The British Are Coming

No, not those British! 

The British marching forth in today's parade are for the SYW/WAS/Jacobite Rebellion.  These fellas come on in hot pursuit of the Highlanders that have recently mustered out from the painting desk.

Figures are Blue Moon infantry led by a Eureka mounted colonel.  These lads muster out as the 6th Regiment of Foot and are the last of Blue Moon British lingering in The Lead Pile.  No worries.  There remain bags and bags of British infantry to paint and field but the next batch will be Old Glory figures.

Nice figures but harder to see the detail to paint than Old Glory.  Gosh, my eyes seem to be going even more downhill.

On the gaming front, Monday saw a third playing of the Montebello battle.  This time Ray and Lee faced off across the remote gaming table.  Ray commanded the French Army while Lee took charge of the Austrian Army.  The photo above shows Chamberlhac attacking the defenders of Casteggio, one of the objectives for the French.  Did they succeed in taking the town from the enemy to win the day?  And, did Lannes manage to survive this battle having fallen in the previous two?  This is a tale for another day.

The British Are Coming!

No, not those British! 

While the SYW/WAS collection has not seen any action on the gaming table in more than a year (has it really been that long since Bassignana?), painting for this project continues.  As illustrated in the half-year painting update in Saturnine Orogeny, work on the 18mm SYW/WAS collection comprised nearly 39% of all painting output for 2025 through June.

Marching out from the painting desk are two regiments of SYW/WAS British foot.  These 46 figures muster out as the 3rd and 4th Regiments of Foot.  Foot figures are from Blue Moon led by Eureka Miniatures' mounted colonels.  Looking into The Lead Pile, this looks the end of the Blue Moon British figures.  Any more British units will be made up of Old Glory figures and I have several bags of them.

While other projects are seeing more efforts at the painting desk, two regiments of Piedmontese will be mustering out shortly.  After that, a whole mishmash of projects will be working through the painting queue.  A pair of Great Italian Wars units may beat the Piedmontese out of the gate, though.  We will see.

Painting has taken a backseat to gaming this week with three gaming sessions on the docket.  Monday saw two playtests of Reject Richard's Anglo-Dutch Wars naval rules that were easy to learn and great fun.  Excellent rules.  This game even has me eyeing my pile of unbuilt Anglo-Dutch ships.  Eyeing only.  I do not think I maintain the skill or patience to build up enough ships for two fleets.  Still, a guy can dream.  Richard's Battle Report can be read at Naval Playtest 3.

Tuesday saw a return to Mortimer's Cross on my table in a remote three-player game.  Great fun in a challenging game for Edward IV.  Battle report to follow soonish (I hope!).  My next decision is whether to set up another refight of Mortimer's Cross or go out in search of a new battle to fight.  Time will tell.

Finally, Wednesday saw four battles of Cunaxa fought on Scott's table.  Using Commands & Colors: Ancients, we played out four games in about two-and-a-half hours.  Again, great fun!  Scott went 2-0 and I managed to go 2-1 in the session. Poor Kevin was skunked again at 0-3.  In the four games, Artaxerxes won two games and Cyrus won two games.

That is it for the gaming for the week just passed.  No games on next week's slate yet but, like the weather, that can change quickly.

Spanish Foreign Regiments

The Spanish build-up continues with 46 figures mustering out as two Spanish Foreign Regiments.  In a change from the predominantly white Spanish infantry uniform, Spain's foreign regiments offer a splash of color to the army.

Out from the painting desk today are 23 figures in the Irish Hibernia Regiment and 23 figures in the Swiss Buch Regiment.  Figures are Blue Moon foot led by Eureka mounted colonels.  Irish flag by Not by Appointment.  Regiment Buch still awaits its flag.

Irish Hibernia Regiment

Swiss Buch Regiment

As I begin putting together an OB and scenario for the next WAS battle, Madonna dell'Olmo, both of these regiments will be able to see service.  Hibernia will play itself.  Buch will take the role of the Spanish Swiss Jung-Reding.  Hopefully, battle details will be worked-out within the next fortnight with the first game seeing action the week of 10 December.  Like many of the larger battles going before, I expect this battle will see more than one playing.

Still much work to do as I piece together assorted and different OBs.  Table layout requires some thought as well.  Game will be on a hex grid.  Last time the armies saw action for a WAS clash (Bassignana), the table was non-gridded.  Rules need some work too.

Next off the painting desk will likely see a return to Biblicals.  The next installment in Great Wargaming Survey analysis may slip in as well.

Two More Hanoverian Infantry Rgts

A second pair of Hanoverian infantry regiments debouches from the confines of the painting desk.  Like their comrades before, these 46 figures are Blue Moon infantry led by Eureka mounted colonels.  Regiments are Alt Zastrow (yellow trim) and Knesebeck (white trim).

Work continues slowly on producing more Hanoverians.  Next out of the gates will likely be a half-dozen guns and crew.

