David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Sunday 13 November 2016

The Chillington Mounted Rifles, 1938

After completing several British figures to populate the skirmish bases I wanted to add for our Wars of the French Revolution games {see previous blog entry} I quite fancied something different as my current painting focus. I'd returned from Derby Worlds with several units to add to our VBCW games set in and around 1938 Wolverhampton. Two of these were small mounted units: Mander's Horse and the Chillington Mounted Rifles. The former are the Perry Miniatures WWII Mounted Yeomanry scouting, the latter the Mutineer/Footloose Miniatures BUF/Yeomanry figures. As I'd figured out an acceptable colour scheme for the Chillington Mounted Rifles I started with them! As an aside, I've noticed in other folks' VBCW forces some fairly gairish colour schemes; a fact which always struck me as odd given the experiences of 1914-18 and numerous small Colonial engagements many VBCW recruits and volunteers would have experienced. Still, each to their own of course, but for my VBCW there will be only muted colours.
Back to the figures now! I painted them up in pairs of the Mounted and dismounted versions of the figure. It worked fine until I reached the last pair where I found the two versions had different heads: one face sported a fine 'tache, the other was bare as an infant's bottom! It seems my pack of three Mounted troopers contained a duplicate rather than three distinct figures! My solution? I painted the hair as a blond and added the 'tache that way. Not perfect but it will do for me! Anyway, to the figures ~
The Chillington Mounted Rifles
























The lads in dismounted action














As a uniformed 'Rifles' unit I naturally chose a green scheme, adding a touch of red in the piping on the side cap reflecting the red on the unit's colors. As you probably realise by now, Pete Barfield made the standards for me, which really set off the figures I'm sure you will agree! A few close ups now, to disabuse any of you with a remaining idea that I can paint ~












































The command group consists of an officer, a sergeant and an colour bearer. The pack of Troopers consists of three mounted figures with rifles. One oddity is that all the figures bear an arm band on their left arm, except the dismounted officer, who has none even though his mounted persona clearly does! As the figures are catalogued as BUF I neded some design for this arm band and chose a green 'CH' on an Ivory background as easy to duplicatee over eleven figures.





















At Derby Worlds I'd also picked up some of the Footloose Miniatures civilians on the Flea Market. Frankly I've always thought them way overpriced for detritus in a game, so getting them at half price was a bonus. They are from both the packs in production, 'Town' and 'Country' figures ~
Two members of  the gentle(?) sex  and a schoolboy













Three chaps not yet in uniform

















And finally, yet another clerical gentleman! I thought I could do with some help from a 'higher authority' so here he is, the visiting 'Bishop of Matabeleland', home for some well earned rest and recuperation ~
The Right Reverend Bishop of Matabeleland

























I've decided to take a break at this point from the VBCW painting and return to my Wars of the French Revolution project for the rest of the month, in the form of a unit of 24 Brigade Games French Legere. The gunmetal is already applied to all 24, courtesy of my Valejo paints propensity to suffer 'premature ejaculation' when its opened! I've started with the central command stand of the unit and I have decided already that I'll not be up to painting in the eyes, there's just not the bold detail my old eyes need to do that! I'll pop some up on the Blog next week sometime when I've finished a base or three. Tomorrow its off to Phil's for another WWII Battlegroup something or other game. I'm sure it will be heavily features on his 'News From The Front' blog not long after.

20 comments:

  1. Very nice work David! You are indeed quite productive!

    Christopher

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    1. It's kind of you to encourage me Christopher, it's much appreciated.

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  2. Not bad. I love the VBCW setting precisely because you can be a bit loose with colors and uniforms about it.
    Why are we wearing red and blues? So the Fascist know we are coming! And so Todd over there doesn't shoot any of us by accident.

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    1. As I said, each to his/her own when it comes to paint schemes. Is a Todd an American by any chance ;~)

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    2. Judging by are track recurred in joint actions he might be some ones American cousin.
      Say if was a dandy from the US, got in a bit of trouble so his folks sent him to live with relatives in the old country. And this is all a bit of fun for him.
      :D

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  3. Really like the colour scheme on the cavalry figures.......will copy this 😀

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    1. Glad you approve Matt. Good luck with your cavalry!

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  4. Very nice, I am always interested in VBCW but still to do anything about it!! Your blog is very inspiring tho!

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    1. Take the plunge old chap, you know you want to!

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  5. David, I like those lots. I sold off my VBCW stuff a while ago but still enjoy reading about it.

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    1. You sold figures? It's the Naughty Step for you Colin.

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  6. I love this period but my wallet simply refuses. Great figures.

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    1. George, I thought your wallet was well trained by now. Take the VBCW plunge, works well with Bolt Action.

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  7. Nice fascists (?) And non combatants, I wouldn't share port with the Bishop of Matabeleland if I were you!
    Best Iain

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  8. That Vicar is the spitting image of John Alderton ....

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