Celtiberian Warband

Sometime last year I ordered a few packs of figures from Gripping Beast down in Evesham,  along with the Late Roman shield transfers I needed while LBMS was not trading. They have languished unloved in the Lead Pimple since then but have finally had their moments under the brush! Not the best of figures really, nor the best of my modest painting efforts either, but nevertheless here they are. Brace yourselves now!

I had no shield transfers in hand so I ordered up two sheets. I didn't use the shields provided by the Beast as I would have needed four different sheets! Instead I used some A&A shields in had in stock and just ordered two! If I sound disappointed now, well I am. Not only have I had to cut out the space for the shield boss metalwork but I also discovered that the shields and transfers were a poor fit for each other, especially the elongated oval shapes, being too long and too narrow. I do think 'Designed to fit...' might be better replaced by 'For use with...' in this instance. The elongated hexagonal shapes were a much better match.

Making good use of the fine weather of late I have now spray undercoated all of my Wars of the Roses figures and started to research the Retinue colours for the nobles I have chosen. I'm quite sure that none will feature before the middle of next month as the next couple of weeks look busy on all fronts, but you never know...

Daffyd ap Glyndŵr

When I was collecting my pre-order of Wars of the Roses figures from Eureka Miniatures UK at last Sunday's Partizan I happened to notice to the side of their stand a small rack of figures from The Miniature Company, amongst which was a Welsh Priest priced at £2.50. Just what my Medieval Welsh needed, some 'Spiritual Guidance', or the occasional 'Damnation' of opponents! There are two parts, the figure itself and the crozier staff. I've bought some new Superglue too, so I thought I'd try it out on the figure. 'Hardens in 3 seconds' the bottle claims! Well, it does on fingers! On metal casting bits it proved almost useless! I think I detest multipart castings almost as much as I do Plaaaastic, Perrys' vent runs, blistered figures... and Superglue! Anyway here he is, Daffyd ap Glendwr,  Parish Priest of St Llareggub's from 1061-1078 ~

I have finally got some Wars of the Roses figures spray undercoated by venturing out between the recent downpours! I'm starting off with some Lancastrians: a Retinue of Bill & Bow with a separate Command base; a group of Men at Arms; and a group of mercenary crossbowmen with pavaise. When I see how I progress with them then I will get some others ready to go. In the meantime, following a recent ACW game here in GHQ, I've finally got around to reflagging Hood's Texas Brigade. I've only had the GMB Designs flags for three years or more!

Cossack Frippary

Having enjoyed a bit of a nostalgic diversion into painting two regiments of Dixon Miniatures ACW figures recently I looked around the infamous Lead Pimple for something different to work on. I was rather surprised to discover that while I have lots of figures cleaned up I have hardly any of those spray undercoated! A bit of Hobson's Choice then lead me to a Perry Miniatures Cossack cart! It's from their Napoleonic Russian range, but I figured carts don't change all that much over time, especially in rural backwaters, so it will do just fine for my Crimean War project as a table filler or as a game objective. Not a great deal more I can say about it really beyond my usual Perry gripes about vent runs and flash/molding issues ~

After a rather drawn out period of recovery over the last couple of days following the recent Partizan show I finally have the Wars of the Roses figures I purchased from  Dave Thomas cleaned up and placed in their units ready for spray undercoating. I'd hope to get that done over the coming days, so I'll keep you up to speed there as and when. First though it's time to prepare the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ for our next game.

Partizan 2025

It feels like eons might have passed me by since 'Ommer'ead and WMMS in March, but it's barely been two months it seems between those two shows and the first of the two Partizan extravaganzas! There have of course been other events in the interim, including some overhyped effort down 'Lawndon' way, but none near enough to GHQ to tempt this geriatric in waiting to stir himself. Partizan though is a different kettle of fish, being the undoubted premier historical wargaming event in the calendar, in my opinion at any rate!

Phil as he always does, unless he's away of course, volunteered to drive me over to Newark Showground for the show, this year though I'd be accompanied by Matt and #3 Grandson Reuben, who were up from Herefordshire for the weekend especially to join us. I will confess at the off to being well below par so any comments I do make might have to be viewed through the lens of an old chap who was a tad less than pukka!

The games were very difficult at times for a geriatric photographer, being crowded with both players and spectators. In fact the show seemed very busy the whole time we were there. The wall of noise being the best indicator of folk having the best of times! In the end I decided to feature aspects of the two 28mm ACW games, well that has surprised you, not!! Starting with my friend Kevin of the Iron Brigade, showing a lovely tribute to late Brigadier Peter, whose sudden passing was felt by many. The game featured very many Dixon Miniatures units, so a big plus for me...

Peter Nicholson, gone but not forgotten.

A Redoubt Enterprises command stand serenaded by a Dixon Miniatures regimental band.

Perry Miniatures early war militia. I did point out that Dixon Miniatures make these very figures, no need to slope off to other manufacturers!

The Rebs are on the march! Kevin's Bony Blue Flag the rules of choice.

Colored troops advance. Now I do believe we should see more of these than we do in ACW wargames.