Before more figures march out from the painting desk, I have been distracted again.  This time, the distraction consisted of a small terrain building diversion.

Following the long run of First Manassas games, I wanted to maintain the momentum of both rules and period development by bringing another battle or two to the table.  

Having recently included three days at Gettysburg in my May ACW battlefield tours, restaging some of the Gettysburg action seemed reasonable if not warranted.  First sector of the battle to investigate is Hood's attack on the Round Tops on July 2nd.  As I began laying out the hex tiles, I soon discovered that the table required a handful more hill hexes.  While I was at it, I could use some brown tiles as well.  Having gone this far, I may as well finish off the remainder of the four-inch hexes from my Wood Pile.

That I did.

This week, work concentrates on putting together a scenario to refight a part of Longstreet’s Gettysburg action.  Table is set and details are being tuned.  The first game is scheduled for Thursday with the group fresh off victory (or defeat) in some of the recent, remote First Manassas battles.

Battle briefings likely to go out later today.

As a non sequitur, I rediscovered the game photo below from a past gaming high point.  The photo shows my American pilot taking out a pair of StuGs in 1944 Germany.  Great fun!  I wonder if I have any more photos from that game?  I never made it to the point of writing up a battle report.  Well, at least one photo was not lost.

The First of the Hanoverians

Finally, work begins on fielding a new army for the WAS/SYW projects.  Actually, work has been simmering away slowly with many diversions but the first pair of infantry regiments musters out.

Adding Hanoverians to the project opens up many new doors including further expansion into the War of Austrian Succession and the War of Polish Succession.  Perhaps even the Jacobite Rebellion?  So many possibilities.

Today, two infantry regiments march off from the painting desk.  They are Fabrice and Drachtleben.  Foot figures are Blue Moon led by a Eureka mounted colonel. 

Drachtleben

Fabrice

Away they go, marching off into the storage box!

More Hanoverians to come.

Grenadiers de France

I can only speak for myself but after having been away for more than a week, finding time to sit down for meaningful painting sessions has been challenging. Yard work beckons and so does the bike. Even without the commitment to a game or two fails to free up much time. Games are on the horizon, however.

Anyway, off the painting table today is a regiment of Grenadiers de France for the SYW project. The 23 figures field Blue Moon foot led by a Eureka mounted colonel. Flags are by David at Not By Appointment. David has been providing me with a steady stream of flags for the lads. Some Piedmontese are in the works.

I have not hosted a game in a few weeks but that will change soon.  On deck, plans are formulating to host an ACW battle.  Fresh off my battlefield tours, I am inspired to field a few of the battles visited on the gaming table.  First up will be the 1861 Battle of First Manassas.  As scenario work progresses, I have at least three games lining up.  One looks to muster five players for a remote game.  Several others may see me fighting it out against an opponent in a one-on-one setting.  More details as plans and scenario solidify.  Much work remains to accomplish.

On the cycling front, mileage picks up again after a week away from the bike.  Despite a seemingly unending string of thunderstorms, I have been out daily.  On Saturday's ride, I was unfortunately caught out in a localized cloud burst and spent much of the two-hour ride in the rain.  The bike and I returned home a mud-caked mess.

I end on a selection of photos from my recent cycling outings.

The Pavilion

Upper Falls with river near flood stage

Spokane's de facto furry mascot: The marmot.
This rodent is about 8 lbs. 

Franconians: Figures Finished and Flagged

Work at the painting desk has definitely switched to an emphasis on fielding units (and armies) for the SYW/WAS project in 18mm.  These latest efforts take a look at 2 x 23 figure Franconian regiments from the Reichsarmee.

Seeing David's handsome Franconian flags (see, Not By Appointment), I knew I wanted to field a couple of these regiments.  The two Franconian regiments chosen first are Regiments Cronegk and Ferntheil.  Figures are Blue Moon foot led by a Eureka mounted colonel.

Regiment Cronegk

Regiment Ferntheil

Despite a flurry of twelve games played in January which may be a record for me, painting was brisk as well.  January saw 164 figures painted.  That also represents a very good month at the painting desk.  So, 2023 starts out with a bang.  Will February see similar levels of activity?  Perhaps not.

What next?

On the gaming front, looks like three games on this week's docket if schedules align.  Hopefully, time to slip in a few meaningful painting sessions too.  On blogging, several posts are either in work or under consideration including another look at the Great Wargaming Survey, thoughts on Double Jeopardy, rules' revisions, and possibly a battle report or two.  Finally, one curious reader asked how to return thumbnails back to the Blogs Followed widget.  I think a brief tutorial may be forthcoming on this topic too.

OK.  Back to the painting desk!

Swiss Regiment Salis and More!

Work continues on the SYW project in 18mm.  Actually, work at the painting desk sees a number of different projects getting a run-out.

