A little unexpected painting

Well, as we all know to our cost, it does n't really pay to count your chickens before they are hatched! The second game last week, scheduled for Thursday against Jon, had to be cancelled at short notice due to illness! That left me with unexpected painting time, so I decided to knuckle down and paint some ephemera for the Wars of the French Revolution project, which I have to say has really grabbed my mojo lately! It certainly helped that I had received from Phil for Christmas the new Boot Hill Miniatures figures for the Mexican general Santa Anna, who comes in both mounted and dismounted versions. I had mentioned to Phil earlier on that I thought they would make sound additions to the project, as both ranges were/are sculpted by Matt so should fit well together. Anyway, you can judge for yourself when you look at the pictures coming up in a moment. I had some Perry Miniatures French staff officers and ADCs already stashed away which I thought would do to add to the look and I had just ordered a new Command Tent from Dave at Grand Manner to complete the scene. Anyway, take a look and see what you think ~

A general view of the whole group. The tent will have a base later in the month to bring it up to the height of the figure bases around it as well as having some extra detritus added, when I can find where I've stored it!

A close up of the main command vignette: Boot Hill 'Santa Anna', aka General de Byklie, taking tea and advice, which he certainly needs I find. The two figures on the left are from Perry Miniatures, Generals Rawnsley and de Paddoc.

The staff set is from Perry Miniatures of course with added bits from Irregular Miniatures.

Finally, the mounted Boot Hill 'Santa Anna' with a Perry Miniatures ADC to command the French Light Cavalry Brigades in our bigger games ~

No doubt some wild eyed button counters or lace junkies will be queueing up to tell me its all wrong, but it will do for me. I'm not too worried about the fine details in this project, as the Wars of the French Revolution are not exactly well served by numerous companies, which is a shame as its both colourful and small action friendly I find. In fact, so enthused have I become of this project that I've overturned by best intention and ordered some additions to the project's lead pimple in the form of limbers and caissons: for the French from Eureka and for the British from Front Rank. The Austrians will have to wait I'm afraid until I source something that will do from the available later sets.

While I was on the roll with these I rebased the skirmish figures for the Dunwhinggin Fencibles. They are Trent Miniatures of course with added scenics from Irregular ~

As its full steam ahead in my painting room at the moment I've started the latest Trent Miniatures Austrian infantry regiment, another Hungarian one of course. The first four figures have all the basic colours on so should be finished early next week. Monday will see me over at Phil's OHQ for another WWI game using adapted Chain of Command rules {one day I may even understand what I'm doing!} with Phil's wonderful figure collection and scenery. With luck, Jon and I will play our postponed game this week sometime, so stay tuned for a report of my latest efforts!

Finally, for those who think I am too modest about my mediocre painting skills I'd like you to have a look at Matt's medieval knights. All are metal castings, from Ebob I think, but every one is modified to a greater or lesser degree and ALL the heraldry is painted free hand!

He works on these in his spare time, which is very limited of course, when he isn't busy sculpting for whatever company he's working with at that moment in time ~

Sometimes you know, I just think I'll give up painting altogether when I see work like this!

The Death of General Dytherin

The first game of the year: always an event I look forward to after the joys and excesses of the holiday period! Phil popped over to GHQ for the game which we had planned after our last meeting in 2015, a small French Revolutionary War game, with Phil taking the French command and myself the British. The game sees a French advanced guard trying to seize a strategically important bridge in the Flanders theatre while the British hurry a smaller force to block their advance. We would be using Black Powder for the rules.
The French force consisted of :-

CinC General de Bykli (8)
Cavalry Brigade (8) of :-
2nd Hussars & 10th Chasseurs
Infantry Brigade (9)
2 Battalions 10th Ligne
1 Battalion 4th Line
Independent Light Infantry (7)
14th Legere
Horse Artillery Battery (7)

The British force consisted of:-
CinC General Dytherin (8)
Cavalry Brigade(8)
10th Light Dragoons
Infantry Brigade (7)
8th Foot
27th Foot
Dunwhinggin Fencibles
Artillery Battery (6)
6lbers
With the French having the initiative, Phil ordered the 2nd Hussars to cross the bridge, as it turned out unsupported by any others bar the horse artillery. The British countered by rushing the 10th Light Dragoons forward on a "Follow Me!" order. Traversing fire by the Horse Guns proved ineffective and the charge struck home, followed by fierce hand-to-hand fighting ~

Failing a Morale Check after loosing the Melee, the French were forced to retire back over the bridge, with the 10th opting for a "Sweeping Advance" to follow up their success, hoping to put the 2nd Hussars out of the battle ~