A splendid standard, fit to inspire any men of war!

Turning then to the second and larger game put on by the twins of 1st Corps and featuring much of their large collection of the same ~

A view down the length of the table which I hope conveys a sense of the presence such games  create.

Masses of men in blue and gray,  what more could a man want to see?

A Union battery prepares to deal out death and destruction!

Horseholders steady their mounts ready in case the cavalry skirmishers find their position too hot to maintain!

The medical care afforded to the wounded may seem primitive to us, but many lives were saved by dedicated staff. It's an aspect of battle which should be featured more in games I feel.

I'm a suckered for camp and HQ scenes. This one features the coffee wagon!

Terrain can be simple and effective in bringing the scenes of battle in miniature to life.

As can splendidly rendered model buildings conveying a sense of period.

But in the end it comes down to the figures, masses of them.

Turning to the Loot, as one must of course, traders being the life blood of these hobby events. I think I did my bit!

Paint, a Paint Pen, Brushes and Superglue.

Wars of the Roses flags, a snip at £4.00.

Speaking of which, the Perry Miniatures figures Dave Thomas didn't have at Hammerhead! These should see the two Midgard 350 point forces up to the mark.

Mdf bases from Warbases, who else?

Gamers Grass Tufts from Great Escape Games.

A Welsh priest, spears from Pendraken and a sprue of Epic Celts from Aly! 

More Wars of the Roses  archers from Eureka Miniatures. 

1/72nd WWII American infantry. A gift for William who has just endured his Sats!

A Viking House from Matt, a home from home for Bicca Biccasson!

Being English of course we were unphased  by the less than promised temperatures, opting to take our lunch sitting on the runway!

A stiff upper lip makes eating lunch a little odd?

He counted them out and he counted them back in? Crows that is...

So gentle reader, or at least those who have struggled thus far, that's my Partizan over until The Other Partizan in October [DV]. I was not at my best I did confess at the outset, but nevertheless I'd like to conclude by running a couple of ideas past you. Firstly, casual seating is still absent, not counting outside benches and the cafeteria. I would like some seating in the hall itself. In such a crowded setting how is this to be accomplished? My second point then, too many games. I think fewer and better would be my mantra,  creating space for seating areas throughout the hall. I do believe there are just too many games crowded in, it's neither comfortable nor easy to appreciate the skills displayed. Third point then, fewer or no participation games please. Partizan is the flagship for historical wargaming at its best. There really doesn't ever seem much playing going on at most of these type of games. Finally, Trade Stands need an upgrade I think. One or two are looking tired and a bit limp for the C21st. Only some, but a professional look would raise the whole and bring in more business I believe.

Well, that's if for another year. I had a good time despite my woes. I met friends, chewed the hobby fat, saw splendid games, bought new toys, spent time with my family and friends sharing our wonderful hobby. Oh, and commiserating with Dan about the League 2 Playoffs. I'll wave from Wembley on Monday week!

The 149th Pennsylvania Infantry regiment

The 149th Pennsylvania Infantry, sometimes known as the 2nd Bucktails, served from August 1862 through to June 1865. As with the 42nd, the 1st Bucktails, the men wore a bucktail on their kepi or hat as a nod to their status as marksmen. At Gettysburg on the first day they suffered heavily with 53 killed, 172 wounded and 111 missing in action or captured, a casualty rate of very nearly 75% from a strength of 450 at the outset.

This is the second time that I've painted these figures, the first iteration having been passed on with others in a small force to Matt to use at his local wargames club. As you would naturally expect they are Dixon Miniatures and are based '3 to a base' rather than my more normal '4 to a base' to make them more readily identifiable on the tabletop battlefield here in GHQ.

With the completion of this second Pennsylvania Infantry regiment there remain no more ACW figures here in GHQ, even in the furthest reaches of the Lead Pimple! In fact the only figures ready for painting are a Celtiberian Warband of Gripping Beast Miniatures, so they are underway now. It will be a while though before they can be available here for your inspection, as I have discovered that I need to order some shield transfers! Doh! Still, there's always Partizan to look forward to this weekend...See you there perhaps.

Mental Health... or a Hole in the Head?

As you may just recall l got this supplement for Hail Caesar from my daughter and her family as a gift last Christmas. I've also been buying figures as and when for this new venture. You may, like me, ponder on this decision as I turn 75 at the end of the month {DV}. Why embark on a new project then?  Surely GHQ holds more than enough to see me out? Why then? Well, it’s official as it turns out, wargaming is good for you, as we wargamers knew all along of course! Creative hobbies have the capacity to be as good for your mental health as having a job according to recent research! In fact carrying out creative activities can be even better for life satisfaction as working can be. Creativity had as great an influence on people’s wellbeing and happiness such as factors like age and health, a recently reported study found. Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University suggest that having access to affordable opportunities for creativity can be a major boost to mental health. Dr Helen Keyes, head of the school of psychology and sports science at ARU, said: “Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense that their life is worthwhile. Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment. Not only does crafting give us a sense of achievement, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with employment. {As I think many reading this would agree!} Engaging in these activities is linked with a greater sense that life is worthwhile, increased life satisfaction and happiness.”  So there we have it: wargaming, which involves historical research, creative modelling and crafting of buildings and terrain features, painting figures and ephemera, is good for you! {A message then that is bang on cue as this week is designated as Mental Health Awareness Week!}

