Scotia Albion

Busy Start to February

2012-02-07T08:32:00.000-08:00

The first couple of weeks in February is always a bit hectic, wifes birthday, sons birthday, valentines day ( yes still a bit of a romantic), anniversary of my Dad dying and finally the first show of the year at York!

Despite all that I've managed to get the Royal Albion Lights finished (all except amounted Colonel).

In all I dont think they've come out to bad, the standard is based on one from Denmark, I'm still going to tweak it but for now I just wanted them to have their standard.. I can now start on painting the second Regiment from Comyn as I gradually move towards getting enough figures for the first engagement.

As to the York show, luckily a colleague was going in his 4x4 as I doubt my motor would have made the poor road conditions. A nice show made better by the chats and conversations with people and traders I haven't seen for a while, in fact between 9.30am and 2.00pm when I left I only got round once!

I'm afraid I forgot my camera but one game I did enjoy was the Ilkley lads rendition of the battle of Sawmill Village using the Prince August homecast figures, very nice.

My shopping list was small, some oxen, a few phalangites and some saxon infantry. I almost got away without an impulse buy but I saw the below 15mm Peter Pig AK47 figures, almost 200 figures for £50.00 and that was it! Still came home with some money though, all in all a good start to the year.
Now back to the painting table.

What a great week!

2012-01-22T07:09:00.000-08:00

Well if this is retirement roll on, whilst I appreciate I may be in a bit of a honeymoon period it has been a very enjoyable week.

Tuesday and Thursday night saw me start a Punic Wars campaign with two of my colleagues at our two local wargames club, Im using an old SPI game to run the campaign and generate the battles, interestingly already it hasnt gone as I expected. The Carthaginian player - aggressive on the table top has been somewhat reserved and in his first two battles has been bettered by his Roman counterpart. The result is at the end of the first year Hannibal is still in Gaul!.

Friday afternoon saw another of my colleagues bring his much underplayed Marlburian collection, we had a great game in the cabin following a Charles Grant Scenario of Seizing a bridge. We used th Beneath the Lilley Banner rules, good fun apart from the fact I regularly failed to move any of my men due to bad command rolls! As the French player I lost. However I did learn a salutory lesson always read the scenario guide thoroughly, the river I classed as unfordable except at the bridge, not so its fordable at both extremes!! Would it have made a difference? I doubt it. Any way pics show various stages of the game. Below is the French main force advancing on the bridge and the Inn!

Allied army deploys and advances to the river

Below is a shot of the allied right flank and centre at the topis the battered French Infantry retiring.

Below is the French flanking force to Regiments of Irish and one of Swiss, together with some Dragoons. They made good progress until I failed to activate them which gave the allies time to reorganise and unleash his heavy cavalry, nuff said!

In addition to all this a quick tally shows I've almost painted 100 28mm figures this month and my Royal Albion foot continue to make progress, below a couple of better pics of some of the lads outside the entrance to the Coaching Inn, The Black Horse and the Cherry Tree! not very original I know but I love the song.

The second company is almost done and I can hopefully complete the third including doing all the bases before month end.

Royal Albion Light Infantry

2012-01-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Dont know where this week went, lots to do around the house and some consultation work but progress on the paint table is still taking place. I have undercoated all of the Royal Albion Lights but was determined to try and get at least one figure in what I decided would be their uniform colours.

In the background are the drummers I'm finishing for the line battalions, he is flanked by a first corps phalanx Ive almost finished.
I suppose in terms of colours its quite 18th Century Russian but hey its an Imagination and I think the whole battalion will look spot on. See if I can get them done this week.

Whilst sorting through saved images etc. I did find a couple of one of my favourite command bases, it was my Spartan King for the first battle of Mantinae display game. Still got the Greeks and brings back fond memories

Anyway back to the merlot and the paintbrush with another update next weekend!

Plans for 2012

2012-01-04T03:06:00.000-08:00

I trust everyone had an enjoyable New Year and I have seen a significant number of colleagues outline their plans and projects for the coming year.

Like many I don't see 2012 being any easier than last but to me that gives the opportunity to focus on what I have and make some progress, whilst I dont intend to start anything new I know its foolish to say I wont, Sails of Glory and Mongoose Publications promise of resin WW1 ships already get the gaming juices flowing, what I have promised is that it will be a cost neutral year I can only spend what I earn from the hobby so that's the incentive.

My next Regiment of my Imagination is almost complete the 25th Albion Foot just awaits its 3 drummers, I am quite pleased with the progress 16 hat men and the command, standards etc all done over the festive period.

Next up will be the Royal Albion Light infantry under its Commander Rupert Gibb, the figures are assembled waiting their undercoat.

I do feel that now there is the potential for more spare time some sort of structure could now be applied to my painting programme, I always need three or four different units on the table at any one time therefore over the year I have determined that my Imagination and Magnesia project will always be present and being painted.

In addition I've roughed out a time table as follows;
January is clear to be spent clearing whats on the table.
February - Zulu Colonial
March - finish off my 28mm EIR Romans
April - 6mm month (could be finishing off FPW or doing some Napoleonics)
May - 15mm WWII desert
June - Update 28mm AWI. I have figures that need rebasing, touching up and quite a few still need painting.
July - free month!
August - finish basing my 10mm Market Garden armies in the hope of starting a mini campaign in September
September -15mm Ancients.

I haven't gone beyond that as I reckon the above may not go according to plan but its a start.
Gaming wise had my first last night at the local club - Big Battle DBA trying out the new version 3 which I have to say I quite enjoyed even though my poor Roomans received a good drubbing at the hands of the Carthaginians.

Any way until next time.
Pip Pip

Merry Christmas and Plans for 2012

2011-12-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

First and foremost can I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may 2012 bring you all that you hope for.

The pics of the painting table show my almost completed company of Albion foot, may still complete before Sunday and then the command next week.

In the background is my plastic Saxon contingent for Saga which is also making good progress.

I have also been dabbling with 'flats' and was thinking of making up some bases for use with my Command and Colours board game, the first few Greeks are shown below

Will be looking at placing 10-12 infantry on a base! Quite enjoyed the painting a different style to painting rounds but the ranges and poses available are fantastic.

As to 2012 well the framework Im thinking of adopting is that my Imagination will remain as a constant on the table as will my Magnesia Ancient project.
January will be the free month to clear the table of outstanding work then each month I will focus on one particular project, my list! is being finalised.

As with all plans it most probably wont survive contact with the first wargames show!. But we will try.

Finally following some good sales at the local shows and my Sarmations fetching a handsome price on ebay I bought myself my Christmas Box

Why? Like many Zulu was in my blod since childhood and how could I resist this! Its just great.
My colleague Alan has written a set of rules for his 10mm collection for this battle and they work very well so why not in 28mm. Lets see.

Take Care everyone and All the best.

A week later!

2011-12-12T12:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to those people who have made comment. The last week has seen me sort out the painting table and starting to finish off all the bits that were started before I moved.
A couple of pics of the study

I need three or four different projects on the go at once, Ive started another 16 Scotia Albion infantry, based 40 Phalangites, started some palstic saxons for saga and finished some Sarmation Cataphracts to go on ebay

I thought since I mentioned it I show a few pics of my cabin

The cabins double walled and double glased for year round use, the table is a 6'x5' with a 2' drop leaf and whilst like most gamers I would have liked more! to be honest most of the games I play will fit on this with ease. Still sorting out but we are getting there.

Finally pics of the garage which identifies the ocd and the reason I need to start selling, my first 37 items are on ebay my 28mm WWII painted figs! What next who knows

The small plastic boxes all contain painted figures, large crates on the floor are figures I may consider to sell and there's also my work bench with just a few crates under the bench. Do I have a problem, not me!

I hope to have the Scotia Albion infantry finished this week and then start on their command.

A long time absent

2011-12-05T02:32:00.000-08:00

Well a year between posts and what a year! Rather than retiring I let the company talk me in to helping them outand found myself travelling all over the country. In September having driven almost 45000 miles and being away from home 4 days a week enough was enough and I called time and this time have really retired.

