Command Colors Ancients:
Before our scheduled CCN game on April 2nd, Scott came over Saturday with two of his CCA modules in tow. We played ten games in under seven hours including a long time-out for lunch. Most games lasted no more than 30 minutes. Scott's organizational skills made short work of set up and take down. We refought Akragas four times (S3:J1), Cannae four times (S2:J2), and Ilipa twice (S0:J2). So, we each won five games from both sides of the board. Both Ilipa games were very closely contested with the last Ilipa game witnessing a come-from-behind victory to take three banners on the last turn while Scott only needed one more banner to reach 7. As the day progressed, some rules that had been interpreted incorrectly were rectified and we both saw tactics beginning to evolve in our play.
15mm Napoleonic Project:
The two Portuguese batteries and two Spanish batteries are finished excluding flocking. More unfinished business for Albuera. Spanish higher command is needed. I'll likely need to field four infantry divisional commanders, two cavalry brigade commanders, and two Army command stands. Without having specific Spanish command figures, a search through my inventory of Spanish/British cavalry and British generals must be done to find suitable figures. Perhaps, I could use surplus French generals/ADCs as well?
18mm SYW Project:
Painting the two battalions of Prussian IR#19 wrapped up one week ago on Sunday and work began on the grenadier components for IR#8 and IR#19. These 16 figures exhaust my inventory of Eureka Prussian infantry. Prussian inventory remaining include artillery and a large assortment of cavalry. The Prussian cavalry will be primarily used in fielding a fifth squadron to each of the existing Prussian horse.
15mm Second War of Italian Independence Project:
The 1859 project was initially geared towards building the OB for San Martino between the Italians and Austrians. My plan remains intact but additional figures must be ordered to muster more than a small scale action. Currently, I have only about 10 battalions painted per combatant. Still too few to conduct the entire battle but perhaps enough to refight the attacks on Monata. The Austrian 1st Hussars are complete and represents the first of the Old Glory cavalry to be completed. The sculpting on the hussars is weak by Old Glory standards. Detail is lacking and molding is weak with most of the troopers brandishing very wispy swords. At some point, these swords will likely require replacement. I hope the French cavalry are better sculpted.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Projects Update
Austin dropped a bombshell on the group this weekend. The surprising news is that A. is packing up and heading south to Phoenix. While complaining about the Spokane winter was a frequent pastime, I didn't expect the move so suddenly. I've grown to enjoy our semi-regular painting nights and those gatherings will be missed. Good luck Austin.
18mm SYW Project:
Four squadrons of Prussian Cuirassier Regiment #6 are finished. On the table are 24 of the Blue Moon FIW French figures that I will be painting as one battalion of the Swiss Diesbach Regiment. Although typically fielded with the French, I don't see why the Austrians couldn't commandeer a Swiss regiment or two. Besides, it will add a spot of color to the white menace. These Blue Moon French are really outstanding figures and I'm anxious to see them finished.
15mm Napoleonic Project:
Two regiments of Spanish foot are finished. Both units feature figures from Old Glory's Spanish Voluntarios bags. Since no evidence suggests that the Spanish fielded artillery during the Battle of La Albuera, only two Portuguese artillery batteries remain to complete on the Allied side. Well, I must double check the Portuguese foot, I may need one more regiment.
30mm ECW Project:
Colors for four horse regiments have been applied. Those regiments receiving flags are Haselrigg, Waller, Maurice, and Prince of Wales. The figures from the last game are still in place on the tabletop. Perhaps, I'll reset and give the scenario a solitaire run-through before turning my attention towards Albuera.
6mm Ancients (2nd Punic War):
The Litko bases have arrived and the transition from current basing to 24mm x 45mm will begin shortly. Jake is working on finishing up the remainder of the cavalry from our project swap. Once completed, I'll have enough figures for a small game.
