Monday, 27 April 2020

Talons, Claws and Rotten Dice, Great Northern War battle from Wargames Illustrated 386 Battle of Pole Krwi July 1705

While I was living in South Korea, I picked up 2 Osprey Books on Peter the Great's Army. When I moved back to Nova Scotia in 2015, I had to jetison some of my libray in order to buy food. Both books I sold to a used book store in Dartmouth.
However, I have 18th century figures which were marketed for the Great Northern War which I have painted as 18th French and English for my conflicts here in Nova Scotia.
I have enough troops as Russians and Swedish. The fun bit of this conflict is that the figures will be a mix of nationalties.

Swedish Army:
13 Squadrons Horse blades (cavalry armed with swords)
4 pike and shot regiments (flintlock muskets)

Russo-Saxon Army:
5 dragoon squadrons swords, pistols
1 squadron of Cossacks
7 Regiments armed with muskets
2 field guns
1 light gun

The Russians have to stop the Swedish Army advance.
Picture courtesy of Wargames illustrated July 2019, issue 381

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

84th Regiment of Foot Royal Highland Emigrants memories

Halifax Citadel 1994

Fort Anne 1992

Fort Ellis 1987

Stewiacke parade 1987

Middleton 1991

Shelburne 1990

Fort Anne 1990

Pte. REDDEN Shelburne 1992

Fort Sackville 1993



Saint John 1990

1990

Fort Anne 1986

Stewiacke 1986

Halifax 1987

Hardwoodlands 1991






Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Fortifications coming along

I've gotten around to finally building a  version of Ft Agustus for the British Settlement of Canso. It consists of two bastions, and can fit 2 wooden buildings
I shall have to add a gate, palisade and a bit of plaster to smooth out the ground

In addition I have a single bastion built up to be a detached position
More to follow
A basic horn bastion 
Ive also been able to get some plaster to build up some basic trenches, bastions. 
with Covid 19 shutdown, I should be able to get some projects done.



fortified tower

curtain work filling in as a desert work in North Africa 

second bastin being built

first bastion getting repaired
And a follow up will be the gate house.
Gate house has also been built. 

Thursday, 20 February 2020

I've stopped my WI subscription for a time

As much as I love this magazine I have to cut the subscription until I get my credit cards paid off. And with the Covid 19 crisis they stopped publishing anyway
The latest issue out is appropriate as it's about Charges!
Including this month are a sprue of Napoleonic British cavalry. Ironic because I traded my Napoleonics to a mother collector however I will build them as Canadian militia cavalry
Incidently, due to the Corona Virus, Covid-19, this magazine stopped publishing print editions due to lack of demand. Once the pandemic is over, they may revert to publishing again.

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

American frontier rifleman


One of the most annoying bits of history is the myth of the American frontier rifleman beat  British redcoats twice, one in the revolutionary war and then in 1812.

While sure, rifleman may have been good skirmishers, they were not effective light infantry due to their independent nature and lack of specific training.
By the War of 1812, the US army had 4 Rifle Regiments.
Their uniforms were similar to the British in that they wore dark colors to try and blend into their environment. The Americans chose either Green frock coats, black uniforms or a grey uniform.
So now I just have to get them out and take some pictures


Tuesday, 21 January 2020

The British Rifles in British North America 60th and 95th Regiments

For my War of 1812 project my Rifles are taking shape.
The 95th took part in the New Orleans campaign and I believe that they were in Canada during 1813-1815.
From my research, the 95th Regiment served in Louisiana during the 1814-1815 campaign.
However, the 7th Battalion of the 60th Regiment served in Nova Scotia and Maine from 1814-1817.
I have them painted I just need to take pictures of them. Once the weather cooperates and I remember to



Wednesday, 1 January 2020

Black powder games to make a comeback



I've had 2 issues with doing this era, distractions with other eras, and my battle with depression.
I just haven't had the motivation to finish projects however there are several from last year I will attempt to finish this year. With the current Covid 19 Crisis, my son and I should be able to get a few battles on the go.

Friday, 27 December 2019

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


Wednesday, 25 September 2019

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

Friday, 13 September 2019

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.