In April we also moved home which saw my somewhat overlarge collection packed away, since then we have renovated the house from top to bottom and the carpet fitters are here today to draw a close on the work!
The positive is the garden is large enough to accommodate a log cabin which Ive also built for the wargames room! Built but only one game played so far!
The move made me realise that I have way too much stuff and a major clear out is under way and Ive been selling at shows and ebay these last couple of months and more will follow.
The net result was that painting and hobby effectively ground to a halt!
But I'm back, my enthusiasm for this project has been dented but not diminished and I'm dipping the toe back in the water. The proof will be in the postings, but no promises just hopefully results.

Winter nights.

2010-12-05T12:48:00.000-08:00

Well like many the snow put paid to my business trips this last week so I set to and painted some more figures.
I've started on my next Albion Regiment and have 22 line now finished and example of which is below;

In addition I also finished a few characters who now await their bases to be finished.
The first is the man himself Charles de Comyn

Then we have Rupert Gibb, the CO of the Albion Light Infantry

Finally Mdme de Bournville, a lady companion to Charles!

Apologies re the pics, better ones will follow at some point.

Fiasco - I'd rather be painting

2010-10-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today saw me steal away to the Fiasco show at its new venue Saviles at the Armouries at Leeds,
I've been going to the Leeeds show for more years than I care to remember and have always looked forward to this.
Today was the trial of a new venue which I liked very much, but what's happened to the show? 5 possibly six games, a fair few traders yes but nothing to hold me there for any length of time, after an hour I was done, £4.00 to get in, £5.00 spent!! more spent in petrol and not a good day.
On the painting front I have started another Albion Regiment, 12 figures done and then I've run out!!! an order has been placed with Minden and hopefully reinforcements will arrive shortly, poor logistical planning.
Hopefully pics next week.

Progress

2010-10-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

Well although I had aimed to completely retire last December I'm still working, mainly to be able to continue to buy loads more of Franks excellent Minden Miniatures.

These are some pics of the completed Normandie infantry in the display case, standards and flock still to be added, but proof at last that we are up and running again. The drummers were a pain but once in the grove they came out ok. (Please excuse the Jason and argonauts in some pics)

The two opposing Regiments living harmoniously in the cabinet, when the next Regiment is completed ( another Albion foot unit) I will have to find another cabinet or send the men into secure quarters.

A close up of the drummers, don't look too bad!

Add caption

I thought I'd start on some of the characters, so at left we have General Morbier, as you can see still on the painting table hence the background. I'm plannin on finding a coach that I can paint up in Comyn household colours for the General.

Foundry figures for those that are interested.

These pics show Albions General McLean almost ready to lead the Regiments into action, in the background is the Col. ( as yet unnamed) of the Normandie foot.

So with luck and a fair wind the mojo is back and we can at last see the armies starting to mobilise for real.

Woe betide the butterfly effect

2010-08-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well another prolonged absence and whilst I may claim overwork it is only partially true. I was due to retire but they keep enticing me with new projects, that leads to more money and that leads to more wargames projects. So what's been happening? Writing the background for Scotia Albion has continued unabated, characters are fleshed out, a little more history has developed, and some strong minicampaigns prepared, just haven't painted the figures (well a few)

I just find my mind wandering and I end up with six or seven different projects on the painting table, I have drifted back into fantasy (blame my son), drifted into ancients (blame me), drifted into VBCW blame Robert at the club.

A sample of what I have been doing is below;-

These are pic of my Magnesia project, always loved pike and elephants. Guess I've painted a couple of hundred of these chaps so far!

This is Lord Guisboro and his body guard from my just started Very British Civil War project!!!

Here is Phillip d'Olley Minister of War, see I have done some Scotia Albion!!

Finally Richard Stark, assassin and spy extrodinaire. If I had painted nothing but my 18th Century there would be a full scale war going on, but that is life.
I have two regiments completed and after my Holiday in September my next Scotia Regiment hits the painting desk.

I think in the mean time I will use the blog to report my progress on all matters gaming in this mad world of mine.