February 2011 Painting Totals:
Painting output was down in February due to a number of factors but I managed to clear the ready-to-paint box of the 1st Corps German cavalry that had been in the queue for far too long. Now that all of my 25mm ancients are finished, I need to figure-out what to do with them. The foot are mounted on 30mm x 60mm and the horse are mounted on two-inch squares. Perhaps, March output will show improvement.
18mm SYW Project:
Four squadrons of Prussian Cuirassier Regiment #6 are finished. On the table are 24 of the Blue Moon FIW French figures that I will be painting as one battalion of the Swiss Diesbach Regiment. Although typically fielded with the French, I don't see why the Austrians couldn't commandeer a Swiss regiment or two. Besides, it will add a spot of color to the white menace. These Blue Moon French are really outstanding figures and I'm anxious to see them finished.
15mm Napoleonic Project:
Two regiments of Spanish foot are finished. Both units feature figures from Old Glory's Spanish Voluntarios bags. Since no evidence suggests that the Spanish fielded artillery during the Battle of La Albuera, only two Portuguese artillery batteries remain to complete on the Allied side. Well, I must double check the Portuguese foot, I may need one more regiment.
30mm ECW Project:
Colors for four horse regiments have been applied. Those regiments receiving flags are Haselrigg, Waller, Maurice, and Prince of Wales. The figures from the last game are still in place on the tabletop. Perhaps, I'll reset and give the scenario a solitaire run-through before turning my attention towards Albuera.
6mm Ancients (2nd Punic War):
The Litko bases have arrived and the transition from current basing to 24mm x 45mm will begin shortly. Jake is working on finishing up the remainder of the cavalry from our project swap. Once completed, I'll have enough figures for a small game.
February 2011 Painting Totals:
Painting output was down in February due to a number of factors but I managed to clear the ready-to-paint box of the 1st Corps German cavalry that had been in the queue for far too long. Now that all of my 25mm ancients are finished, I need to figure-out what to do with them. The foot are mounted on 30mm x 60mm and the horse are mounted on two-inch squares. Perhaps, March output will show improvement.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Game Day - RFF Iuka
I placed a resupply of Litko bases including bases for rebasing all of the 6mm figures. Ordered and received (via Scott) a sample order from Old Glory containing a handful packs of Blue Moon FIW French infantry. My plan was to see if these figures would fit in with Eureka's SYW Austrians and Prussians. First, the figures are exquisite and second, the Blue Moon figures fit very well with Eureka's SYW infantry range.
Flags.
I received a package from Body Banners to fill out flags for the ECW project. I picked up colors for a few foote regiments and a number of horse regiments. The Body Banner flags are nice looking and will be a welcome addition for the color-less horse regiments. For cavalry colors, Body Banners includes both 15mm and 25mm flags. I only need the 25mm flags.
Having already created homemade flags for my Austrians and Prussians, I needed SYW flags for both the Bavarians and Wurtemburg regiments. Using the flags from http://www.kronoskaf.com, I was able to create flags for all of these. A few cut, paste, and resizing tasks later, I have flags for the Bavarian Leib Regiment, the Wurtemburg von Roeder Regiment, and the Prussian 8th IR. Flags were needed for the Napoleonic Spanish so I found a suitable flag on the internet and performed the same activities. Now, the eight Spanish foot regiments all have flags! Finally, I had four unflagged British regiments so flags were made for these too. Printed onto glossy photo paper, the clarity is better than my existing flags so I may ploddingly replace all of the flags in the British army.
Saturday's RFnF Game - Iuka.
Austin hosted an ACW game on Saturday with Scott R. and Don making the drive up from the south. Although Scott M. was sidelined with a broken ankle, his troops made the game and the four of us fought out the battle.
With Scott's Rebs reaching the high ground first, Don deployed his Federals in the fields in preparation for the attack.
