Tuesday 24 October 2017

79th New York.

The key to retirement is ones health. Without that, basic living is crap, but in retirement it is probably the most important thing, even greater than having a bit of cash. The last week or so has reinforced this given yet again. Im not complaining, heavens knows there are so many people worse off in this country, but it does knock the stuffing out of you sometimes. Anyway on a brighter note, I finally finished the 79th New York Volunteers. I really struggled to finish them, whether because I wasnt at my best or that I simply wasnt excited by the castings!
Still they will now take the table thank heavens.I did manage to paint up another Union battery using Perry figures that I do enjoy painting. I dont know whether its the simplicity of the way they are made and by that I mean they just look lifelike and not in an exaggerated way or its the fact that the figures faces are always great to paint. But I do find them a pleasure..
I also completed the final 'rout' markers using the odd Perry figure. I like the way these turned out, again they were a pleasure to paint.This last week I received this months Miniature Wargames and Wargames Illustrated. And although it would easy to twist on about their contents I am determined not to, however one thing has increasingly struck me and that's the real lack of articles with a historical background that a wargamer can use [copy].
Whilst attempting not to hark back too much, its very obvious that the era of amateur wargaming historians is well gone and has been replaced by something, dare I say. More bland.

I suppose it was inevitable. One can only have so many articles on a certain battle before it becomes very tedious but it was a great source of scenarios and one off battles.I have been lucky enough to keep all the early Arqubusiers, Slingshots and Zouave magazines.Each was produced by enthusiasts of a certain historical period, and the early magazines were always full of wargames that could be refought. Some were very good. Now I'm afraid, and certainly in the case of the WI, its an eye catching set of photographs and drawings coupled to some very generic information about some historical event or feature.This month its 'heavy cavalry? I'm not certain who they were aiming at with this months magazine but I cant imagine its the usual subscriber to the WI, well not unless they have been off planet for the last 40 years.I promised myself I wouldnt be too negative so I will stop there. I did like the images of the Crecy game though, all very inspirational. Hopefully this weekends Fiasco show will also inspire me to paint up some new stuff, preferably something that I actually enjoy painting.


15 comments:

  1. the 79th NY do look a bit weird. Looking forward to seeing your set up at Battleground. I was going ti FIASCO but there doesnt seem to be much game wuse to merit the trip. Also will be at crisis the following weekend.

    sorry to hear you've been unwell. Ill health is the bane of the retired gentlefolk of leisure.

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    1. You do know that James Morris is displaying Kunnerdorf at Leeds. I hope to get some decent photos of the game. Enjoy Europe.

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    2. Hi Rob. I knew Jim was putting Kunersdorf on again at FIASCO but sadly I can't make it. Hope you get some good pictures and enjoy the show. See you at Stockton if not before.👍

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  2. Hope your bout of bad health has resided. Without good health, life can be a real chore.

    As for the 79th, the models look ok to me. Who is the manufacturer?

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    1. Jonathan,
      Bits are falling off me at regular intervals now. Its part of life. As for the unit, I think they are Redoubt, if not they have to be First Corps. Its been a while since OI got them.

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  3. Rob Baker made the figures - I remember being sat in a coffee shop in Hull when Rob showed me the masters - at the time we thought they were great but then the Perry’s didn’t do ACW then - funny thing about Rob , he could only do one face and it was his !

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    1. Thanks for the figure information, Ian.

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    2. I knew you would know Ian. Its like having a mobile wargaming history book.

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  4. I think they look great as do the artillery, hope you're feeling better soon , maybe you would enjoy some plastic landsknechts or steel fist gendarmes?
    Best Iain

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    1. Iain,
      I havent forgotten the unit. I got some new standards from Pete, of Pete's Flags and some new personalities to slip into the pike unit. Hopefully I will get my finger out and start.

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  5. Sorry to hear that you've been a bit poorly Robbie and hope that you're on the mend. I think that I've become a bit of a hypochondriac since I retired but find that my painting and war gaming distracts me from my aches and pains. Hope that your health improves soon.

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    1. Good to hear from you Tony,
      I only went to the dentists and ended up in the A+E wired up to all sorts. I knew I was in trouble when they wheeled our lass in to see me. Luckily they forgot to bring a priest otherwise I knew I was in deep trouble.

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  6. They all look very good to me. 79th is an odd uniform and must have been a bit tedious to paint all those trousers. Certainly agree with you about WI but I keep thinking of the youngsters who might not know nearly as much historically as you and I do by now. I've given up on MIniature Wargames mag. Health, sorry can't agree as I've been healthier since I left work and I think it is due to less contact with germy rooms full of people - that and a non-meat diet, clean air, and village life. Maybe you should move South ....but not quite this far though :-)
    Chris

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    1. Chris I dont think native Southerners are ready for my humour somehow.I am embarrassed to admit that I ended up in a skirmish at a pub near Sonning village the home of our PM. Luckily the guy didnt understand the invective I was throwing at him, otherwise I would have got into even more trouble with my daughter.

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating