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.

Final WotR units for the moment.

Finally finished the last two units from the two boxes of Perry Mercenaries for the War of the Roses, I went for a yet another unit of spear men and a second unit of crossbowmen. I will be taking a break from this project for a little while as I am taking part in the Black Powder Challenge which runs from next Monday 28th September right through until Christmas.

For the challenge I shall be painting up 50 x 36 man infantry units, 25 per side! A total of 1800 soldiers in 6mm, I must be mad but will be more than happy if I complete the task.

The two units in line.

Spear men for Sir Walter de Cobham (Yorkist)

Crossbowmen for Lord Sir Benedict Foxe (Lancastrian)

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.

Two more units now ready for battle.

I am working my way through the two boxes of Perry Mercenaries boxes and trying to build the figures using as many head and other options as is possible to create a little variation between units. Using two boxes I should in theory be able to produce two units each of crossbowmen, spear men and firearms troops. The spear men are a bonus as they will bulk up my infantry as the normal infantry sets come with 24 archers and only 12 bill men. The two boxes of Foot Knights will of course eventually make up the main units of infantry. I think I will have enough troops, certainly for Lion Rampant rules. I have also continued to base them in a 4,3,2,1,1,1 system to allow for figure removal if required or to keep them as a full unit when figure removal is not required.

Both units together.

They wear the green & white colours of Sir Godfrey Howard a Yorkist.

Spear men to back up the foot knights and fend off cavalry.

Based in the usual fashion to allow for alternative rule sets.

First unit of Crossbowmen almost completed.

Continuing with the War of the Roses project, I cracked open the box of mercenary infantry from Perry and decided to paint up a 12 man unit of crossbowmen for Yorkist sympathizer Sir Godfrey Howard of Hammerton, using the colours of North Ferriby United of the Conference North, so continuing my football theme for my fictitious factions. They went together quite well, still need a little touching up here and there, varnishing and flocking but then should be good to go.
Next up I think Sir Godfrey will receive a unit of 12 spear men to give him his second unit.

Once again I have used the Renedra bases and have based them up in a 4,3,2,1,1,1 configuration to allow for other rule sets to be used if figure removal is required.