Partizan and so much for a New Resolution

2010-06-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well don't make promises you can't keep and what started out as a positive affirmation certainly hasn't held true!! The painting plods on but I do hope for an upturn soon and Sunday saw a colleague and I travel to Partizan to put on a demo game (ppor pics shown). The show as usual was v.nice with lots of good games and a nice selection of traders. This year the catering was abysmal, not enough staff and no draft beer!!
Our game was next to Grand Manner and Dave Bodley has been soooo busy, so although I didn't intend to but much I ended up with a load of resin and excitement about what he's bringing out soon.
As to the game an AWI bash, however with on;y two of us we had loads of people wanting to talk which meant we only got 5 bounds played!! The high point being my freshly painted Hessians firing two devasting vollets at close range and crippling the Continental Regulars.

Rules used, as usual, JohnBull/Patriots by The Perfect Captain - a jolly good set of rules.
Hols are in two weeks but I do try and promise myself to keep updating. I have eventually got enough people ready to play the AWI campaign I had mooted in January and we will be starting upon my retrun.

A New Year, a new resolution?

2010-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Like many, the best prepared plans went more than slightly off target towards the end of last year. The painting schedule almost ground to a halt due to work commitments but the enthusiasm continued unabated.

So its a Happy New Year to every one. The resolution is to update the blog on a fairly regular basis and if its not with painting progress at least with my thoughts or with reports on my other 18th century diversion of the AWI.

I have attached a few photos from a recent game I staged at my local club in an attempt to drum up some new recruits. Rules used are from the Perfect Captain and I have to say I feel they play very well and give good feel for the period.

This particular action was a Guilford Courthouse type game with the British trying to stop their opponents loading supplies into wagons and exiting off the board. Random arrival etc made for a very exciting game. Unlike most of the my previous games with these rules the British managed to avoid taking heavy casualties and the British Generals managed to defy all averages delivering some extremely crippling volleys at the most oportune moment.

In this particular case a British victory, whilst I'm painting my other armies I'm planning on running an AWI southern campaign in the New Year to see if the British luck holds.

All the best for 2010

Its not a lot but its progress

2009-10-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well although work has been getting in the way I did manage to make a bit of a push and get the first 12 figures of my Regiment de Nuilley completed, even with enough motivation left to undercoat the next 12. I would like to think that I can get two regiments of foot for each army, together with some lights and artillery completed by Christmas.

For me that may be a tall order but if I aim high enough we may get somewhere. The figures are Minden miniatures French and once the painting style was sorted I have to admit compared to the English they are a breeze to paint and thats why I'm fairly confident of getting the Grand Duchy troops completed fairly quickly.

Further more detailed work on the maps and characters are under way so at least when the troops start marching a lot of the background will be completed.

Onwards and upwards.

That's life

2009-09-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

Well where did September go. I had an excellent weeks 'bunker busting' in Normandy at the end of August and since then time has evaporated. Business demands has called me away from home on average 2 - 3 days per week this month which isn't the norm. Hence things have slowed down.
I have my first 12 'French'/ Duchy of Comyn infantry almost complete and hope to have them on the blog in the next few days.
Hopefully October will be kinder and I can pick up speed on the project.

Talisker Foot almost finished

2009-08-24T09:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a rather hectic couple of weeks, came back from the 'Peak District' on Sunday having had a bit of a walking hol with my lovely wife and then tomorrow off to France with some of my colleagues on a 'bunker busting' week. We're based in Arromanche having rented Colin Rumfords bungalow (details on the Rapid Fire web site).

Also I signed up to help with Towton 2011, the aim to refight Towton with 25000 6mm figs http://towton-2011.blogspot.com/ the link tells it all. However in the mean time I've managed to press on with the Talisker boys and am almost there.

Finishing touches on the Colonel and the bases of half the Regiment, I've also printed off the Standards and now need to paint over them! but its progress and I didn't want to remain silent for too long.

Bits and Bobs

2009-08-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

For those that have asked please find above a very simple map of Scotia Albion, detailed areas will follow as the story develops and hopefully armies come to play. But at least it starts to indicate the areas of this land and its enemies. In terms of armies all Regiments are based on those outlined by Charles Grant i.e infantry will be 48 ORs with 3 Officers, 3 drummers, standards and a Mtd Colonel. Its also my intention to use the rules published in the Wargame with one or two minor revisions along the way.

