It’s been a bit of a long wait but Andy has completed the latest set of figures. The majority have been done to accompany Stuart Insch’s next publication.
So there are Indian labourers, British Sepoys, Havana militia and French Sepoys
They will be off to Griffin next week and should be available in around 8 weeks.
I managed to finish basing and issuing the colours to two units this week. Regiment Rochow for the Saxons, an actual Grenadier regiment rather than one made of of detachments from other units.
Flags are the material ones from Maverick models and I like them a lot.
Next up is Loudon’s regiment painted by Jez from Shakespeare studios. The figures are conversions I did from other pieces in my range and are originally designed for the FIW hence the ladder lace on the cuffs which I know is wrong for the militia in the ‘45 but I just didn’t fancy carving and filing it all off so a compromise was made 😁
Flags from Flags Of War.
I have the cords to add to the standards of both units, hopefully this week.
What’s next ? Hmm decisions to be made - there’s a lot on the bench 🤣
As part of my French Indian War range Martin at Warbases very kindly offered to make me some Bateaux. He’s done two sizes an accurately scaled one and a Wargame friendly one as some customers stated they didn’t want to buy seated figures they just wished to stand their figures in the boats.
In addition he’s also prepared a set of four ladders to go with the assault teams I’ve had made for the range , everything should be in the shop tomorrow.
Well received a few new books to read that have caught my eye.
Whilst I don’t game the ECW (yet🤣) I find the some of the characters in it fascinating and bit by bit I’ve been collecting books on some of them and their campaigns. Montrose has always interested me and whilst at first sight this appears to be a pretty basic introduction it will wet my appetite I’m sure.
The French Indian War has always been of interest to me - I remember buying loads of Ral Parthia figures and the Drums Along The Mohawk rules many years ago. Now I’m making my own range I’m back into reading more.
Hodges scout looks very interesting and the book on Quebec I bought as to be honest I know very little of that part of the war and this seemed like a good place to start!
On the work bench I’ve been basing the Saxon fusilier regiment Rochow and Loudon’s regiment of foot for the ‘45, in fact one of the bases has other highland militia mixed in. Really these figures are for the FIW ( ladder lace) but I didn’t want to make new figures or spend hours converting them so they will have to do! I’m sure once on the battlefield most people won’t notice. Please note I did say most people 🤣
Hopefully this week the bateaux, ladders and limbers arrive from Warbases - photos will follow. Although they are being delivered by Hermes so anything could happen in the next 48 hours!
Just a short post.
I picked up issue 400 of Wargames Illustrated yesterday! Leaving aside content for the moment I found it hard to believe it was 1987 when issue 1 was published, this was Duncan’s follow on from Miniature Wargames which had started 4 1/2 years earlier.
I remember popping to the local newsagents and picking up a copy and thoroughly enjoying the read and the photos over a cup of coffee
The quality of the magazine, in my opinion, was excellent and was quite often the catalyst for many a Wargaming butterfly moment. At Duncan’s suggestion I spent hours creating an index for the first 200 issues (which I still have) and the rights of which Duncan bought off me just before he sold the mag.
So 34 years later I still buy the magazine more out of habit and misplaced loyalty!
The style and content has changed but I think more in a way that reflects the hobby and the expectations of the ‘new gamers’
About every 6 months I dissect the magazines cutting out articles and or pictures that I will find of use, and yes sometimes the magazine provides Lean pickings.
However I still feel that Minaiture Wargames under Duncan’s stewardship and WI for at least the first 200 issues have helped our hobby immensely.
So happy 400th issue WI.
First can I wish you all an enjoyable Easter break, even without pubs and cafes been open to sit down I have found the villages along the coast incredibly busy with visitors so I am out very early morning, walk the dog and back home before the crowds descend.
My wife is working all through Easter leaving me to get up to mischief!
Most of today has been spent sorting orders ready to post on Tuesday, but this afternoon I’ve slapped a bit of paint on the next 16 highlanders and taken a little time to look at my most recent board game purchase.
At first sight it looks very promising. High production quality as always from GMT games and not too mUch in the rules section to learn. A card driven game I think I will be able to adapt this to use as a campaign system for figures but I will know better once I’ve read the rules etc. I will report back.
In addition it was good to hear from Andy Stadden, he’s been busy during lockdown with orders for his model railway figures but he sent me some photos of the Indian labourers he’s making for me with a report that Sepoys, Havana militia etc should all be ready within the next couple of weeks. These are to accompany Stuart Insch’s next publication.
They look really good and are open to all sorts of conversions.
It’s also got me thinking about making some changes to Crann Tara and having a ‘specialist’ shop for limited production or special subjects. Just mulling it over at the moment and will report further next time.
In the meantime don’t eat to many chocolate eggs and enjoy the weekend.