Meanwhile, with the French infantry only advancing slowly, the Dunwhinggin Fencibles had occupied the village and were threatening the French Artillery's position. {Sadly as the turns unfolded without much success!} However, the 10th were thrown back in their turn by the 2nd Hussars and further threatened by the arrival of the 10th  Chasseurs ~

While the 10th Light Dragoons struggled to reform, the 27th Foot slowly advanced to their support on the right of the British position ~

Fresh into action, the 10th Chasseurs poured across the bridge, forcing the 27th into square. Meanwhile, with the 10th Light Dragoons now out of the action, the remaining British foot suddenly seemed very loathe to advance into the fray ~

The 14th Legere, having forded the river, now advanced on the 27th's square which also suffered hits from the French artillery at last ~

Belatedly the 8th Foot appeared on the British left, hoping to strengthen the Dunwhinggin Fencibles' resolve and finally deal with the nuisance French artillery battery ~

Just when things were looking up for the British, the 27th's resolve suddenly collapsed and they fled to the rear. The British right was now broken and the artillery, having eventually crossed the river to flank the bridge was very isolated and vulnerable to infantry attack ~

In all the chaos of battle it had hardly been noted that the CinC, the newly promoted Brigadier General Dytherin, had fallen while sheltering in the square of the 27th just before it broke! In fact the game was notable for the 'death' of several command figures, so fierce was the combat on occasions. Cavalry Brigade commanders on both sides fell in hand-to-hand combat beside the death of General Dytherin ~

Only the Dunwhinggin Fencibles retired from the action with any credit, while the artillery galloped away to the west having hardly contributed anything to the fight! That night in camp, one private soldier was moved to verse in honour of his fallen commander ~

"The Burial of General Dytherin"
By Private William Magonagall, late of the Dunwhingging Fencibles
{With apologies to the shade of Charles Wolfe}

Not a tape was wound, nor a dice was cast,
As my troops to the rear hurried;
Not a unit discharged an effective shot
O’er the board where our 'hero' was buried.

We buried him sadly in Turn 11,
not in playsheet nor rule book we wound him,
Still he lay a warrior taking his rest,
With his miliput cloak around him.

But all of his gaming now was done 

       With the whole of his force now retiring;
       And drums beat the call that our game was done
       For my chum had now to be going.

        Slowly and sadly I sat me down,
        Fresh from the field of my 'glory';
        I'll write but a line, and gain no' fame',
        But reflect on my own on the story.

On Thursday Jon is due in GHQ and we shall fight a follow up to this epic encounter, when the Austrian allies will march to the echo of the guns and seek to throw the French out of their hard won bridgehead! Oh, and no 'poetry', I promise!

Start As You Mean To Go On!

So 2016 is here and 2015 is a mere, if pleasant, memory. Let's hope the New Year will bring even more hobby enjoyment than the old one did for us all! I had intended to add these photos to my end of year review blog but Photobucket was in a non cooperative state and would n't permit linking to any photos, so here they are in the first post of the New Year!

The skirmish bases for the second Austrian Hungarian infantry regiment, although I've not painted the main regiment figures yet as I'm short of one or two standard bearers. As usual the figures are Trent Miniatures while the bases' detritus are from the excellent range by Irregular Miniatures ~

The first of my Austrian Hungarian infantry regiments for my Wars of the French Revolution project, IR33, complete with its two skirmish bases ~

A close up of IR33 drawn up in line with skirmishers thrown forward ~

The opposite end of the line with the second skirmish base, canon balls are left over 'green stuff' for effect ~

Some Late Roman skirmishers next by Foundry. As usual figures were mounted on large Impetus sized bases with shield designs added from the excellent LBM ranges ~

Two bases of Late Roman light cavalry, again by Foundry, mounted on MDF bases from Warbases {who else?}, and finished off with shield transfers from LBM again ~

Finally the fourth 1914 BEF infantry regiment, which some of you may recall I painted as I misheard what Phil had said about his German half of our project! Great War Miniatures of course, picked up from Colonel Bill's at a show last year ~

My great uncle, Albert John 'Jack' Boot served throughout the Great War in the Coldstream Guards, I have his medals and cap badge in my collection of family war memorabilia now. He served mainly in the Trench Mortar section, so I shall have to add that to my force at some time, in the shape of the early war catapult version of course.