One of the notable events of the game was one of Don's die rolls landing on top of Scott's troops.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Influx of History Books II
The stream of post-Christmas books continues. Arrivals within the last month include:
A few recent acquisitions from eBay include:
January's painting completions were dominated by the 18mm SYW Project. All Prussian command is finished as are two battalions of Musketeer Regiment #8. I didn't have the correct number of grenadiers primed so the grenadier companies will follow later. In preparation for my planned 200th Anniversary Albuera game, elements from two Portuguese dragoon regiment passed across the painting table. Added to these were two squadrons of French Hussars (Napoleonics) and the 7th Penn. Regiment (AWI). Not a bad month. Thus far in February, I completed 10 1st Corps ancient German cavalry that have been taunting me from the primed box for far too long. Oh, and I finished rebasing the Napoleonic Prussian cavalry.
- The Philadelphia Campaign Volume 2 - McGuire
- With Zeal and Bayonets Only - Spring
- The War of Austrian Succession - Browning
A few recent acquisitions from eBay include:
- Reiter Husaren und Grenadiere
- Frederick the Great's Allies 1756-63 - Reid/Embelton
- Marlborough's Army 1702-11 - Barthorp/McBride
January's painting completions were dominated by the 18mm SYW Project. All Prussian command is finished as are two battalions of Musketeer Regiment #8. I didn't have the correct number of grenadiers primed so the grenadier companies will follow later. In preparation for my planned 200th Anniversary Albuera game, elements from two Portuguese dragoon regiment passed across the painting table. Added to these were two squadrons of French Hussars (Napoleonics) and the 7th Penn. Regiment (AWI). Not a bad month. Thus far in February, I completed 10 1st Corps ancient German cavalry that have been taunting me from the primed box for far too long. Oh, and I finished rebasing the Napoleonic Prussian cavalry.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Influx of History Books I
With Christmas 2010 in the rearview mirror, time to take stock of wargaming related items picked up during the holidays. No new figures arrived with Christmas but I did receive a number of books that were culled from my Amazon.com Wish List. The books received included:
The gaming table has been cleaned up from the lengthy Second Manassas game and I deployed the ECW collection on the table for an upcoming battle. The two battlelines stretch down all 12 feet of the table with two lines of foot in the center and one wing of horse on each flank. The scenario I have in mind is a slightly smaller Parlimentary force blocking a vital bridge that the King's army must take. Below is a photo of the initial deployments.
- The Peninsula War Atlas - Lipscombe (present to myself from Amazon.com credits)
- The Philadelphia Campaign Volume 1 - McGuire
- The Germans Invasion of Norway - Haarr
- The Seven Years War in Europe, 1756-1763 - Szabo
- Ramillies 1706 - Year of Miracles - Falkner
- Fontenoy, France Dominating Europe - Gandilhon
The gaming table has been cleaned up from the lengthy Second Manassas game and I deployed the ECW collection on the table for an upcoming battle. The two battlelines stretch down all 12 feet of the table with two lines of foot in the center and one wing of horse on each flank. The scenario I have in mind is a slightly smaller Parlimentary force blocking a vital bridge that the King's army must take. Below is a photo of the initial deployments.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Project Plans for 2011
Scott, Austin, Dylan, and I met at Kevin's for a colonial game with using TSATF. Scott and Austin marched onto the board commanding a French FFL column bent on making it down the length of the table. The French goal was to exit their column intact with the loot they have 'requisitioned' from the local populace. The locals were tasked with stopping this reckless pillaging. After suffering a few cavalry casualties from a native ambush early on, the French swept away this speed bump and proceeded upon their task of driving the length of the table. No other armed natives were encountered until the lead FFL company was ambushed in the defile along the river. Taking heavy casualties, the French managed to take some cover along the river bank but casualties continued to mount. A third native warband emerged from the fort that guarded the defile and trapped the French column. With all French officers down and with two more native warbands arriving to surround the French, the French remnants fought their way back to town for a final defense. There will be many empty seats in the mess tonight, the local treasury will remain in its native land, and the French will have one more, desperate, last-stand holiday to celebrate.
