Still working on clearing the line-up at the photo booth. The good news is that the queue is nearing its end. The bad news is that I have four units getting ready to make their way into the queue. Having more units emerging from the painting desk is really not bad news, though, is it? Of course not.Mustering out, today, are twelve Hanoverian horse grenadiers. Figures are from Eureka Miniatures. Most of the Eureka sculpts are very good but the raised swords on all of these fellows are a bit fragile and "wispy" to my eye. They are delicate and I wonder how long they will last under the rigors of gaming. Still, nice figures and I look forward to getting them into battle.
A pair of Sumerian straddle cars remain at the photo booth with a pair of FRW French light infantry battalions and two WAS Spanish infantry regiments getting close to completion at the painting desk.
On the gaming front, Fornovo takes to the field for two more games. Game #5 is scheduled for Thursday and Game #6 is on deck for next Tuesday. A couple of rules and scenario amendments slip into the game following player feedback. After a half-dozen playings, it is likely time to focus on another battle. Will gaming remain in the Great Italian Wars or move on to something else? At present I am really enjoying the Italian Wars' battles but slipping in a little variety might be good for both players and umpire. What could be on deck next? I am open to suggestions.
Splendidly painted figures Jonathan. Looking forward to your next items for admiration and period/game to hit the table.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gentleman Richard! As always, you are much too kind.
DeleteExcellent looking unit of cavalry! I'm all for another Italian wars game for what it's worth!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain! Not tired of Italian Wars even with two more Fornovo battles upcoming?
DeleteA fine addition to the ranks Jonathan, another Italian Wars scenario sounds just dandy to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil! Gosh, you and Iain are gluttons for Italian Wars punishment!
DeleteLovely looking unit, always like to see horse grenadiers, there is just something about them that ticks all the boxes for me!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like horse grenadiers in general and my version in particular.
DeleteLove the Horse Grenadiers Jon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray!
DeleteLove the Horse Grenadiers Jon!
ReplyDeleteGot it!
DeleteLovely looking troops and it is always great to see fresh units roll off the painting table
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil! More fresh units coming out from the production line soon.
DeleteGreat looking Grenadiers sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThin swords are always a source of anxiety when you bend them, and wonder how many times more you can accidentally do it before they finally fall off. Lovely figures though, and beautiful work on them. What about a Napoleonic game?
ReplyDeleteThin swords are a nuisance. Glad you approve, thin words and all. Napoleonics, huh? Hmm.
DeleteLovely work on the horse grenadiers Jon! Shame about the thin swords which, whilst they might look 'right', often they simply do not stand up to the average gamer and their hands. I much rather chunky blades for durability.
ReplyDeleteAs for the next 'period' to game, I always try and go for something very different, to keep things fresh. WWII maybe...?
Thanks, Steve! Well, you are correct that WWII would be something very different for me. I have not had that collection out on the table since I don't know when.
DeleteIt is impressive that you remain so productive while also hosting so much gaming - it is a good thing 🙂 the Eureka are very nicely proportioned, your brush has brought the best out of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Norm. One advantage to replaying a scenario is the big effort is done only once and each replay requires only modest pre-game preparation. When I can cycle five players into each game, we get a lot of bang for the buck.
DeleteYour Horse Grenadiers look fantastic, Jon. They are one of those oddities that just scream "Seven Years War"!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter!
DeleteExcellent work Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteI have no suggestions for your next set of games. You seem to do fine without my help 😂
Thanks, Ben. I appreciate your vote of confidence.
DeleteOne of the best things about 18th Century gaming is being able to field units if horse grenadiers--love 'em!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I wonder how often they actually made it into battle?
DeleteVery nice figures as always Jon...I remember painting 25mm Minifigs horse grenadiers for the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion back in the mid 70's, as a fifteen or sixteen year old....I even went to the museum at Edinburgh Castle and did hand sketches of the real thing (no cell phone cameras in those far off days!)
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a rarely used collection on the table, so WWII might be the thing, or your Great Game Gone Hot, perhaps??
