the go......and that’s coming from me ! ah ha but it is moving to the next project that keeps us young and motivated and I find myself perusing the Perry’s WotR collection this very morning 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Matt! As you say, having a multitude of projects on-hand with the ability to quickly move from one to another is a good motivator. If this keeps us young, even better!

      Perry's WotR range is very nice...

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  16. Lovely work on these, and a fun colour scheme. Re: the lack of webbing, I find as I age I appreciate clean, simple sculpts more and more.

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    1. Much appreciated, Markus! Is it age or the number of figures painted that drives the desire for less equipment?

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  17. I think everyone is attracted to the sun helmets bc it’s an unusual piece of kit. Very nice job! 30 figures is a large number.

    As for AWI scenarios; might take some rearranging, but bunker hill. Everyone loves bunker hill. 😀

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    1. Thanks, Stew! Bunker Hill was under consideration and will be again now. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  18. Lovely work, Jonathan. Red pants and a white pith helmet...what more could you want in a uniform!

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    1. Thanks, Mark! Perfect ensemble for entertaining during the hot nights in Havana!

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  19. Smart is the right word for those Spanish Jonathan! Would love to see them in action.

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  20. Really looking forward to seeing this project develop Jonathan.
    I have been fascinated by the period since reading the old Volley & Bayonet supplement back in the day, though never had the chance to pursue figures etc.

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    1. Novak's "The Rough Riders" supplements are good resources even if you don't play V&B. It is an interesting period, for sure. There are a few good wargames on the conflict that would lend themselves well to battle generators for a campaign game.

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  21. What a handsome change of pace for the SAW! It remains to be seen if they will have a place of honor, or otherwise; that awaits a turn on the tabletop!

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    1. A nice change of pace, for sure! I think these Spanish look very smart.

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