As to progress the Talisker Foot command is on the bench and under way.

The Grande Duchy

2009-08-06T02:22:00.000-07:00

First many thanks to those individuals who have left encouraging comments. Whilst the painting continues, I hope to start the Talisker command this weekend I thought it may be useful to provide a brief outline of the Grande Duchy of Comyn.

The Duchy is joined to the mainland of Scotia Albion by a neck of land some 50 miles wide, over the centuries the nations have been at war with each other this region has suffered the most, it is subject to an almost constant state of raids and counter raids and whilst Scotia Albion has started to build small fortifications at strategic points along the border no one really expects them to prevent any determined foe.

The Duke, Charles de Comyn has governed the region for the last 5 years, this was following the death of his father at the battle of St. Edouard. A major action in defence of Edouard island following the invasion by the armies of Scotia Albion.

Due to the severity of the defeat Charles has been unable to launch any strong offensive against his enemy or indeed contemplate any form of attempt to retake the island, that is until now.

His Minister of War Phillipe d'Olley has produced a plan which would allow the Duke to regain his glory and his Island. Phillipe, on behalf of the Duke, has managed to secure the support of the King who has promised to send a Regiment of Guard Horse and a Regiment Of Foot to supplement the army.

Head of Intelligence Barrie d'Ilton has sent spies deep into Scoti-Albion with the intent of causing dissent and spreading rumour. One particular success is in the Highlands of Scotia where they have managed to encourage a number of Clan Chieftans to talk of independence, this has gone further where it is suggested that the young Prince Charles has been having secret conversations with these Chieftans and is warming to the suggestion of being the ruler of an independent province.

The Duke hopes that he can create a diversion with a strong raid into Scotia-Albion, this to coincide with an uprising in the Highlands, at the same time being aware of the superiority of the Scotia Albion fleet he would aim to land the main army on Edouard Island and retake the Island in a swift and decisive campaign.

Like all plans it sounds good, now was the time to raise the forces and bring that fat King to his knees.

First Unit Under Way.

2009-07-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

I will have to paint the figures for both sides, therefore I will alternate betwen the countries and my first milestone wil be to raise forces to refight Charles Grants 'Sawmill Village'

The first unit nearing completion is Scotia Albions 'Talisker Foote' I'm on with the last eight line troops and then the command will follow.

Hope people like them.

Background

2009-07-29T03:54:00.000-07:00

A little insight into Scotia Albion and my thoughts of how this idea will develop. I based the country on Nova Scotia and its arch enemy the Grand Ducy of Comyn in New Brunswick.
Scotia Albion is ruled by King George or as he is known to many Fat King George, he is supported by his three sons Princes Charles, Edward and Stuart.
To the South of the Island lay the Mountains and Highlands occupied by an unruly Clans of Highlanders, however they have taken a shine to Prince Charles and he governs the province.
Prince Edward is now the Governor of Edward Islander after he led a successful invasion taking the island from their enemies. Prince Stuart prefers to stay at home and play Politics.
Other characters that will be introduced will be Brigadier Maxwell and his notorious 'Black Watch'.
Blakeney - Edwards the Lord who beacme a pauper, the pauper who became a chef and the Chef who became a General.
The redoubtable General MacLean, Siege Engineer supreme.
More on theeir enemies later.

Go Live

2009-07-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

Well after much trial and tribulation I decided to dip my toe in the water and start the blog.
I've followed the Emperor and Elector for some time and all its associated links and that has dragged me back into the 18th Century.

The revived interest in Charles Grants Charge meant a return to my roots of gaming and the wonderful Minden Miniatures meant that I could collect an army in 'classic' poses. So the project has begun.

The fictitious country of Scotia Albion and its arch rivals from The Grand Duchy of Comyn are about to continue their long struggle for dominence.

Over the coming weeks I shall fill in the Historical background, outline some of the characters I've invented and hopefully report on the painting progress , which does go in fits and starts.