Thank you, Keith! I have not had WWII out in so long that I really don’t recall what I have. My small collection is early war with a focus on Norway. Great Game might be interesting but not enough figures to keep a large group entertained. Good ideas, though, and both are possibilities. I have yet to field my 1799 FRW project on the table with Russians. That might be interesting as would refighting Marengo.
DeleteMore Italian Wars - it's definitely in vogue at present.
ReplyDeleteBayonets and swords - a real pain! Swords are easier to replace than bayonets....
Neil
More Italian War, I like it! Flimsy swords and bayonets are a bane to Wargaming enjoyment.
DeleteNice work Jon 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt!
DeleteAs the author [I think in Miniature Wargames] of a scenario for horse grenadiers raiding an artillery park, coupled with the splendid uniforms, I'm always delighted to see some and yours look great. Perhaps one of the manufacturers of steel [or even plastic] pikes could make sword blades. Old school wargamers were able to hammer them out of iron pins but that's not in my skill set.
ReplyDeleteAs for games. I'm enjoying your Italian Wars for the colour and the fact I don't have any here. All the suggestions made sound good and especially yours for the FRW because again it's a period I like but don't have in my collection. However as we live in the so called 'free world' I'll throw my pennyworth in the ring for the Biblicals sometime. [I have a handful of 15mm DBA 'armies' for that period but they haven't seen the table in years and need some TLC before those chariots can roll again].
Please keep doing what you're doing and I'm happy to come along for the ride whether reaing the blog or playing in the games.
Stephen
Hammering out pins as replacement swords is not in my skill set either. FRW and Biblicals noted. Running chariots can be great fun. Using a version of BI means very little learning curve in the basic mechanisms from our Italian Wars games. Next question is which sub-period of Biblicals? Since my Sumerians were last on table, I have added more battle carts and few other units. That might be fun especially since the lumbering battle carts can get into trouble much more easily than they can get out of it.
DeleteLovely looking horse grenadiers!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks, Christopher!
DeleteNice cavalry unit. Replacement of broken swords is always tricky.
ReplyDeleteThank you! While the swords have not broken yet, my confidence is low that they remain attached for long.
DeleteIf there is another batch to paint, do you replace the swords before they get painted and based?
DeleteI only replace broken swords on unpainted figures. If they break during play, I usually let them lay where they fall. Sometimes, I will make a repair especially for 25mm figures.
DeleteHanoverians look great, I like those distinctive hats. Were 'Horse Grenadiers' perhaps originally meant to fight dismounted, as Grenadiers to the Dragoons' infantry, so to speak?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the further Fornovo games! If you are liking the period, maybe stick with it but try another scenario - this is quite unusual with the river crossing, so others will be different...
Thanks, David! I would have to look up traditional roles but mine fight mounted. Two more Fornovo games and then, perhaps, on to something new. I have been looking at Agnadello as a possible follow-up to Fornovo.
DeleteThe Han horse look good. let's hope the swords last. silly that everyone has to have it waving about, but I hear that's required for cavalry. 😁
ReplyDeletesuggesting to people what game to run is like suggesting to your wife what to order at a restaurant. 😜
Thanks! I much prefer shouldered swords, myself. I know better than to make menu suggestions...and so should you.
DeleteWonderful work on the Horse Grenadiers, good luck protecting the weapons. Your Hanoverian force is a treat to see.
ReplyDeleteThe Italian Wars are not nearly devoid of further interest, but your choice of topic is always fun to follow.
Thanks, Joe. We will see how these swords hold out in battle. Plans are formulating for the next battle.
DeleteLovely looking Horse Grenadiers Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteI am certainly enjoying your Italian Wars games but whatever you decide will no doubt be just as entertaining.
All the best. Aly
Thanks, Aly! I am enjoying Italian Wars too but it may be time for a quick diversion into something else.
DeleteVery nice Hanoverian horse there Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you, David!
DeleteWow! I never thought about Hanoverian Horse Grenadiers. But these are looking excellent. I love the uniform and the poses.
ReplyDeleteThanks, André!
Delete