New Reiver Pictures

I realised that the pictures I posted were a bit hurried and too top down here's some better ones.

The Border Reivers Return.

Whilst this is primarily associated with CrannTara I wanted to inform people that together with Alan from Hoka Hey wargames we have purchased The Border Reiver range sculpted by the late Jim Bowen and once sold by Monolith under their Graven Images label.

Over the coming weeks I will be listing the figures on the Crann Tara shop, what is a surprisr is that there are many figures that have never been released (almost 100) and Jim was obviously extending this into the Elizabethan Wars in Ireland of which there are also a  lot of figures.

We are in talks with a sculptor who we feel complements Jims style with a view to extending the Reiver range and completing the Irish.

Ive also started work on some skirmish rules.

In the mean time here's some pics-

IRISH PIKE

GARRISON MEN WITH BOW

GARRISON MEN WITH LEVEL PIKE

GARRISON PIKE MARCHING

IRISH COMMAND

THE REIVERS

IRISH KERN JAVELIN

IRISH KERN ARQUEBUS

 All the figures were painted by Jim Bowen, what a talent to have lost so young.
But these figures will be available at Smoggycon in November.

A Military Gentleman part deux!

Well as suggested, last night I settled down in the arm chair with a large glass of malt and started to have a more detailed look at the book.
Have my initial thoughts been dampened? Not likely they have been reinforced.
In preparing this book John has pulled together a team of professionals;-
Bob Marrion who has provided a significant number of illustrations.
Brian Rigelsford  who has illustrated large portions of the book with his wonderful ink drawings.
Tim Hall who wrote up the memoirs.
To name but three.
The book is essentially a telling of the story of Nicolas Welch and is based upon his memoirs the finding of which is a tale in itself.
Of course to follow this interesting tale the book is profusely illustrated with photos from Johns collection and what a collection (sigh).

Hope John doesn't mind but here's two pics to whet your appetite.
My 18th. Century bug is well and truly bitten.
So tonight guess what I will be doing? The malt is ready....

 Now I can say no more except I dont care what Santa brings me now, if anything - nothing can better this.

Time for a sip!

Christmas comes early.

See what the postie brought today----

This book is absolutely worth every single penny, quality, production is first class and the contents, what you want to see? Well you can't at least not just yet.
This is truly a labour of love, crammed full of content and pictures of John's excellent collection this is a book that warrants sitting down in a quiet corner with a large malt whiskey and savoring both the contents of glass and book simultaneously.

When I've had a good look I will post a little more, in the mean time if John has nay left (limited run of 500) I suggest you find a way to treat yourself.

Head over to
 http://amilitarygentleman.blogspot.co.uk/
and order one.

Highland Command and Lowlanders Painted. Secret Project ongoing!!!

If you go to my Crann Tara blog you can see the painted masters I have got finished whilst awaiting stock,
just a couple of pics to wet your appetite

Also I am currently in negotiation to purchase a range of figures, the figures haven't been available for a while and are in a new period for me. They were and still are excellent sculpts and many of the figures were never made available so it could be exciting times. More news to follow!!!!

Royal Ecossais

Just for those that may not be following the Crann Tara blog I've posted some pics of the painted figures of the above whilst I'm waiting for production moulds and stock to come

This just shows one each of the range some individual shots are on the other blog.
Can't wait to get a full unit painted to take the field in Albion!

Don Featherstone

TMP is carrying a report that Don Featherstone has passed away.  Like many Don was an inspiration to me and I still have many of his books on my shelves .
I had the pleasure of playing Talavera with him some years ago with Duncan MacFarlane, Danny Boreham and others using the Eagle Bearer computer rules.
A true gentleman who was extremely entertaining. He will be greatly missed.