Jackdaw Command

I have been singing the praises of this project,and I thought I would show would be buyers what you get for youre money.

These are two of a group of four French Command Figures,but really they are mainly generic,apart from Marshal de Saxe,who does look like the historical figure.

I found them easy to paint and the horses are sturdy beasts.

I am looking forward to the charging French Dragoon figures,hopefully I can give a decent paint job. Anyway Old Glory should be encouraged to keep releasing this range, it is a good substitute for the now very expensive Willie range.

My enforced Stay off work

I suppose one good thing by being generally off colour,is that you can finish some projects that were on the back burner.

Mine was this battalion of Minden French. I have several half completed units of these lovely figures,but I just find them difficult to paint. I think basically its because they deserve such a good paint job,and I dont think I have that skill.

Their faces are well done and deserve a 'Saxon Dog' finish,however I know that I just havent got that in me,anyway they are finished and ready to go,which is the main thing.

I tend to exagerate my flags [ thats really that I like BIG flags] and being the cheapscape I am I also used only one drummer per unit.

I do like them now that I heve finished it,but I still cant find a quick but accurate way to paint white.

Flames of War

I have completed the last of my fusilier units for the Italian army,and am now crawling into my Besailgairi ? squads. What was meant to have been a small project,just seem to have expanded,why do wargamers do that? I must admit I am a completist but I forgot how time consuming 15mm figures are.
Anyway I reckon I am about 2/3 there,however I have just ordered the new Semovante and the italian heavy tank set, why?
I have found the range enjoyable to paint,but do have trouble with some of the weapon sets,there never seems to be any instructions,hence I always have at least one spare part.

An enforced break

Due to illness,I have been able to catch up with my blog. I am grinding my way through the moutain of lead that is my Flames Of War Italian army. I am determined to finish this project sooner than planned as I am now very keen to move back to my SYW Hanoverian army. My aim is for 8 battalions,2 guard battalions,and 7 units of cavalry,nothing too ambitious!
I also want to edit the rules John put together for me and give them a more professional look.
Thinking about lists,I think the most important things wargamers need are,
1] Time, 2] patience, 3] enthusiasm, 4] imagination, 5] the constitution of a horse, 6] an understanding partner [very important], 7] space, 8] a steady hand, 9] a sense of humour, 10] and access to ready cash [always a problem]
Personally my most important things are time and cash. Sometimes its hard to justify locking myself away to paint,leaving my long suffering partner to watch the televison,saying that I think she is pleased sometimes.

A visit to Jackdaw Miniatures

Being in the area of New Kyo [why would you?] I dropped in to see the new jackdaw Miniatures command groups.Needless to say I ended up buying the group of four figures.I also got sight of the French Dragoons,both at rest and charging.
Once more the wargame brain engaged and the common sense one went west. I need this unit,the French Dragoon resplendent in cap just looks the part.
Some collectors may dislike them but personally I find the Jackdaw range as it grows perfect for OSW.
I also got sight of the British guard in full dress,again they look perfect albeit a swine to paint [all that lace]
Andy assures me that as each new figure comes out,the aim is to go for a single casting as opposes to the loose arm,which has caused me problems.
All in all I would recommend the range.

Slow going

As mentioned in a previous blog,sometimes there is a lull in a wargamers progress. It can be any number of things,usually in my less mature days it was a domestic issue that slowed up my latest painting project,currently it is the recession that is taking up all my spare time. With the recent cuts to public sector numbers,I seeme to have very little time at home as I get to cover for fewer co workers. This is not a gripe,at least I still have a job, but the hours just get longer. Anyway, I did manage to complete some of my Jacdaw figures, a couple of Flames of War units and half a Seven years war cavalry regiment. However I feel the need to be inspired to drive these projects forward, perhaps a good book or a decent inspiring wargames article.
These seem to be fewer in number nowadays, or is it just me getting old. I really miss the pithy editorials of Donald Featherstone and Stuart Asquith who really could beat themselves into a frenzy over some wargames issue. Brilliant.
I saw that another great passed away very recently in the shape of Paddy Griffith. Never one to shirk controvosy,Griffith really stirred up a nest years ago, when he wrote about 'was there a need for toy soldiers in wargaming'. At the time I was more annoyed with the term toy soldiers than the actual ideas espoused. Looking back it was all good stuff. He did write some good books with some very good ideas to inspire all wargamers.
A big loss to wargaming.

The long lay off!!!

Flames of War Italians,circa 1942.

Over the years I have found that I reach a point where I find it hard to devote my precious time to wargaming.I suddenly find that other things become more important,and I think I have just been through such an occurrence. Luckily it was only for a few weeks,and I still managed to continue painting,albeit at a much slower rate. A longtime ago I took an entire year out and didnt do any wargaming activities at all.

Granted I had only just been married and become a father,so perhaps that is understandable.Anyway I am back, and I'd thought I'd show off my Italian army circa 1942.

Progress has been slow,but persistance is finally paying dividends. The figures are a combination of Flames of War and Command Decision.I think they are very compatable,apart from the armour where Command Decision are slightly smaller.

I have attempted to customise some of the bases,and have incorporated camels and palm trees in an attempt to pretty things up.I do like the infantry from Command Decision,as they have pith hats,and shirt sleeve order.Very colonial and very Italian. For one of my squads I am going to paint a Black shirt unit,purely for theatre effect.My dad, God rest his soul was in the 8th Army,and although he very rarely talked about the war,gave me an officers Facista scarf,cap badges and officers tie. So I thought it would be appropriate to add some of Mussolini's followers to my army. I have made an elementary error for any wargamer,as I have stocked up with unpainted metal,which is unlike me.I am usually more disciplined. I have also alternated between scales and periods, and have continued my Seven Years War project,albeit very slowly. John my long suffering opponent kindly painted me a unit of Hungarian infantry,and I am part way through a French heavy cavalry unit.I missed the show at Durham last weekend,and havent been to a show since Sheffield Triples,which I do find a bit disconcerting.I was in New York instead watching England showthe world how to play football [ I wish ]I do like New York, although it is getting very expensive.

I understand that there were only five games on display at the Durham show, and I think this is the first time in over 25 years that I havent put on a game with John at the show.
Still sometimes a change is as good as a rest.

I have noticed that the Old School Wargame movement seems to have lost its impetus,so to speak,which I suppose is inevitable given the nature of wargamers. I will still continue to plug the idea,and hope to re publish ' A Nostalgic Whim' rules later this year.
It was also sad to see the demise of the Spanish wargames magazine,Soldiers and Strategy. I believe it will still be published in Spain.

I did like its enthusiatic approach and general layout.

Anyway well done for a valiant effort.

I hope to hold a photographic review of my entire Seven Years war armies next time.