Back to the Black Powder Challenge!

After a couple or three week hiatus from the American Civil War in 6 mm project, I am returning with five regiments of Zouaves to paint up, the plan is for three for the Union and the other two for the Confederacy. They are all mounted on lolly sticks and are kept in place with Blu-Tack which is a Plasticine type substance that is used in the UK for putting up posters etc. on walls without damaging the surface.

I have done some research and found the Louisiana Tigers had a blue top, white pin-striped type trousers and a red hat/fez. Obviously, I won't be attempting pin-stripes and the trousers will be plain white. The other Rebel unit will have a red top, white trousers and a red hat.

For the Union, 146th New York Volunteers (Garrard's Tigers) seem to be wearing a pale blue top and trousers with a hat of white/red. I don't normally like to identify a particular regiment and prefer them to be generic to allow their use in any battle of the war, but will make an exception for the two above named units, one for each side.

The other two units will be in a green top, red trousers and hat and finally, a sky blue top and trousers with a white/red hat.

In the period I was away from the 6 mm project I managed to complete a total of nine units for the War of the Roses project. One unit of Bill Men, two units of archers and the first six of twelve units of foot knights. The Bill men and foot knights are not wearing the colours of any of the four main factions and so can be recruited into the retinue as required.

I will take photos of them and post them soon.

More War of the Roses units completed

Taking a break from my 6mm American Civil War armies, I was about painted out after working on them for the Black Powder Challenge for the last six weeks. So a for a change of scene and scale, I thought I would return to my War of the Roses in 28mm figures.

First up was another box of infantry and the two Yorkist factions both received a unit of archers to add to their crossbowmen and firearms troops. Also a second unit of Bill Men have been completed. These fellows are not in any of the four retinue colours and so can be allocated to whichever Lord is in need of reinforcements for any given battle in the campaign. Like wise, the foot knight are also in neutral and can be allocated as needed.

Here are the archers, bill men and one unit of six foot knights.

Bill Men in neutral colours allowing them to be allocated to any retinue.

The very first unit of foot knights, in Lion Rampant these are in units of six men, I have based them in two pairs of two and two single bases.

Archers in twelve strong units.

The boxes of Perry foot knights actually contain 38 figures, so that will allow me to build a total of six units per box. The extra two figures are for a command stand. I have two boxes of these so will be able to make up a total of twelve units, hopefully that should be more than enough for my needs.

I think a few 'get to know the rules' sessions are in the offing now in readiness for beginning the War of the Roses campaign I have been planning. So lots of variety on the go for me. Speaking of which, I haven't forgotten the 6mm ACW, and will be painting up a couple of units of Zouaves for each side once the foot knights are completed. I am still researching which Zouave units to paint up. The Battle of Hangman's Creek is currently being played on the table, using Black Powder rules, photos will be uploaded to the blog on its completion.

Supply Train finished.

I have now finished the supply train for the armies, these added to the ones I painted earlier should be more than enough for my needs. I am now about 6 mm weary! So I will now return to 28 mm and work once again on my War of the Roses project.

All the items painted today.

The two wheeled carts with the loads come with the wheels attached, but for some reason, and there will be a good reason, the four wheeled wagons come with separate wheels, which I have to admit are a blooming nightmare to fit.

There are four bases of mule train with their handlers.

A head on view.

Looking across the supply train.

These will now take their place in the storage boxes ready for future use.

I still have about 15 units of infantry for each side to paint, also two or three units of Zouaves to paint as well. I may complete them before Christmas if I get the urge back again. Next on the painting board is a box of Perry 28 mm War of the Roses Infantry, they will make up into a unit of Bill men and two units of archers. That is twelve figures per unit also the box contains four fully armoured command figures, However, I may join them to a unit of Foot knights of which I have a couple of boxes to paint.

First trials of Lion Rampant + ACW Project update.

Well after completing 25 Union infantry units in 6mm, I decided to give my old eyes a rest for a couple of days before tackling the Confederates. As you can see in the following photographs, I have decided to give these four units Butternut uniforms, I think the colour is pretty close to the desired colour. It was after doing this that I decided, enough is enough, I am already at the half way point of the challenge I set myself, so a couple of days off to play are in order.

The first of the units in Butternut.

The other only have their hats painted as yet.

Work will  recommence on these boys this evening in the Paint & Chat on Table Top Commanders run on Google +.

As followers of my blog know, I have been painting up units for a War of the Roses campaign using the Lion Rampant rule set. I decided to set up a small battlefield on the table and just use a minimum of units to test out the rules and get used to the feel of them. My units are not individually based, apart from the horse units, but I can still use them easily enough as they are mounted in such a way to make them playable in numerous rule sets. I have based the 12 man units as follows ; 4,3,2,1,1,1, this will allow me to remove casualties as required.

So on to the skirmish:

Ploppy in the Wood is a small hamlet in Yorkshire, nothing of note happens there usually.

The main talking point of the day is the price of milk and wool, come to think of it, it is the only topic of conversation everyday!

The Main err.. only road is once again thronged with its usual amount of carts and pack horses.

However, today will be different, as two bitter rivals and their forces are about to clash in Ploppy Field.

The two forces face each other across Ploppy Field, the only obstruction being a rather large book!

Sir Ralph Lytton with his retinue.

A unit of Spearmen costing 3 points.

Sir Ralph himself leading a unit of Mounted Men at Arms. cost 6 points.

Finally, a unit of Archers costing 4 points. A total force of 13 points.

The retinue of Lord Sir Benedict Foxe.

Consisting of one unit of Bill Men costing 4 points.

Lord Foxe himself with his Mounted Men at Arms costing 6 points.

Finally a unit of Crossbowmen costing 4 points for a grand total of 14 points.

The forces are therefore evenly matched with three units apiece and points values of 13 versus 14. Ploppy Field has been cleared of any obstacles, as I just want to get used to the basic game mechanics in this skirmish using the Lion Rampant Rules.

I will keep a photographic record of the ensuing battle and post to the blog for those interested. Should be fun as this if my first ever battle using this rule set. I may make the odd error or two, but no matter, I should have the rules off pat by the time my campaign is ready to begin.

War of the Roses troop muster and 6mm ACW tented camp.

I decided to muster the troops completed so far on the table top with a couple of buildings and a scenic backdrop, this was really so I could see exactly what each of the four main factions had in their retinue so far and allow me to plan who should get the next two units. The black and amber retinue of Yorkist, Sir Walter de Cobham will receive a unit of spear men, The dark blue and white of Lancastrian, Lord Sir Benedict Foxe will add a unit of crossbowmen.

All the boys together.

The unit of bill men and their command are not designated to any of the four major leaders and will be part of the retinues of the lesser knights in the campaign.

Looking down the line.

The black and amber retinue of Sir Walter de Cobham with just a unit of light cavalry and a firearms unit.

Sir Godfrey Howard (Yorkist) has a crossbowmen and spear men.

Sir Ralph Lytton (Lancastrian) has mounted knights, archers and spear men.

Lord Sir Benedict Foxe (Lancastrian) has mounted knights, light cavalry and archers.

Another view of the retinues formed up.

These resin buildings are from my English Civil War project, but fit nicely into this period. A timber merchant/cooperage.

A plain wattle and daub house, the dry stone walling is from OO Gauge model railway.

 

Some close-ups.

Finally, I have finished some tents that have been sat on my workbench for almost a month, they are for the 6mm ACW project, which I have been neglecting lately in favour of the War of the Roses. I shall have to rectify that.