Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Spanish Infantry for El Cid

Following up on a string of Reconquista games, it is likely no surprise that seeing these armies out on table prompted more figures to be pushed into the painting queue.  Today's offering is no exception to that tendency and, typically, the rule.
Out from the painting desk is a twelve-figure body of Spanish spearmen.  Figures are 28mm Crusader Miniatures.  Nice figures and really a joy to paint.  These fellas will be used to bolster the Spanish Army next time this collection takes to the field.  More Arab infantry are waiting in the ready-to-paint box but many more units are ahead in the queue.  A lot of variety is working its way through the production line.
On the gaming front, Monday saw me joining the Rejects in a remote game hosted by Richard.  Richard used Koenig Krieg played on a hex grid with tiles.  My Russian army faced the wily Ottomans in an 18th Century clash.  I leave it to Richard to tell the tale of this battle.  Once his story has been told, I will weigh in with my thoughts.  Richard always hosts an enjoyable game.  This one was no exception.
Uzaktan Savas (Russians in blue)
Later today sees me dropping into Matt's for the next installment of our long-running AWI campaign.  This time, my beleaguered Americans attempt to avert disaster at Paoli against the even more wily British.
Paoli Set up
(photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon)
Beautiful table.  Too bad it will soon be covered in American casualties!

51 comments:

  1. Busy painting AND gaming....
    Oh to be retired!
    Neil

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  2. Very nice Crusader figures Jon and after my recent burst of AWI activity, I am looking forward to seeing how your game with Matt, plays out.

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    1. Thanks! Keith, this is known as the Paoli Massacre for a very good reason. My expectations are low.

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  3. Great work on these Jonathan. Again, I love your shields and the way in which they compliment each other. Ottomans v Russians is an theatre I have always been keen to play at some stage.

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    1. Thank you! I had never played this match up in 18th Century gaming either.

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  4. A variety of wargaming activities - the block game looks interesting.

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    1. The block game is very interesting and works well for remote gaming on a grid.

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  5. Very fine work on the Spanish chaps Jonathan!

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  6. Love the new Spaniards Jon. All that yellow and red will certainly stand out on the table.

    Also nice to see regular gaming occurring for you. I say buck that trend of "Massacres". Win win win!

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    1. Thanks, Dai! Well, the Massacre at Paoli is over. I will let Matt tell this tale.

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  7. Splendid Spanish there Jonathan. Looks like you have your work cut out at Matt's.

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  8. Spanish Infantry looking good and figs on the table top always add to the painting queue

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    1. Thanks, Hendrid! Long time, no hear. Welcome back.

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  9. Great looking additions to the Spanish forces Jonathan.

    I hope you turned the tables on those British imperialists 😁

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    1. Thanks! You will find out how the Americans fared soon.

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  10. Your Spanish look lovely Jonathan and good luck on your AWI game!

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  11. Great unit , I look forward to hearing how it gets on in a game…
    Alan Tradgardland

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  12. A luvvly looking Spanish unit Jon. I enjoyed the game Monday night too and look forward to your and Matt's game report.

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    1. Thank you, Ray! Monday's game was a good one with the exception that your Ottomans completely overran the Russian positions.

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  13. Great looking Spanish unit Jon I have a few of them and need to paint some more 👍

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    1. Much appreciated! When you get your Reconquista armies back to the table, your Crusader Spanish may rise to the top of your vast painting queue.

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    2. Vast and growing……..no more battleships for me !

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    3. No more battleships? I only saw ONE yesterday. Plenty of room for a fleet.

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  14. Nice job on the spearmen. If memory serves Paoli was the British sneaking up in the night and bayoneting everyone that was asleep?

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    1. Thanks, Mark! You know your history. Seems very unsporting to attack during the night!

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  15. Superb unit, Jonathan. They would grace the best of wargaming tables.

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  16. Lovely looking Spanish,Im sure you enjoyed Richards signature block 18th century game, surely Matt isnt evening up that run of American victories?
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks! Is the tally marker moving back toward the British in the AWI campaign? Not yesterday!

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  17. The Spanish infantry look superb, I always find Crusader miniatures a joy to paint

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  18. Those Spanish infantry chaps do look rather lovely and nice to see a mix of helmet designs, especially the fluted one:). A couple of nice remote games too there Jon.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, there is a lot of variety in the dress of these fellows. Indeed, I got in a couple of very enjoyable games this week and did not host any!

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  19. Spanish look great, again your muted palette/black undercoating works well. Richard's block armies and slightly stylised terrain look really good - and having seen his report, a good game too!

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    1. Much appreciated! I, too, like the look of Richard’s presentation. It offers a very clean look. Easy to see what is going on down on the table although the casualty dice cannot be seen. Those dice are tiny!

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  20. Very nice table for the AWI. Your Medieval miniatures are looking always on point. I hope to see your Spanish and Piedmont troops back on the table nevertheless.

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    1. The AWI table is Matt's handiwork. While the WAS figures will not be out on table next, I am moving in that direction. Next up will be the Second Coalition armies taking to the field at the 1800 Battle of Montebello.

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    2. Very interesting. I do like that campaign very much and especially the battle of Montebello.

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