Project Plans for 2011:
15mm Napoleonics Project:
200th Anniversary of Battle of Albuera - With the 200th anniversary approaching in May, I'd like to recreate the battle on the tabletop. I have a number of recent Albuera books (Dempsey, Edwards, Oliver, Fletcher) from which to pull data. To complete my OOBs, I'll need to paint a few Portuguese dragoons, a couple of Portuguese batteries, and perhaps some Spanish horse. Then, on to building the map and translating the map to the table. Quite accomplishable by May. Scott discussed a similar project with his troops. If so, the two games may make an interesting 'compare and contrast' between AoE and my heavily modified version of Republique. Or, fight the grand tactical battle using Republique and then switching down to a more tactical scale using General de Brigade.
30mm ECW Project:
Goals include codifying the Ironsides rules and compiling it into a cohesive draft. Also on the objective list is the creation of a few scenarios. Austin has requested a return to some ECW/TYW games and I know Kevin has an interest as well. Their desire to game the period gives me an opportunity to work on the scenarios and properly present the rules and QRS'. Three regiments of foote remain unpainted with two of those three being Scots. My current collection is adequate for most scenarios so I have no rush to complete these three laggards.
18mm 1799 Italian Project:
With ten battalions each of French and Russian, and four Austrian infantry, a couple of guns each should provide the troops necessary for fielding a small 1799 scenario. I'll comb Duffy to find a suitable skirmish. Plenty of AB figures remain to paint for this interesting period. Perhaps, even a small order to 19th Century Miniatures for sample figures from the Battle Honors French Revolution range would be useful (and a lot cheaper!).
18mm SYW Project:
After clearing away the 10mm ACW Second Manassas game, I want to place all of the collection on the table and try a small scenario just to get a feel for both the figures and rules. With an interest in ECW, this scenario may be on hold but painting will continue. Currently, I have two battalions of Prussian Regiment #8 on the painting table.
15mm Second War of Italian Independence Project:
The 1859 project was initially geared towards building the OB for San Martino between the Italians and Austrians. My plan remains intact but additional figures must be ordered to muster more than a small scale action. Currently, I have only about 10 battalions painted per combatant. Still too few to conduct the entire battle but perhaps enough to refight the attacks on Monata. The Austrian 1st Hussars are complete and represent the first of the Old Glory cavalry to be completed. The sculpting on the hussars is weak by Old Glory standards. Detail is lacking and molding is weak with most of the troopers brandishing very wispy swords. At some point, these swords will likely require replacement. I hope the French cavalry are better sculpted.
15mm American War of Independence Project:
Project is complete with only a few units left to paint. I'll work in a unit every so often throughout the year.
28mm Napoleonic Project:
A couple battalions each of French and British remain to be painted along with two British limbers. I would enjoy giving a small scale, battalion action a try in 2011. For the Peninsula, I really need to pick up a unit of Portuguese Cacadores to add to the mix. With the Portuguese lights, the action at Coa would be possible. Still debating whether to add either more Front Rank or Elite figures to the project.
28mm French and Indian War Project:
Project is complete and I ought to make an attempt to field them in a game in 2011.
25mm French Intervention in Mexico Project:
I really ought to either field a game for these figures or clear-out the project. They haven't seen the table in more years than I can remember. I recently sold off a few of the old Frontier FFL figures.
Project Plans for 2011:
15mm Napoleonics Project:
200th Anniversary of Battle of Albuera - With the 200th anniversary approaching in May, I'd like to recreate the battle on the tabletop. I have a number of recent Albuera books (Dempsey, Edwards, Oliver, Fletcher) from which to pull data. To complete my OOBs, I'll need to paint a few Portuguese dragoons, a couple of Portuguese batteries, and perhaps some Spanish horse. Then, on to building the map and translating the map to the table. Quite accomplishable by May. Scott discussed a similar project with his troops. If so, the two games may make an interesting 'compare and contrast' between AoE and my heavily modified version of Republique. Or, fight the grand tactical battle using Republique and then switching down to a more tactical scale using General de Brigade.
