A group of half-tracks - 20mm WW2
Some pictures of painted (mainly) historical wargames figures. The name is a pun, not a boast.
Never say never - the revival of Napoleonic Naval games is clearly in part because they look amazing!
Picking up from my post in February, work has continued to put together some fleets for my friend and fellow clubmate Bob, which started with the build of the British Navy boxset from Warlord Games and has continued with this the French Navy set.
Warlord really is brilliant at making game systems. I remember a long long time ago some Hinchcliffe system 12. Warlord's Epic Battles has the same ambition and wonderful execution.
The Wargames Room ponders, points, campaigns and scenarios
Campaigns have a strong draw. Historical campaigns have the same appeal as historical refights, yet my experiences suggest a successful campaigning can deliver terribly unequal battles, which are not particularly satisfying. I’m of the view that campaign mechanics must be simple providing a narrative for a scenario game, or be played as a seperate campaign in an evening, likely as a board game.
Sgt Steiner tries out Soldiers of Napoleon - a card driven rules set:
Overall a thumbs up and if you like (Sam Mustafas) Maurice 18th Century rules these have a similar feel regarding card deck use and level of complexity (low to medium) but with of course own feel and twists.
Devon Wargames played the Battle of Maida
The Battle of Maida was fought on 4th July 1806 and is popularly (and erroneously) seen as the first time that the fire power of the two deep British line overwhelmed an attacking French column, but let’s not go down that particular rabbit hole. It was a welcome victory after the humiliation of Ulm and crushing defeat at Austerlitz and showed that a French army could be defeated. Maida Vale owes its name to the battle, there apparently being a pub called The Maida or The Hero of Maida in reference to Sir John Stuart (later Count of Maida) who led the British troops.
The British force landed on the Italian coast and force marched to attack the French camp at Maida. Stuart’s force, numbering some 5,000 men, was made up of 11 battalions, (two of which, the 78th and the 81st were untested) and 8 guns. Regnier, the French commander, was notified of the British landing and with a slightly larger force of 8 Battalions, 4 squadrons of cavalry and 4 guns, left his well-fortified position to confront Stuart’s force. Confident of victory and eager to avenge his defeat in Egypt five years earlier, Regnier immediately ordered an attack on the outnumbered British force.
Helion and company say they've book on the way about Leipzig - a Wargamers guide.
Battlebrush studios says they actually like painting Austrian White!
1 What amazing cavalry country albeit maybe not in March 1814. Have a click on the photos and they show wide open spaces. The Cavalry of the Guard fought here against Austrian and Russian Cavalry.2 Napoleon fought with back to a river. Zoom in on the map and since how little space there was for some of his troops to manoeuvre. It was really my first genuine appreciation of why it's such a difficult position to be in. There is almost room to rally any units before they hit the river - and then they might disintegrate. The River itself is not easily crossed other than by the bridge.
I only had this book with me.
36 x Marching units
16 x Firing units
4 x Command units
2 x Mounted colonels
all for £30 (just about 50p per figure - when was a quality 28mm figure last that cheap!) and they look amazing. The balance of marching to firing could be improved - it feels like more skirmishers thane most will need.
I also spotted some beautiful Perry Bavarians in their pre christmas napoleonic game:
this is an excellent game system, fully justifying the rave reviews I have seen of it. The turn play system – both sides interact without the use of phases or player-turns – is especially clever and works really well. There are intricacies which you can miss on first play, but generally the rules should be very quick to pick up
Storm and Conquest blog has added some painted Mamelukes - very clean painting style.
Cirencester Wargames Club put on a Christmas 1812 game, summer 1812.
Thomas Reviews the Spanish company Campaign Miniatures and their 18mm Austrians
Chris Greggs review of his gaming year includes some 1806 battles in Gloucestershire. (amazing table)
I was frankly amazed at the quality of information and images in the site https://miniatureaddiction.info.
I really good example is this on ...
Here's the link if you want to have a look : They're the fab green uniforms (with higher officer wearing their blue Middle Guard ...