Cross my Palm(s) with silver!

For the past few years I have been using Coconut Palms as any old Palm Tree for my Sudanese,El Cid,in fact any deserty-type game that we play-but of course it's not correct!-so what to do??

THE WIFE,is always ordering "stuff" from Amazon(have you heard of them?) and she always asks if I want anything-well,this time I did-I asked her to order me some proper Palm Trees-within two days they arrived..............................

24 assorted sizes(6/5/4/3 inch high palms)-they didn't have bases with them,apparently because they are classed as "cake toppers!-what kind of cake would have palm trees on it??-so I got out my trusty box of washers,and got to work with No Nails,UHU and Superglue!

Palms galore-plastic,nicely coloured,and I think, quite realistic looking,not bad for £17.50.

Top photo shows the palm on its shiny washer base,bottom shows the palm on its MDF base.

I mounted them in singles,doubles,threes and a couple of fours,for variation-the bases wre old ones that I had,so no extra expense!-I "tetrioned" the washers and any bits of the bases that showed the MDF poking through,dipped them in "flock" and...............................

The finished articles-watch out for them soon!!!

 

Bloody Marvellous!

That's the only way to describe the game that Paul and I had yesterday!! Carthaginians vs Romans is always a good "tussle" but to actually play against Paul (the demon Numidian light cavalry commander!) was a real treat.

This is the terrain map that was delivered to Paul a few days before the game,so he could plan his "ambush"-he had to have some troops at all the marked positions(A,B,C etc)

Top photo is my army in position,bottom is the formidable army that Paul had,ready to be put in their ambush positions!

As I advanced into "The Valley of Death" Paul exposed some Spanish troops on my left flank and blocked my way with Spanish and Carthaginian cavalry-I only hope he doesn't put something in my rear(oo,er missus!)

But,of course, he did!! forcing me to try and form up(top photo),then the Elephants appeared to attack my leading Hastati,whilst the Spanish infantry attacked my flank,and a grand cavalry battle was also instigated_has the man no mercy!!!(NO!)-I was in all kinds of trouble but my plan was to try and form a massive two legion square......................

Top photo shows my attempt to form the square,bottom photo shows the Elephant battle,which I eventually won,sending them crashing into the back of the on-going cavalry melee-great stuff!!

This shows my second(rear) Legion being attacked by a combination of Numidian cavalry,skirmish troops(javelins and slings) plus the dreaded Gallic infantry(who didn't do that well-hurrah!) but I still hadn't fully formed my square,and was wondering where the Elite African infantry would appear!

Top photo shows my rear legion being "broken" by the Gauls and light troops,bottom photo shows the Africans appearing on the same flank as the Spanish-this was the only tactical error that Paul made in the whole game-he had no room to manoeuvre his Africans,but,as it happens, they weren't really needed-I was lost!-only one order for the Romans now-"BREAK OUT!!

These two final photo's show how my attempt to "BREAK OUT" was thwarted by Paul's cavalry,in the top photo,and his Gauls etc in the bottom photo!!

By any standards this was a great game,but to actually have an opponent was even greater! We,hopefully, will be playing again next week!

A Game of Three Halves!!!

The lad hasn't gone mad even if the title would indicate that I have!!  

From the "preview" blog,this is the scenario.

The First Half-the wagon train approaching the Fort,unaware of the hidden Sioux!

As the Indians expose themselves(steady!!) the wagons form a circle,prepared to fight to the last man/woman/child -one wagon has managed to set itself on fire(spontaneous combustion?)This was a most interesting part of the game,unless you were a Sioux warrior!!

After only two "circuits" of the wagons,the Sioux were shot to bits and had to adhere to that well known phrase,"he who fights and runs away,lives to fight another day"-end of the First Half !

The Second Half-here comes the Cavalry (led by a half German officer,Major Kochup!)

As the cavalry trotted onto the plain,the Indians exposed themselves(steady,again!) ready to attack!

Now where the hell did they come from??? The cavalry fired their pistols and carbines,but couldn't stop a most furious attack developing into a most one-sided melee!!

Even when Major Kochup singled out the Sioux Chief,and killed him,the inevitable result of the melee was plain to see,surrounded and out-numbered,the cavalry were massacred!!-end of the Second Half!