Reading this I felt much happier about the fact that I had decided I would embark on yet another new project! Gone was the sense of guilt brought about by those blister packs of figures balefully staring at me from the old Lead Pimple, the uncomfortable but all too familiar feeling that I needed a new project about as much as a hole in the head! And all this just in time for Partizan in a few days! Indeed I even have a preorder to collect from Eureka Miniatures UK and a short list of Perry Miniatures to purchase from that show stalwart Dave Thomas, given better luck than I had at Hammerhead.

Over the past few days I have been taking refuge from the noise and mess concommitent with our current kitchen refurbishment by cleaning up and organising into units the Wars of the Roses figures I have accumulated to date. My initial target is two 350 point forces for Midgard. The figures to hand so far are from Eureka Miniatures, Perry Miniatures, Wargames Foundry, Steel Fist and Athena Miniatures. They won't see any spray undercoat of course until the kitchen work is completed as GHQ is functioning as a storeroom presently! Here are just a few as a taster from those I've done so far ~

There only remain the hybrid figures to make up from the Steel Fist bodies and the Perry Miniatures plaaaaastic arms, heads, wespons and bits! I may need some help with this stage, Phil... More metal figures then to process after Partizan of course. In the meantime I still have just a few of those ACW figures I mentioned to finish painting...

The 151st Pennsylvania Infantry - The Schoolteachers' Regiment

I have had these Dixon Miniatures ACW figures in the old Lead Pimple for well over two years at a guess. As a break from painting figures for my Late Roman and  1066 & All That collections I cleaned them up, replaced the flag poles with brass pikes cut to size and spray undercoated them so they could take their spot in the painting queue. I thought I would identify them as a Union unit from Pennsylvania,  mainly as I had some GMB Designs flags to hand. Looking around my bookshelf I lighted on a mention of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry. Further checks revealed their choice as a no brainer! Why? Well, read on...

The 151st Pennsylvania Regiment, a nine month volunteer unit, was organized in September of 1862 and arrived at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg that October. Company D alone boasted over 60 schoolteachers and their considerable numbers would earn the regiment the post war sobriquet of 'The Teachers Regiment'. The regiment was commanded by Lt. Col. George McFarland. As a retired schoolmaster myself and as a nod to the memory of the late Duncan McFarlane - well, it's close- I could not possibly omit this regiment from my collection could I? So, waffling over, here they are parading for your interest and observations ~

I also have replacement Dixon Miniatures figures for the 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry, the Bucktails  which is currently enjoying its moment under the brush. More on them to share with you in due course.

Finally, I'll close with a tad of blatant self promotion.  The most recent copy of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy focusing on Napoleon's early campaigns features numerous photos of my Wars of the French Revolution collection by way of illustrations for the articles. I must say I'm quite chuffed by how the pictures came out...

...as I hope you'll agree from this sample page if you don't see the magazine yourself...

Goth Champion

Just as I'd finished with my Dark Age Welsh for the 1066 & All That collection and my additions of three bands of Gothalikes to my Late Roman collections were fading into distant, hazy memory I received yet another unexpected and kind gift from Aly in the post. It was the free figure accompanying the Once & Future King supplement for Hail Caesar from Warlord Games. He's obviously a post-Roman Briton by dress and is labelled as Agravain, a knight of Arthur's fabled Round Table! Right up my street to be repurposed as a Gothalike champion then! While waiting for the paint/varnish/glue to harden on the last of the Welsh warriors I sploshed colours on him as and when I could and, almost magically, he was finished ~

He won't see any action here in GHQ as it is currently fulfilling the role of a storeroom for kitchen bits old and new while the second stage of refurbishment is completed by Geoff and his team from Bonds of Brewood - a highly recommended company if you are in my area. Meanwhile, more ACW figures are passing under the brush as and when the opportunity arises. More on them in due courseI am able to update you.

Lightly Armoured Welsh Warriors

I've finally completed the Footsore Welsh I added over last winter to my 1066 & All That collection, these last bases have felt like a chore rather than a pleasure at times. I've used the same drab based palette of colours to bind the whole force into a coherent look, or so I'd hope. The figures come in the main from the packs armed with swords, hand axes and Dane axes which I hoped would give a nod to the mixed quality of even the better off amongst the poor Welsh warriors. You will have to judge for yourselves if you think its worked ~

As I've mention in an earlier blog post I may yet add to this small Welsh force. I'd like to get one of the packs of slingers at least and perhaps some Light Cavalry. At present though available funds are earmarked for the Wars of the Roses project. More Eureka Miniatures figures are already ordered for collection at Partizan in a fortnight! I'd also hope to pick up some more Perry Miniatures from show stalwart Dave Thomas. Meanwhile its onward with some Dixon Miniatures ACW figures...as if I needed any more!