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Monday, April 26, 2021

28mm Great Italian Wars Parade

When the latest gendarmes for the Italian Wars project mustered out from the painting desk almost one week ago, I suggested this might present a good opportunity to pull the collection from its boxes and array these colorful figures out onto the table.  I kept my word.

With the gaming table clear, the collection is out on the reviewing grounds.  By my count, the collection now fields the following figure counts:
  • Artillery: 6 guns and 24 crew
  • Infantry: 501 foot
  • Cavalry: 77 horse

After playing a few games with Jake's Italian Wars collection more than six years ago, I became interested in fielding my own army for contests against Jake.  About the same time, I received an email from fellow blogger Phil at Toy Soldiers Studio asking if I would be interested in a few of his figures.  My Great Italian Wars collection got its initial boost with a purchase of figures from Phil's talented hand.  I remember the great thrill of unboxing the long box of figures that arrived shortly thereafter.

Jon and Phil Refighting Zama

Well a couple of weeks' ago, Phil said he would be in town on a cross-state trip and asked if I had time for a brief visit.  Of course, I did!  Not only did I have a chance to show Phil around the game room but we managed to sneak in a game of Commands & Colors Ancients with my 6mm collection before he departed for another commitment.

Anyway, on to the parade review!








Seems a shame to array the troops for battle without a fight.  Perhaps I will put some of these troops through maneuvers?

78 comments:

  1. That is a mighty array Jonathan! I like a good parade. You just have to love all those flags too. Well done!

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  2. Nice work Jon. Re : flags. Obviously printed but do you do any extra e.g. shading, repainting?

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    1. Thank you, Anthony! While most flags are straight Pete's Flags, a few have been embellished a bit.

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  3. Great eye Candy! The Italian Wars are so colorful, in fashion and background. Thanks for the parade.

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    1. You are welcome, Joe! Glad you enjoyed the parade!

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  4. That is a truly awe inspiring collection Jon. And of course, the exotic and colourful flags simply add to the grandeur of your parade!

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  5. Damn, those look good. Every time I come here, I end up with serious magpie syndrome. Must keep focus! ;)

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    1. You are a good man, Markus! Despite the temptation, you return to test your resolve!

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  6. Ohhhh, that amazing! Beautiful minis!

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  7. Impressive, flags are a big attraction, lovely to view.

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    1. The and flags costumes are a big draw, no doubt. glad you enjoyed the parade.

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  8. They look simply stunning. The colours, the flags, everything...I hope you managed to give them a little battle before they went back into storage.

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    1. Thank you, Anthony! No battle yet but the troops are still in position out on the table.

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  9. A wonderful army parade with all those colourful flags!

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  10. A fantastic looking collection. Love the flags

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  11. Who doesn't love a parade especially when the troops are this well turned out.

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  12. A magnificent array Jonathan!

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  13. Magnificent! It is a great period for miniature gaming. Not only are the armies colourful and extremely varied but there are everything from raids and skirmishes through pitched battles, sieges and no superpower who always won.

    I wish it was easier to find first hand sources though, I only have a few and my copy of Montluc's book is really a sort of digest leaving out as much as it shares. Still fascinating.

    Great collection already.

    Ross

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    1. This is a fascinating period in both history and in which to game. Glad you approve, ross!

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  14. Lovely job. Best uniforms meets best flags - great spectacle.

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    1. "Best uniforms meet best flags" I agree! Thanks you, Norm!

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  15. It has already been written, but I must admit that these magnificent flags add a lot to already superb figures ...Gorgeous parade!!

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    1. Merci beaucoup! The flags do add greatly to the visual punch of the display.

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  16. I can only imagine a similarly sized force to oppose this lot and how grand that would look on a suitably large tabletop!

    Wow Jon, just wow.

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    1. Dai, there are enough figures here to field two armies but for really large battles, this collection can face off against my buddy’s. It would be fun to see TWO armies this size on the table, wouldn’t it?

