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.