Grandmanner - Lindenau House

It's been a little longer than I expected since my last post, a number of factors have been at play, EURO 2016 (and the outstanding performance of Wales), the Brexit vote (mentioned, but no politics here, unless they're of the 18th century variety); and the rugby of course with Wales losing to the outstanding New Zealand All Blacks in all three hard fought bruising encounters. So that's roughly how I've been occupied since the last post, and as a consequence I'm behind mostly on basing figures so there will be plently of posts in the offing.

Below are some pictures of the lovely Lindenau House from GrandManner (part of the 28mm Napoleonic European range) which I bought primarily to go with my 1866 project. I really enjoyed painting this piece, it's a lovely model and I'm looking forward to seeing it set up on a full table with the Austrians and Prussians battling it out.

On the progress of the 1866 project all the Austrian line infantry are now complete and the last 2 units are in the process of being based. Austrian Dragoons and the mounted officer are on the painting table nearly done, artillery is undercoated and next in line. Also coming are some recently acquired Jager for both the Austrians and the Prussians. Pictures will be coming soon...

My original intention was to play small engagements using the Black Powder rules, though I've just purchased Sharp Practice 2 from Too Fat Lardies, so will be looking into how these can be used for the 1866 conflict. I'm actually finding this conflict particularly interesting and am tempted to dip my toe into 6mm with armies for the Austro-Prussian War. Probably fair to mention at this point that lots of time has been spent on the Baccus website as well as all those distractions mentioned above looking at their lovely 6mm figures and trying to decide where to start (Austro-Prussian, Napoleonics, or maybe even Zulu War!). Something will happen, just not sure what yet (maybe even all three!).

I still intend to build an 1864 Danish force with North Star figures, but at the moment it's on hold until I get a feel for Sharp Practice 2 as that's probably the way I'll go.

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Gates of Antares Terrain

Some pictures of cheap terrain for Gates of Antares. I wanted to create an alien environment for the game setting, and a selection of cheap aquarium plants and railway model palms seemed the favoured way to go. I chose items of similar colour and based to match the bases on the miniatures. The model palms were sprayed blue and then dry brushed with yellow, these are flaking slightly so if I was to do them again I think I'd coat in pva glue first, I'm hoping a couple of coats of spray varnish will help.

All the aquarium plants and palm models were eBay purchases. I'll be looking to model some rock formations and other bits and pieces in due course.

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Royalist Horse - ECW

Some Royalist regiments of horse. The figures are a mix of 28mm Dixon Miniatures, Wargames Foundry, Front Rank and Bicorne (I think?).

My Royalist ECW forces are the core of a much older collection, being added to over a number of years, and being my first 28mm army.

The flags are Bodies Banners from Redoubt Enterprises. The units are -

Nicholas Crisp - white flag.

Sir Nicholas Byron - red flag with tree.

Thomas Bojulie - the other red flag.

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Carts, Wagons, and a Limber.

These have been hanging around part done with very little needed to finish them off, so I set to and below are the results. I have lots of pieces I'm working on, as I've previously touched upon I tend to aim to paint a little every day and do whatever takes my fancy. I've found for me at least it to be the most productive approach. In reality what it means is I never get bored.

So onto the miniatures, all are 28mm.
First up is a limber and artillery piece from Wargames Foundry's ECW range, followed by a tumbril and powder cart from Perry Miniatures AWI range, and finally two ammunition wagons from Front Rank Figurines 18th Century Equipment. The Front Rank miniatures also have options of a wicker or wooden cover for the wagons.

All nice pieces to work on and easy to assemble. I have some old Reboubt Enterprise carts that I need to rebase, once done I'll post up pictures. Together these will provide supply columns in various scenarios, and add a little  interest to the table top for large battles.

Civilians will be painted up and based separately.

Click on any picture to enlarge