30mm ECW Project:
Goals include codifying the Ironsides rules and compiling it into a cohesive draft. Also on the objective list is the creation of a few scenarios. Austin has requested a return to some ECW/TYW games and I know Kevin has an interest as well. Their desire to game the period gives me an opportunity to work on the scenarios and properly present the rules and QRS'. Three regiments of foote remain unpainted with two of those three being Scots. My current collection is adequate for most scenarios so I have no rush to complete these three laggards.
18mm 1799 Italian Project:
With ten battalions each of French and Russian, and four Austrian infantry, a couple of guns each should provide the troops necessary for fielding a small 1799 scenario. I'll comb Duffy to find a suitable skirmish. Plenty of AB figures remain to paint for this interesting period. Perhaps, even a small order to 19th Century Miniatures for sample figures from the Battle Honors French Revolution range would be useful (and a lot cheaper!).
18mm SYW Project:
After clearing away the 10mm ACW Second Manassas game, I want to place all of the collection on the table and try a small scenario just to get a feel for both the figures and rules. With an interest in ECW, this scenario may be on hold but painting will continue. Currently, I have two battalions of Prussian Regiment #8 on the painting table.
15mm Second War of Italian Independence Project:
The 1859 project was initially geared towards building the OB for San Martino between the Italians and Austrians. My plan remains intact but additional figures must be ordered to muster more than a small scale action. Currently, I have only about 10 battalions painted per combatant. Still too few to conduct the entire battle but perhaps enough to refight the attacks on Monata. The Austrian 1st Hussars are complete and represent the first of the Old Glory cavalry to be completed. The sculpting on the hussars is weak by Old Glory standards. Detail is lacking and molding is weak with most of the troopers brandishing very wispy swords. At some point, these swords will likely require replacement. I hope the French cavalry are better sculpted.
15mm American War of Independence Project:
Project is complete with only a few units left to paint. I'll work in a unit every so often throughout the year.
28mm Napoleonic Project:
A couple battalions each of French and British remain to be painted along with two British limbers. I would enjoy giving a small scale, battalion action a try in 2011. For the Peninsula, I really need to pick up a unit of Portuguese Cacadores to add to the mix. With the Portuguese lights, the action at Coa would be possible. Still debating whether to add either more Front Rank or Elite figures to the project.
28mm French and Indian War Project:
Project is complete and I ought to make an attempt to field them in a game in 2011.
25mm French Intervention in Mexico Project:
I really ought to either field a game for these figures or clear-out the project. They haven't seen the table in more years than I can remember. I recently sold off a few of the old Frontier FFL figures.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Recap for 2010
2010 drew to a close but wargaming activities persist. First up, Paul and I put in a third session of Second Manassas battle after Christmas. This session covered the action from about noon on the 29th to about 4pm. With reinforcements streaming onto the battlefield throughout the morning, this battle quickly becomes a meat grinding affair. Holes open up and are quickly slammed shut by reserves. Kearney's Division has turned Jackson's left flank and is making very slow progress along the spline of Stony Ridge. Jackson's Wing still holds the unfinished railroad cut from the Groveton Woods to the west. Hill counterattacked out of the railroad cut and hit the Federals driving them back to Dogan's Ridge.
Unfortunately, this attack quickly became over-extended and was viciously counterattacked. Near Groveton Woods, Starke attacks Hooker's Division and having suffered heavily, Hooker fails a panic check. On the Federal left, defensive positions are hastily prepared as Longstreet's Wing reaches the battlefield and deploys. Losses to this point reach about 15,000 for the Federals and about 13,500 for the Confederates. With Paul returning to the road for a lengthy stretch in the new year, I'll likely pack up the game to make room for something new on the tabletop.
Second, I reconnected with (who was once) my long-lost gaming buddy Jake. Jake is in fine shape having complete two tours in Iraq. We enjoyed a good chat and a brief show and tell on Christmas Eve before rushing off to meet his family for church service. Very good to see him again and hopefully we'll meet across the gaming table in 2011.
