Completed 40mm Peninsular Spanish and Hessians

Finally got complete basing on the units I have been working on. The first are these Green Faced Spanish all Perry Miniatures.

The majority of these were picked up part painted by Tony Runkee, probably part of an unfinished commission for Ian Smith. Given the issues I have had with my stomach it was a god send to have a bunch of part painted, and beautifully painted figures at that, Spanish for me to finish off. I could still make them mine with some adjustments and painting the faces but with 70-90% painted on them I didnt need to do too much to get them done. As he had only used those in coatees I added a couple of waist-coated regulars I painted from scratch to flesh them out.

I already have a mounted officer in green facings, again part painted by Tony, and this will give me 2 completed 40 man regiments in 40mm, each with 3 command figures.

I am really happy with the end result on these and the overall look of a unit on campaign. Also a big thanks to Steve Shann who helped me out with the initial basing, so I did the final layers of painting and grass's so it still matched my own basing. Cheers Steve!

Whilst working through these I also finished of my Spanish gun and crew. Two Perrys gunners compliment three First Legion gunners. These started life as French gunners but with head swaps for Spanish Bicornes I think look quite nice. I do like the gun with the fancy scroll work too.

A few more pictures of the Spanish and those lovely flags, these are I have found out by Mark Allen. Beautifully done.

Also complete are these lovely Hessians.

Another chunky 40 man unit with three leader figures. I am very pleased with how these guys came out.

These are nearly all 3d printed Piano Wargames printed for me at 40mm by Paul at Sabotag3d. I think he did a great job.

The three leaders were the first printed figures which are slightly large but work really well as individual leaders. I may add a mounted officer at some point.

A couple were printed without heads to allow them to have bonnet de police added as the right hand figure here.

I may at some point consider getting an STL file for skirmishers to add a light company, but for now that's the Hessians done.

Thanks for stopping by.

Napoleonic 28mm Playtest

Steve has been working on some Napoleonic rules and we got a chance to run a playtest on the first draft of the rules last night.

These are large scale units with 24 figures representing a regiment, so 4 or 5 of these regiments a Division.

Great to get Steves Newly painted figures on table too.

The rules allow the player to attempt to activate a unit more than once in a turn, a failed activation attempt gives the initiative to the other player.

Any time a player activates a division, all artillery in effective range on both sides can fire, so lots of artillery fire, however beware each battery has a limited supply of ammunition.

I gained initiative and chose to concentrate on attacking the right flank of the Russians. Pressing forward to take the village before the Russians could get on table and prevent me.

A battery of 6 pounders supported my assault. the dice at the back represent my ammo, done to 8 rounds already!

Each side had a cavalry division, I chose to push mine forward to threaten the Russkies, not a great idea as it turned out. Keep your cavalry out of artillery range if you can!

As the French advance the initiative passes to the Russians who advance a division onto the village in support.

However they are a way off when initiative passes back and I storm the village.

A hard fought assault sees the French pushed back.

On the French left the infantry approach the other village and decide to volley the defenders before closing. Behind the village the Russian horse close on the flank.

The French go in again and are again held.

At this point my reserve division comes on and marches up the right flank to support our assault.

A third assault on the village finally suceeds in driving the badly mauled Russians out.

With the village in French hands I begin to sweep around the Russian flank with the reserves and the Light infantry occupy the village.

The Russian supports on the left, my right, now begin to deploy.

The Italians on my left finally come on and get going, whilst my main thrust is on my right its important to keep Steve busy on the other side. Whilst I can keep moving the same commands multiple times, if I try the same unit consecutively it gets harder to pass the orders each turn. Switching back and forth keeps me needing a 3 to pass the orders each time. Remember as soon as I fail the initiative passes back to Steve regardless of how many turns I have left, unless Steve has run out of turns.

I advance the cavalry to try draw Steves cavalry in, apart from anything else its a playtest so keep to see what cavalry does. 

A sharp little fight ensues and my cavalry bounce off the Russians.

I hadnt really taken into account that Steve can continue to fire his artillery in my turn and we see the first regiment of French break and the cavalry start to take really significant casualties. 

Steve advances to support the village on my left and its looking unlikely I will make any progress here.

Fortunately on the right as Steve starts to advance from the hill my foot and guns decimate the Russian foot and the with the village in my hands the right is secure. At this point the artillery ammunition rules show their value, Steve has expended his divisional artillery supplies on his left, so whilst my light infantry in the village are badly mauled they remain intact. The left is far less secure and Steve has the upper hand, but Steve decides on balance the French have the better of the day and we stop proceedings there.

 A really different set of rules that worked far better than I may have initially expected.

Overall really enjoyed the rules and picked it up surprisingly quickly. I look forward to a another game soon. Thanks Steve.

First 1920 Polish infantry Finished & Based

 So the Poles are taking shape now and with Steve Shann supporting the basing I have got some good progress on this project now.

First completed unit is a battalion of Legionnaires in the Austrian style uniform.

I particularly like how these have come out, a mix of Woodbine and Studio Siberia.

The two manufacturers mix reasonably well but not too concerned.

The odd bandaged head adds some character.

I also have my first gun and crew, Woodbine Turks with Studio Siberia heads painted in the 1919 Gre Green uniform with a German 75mm gun.

The Adrian Helmet is a Woodbine head.

The second battallion are part of "Hellers Blue Army" 

Poles in French Horizon blue, either issued in France or in Siberia before embarkation for France.

Slightly more eclectic mix these are Woodbine with a bunch of Brigade games French. The odd Studio Siberia head adds some Polish visually.

Also a couple of Crusader French on the command base here. Very different styles and sizes but just about get away with it I think.

On with the next ones now, thanks for stopping by.