I'd like to add some other bits to the force when funds permit: a limber, or two, for the artillery, just for the look of the game; one or two field carts for the cavalry and infantry in my BEF, again for the look of the game; and lastly a new command group for the whole of the BEF ~

Funds really will be the issue with that latter wish list though. To start with, the pieces can hardly be called cheap by any measure, and besides that I need some other bits for the Wars of the French Revolution project as a priority: some more French Light Infantry for a start and then some limbers for the various artillery batteries in the collection. But first, pressing on with the figures already in the 'lead pimple' must be my aim in the early months of the year as I said in my last blog!

Time Like An Ever Rolling Stream...

Well, we all know how that goes I think. So here we are at the fag end of another year here in GHQ, though more properly I've only been in the 'new GHQ' for seven months, but I won;t quibble over details if you won't. The Blog itself is a little over four years old now and seems to be a tad more popular as regards visitors than in days gone by. Which fact leads me on to my first point neatly. Why would anyone really be interested in what we get up to here in GHQ? Or what I'm buying, painting, reading and so on? Must admit it beats me really, but while folk continue to drop by, and some even to contribute the odd comment, I'll carry on for now. But, just as real life can often deal you a knock to your self esteem, so can blogging I've found. Just a week ago I noticed I had gained 199' Followers' to the cause and began to wonder if I'd make 200 for the year's end. Fast forward 24 hours and I'd lost three 'Followers'. I wonder what I did to upset them? Well, I guess I'll never know now...
The first half of the year was dominated for me by two things really: a wonderful holiday with Sue to Hong Kong and New Zealand in February and March, despite my missing Dubai on the homeward leg with a bad case of Gastro enteritis which kept me in Christchurch for an extra week; and in April by the birth of Reuben, our third grandson. Both reduced the time spent on the hobby of course, but I noted earlier that I still managed to play games and paint figures, although I acquired less for the lead pimple than I would in another year. The latter months of the year have been rather more typical of day to day life here in GHQ. I have acquired, and in some cases painted, more figures for my ongoing projects. Mostly these were 28mm Trent Miniatures for my Wars of the French Revolution project, supported by some from Front Rank and from Foundry, and for my Late Roman armies more Foundry figures. In fact, the Lead Pimple is now at its smallest for a considerable time: one unit of Saxon Mailed warriors for the Late Romans; one Austrian and one British infantry unit for the Revolution; two ACW infantry units and one cavalry unit; some command vignettes for the Revolution; and finally some Omnibus passengers for the Victorian setting of The Great Detective. Also, for the first time in living memory I don't have any concrete plans for a new venture for the new year...
So, to 2015's output. Somehow I've lost my painting figures for January to June, but in the latter half of the year I painted exactly 350 figures and I guess the first half would have been less given the above events. All of these would be 28mm figures, mostly for the Revolution and Late Romans, but I did paint a fourth 1914 British Infantry regiment as well. In terms of games I managed to play 52, one a week! Of those I won 21, drew 11 and lost 20 and thus maintained my average persona! But really, who cares? Much more important to me were the times spent with my family and friends, sharing their lives and company and with the latter our wonderful hobby.
I managed to attend a few shows in the year too after a slow start: both Partizans{not sad to see the move to a modern venue though}; Carronade in Falkirk and Claymore in Edinburgh {both of which I recommend to you}; Derby Worlds; and lastly, Wargamer. We decide to give Salute a miss and I fully expect that to be the case in 2016! A vastly over rated show in my opinion; soulless and full of sci-fi and fantasy tatt! {Sorry if that upsets any Gnome fiddlers amongst you!}
Where to in the New Year then? No new projects on the blocks, no adventurous holidays on the horizon, no new terrain items in the pipeline. More of the same then: plod on with painting what's left in the 'Pimple', trusting that my eye and hand will cooperate of course; spend time with my chums; and play some decent games, perhaps even win a few here and there again. I find that I'm not depressed by this though: as my late father used to say when I asked him how he was, "I woke up this morning!" A sentiment I find I understand more as each year goes by...
Finally a few random thoughts for your entertainment. Painting first: forget the malign painting fascists if you're not one. Your block painted, pink blobbed and dipped chaps will still knock the stuffing out of collectors' standard armies if the dice gods will it. We do this for our own pleasure and the game's the thing for me! The 'look of the game' next: nicely worked bases, large colourful flags where appropriate and fine scenery will more than make the game. The figures on the table are little more than coloured markers when you survey your battlefield. Then: 'playing the game' not the rules, who cares about the result? These are toys in a game with friends. Much more important than winning or loosing, the time spent with like minded friends is never wasted. Lastly, tolerance of others in the hobby would be a good new year resolution for many out there if they don't mind me saying so. So, in the end not withstanding that final comment ~

