An excellent weekends gaming

This weekend saw my travel up to Scotland for my first game of the year at Charles Grants.
As usual my opponent was John Dougan and on this occasion Charles managed to get involved.

The game was part 1 of the Battle of Wilhelmstahl, part 2 to be fought in May.
Only a couple of teaser photos as the game will feature in Charles' next refighting. History books

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This was taken at the end of Saturday's fighting with a lot more to happen on the Sunday.

It was another hard fought action with some real challenges.

As usual the evening was spent discussing our wargaming lives 🤣 Yet more plans for Crann Tara and a discussion around Ferdinand of Brunswick compared to Frederick. My own view being that Ferdinand was a better General than Frederick, he was normally outnumbered had to command an army of diverse nationalities and generally took the offensive.

At least that's my thoughts.

For those that want to know more -
https://www.britishbattles.com/frederick-the-great-wars/seven-years-war/battle-of-wilhelmstahl/

What's on the desk

With preparations for Salute starting early due to my trip to America before the show painting time is a little tight but I'm determined to squeeze in some hours.

The next batch of Highlanders are on the table - I paint these in 12's all wearing the same Tartan then when I have about 60-70 painted I base them up varying the figures.

The horses for the British Horse Guards are under way - I don't enjoy painting black horses - a lot of effort for little show.

Ticking over a few more 15's for the first day at Gettysburg project and the fuzzies still waiting patiently for their 'lick' of paint to start.

All good and in the sidelines still more of the plastic and lead pile is getting sold off!

To the Sugar Islands

Even though the Teesside Triumvirate, as Duncan MacFarlane used to call us, is now down to one ( me 🤣) I have always tried to still present a demo game at Partizan, this year I have decided to change theatre of operations and move to the Caribbean.
Stuart Insch's excellent publication on the Sugar Islands campaign inspired me enough to do some figure conversions for him in terms of Compagnie Francais de la Marine and some various militia types.
Whilst I don't think these are good enough for retail they don't paint up to bad.
So the first 80+ figures are just about ready - the British 38th Foot ( awaiting their colours) and a host of French. NCO's require muskets, spontoons etc.

 

Next up some militia- I'm just hoping that the Naval landing party will be sculpted by Richard  and cast in time for the demo.

Just got to finish off designing the scenario.

Back in Business

Great cheers as tonight I can officially start work on painting and basing figures I have finished unpacking the majority of the books paints etc and assembled new book cases, paint desk, computer desk etc. So quite a nice environment to work in.
Still a bit of rubbish to remove from the floor 🤣 But perfection can't be achieved overnight.

This is one end of the loft room the other end holds the book cases, TV etc etc. So I'm really pleased with the space and I can also get a 6'x4' table in here until the garage conversion is complete.😀

As to the paint desk then this is a catch up process I am busy basing British 38th Foot and Compagnie Francais de la Marine for the Sugar Islands demo game at Partizan. In addition more Highlanders hit the bench to be assembled, undercoated etc. (Culloden will happen!).

The little green chaps in the background are more of the Prussians/Hessian 3d prints which have now been sent off to Griffin for casting into metal. These are part of the project I'm working on with Charles Grant for a forthcoming publication on skirmish actions in the Seven Years War.

I did attend the York show yesterday and from a Social point of view was excellent meeting old friends etc and a tactical meeting with Dave Marshall from TM terrain re a project. No photos though again certain areas were extremely crowded - a couple of traders had been allowed to bring their racks etc well forward narrowing the space between themselves and the demo game tables making it impossible to stand and look at the games as you were effectively blocking the aisle. Likewise the bring and buy was extremely crowded and uncomfortable and this is something the organisers certainly need to look at. It was a similar experience last year, for those in wheelchairs etc they would find great difficulty in gaining access to some areas.

Anyway back to the paint table 😀

Where did they come from?

I guess part of the aches in moving house is the sorting and packing. Of course as a wargamer that is magnified ten fold. So I guess it's also an opportunity to further challenge what has been hoarded and one of the biggest culprits are the magazines. So today I've spent going through over 8 years worth of Wargames Illustrated and Miniature Wargames cutting out articles of interest.
It will come as no surprise to many what is being retained fits in a fairly small box, what's being discarded fills 7 very large bags.
Lots of space created and weight removed begs the question why I still buy them?
I have retained my classic Miniature Warfare etc though, some things can't be thrown.

The 'pile' about half way through the sort out!

Happy New Year

This year I thought I'd get in quick (for me) and wish everyone a Happy New Year may 2019 bring you all your gaming desires!!!!

For me I've learnt not to set ambitious plans and projects, however this year there are a couple of things I would really like to achieve - the first is the continued rationalisation of my collections and lead/plastic piles. The packing for the forthcoming house move makes me realise that despite major sales over the last year I still have so much stuff!!!!!

The second I would really like to do a lot more with the 18th Century figures, I hope to bring the Culloden game to the second Partizan this year ( after all that was why I started Crann Tara!), with the figures I have planned for release I hope along the way to do some forays into the Carribean and for next year I have a plane to resurrect an idea Lee, Gordon and I had for a game. A WWII encounter taken back into the 18th Century! More of that later.

I shall be visiting York in February so hope to catch up with people there.

In the meantime a few pics from some of my favourite games of last year.

Merry Christmas one and all

can I just take time out to wish you all Merry Christmas

at a time when we all seem hell bent on destroying what we have and to hell with the consequences then a little bit of schmaltz doesn't seem inappropriate.

Hopefully I will see you all next year and we can continue to enjoy the hobby that takes us away from the stupidity that surrounds us.!

( sorry if that sounds crass) have a wonderful time over this festive season.