In a departure from the steady stream of 18mm SYW/WAS and 25mm Biblical figures emerging from the painting desk, today sees something different. Something very different from a project not seen in a very long time.
What is the project? My interpretation of the 19th Century period known as the Great Game where Britain and Russia vied for control and influence in Central Asia, mainly in Afghanistan. Now, my recollection is that the armies have only been out on the table for exactly one game. With a little luck, perhaps, mustering the latest Russians will prompt thoughts of returning these armies to the gaming table.
On the gaming front, the Battle of Fornovo saw action on Tuesday in a five-player contest. Two players were new to both Basic Impetvs and my remote games. Quite a different battle from the previous fight. Great fun but quite different.
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| French Gendarmes push across the Taro River. |
Troops look great Jon, that is a different period to play?
ReplyDeleteThe French crossing the River at Fornovo, how dare they!
Thanks, Ray! How dare the French cross the Taro? Exactly the words out of the Italians' mouths!
DeleteNice looking Roosians there Jonathan. Had same returned in the Prodigal Foundry Collection but passed them on. Interesting idea to game the C19th Great Game, calls for Flashman though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David! The Foundry Crimean War range is still quite a nice one.
DeleteLook forward to hearing more about Tuesday's game - on Saturday perhaps?
ReplyDeleteNeil
Neil, I am sure you will hear more about Tuesday's game. There were four VWCers in attendance. Maybe I can get a battle report together by Saturday. We will see.
DeleteA lovely period to game Jon, interested to see how you run it ? Hexes I wonder.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! I could go either way here (hexes or open table) since units are multi-stand and not single element.
DeleteNice unit if Russkis there Jonathan. Interested to hear if how things transpired in Tuesday's Fornovocation.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil! There will be accounts of more Fornovocation as reports come in.
DeleteAn interesting period. The Crimean War has always been an interest, both naval and land conflicts.
ReplyDeleteCrimean War is an interesting period, although I went off in a different direction so that I could field Afghan and Indian units.
DeleteAn interestingly different choice of Russian regiment, there.
ReplyDeleteI like the hats!
DeleteThat does look interesting. Have you read Alexander Morrison's 'The Russian Conquest of Central Asia' ? Fascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteI have not but I have read and enjoyed Hopkirk's The Great Game.
DeleteThat, too, is excellent but there has been over 30 years of further research since it was published.
DeleteI will look into picking up Morrison. Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteThe Russians are very nice indeed, they look quite striking in the coloured head gear, Interesting concept to, the "Great Game" is full of great what ifs and is a good chance to field a wide range of units. Certainly looking forward to seeing where it takes you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! There are many possibilities with gaming The Great Game. Not exactly sure where this will lead.
DeleteSplases of red (hats) against khaki drab (uniform) makes for very compelling units. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteVery nice, and unusual, looking Russian troops Jon! Hopefully painting them inspires a return to The Great Game later thus year....
ReplyDeleteGlad you approve, Keith! I need a bit of inspiration and time to return to this project. So many games; so little time.
DeleteGreat looking troops Jonathan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil!
DeleteNice! Wherever the Tsar glances you can be sure that Flashman’s nemesis, Count Nikolai Pavlovich Ignatieff, is not far away!
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
Thanks, Chris!
DeleteVery nice Jon. A bit of back of beyond type action would be very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat would be interesting if I knew anything about BoB. Having units/collections serving double duty is always a welcome treat.
DeleteGreat looking miniatures sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michal!
DeleteBeautiful job on these Jonathan, and they look very striking.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! Easy to paint too!
DeleteYes, figures wearing greatcoats are a wargamer's dream, but it still takes a lot of skill to lift them above the crowd.
DeleteYou are very kind!
DeleteThe Great Game sounds like lots of fun Jonathan. All sorts of units and situations.
ReplyDeleteWhenever one side or the other looks like getting ahead the Afghans can even things up again. For the right price of course. 😁
Thanks, Ben! Yes, much choice for creating interesting scenario background.
DeleteA lovely colourful Russian unit Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteOne I should get round to doing myself.
All the best. Aly
You should add one of these units to your collection!
DeleteA splendid picture of me luring the French across the river by rolling consistently worse than my noble opponent :)
ReplyDeleteThe Russians look fine too in their striking head gear.
I shall follow with interest where your muse leads you next.
All the best
Stephen
In theory, that could have been a clever tactic, Stephen.
DeleteExcellent looking Russians, all ready to menace central asia! The picture from the latest Fornova game looks intriguing!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain caveadsum1471
Thanks, Iain! There a good story underpinning that Fornovo photo.
DeleteVery nice indeed, them Russians 👍🏼👍🏼. Great work, Jonathan. Nice to see more ‘off the beaten track’ figures in show 👍🏼✔️
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martin!
DeleteA fine looking regiment Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Glad you like them!
DeleteYou will definitely have a fair number of interesting scenarios in your Great Game excursion. If you're interested in Pathans, there are some downstairs, I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe! I have some Pathans downstairs as well!
DeleteWe both should let ours out for some fresh air.
DeleteWe should!
DeleteSo the hope is the the time known as ‘the great game’ will provide for some great games? With you at the helm, it’s sure to be so. 😀
ReplyDeleteGood job on the miniatures.
Yes. A Great Hope for The Great Game. However, it seems very much on a dimly lit backburner.
DeleteThose Russians look good and at some point, my 'spare' 19thC figures will go to form a sort of Russian ImagiNations force, with the Great Game likely to feature in some shape or form.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! I am surprised that you do not already have a 19thC Russian army.
DeleteI bought some figures years ago with the plan of doing some 'Great Game' stuff, both British and Russian, but as is the wont of things, I moved onto other projects. Luckily my ImagiNations approach has allowed me to mix a wide range of troops, some of which I had simply forgotten about!
DeleteExcellent looking Russians!
ReplyDeleteAn exciting game it was , just as well you haven’t any photos of my dice throwing as one of the Italian commanders! It would have put them off for life.
Alan Tradgardland
Thanks, Alan!
DeleteThe game was very exciting. You and Doug caught on to a new ruleset quickly. Next game will proceed even more smoothly for you. No photos of dice throwing, fortunately. Unfortunately, I do have photos of the results of those dice throws.
Splendid looking Russians Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Richard!
DeleteVery cool looking Russians, Jonathan. Didn't expect to see them in red shakos.
ReplyDeleteThe Russians had at least such red shakoed units in the Crimea.
DeleteYour 19th Century Great Game project sound interesting and Russian unit looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peter. I find that even in retirement I may have too many projects and not enough time.
DeleteThose Russians look great, and rather unusual! I look forward to seeing some 'Great Game' action in due course. Also to seeing the AAR of that Fornovo game - it must have been quite different, if the French were crossing the river!
ReplyDeleteThank you, David! One day, the Russians may make it to the table. For now, the Fornovo battle report is up!
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