The Third Half-The Fort.-some very brave braves have crossed the river and are about to attack the Fort-not a wise move-they were shot down,and in two moves,were forced to retire(it's good being retired!)-end of the Third Half!! An absolutely cracking game,full of surprises,and some ridiculous dice throws!!

I'm having a game with Paul on Thursday morning,social distancing and masks,plus thge garage door will be open,so I hope that conforms to the current legislation of two consenting adults(?) meeting from two households in a fairly open space-hope it's not bloody raining or cold!!!

Game Preview.Plains Indians.

I haven't had a game with my US Cavalry vs Plains Indians for a while,so thought I would give them an"airing", possibly tonight-however,first here is a small preview of the scenario....................

This is the simple(?) scenario-I will be putting pieces of paper with Sioux strengths behind the marked positions-I will not know how many of each type(foot/mounted) there are in the positions until I turn the papers over!!

The Wagon train,c/w settlers peacefully meandering their way to Fort Hope-I suspect that there may be some "Sneaky Sioux" hiding behind " them thar hills!!!"

This is how the Cavalry will leave the Fort,after the first attack on the wagon train.

An overall view of the table before any Sioux figures are placed in their positions.I'm quite looking forward to the unpredictability of this game-full report later.

 

Zamburaks (camel guns!)

 During lockdown I’ve rediscovered my passion for the Indian Mutiny. Ignited by the wonderful figures sold by Empress Miniatures, I have embraced miniatures from various other manufacturers; Foundry, Old Glory, Mutineer Miniatures, Eureka and Indus.  

Solo action

Bhopal Contingent see off charging Ghazi fanatics 

Bombay Horse Artillery 

Mysorean rockets!

I was really pleased to make sufficient progress to get the figures out on the table. A defeat for the British! (I blame their commander!)

Quite often my approach to a period is to build a generic collection. However for the Indian Mutiny, I was drawn towards Sir Hugh Rose’s campaign in Central India, 1858. There is a healthy amount of information on both sides’ forces. 

Just one of the books which was a mine of information. The Rani of Jhansi was one of the main protagonists in the campaign. 

The Hyderabad Contingent was a large part of Sir Hugh’s Central India Field Force. The Nizam of Hyderabad, in demonstration of his loyalty to Britain, provided infantry, cavalry and artillery. I was content to represent the contingent’s infantry and cavalry. Mutineer even make cavalry specifically for the Hyderabad Contingent. I knew that camel gunners were attached to the cavalry...

... but nobody makes a suitable model. No matter. Then in steps my friend Roger Castle offering me a couple of spare Indian cavalry figures. The striking feature of these two figures is that their turban is secured under their chin, just like the Hyderabad Contingent camel gunners. I shall have camel gunners!

So what I want to represent...

And what I have available as a starting point...

Foundry’s camel gunners sculpted decades ago by the Perrys, but still a nice piece. There are so few Zamburaks out there. Not surprising really as it has little combat value. 

To the man cave!

Starting point; the Foundry camel guns and the spare horsemen from Roger. Also Foundry. I wanted to do as little conversion as possible. A head swap wouldn’t do as the camel gunners are wearing nothing like the Hyderabad Contingent gunners shown in the painting. The camel gunners were therefore relegated to the bitz box and it would be a case of making the horsemen look comfortable on a camel. They are wearing a similar coat to the gunners in the painting and the turban is spot on. 

With his legs removed the horseman sits reasonably well on his new mount. Reminds me of the old Airfix arab camelry. 

The original weapon is at top. Doesn’t really look like the large calibre musket in the painting. So two Trent Miniatures jingals are considered. I go with the bottom version as it looks meaty!

The new component parts. The legs have been reattached in what I imagine is a more suitable camel riding position. I’m no expert, but it looks good even if it’s not right. The legs have been scraped so that I can paint boots on and the knees rebuilt with green stuff modelling putty. 

They sit well enough and look good to me. A fair representation. I could have remodelled bits on the camel, but I hadn’t wanted it to be anything other than a minor conversion project. I certainly don’t strive for perfection!

The finished article...

Pleased with those. Always satisfying to have something unique lol!

All the best 

Chris