Covenanter General

This time a Covenanter General for my ECW collection. The figures are 28mm from Perry Miniatures, and are from packs SWI Mounted Commanders, and ECW12 Dead & Wounded.

The mounted commander is one of three in the pack. Just need to get some decent forces for him to command.

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Montrose Irish

Just completed 2 units of Monrose Irish for my Scots Royalist army. The figures are 28mm from Warlord Games, flags are from Wargames Designs.
I've one more unit to complete to give me the Irish Brigade, then it'll be time to paint up Alasdair Mac Colla to command.
I'm pleased with the way these figures have turned out, not long now unit I've got my Scots Royalists complete, then it'll be time to focus on my Covenanter forces.

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The Raising of the Clans

When I first started gaming the English Civil War in the Early 1990s my army of choice was Early Royalist. I always remember those early engagements with a Montrose Scots Roylist army as hard fought affairs (under the 1644 rules by Rick Priestley and published by Wargames Foundry), in particular the resilience and hard fighting Irish. Coupled with the fact that James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose (1612-1650) was one of the pesonalities from British history that held my imagination as a child, it seemed I was always destined to own a Scots Royalist amy of my own. Although I liked at the time, and still do the majority of the Wargames Foundry English Civil War range, the Highlanders they produce just didn't seem to appeal. Then when Warlord Games released their Highlanders and Irish figures for the English Civil War my fate was sealed, and I immediately purchased several boxes. Strangely (or maybe not so for those who know me) I then added them to the unpainted pile and there they have sat, languishing until I recently dug them out and decided to do something about it, and that something was to get them painted and start playing the army I always wanted (well for the ECW at least).

Below are pictures of  the first batch of ECW Highlanders for my Scots Royalist army.
The figures are 28mm from Warlord Games. The yellow and black flag of the MacDonald Clan is from Wargames Designs, and the yellow and blue of the Gordon Clan is from the Warlord Games Highlanders box set. The tufts and static grass are from MiniNatur.

These should give me two units of 24 for my starter army. I decided to base the miniatures individually for a number of reasons. Firstly I wasn't  happy about the way the miniatures ranked up on the 40mm square bases I was intending to use, and secondly I wanted to use the figures for different rule sets/skirmish games (thinking Donnybrook skirmish rules by Harrison and Hilton). I'll be looking at getting some large movement trays made once I can decide on size and layout.

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Parliamentarian Horse - ECW

Some pictures of recently completed Parliamentarian Horse.

The miniatures are 28mm from Warlord Games, and the flags are from Wargames Designs.

The units pictured are Sir George Booth's Horse (red flag, with cavalryman, fringed black and yellow), Owen Cambridge of Philip Twistleton's Horse (white flag), William Sydenham's Horse (red flag, fringed red and white) and finally a unit of cuirassiers, Sir Arthur Hasselrigg's Lobsters (Green flag).

These 4 units are the start of my Parliamentarian cavalry, painted quickly from a brown undercoat, base colours, ink wash and then highlighted. I've grown to really like the Warlord Games plastic cavalry, easy to assemble and quick to paint up.

Definitely a bit of an ECW thing going on at the moment, I'm aiming to have starter armies for Parliament, Royalist, Covenanter and Scots Royalist ready soon. The initial forces will consist of a minimum of 3 regiments of foot, 2 cavalry, an artillery piece and command. Each will be expanded over time from this starter base.

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Duke of Hamilton's Regiment - ECW

A second foot unit to add to my Covenanters, tbe Duke of Hamilton's foot. The figures are 28mm fom Warlord Games and Perry Miniatures. The flags are from Redoubt Enterprises listed under Body's Banners.

I've had these part painted and hanging around for a long time, so I thought with the purchase of a new set of ECW rules (The Kingdom is Ours), I would build a Covenanter and a Montrose Scots Tertio to add to my collection. I'll expand the forces from the Tertio base into bigger armies over time. A Tertio in the rules is 3 foot, 2 cavalry, an artillery piece and a commander (Montrose Scos have -1 unit). The unit below is built for Pike and Shot and 1644, but will be fielded with only 4 stands of muskets instead of 6 for The Kingdom is Ours.
I'll also be using the armies for Pike and Shot and 1644. Though I like the random element to The Kingdom is Ours as it seems well suited to solo play.

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SALUTE 2016 - The Loot

I've been very restrained this year regarding my SALUTE purchases, partly due to the fact that I'm still working through last years haul and partly personal circumstances.

I was particularly keen to get my hands on two publications, firstly Glory, Hallelujah the ACW supplement from Warlord Games and The Kingdom is Ours, a set of ECW rules by Helion and Bicorne Miniatures. First impressions following a quick skim makes me feel I'll not be disappointed with either purchase.

Next came some 6mm French Napoleonic Infantry from Baccus Miniatures. These were bought as a sample pack to try out a bit of an idea I've been having for large 6mm units. I've already painted up 36 strips of 4 miniatures each and am playing around with these to see what size unit I'll finally settle upon. I'm aiming for the massed visual effect that 6mm can offer, I'm hoping I can achieve this, only time will tell. I will add though that I'm not sure yet how many strips to have to a unit...

Browsing on Paul Meekins book stand, I came across a book on the Swiss Civil War of 1847, by Ralph Weaver. I know absolutely nothing about this conflict and at the bargain price of £10 it was too good to leave. I'm already mulling over the idea that this may become a little project with the 42mm Shiny Toy Soldiers by Aly Morrison and sold by Spencer Smith Miniatures a chocolate box toy solider collection!

Finally, but not least I picked up two badges from Bad Squiddo Games for my daughters. I saw lots of wonderful stuff to add to my shopping list. To name a few it was more Shieldmaidens and WWII Russian  female soldiers from Bad Squiddo Games (aka The Dice Bag Lady, Annie). These little gems look even better in the 'flesh' and will be added to my next order. I saw some excellent terrain from S&A Scenics, especially their palm trees which are crying out to be added to the much desired Middle Eastern buildings from Adrian's Walls (Cross and Crescent SAGA is calling). All that without Crann Tara Miniatures amazing Jacobite Rebellion miniatures. Add all that to the spectacle that is SALUTE I think it fair to say inspiration overload indeed...

I would sum up from my impressions of the day that the hobby is strong, diverse and certainly vibrant. A broad church (not all of it of personal interest), but exciting to see nonetheless. A time where Wargamers are most certainly spoilt for choice ... long may it last.

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