Plans for 2020

So I was overly ambitious for this year, I changed jobs which threw off my game plans and I strayed from the 18th century but fear not, I shall be back in this period with relish,
1. Begin working on the ho/how buildings
2. Possibly some skirmishing
3. Lots of terrain projects mainly finishing up some kits and gear
4. Touch ups on figures

54mm figures for display, or large scale games

Before I jumped head first into 1/72 gamming and collecting, I began to collect 54mm figures. IR figures out of the US had a fine metal collection of figures. Between 1987-1992, I painted up a few of these as both British, American and Loyalist units.
Sadly, when my parents divorced and seperated, most of my belongings were swept up in my Dad moving out. Several of my figures I thought were lost and thrown away.
What actually appeared to happen, is that my Mum and sister had just gotten a box and just pushed them into a cardboard box.
When I was at my fathers home last week, while cleaning up part of his workshop, we found the collection!
Most of the figures have fared well, there are a few who need some major restoration. However, I plan on using some of the 28mm arms and weapons to try and fix them.
The worst figure is a French and Indian War Highlander whose feet are now missing. He is modeled as a Grenadier, so I plan on repainting him as a member of the 42nd Regiment at Ticonderoga, with his feet hidden by the brush and wood the French had or he may become a 78th Fraser's Highlanders coming in the surf of Kennington cove
Some of the musicians are also in disaray, so I shall have to see how I can resurect them.
Stay tuned.
Most of the figures were painted as Royalist Provincial units of 1775-1784. Others I began to paint as British Regulars.
I had a few Continental troops, I didn't seem to have many officers.
The toy soldier types my son is now using in his own toy soldier battles.
Most of these I had painted as French and Indian War. There are also Second World War and some Napoleonic French and British Highlanders mixed in

a Cannioner-Bombardiere, 1756-63

American Provincials with other toy soldiers

mix of French

painting the kilts was fun

some more  British and Airborne 

a Royal Artillery crew whose gun didn't survive 

British Rangers and light infantry 

a Black Watch piper

This Black and Fatal Day: Bloody Brook, Massachusetts, September 18, 1675

Another fun installment of my favorite era, New England Colonial forces against the First Nations people of the area, and I have the figures!

Once I get some time, I will do battle.
The idea for this game comes from one of the issue of Wargames Illustrated. Somewhere I have it, and I have the figures. Just finding the time, which I seem to have due to the Covid 19 pandemic and some time off, that is if they don't call me in to work.

Capt. Thomas Lathrops company

12 figures armed with muskets

Teamsters: 4 musket armed farmers

Capt. Moesleys company

12 mounted figures 

Major Treats company

2 units x10 muskets

Mohican war party: 12 musket armed warriors 

Amerindians

Nipmuck: 30 warriors

Wampanoag: 18 warriors

Pocumtuck: 6 warriors

Amerindian victory is to inflict 66% casualties on the English colonists. 

18th century Rangers rethink

An article in the August 2019 issue of Wargames illustrated points out something that I had picked up from the Osprey publishing book on Colonial American Rangers.
Not all rangers were created equal. Gorehams in Nova Scotia and Roger's Rangers in New York.
Other colonies attempted to raise Ranger companies but they were met with limited success.
I'll add more to this on my own research in a bit as well as shots of my own Rangers

My take on some Colonial Rangers

Bosworth 1745

Charles Edward Stuart has invaded England. Rather than what actually happened,  the French have sent a stronger force consisting of more Elite troops and cavalry and infantry.

part of the French force

Languedoc Dragoons 

Bombardier du Marine

Volontaires de Hainaut

Regiment Karrer 

Next up will be the Jacobites 

Double Dutch! UK invaded 1667 and 1688

Another fun idea from Wargames illustrated August 2019 edition.
Bonus use of my pike and shot units to mix in with my early 18th century kit.
Me thinks an attack on Languard fort is in order. Just need to find the time to do so.
I have a castle which can fill in as the coastal fort.
The Dutch can be in blue coats from my 1640s style while the English will be in Red.

Over the hills and far away: UK assault on South Africa 1807

Inspiration from my favorite author and the old osprey publishing book on the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
This project I plan on doing during 2020, I got sidetracked in 2019.
My research will be to fill out units for the Dutch, the British are mostly ready to go.

The Dutch troops will be a mix of my blue coated American's who wore a similiar uniform to the dutch, and adding in some AWI militia types as I'm sure that the Dutch settlers were not up on the fashions, having spent most of their time trying to farm to survive.

My British force will be a mix of the 1790s and 1800 troops that I still have.
more to come hopefully shortly

The descent on the river Plate 1808

The unsuccessful campaign in South America by the British inspired by my favorite author
This was my other project which fell by the wayside for a few reasons
1. I traded most of my Napoleonic French to a fellow collector and
2. I changed jobs and had little time off
However 2020 is looking good so far and I will be doing this one.

My Spanish troops are from those of Spanish gurriellas which I have plus some French painted up as Spanish a la 1780s-90s.
and just for colour, I may add in some native auxilliaries.

My British force will be the same as that for my South African adventure, as in reality, they came from the same source.

Roddy Mcourlly 1798 Rebellion

I've been interested in gaming this conflict as my ancestors are from Ireland and I share the name of a song. As well, my late great Uncle Fred sang the wind that shakes the corn.
I have sufficient figures for both sides
Just need to get them on the table

Roddy, who I've painted as a highwayman 

My British and Loyalist Irish will be made up of AWI types with the late 18th Century Light infantry 

The Rebel Irish will be made up of AWI civilian militia types 

There may be a few French types thrown in for colour, 

The British/Loyalist units will be made up of AWI British as well as the 1790 types I've been able to paint up.

Fort Chambly 1776

Now I know that Chambly was not besieged by the British against the Americans but it could be an interesting battle
Inspired by the Osprey publishing book on the Quebec 1775 campaign
As well, one of the back issues of Wargames illustrated gave me an idea via their invasion issue, and the Quebec 1775 Osprey publishing book gives some ideas as well.
The main thing is to build Fort Chambly with the bricks I have.

Once it stops snowing in April, I can try to knock together some stone towers.
All pictures courtesy of Wargames illustrated July 2019 Issue 381.