A Happy New Year to You ALL

Walton Whyte and the Golden God of Bhurpistan

It's been a very long time since we tried a Pulp Adventure here in GHQ. Why? I've no real idea, probably just too much else to play! Having set up the table over last weekend for a 'Tales from Rhanzlistan' game with Phil, it occurred to me I could modify it easily for an Astounding Tales adventure game. Jon was game to humour me and give it a try, so without more ado I present the adventure of "Walton Whyte and the Golden God of Bhurpistan"! An Astounding Tales adventure in several gripping episodes: from the steamy jungles of the Congo, via the African Savannah plains, to the fabled Lost Valley;over the dizzing Great Gorge of Ghenda, and beyond into the forbidden realm of Bhurpistan, as our hero Walton Whyte, explorer, big game hunter, entrepreneur, ranconteur, gentleman, and, above all, an Englishman, searches for the fabled Golden God of Bhurpistan...
Whyte's party consists of his 'man', Thomas; his faithful native retainer, Bhutlah; his gunman, Mandingo; his gun bearer, 'The Boy'; and six bearers accompanying four mules. Points are awarded for each trophy or treasure secured, and deducted for each man or animal lost. Each episode is self contained and involves an increasingly risky set of encounters on the way to the climax in the Lost City ruled over by the mercilous Sheik of Aghoni and his close advisor,the Mad Guru. The first encounter involves a search for a clue to the direction the expedition must take next on its journey. The thick jungles of the Congo house a mysterious ruined temple, closely garded by the pygmey chief and his diminuative warriors, but other deadly traps await our explorers...

As the expedition approaches the precincts of the ruined temple they are rushed by two bands of pygmy warriors armed with poison tipped arrows and spears. Whyte and Thomas boldly take on one group while his native bearers must hold off the other party...

Although the pygmies manage to wound Mandingo, the remainder of the natives in Whyte's party make short work of the warriors, as do Whyte and Thomas with their pygmy adversaries. The way to the temple precinct looks open...

In the world of Pulp Adventures things are seldom straightforward, as we all know. The temple ruins are home to the giant spider Taran Tulha, Guardian of the Gateway to the Golden God. The spider is both cunning and speedy, Whyte suffers a bite from its massive jaws! The enterprising gentleman's gentleman, Thomas, sees an opportunity and cuts down a nearby tree with one mighty blow, crushing the spider beneath its weight! Buoyed by success, Whyte learns for an old hermit living in the temple that he must next journey across the plains of the African Savannah to seek from Chief Phul Tummhi of the nomadic Paddokhi the way into the Lost Valley.

Making short work of the chief's Maiden Guard and the tribal executioner, Ghut Splitah, Whyte's party, still without a casualty and carrying several hunting trophies, enter the Lost Valley; the valley that time forgot; the kingdom of Lew'hi the giant ape. Soon Whyte and his brave associates are drawn into a life of death struggle with the ape, with tribes of primitive hominids, and with fierce prehistoric creatures...

All controlled by the Queen of the Valley, Tizowta, and her seer Oolowk. Things are looking very grave for Whyte's brave adventurers and their loyal natives, especially for the faithful Thomas who, becoming separated from the main party finds himself in a really tight spot...

We will draw a veil over Thomas' escape, for now, and merely record his return to the party in time to see Whyte clain the valley for the Queen Empress...

As dinosaurs long thought extinct in the modern world soar around them, the party crosses the Gorge of the Ghenda over an ancient rope bridge and enters the fabled Lost Kingdom of Bhurpistan...

Thomas redeems himself with a deadly burst of fire as Kha the Slippery threatens the party on the bridge, then helps Whyte make short work of some local Bhurpa tribesmen...

Sensing his moment of ultimate triumph, Whyte pauses to claim the Lost Kingdom for the crown, although his faithful hound seems really quite unimpressed by it all...

Swords, spears and suicidal bravery prove no match for Whyte in his moment of victory. The Guardians of the Golden God are cut down by withering fire leaving the way to the fabled statue open...

Of course, returning safely to the motherland might prove another matter, but that will have to wait for another day. For now we can draw the curtain on our adventure and leave Whyte to savour his triumph...

Well, that's it for 2015 as far as games in GHQ are concerned. I have a WWI game scheduled over at Phil's on Monday, but then a welcomed break over the Christmas and New Year season with family and friends. We reconvene in the first week of January 2016 {DV} with two games here in GHQ. Ihope some of you will come along to see how we go and perhaps to view my by now traditional end of year ramble... In the meantime

A Happy Christmas and a Joyous New Year to you ALL

The Battle of Bilbrook Bridge

Earlier this week Jon and I played out one of our occasional Very British Civil War {VBCW} games here in GHQ. For any casual reader not in the loop, these are games set against the imaginary refusal of Edward VIII  to abdicate, the ensuing constitutional crisis, and the resultant civil war. Think SCW for Gentlemen, or cricket with guns, and you get the idea of the genre. Following on from their last defeat which saw the forces of reaction {the Government} capture the outskirts of Wolverhampton, the Peoples' forces have regrouped in the nearby village of Bilbrook. The action of the game takes place across the River Penk and is for the control of the bridge, the only crossing point in the locale. We used Bolt Action rules and set the game at 12 Turns. Jon took the Peoples' forces and I commanded the Government force.
Elements of the Shropshire Light Infantry move out along the road to Bilbrook, supported by Militia: Swindley's Own from Tettenhall and the Express and Star Rifles, lead by the Editor in chief ~

Supported by a German 'Lend Lease' Panzer 35T which has been 'acquired' from its rightful owners in the BUF,the Peoples' Forces move swiftly to seize the Bridge: the Three Tuns Invincibles move towards the pill box and entrenchments guarding the bridge approaches, while the Boulton Paul Workers Cooperative forces move directly through the village ~

Whoever controls the bridge at the end of the game will be the winner, so Jon's forces made directly for the bridge's two flanks ~

In the meantime, as my Regular Army elements moved directly on the bridge, the local volunteer units moved to the right to protect their flank ~

The 'Lend Lease' 35T halts the Regulars' rush over the bridge, which allows volunteers from the Holy Cross Crusaders to occupy the pill box and entrenchments defending the crossing. Swindley's Own are hurrying forward to support the Regulars, but there's a good way to go and under fire too ~

While the Three Tuns Invincibles support the Holy Cross Crusaders by occupying nearby gardens overlooking the bridge and road, the Boulton Paul Workers Cooperative force moves to try to flank the Government position. Luckily, the Express and Star Rifles are in reserve to counter the move. Meanwhile elements of the Shropshire Light Infantry have begun to cross the Penk and move to flank the enemy positions defending the bridge crossing ~

The 35T and the Smith gun position themselves to threaten the Vickers MkVI of the Shropshire Yeomanry as it tries to support the Regular Army in their attempt to dislodge the Militias around the bridge defences ~

The Regulars are across the Penk and moving towards the flank of the militias defending the bridge. Despite heavy fire, the Vickers MkVI is still supporting the troops trying to cross the bridge, but on their flank the heavy fire has pinned Swindley's Own in open ground ~

While heavy fighting rages around the bridge and the outskirts of Bilbrook, the Boulton Paul Workers Cooperative forces have worked their way stealthily around the enemy's flank without being noticed ~

Swindley's Own are still pinned down by heavy fire and now are in danger of being flanked by their enemy. Fortunately, the Editor has held back the Express and Star Rifles and they may be able to offer fire support to their endangered allies ~

The Regulars of the KOSLI are across the bridge but cannot dislodge the enemy Militias from their defensive positions despite the fire support from the Vickers MkVI tank. Meanwhile a heavy firefight on the flank is taking its toll of both sides ~

The Three Tuns Invincibles are overwhelmed by their Regular Army opponents and the Holy Cross Crusaders are suffering mounting casualties. It begins to look as if the Government forces will carry the day and capture the bridge ~

But the Peoples' Forces rally and mount a concerted attack. The 35T and the Smith gun engage the Vickers as it tries to force a crossing. Its knocked out by their combined fire and completely blocks the bridge ~

Both sides are completely spent and Turn 12 comes to a close with neither side having captured the 'Bridge over the River Penk'! Heroes from the KOSLI have attacked the 35T which was prevented from advancing on the bridge, meaning the game ended in a Draw! Both sides will withdraw to regroup, rearm and recruit ready to carry the war to the enemy the next time ~

For those who like to know these things: the buildings representing Bilbrook are the Conflix pre paints while those of Wolverhampton are by Oshiro. The bridge is a Hovels piece and the vegetation is by The Last Valley. The figures are a real mix: some by Foundry; by Musketeer Miniatures; by Artizan; by Stronghold; by Pulp Figures. The flags were made for me by Leicester Gamer over on the Very British Civil Forum. I need to add more figures to this game, but somehow I never quite get around to it!