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  17. Nothing short of inspiring: who doesn't love a parade?
    Good on ya' for getting in some face to face gaming, too!

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    1. Thanks! F2F gaming in small doses ought to be fine.

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  18. Splendid Jonathan...
    All the best. Aly

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  19. Awesome looking force, but perhaps you need a few more? Only joking, they look great and a battle would be splendid!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you, Iain! Perhaps I need a few more? Perhaps!

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  20. Spectacular Jonathan and an envy to all! You really nailed the light balance on these btw!

    Christopher

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    1. You are very kind, Christopher! For "light balance" are you referring to the troop mix?

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    2. I'm referring to the photography in which you really brought out the colors on your troops, but now that you mention it you do have good mix of troops in your lovely army.

      Christopher

      Christopher

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    3. For the photography, I made a change of snapping photos with my camera to using the phone camera. I am glad you liked the change. I am not convinced that I like the phone better.

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  21. That's a cracking looking army Jonathan, with the Italian Wars one of the most attractive periods to wargame IMHO.

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    1. Thank you, Steve! This is a handsome period to game or even collect, no doubt.

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  22. Magnificent Jonathan, they all look terrific. A terrific period no doubt and one that I have only recently come to appreciate.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence! Will you be starting a project?

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    2. I will indeed Jonathan. I purchased some Mirliton Miniatures 15mm figures last year along with enough of Pete's flags, so they are patiently sitting in the queue. Of course seeing your collection makes me want to shuffle them to the front now, but I want to exhaust my current run of French Napoleonics first.

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    3. Excellent! I look forward to seeing what you produce. First things first, though...

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  23. An amazing collection Jonathan- very formidable looking- I love all those pikes!

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    1. Thanks! I jabbed myself more than once with pikes while setting the troops out.

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  24. Really impressive Italian Wars collection Jonathan!

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  25. Everyone loves a parade! Marvelous collection you have there. I’m curious if this counts as a large collection for you? 😀

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    1. Everyone loves a parade! For my 25mm collections, this one is about the same size as most so I guess this would be considered large. Seems an upper bound on my 25mm projects is about 800 figures.

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  26. I am so glad you and Phil had a chance to meet and play a game!
    As you know, i love the Armies of the Italian Wars. The cacophony of colors and the bold flags really make it a special era!

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    1. Yes, it was a pleasure to finally met Phil and especially fun to get in an impromptu game. A number of bloggers has inspired my building of this project and your work in this field is one of those inspirations. So, thank you! Perhaps one day we will meet in person?

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  27. Very impressive show and the big done work 8о

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  28. A work of art Jon , a truly lovely sight to see. 👍

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  29. I love your Renaissance armies - especially all those pike-units.
    Your chairs are original? I loved to sit on such chairs in a castle in Germany.

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    1. Thank you, Andrè! Since the chairs are only about 40 years old, they are Queene Anne reproductions.

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    2. Very elegant! Thank you. I should have some at least when I will have a proper appartement. ;-)

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  30. What can I say that hasnt been said already Johnathan, the Italian Wars is my favourite period and seeing your lovely collection makes me want to get my armies out Its great that you are using Pete's Flags they really add to the figures, well done.

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    1. Robbie, your work, project, and collection have been inspirations to me. Maybe it is time to see your collection out in either a parade or game?

      Great to hear from you again. Seems like it has been a long time.

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  31. Yes, indeed you have a lovely 28mm Great Italian Wars collection Jon! hopefully soon with(our) next visit to your town/house I will have a chance to command your 28mm units during a Italian Wars game? Thanks for having us over and finally meeting you - "I shall return" :o)

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    1. Phil! It was a great pleasure to finally meet after all of these years. Next time you plan a trip over to the West Side, let me know and we can prepare a game. I bet I can get Scott over to Spokane for a game.

      By the way, for those keeping score, Phil beat me at Zama...

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  32. A superbly colourful sight Jonathan. Lovely to look at.
    Regards, James

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