Third, painting totals for December were respectable and I'm very pleased to have added Newcastle's Regiment of Foote to the ECW collection. Only three Renegade foot regiments remain unpainted. I lost the painting mo-jo for a bit in December due to holidays, final exams, work, etc. and didn't get much accomplished over the holiday break. Still, pleased to be fleshing out the SYW Austrian higher command and bringing Kolowrat up to six squadrons. Up next is more high command for the Prussians.
For 2010, I managed to paint nearly 1,400 figures and 18 pieces of equipment. Most of the equipment consisted of limbers or supply wagons. A respectable annual total and much above my goal of 900 figures. 2010 saw the completion of the FIW project having painted all remaining figures. Well, I still have a few odds and ends but not enough to field one unit. I also purged the 20mm Vietnam collection in 2010 and may be wrangling a swap of my 15mm Medievals.
Annual Painting Tally for 2010
Unfortunately, this attack quickly became over-extended and was viciously counterattacked. Near Groveton Woods, Starke attacks Hooker's Division and having suffered heavily, Hooker fails a panic check. On the Federal left, defensive positions are hastily prepared as Longstreet's Wing reaches the battlefield and deploys. Losses to this point reach about 15,000 for the Federals and about 13,500 for the Confederates. With Paul returning to the road for a lengthy stretch in the new year, I'll likely pack up the game to make room for something new on the tabletop.
Second, I reconnected with (who was once) my long-lost gaming buddy Jake. Jake is in fine shape having complete two tours in Iraq. We enjoyed a good chat and a brief show and tell on Christmas Eve before rushing off to meet his family for church service. Very good to see him again and hopefully we'll meet across the gaming table in 2011.
Third, painting totals for December were respectable and I'm very pleased to have added Newcastle's Regiment of Foote to the ECW collection. Only three Renegade foot regiments remain unpainted. I lost the painting mo-jo for a bit in December due to holidays, final exams, work, etc. and didn't get much accomplished over the holiday break. Still, pleased to be fleshing out the SYW Austrian higher command and bringing Kolowrat up to six squadrons. Up next is more high command for the Prussians.
For 2010, I managed to paint nearly 1,400 figures and 18 pieces of equipment. Most of the equipment consisted of limbers or supply wagons. A respectable annual total and much above my goal of 900 figures. 2010 saw the completion of the FIW project having painted all remaining figures. Well, I still have a few odds and ends but not enough to field one unit. I also purged the 20mm Vietnam collection in 2010 and may be wrangling a swap of my 15mm Medievals.
Annual Painting Tally for 2010
| Era | Scale | Type | Figure Cnt | Equip Cnt |
| American Civil War | 10mm | Artillery | 48 | 6 |
| American Civil War | 10mm | Cavalry | 30 | |
| American Civil War | 10mm | Infantry | 46 | |
| American Civil War | 15mm | Infantry | 28 | |
| American War of Independence | 15mm | Artillery | 12 | 6 |
| American War of Independence | 15mm | Infantry | 53 | |
| American War of Independence | 28mm | Infantry | 25 | |
| Bonaparte in Italy and Switzerland | 18mm | Infantry | 208 | |
| English Civil War | 30mm | Cavalry | 9 | |
| English Civil War | 30mm | Infantry | 54 | |
| French & Indian War | 25mm | Infantry | 49 | |
| Italian War of Independence | 15mm | Cavalry | 12 | |
| Italian War of Independence | 15mm | Infantry | 280 | |
| Napoleonic Wars | 15mm | Cavalry | 16 | |
| Napoleonic Wars | 15mm | Infantry | 72 | |
| Napoleonic Wars | 28mm | Artillery | 24 | 6 |
| Napoleonic Wars | 28mm | Cavalry | 16 | |
| Napoleonic Wars | 28mm | Command | 3 | |
| Napoleonic Wars | 28mm | Infantry | 44 | |
| Punic Wars | 6mm | Infantry | 72 | |
| Seven Years War | 18mm | Cavalry | 114 | |
| Seven Years War | 18mm | Command | 26 | |
| Seven Years War | 18mm | Infantry | 154 | |
| Totals | 1395 | 18 |
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