First up is a 23-figure regiment of Swiss Regiment Salis to add to my growing French Army.  Foot figures are Blue Moon led by a Eureka mounted colonel.  Flags are by David at Not by Appointment. 

Looking over at the queue to the photo booth, Salis is the last in a long line of French troops for this project (for now, anyway).  Next up for the SYW project is a turn to fielding Spanish infantry for the WAS but I am getting ahead of myself.

Two more odds and ends moved across the painting desk of late.  Both entries are for the 30mm ECW collection.

Mustering out is another command stand using The Assault Group figures.  This command stand features Wallenstein from the 30YW range but he will be pressed into service for ECW battles wherever needed.

Next, are three stragglers from the recently completed commanded shot unit.  When I originally painted the commanded shot, 26 figures were painted.  When I put the figures into the painting queue, I was almost certain there were 27 figures.  27 figures went in and only 26 figures came out.  Since the figures are based in threes, I only fielded 8 stands of three.  The other two figures were set aside.  Fortunately, during a quick clean-up, the missing figure was found underneath a box of figures on the floor.  He was quickly primered, painted, and now joins his comrades.

Finally, Matt and I return to our long-running AWI with a continuation of the campaign on Sunday.

Matt never holds back on his table layouts.  Sunday's action at Bound Brook is no exception.  Just look at the marvelous layout I get to fight over tomorrow.

Stunning stuff!

Battle of Bound Brook, 1777
photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon

French Regiments Provence and Cosse'-Brissac

Despite a flurry of games, activity at the workbench continues albeit more slowly.

A large box of hexes arrived on my doorstep this week.  Contained therein were stacks of five-inch hexes.  Do I not already have enough flocked hexes to fill a table for battle?  Yes but those were four-inch hexes for use with 15mm figures.  To adapt my 120mm frontage, 25mm armies to hex-based Basic Impetvs battles, larger hexes were needed.  Once weather improves, I will be outside preparing a second set of hex tiles to accommodate the larger 120mm bases.      

Two more French infantry regiments muster out from the painting desk today.  The two latest, 23-figure regiments are both faced red with yellow trim.  Figures are 18mm Blue Moon with a Eureka mounted officer.  Flags by Not by Appointment.

Cosse' Brissac saw action at Rossbach.

Provence saw action at Hastenbeck, Rossbach, and Krefeld.

Cosse' Brissac

Provence

Several more French infantry regiments are making their way through the painting queue.  Perhaps there will be detours to field more Sumerians along the way?

Kevin and I set down on Friday for a F2F session of Commands & Colors Ancients with my 6mm Punic Wars collection.

For this action, I picked a battle unfought by us.  On the docket was the Battle of Caralis in 215BC.  At first glance, Caralis appeared to offer an interesting battle featuring large armies.  On paper, the armies looked well-matched.  On the table, the armies were very well matched. 

We had time to play the battle twice.  Kevin chose to play the Romans in both contests.  In Game 1, Carthage took the victory 8 banners to 7 banners while in Game 2, Rome took the victory 8 banners to 6 banners.  Two very close games that went down to the wire.  Excellent stuff!  Caralis may be my new favorite battle.

Matt and I faced off on Sunday for another in our long-running Rebels & Patriots AWI campaign games.  On tap was a recreation of the running battle of Millstone in 1777.  I save details on this excellent action for another time.  

On the gaming table today, I face off in a remote game recreating the SYW Battle of Moys.  This will be David's introduction into both remote wargaming and Honours of War. 

Off to prepare for today's game.

French Regiment Poitou and Moys Update

There have been rumblings since the start of the New Year that I planned to expand my fledgling SYW French army.  Nothing to show of any progress until today. 

In the first of (hopefully) a steady stream of French units marching off the painting desk is Regiment Poitou.  Figures are 18mm Blue Moon.  Flag is by David from Not By Appointment.  At least four more infantry battalions await their turn in the photo booth.  Actually, that would be regiments since I am fielding one battalion regiments to start.  A follow-up pair of infantry regiments are on the workbench now.  After those two battalions muster out, expect a half-dozen artillery pieces. 

On the unnamed SYW battle shown in earlier posts. Matt was the first to correctly identify the battle as the Combat of Moys.  Now, a "combat' to me suggests a smaller action but once the troops were deployed upon the table, Moys looks anything but small.  Below is the Moys battle map with details filled in.

Combat of Moys

Moys is the battle David (from Not By Appointment) selected as his introduction to both remote gaming and Honours of War (HoW).  Once we get our schedules aligned, we plan to give this a try.  Have we bit off more than two players can chew?  Perhaps not in multiple sessions.  By the time we are finished, David will be very familiar with both remote gaming and HoW!  

Wish us luck.

Since I expect to have Moys out on the table for an extended time, if anyone is interested in joining for a replay, drop me an email.  Moys presents an interesting solo puzzle.  I plan to give solitaire a try too.  Scenario details will be presented when work is completed.