Napoleonic/French Rev naval longboat 28mm

 Always fancied a couple of these naval long boats to enable a shore or river landing, probably with Sharp Practice but any French Revolution or Napoleonic game using a river will do so I bought two (though I have only photographed one) British Longboats and crew from Britannia Miniatures. It is a great set and though they both took a lot of cleaning to remove substantial amounts of flash it was worth it.

Now of course I have to buy a sailor and Marine landing party, it never ends!

Having looked at the pictures a little touching up is required after painting in the river.

Dave.

Otterburn additions.

 As our club Boarder Reiver Wargames Society is putting on a display game at the Elsdon Fete in Northumberland later this month the collection I had to contribute never had any civilian figures to show in particular the two Scottish camps present during the encounter in 1388, (scroll down from this post for further info on the battle).

So here are a very nice collection of 1st Corps 28mm figures that will do perfectly.

The village is within a few miles of the site of the battle and in itself is worth a visit, very pretty.

Dave.

15mm 1859/66 Austrians.

 I don't seem to post quite as often as I used to, certainly not recently, however on reason is that I have been heading towards completion of this 1859/66 Austrian army which given my ability to turn a blind eye to uniform specifics for the period allows this army to fight Italians, French and Prussians during this period in history. I know, Austrians in 1866 predominantly wore the greatcoat but if anyone thinks I'm painting up two separate armies for each war then they are living on a different planet to me!

On a sadder note many of these figures were swapped/given to me by my dear friend Mr Tom Nutt. Tom passed away recently and I consider my addition to and completion of this force my own small tribute to a good friend and wargame enthusiast. Tom was ex army, absolutely knew his stuff and was a mine of detailed information about all aspects of military history but particularly known for his three volume books Franco Prussian War (1870-1871) Uniform Painting Guides covering all of the weapons, organisation and uniforms for that conflict. You won't find a better more comprehensive aid to this period than this. I'm not sure who carries it now but try Rob Anderson at Northumbrian Painting Services he may know.

I could tell so many tales of Tom but suffice to say he will be missed by all.

Tom Nutt.

In total there are three Austrian corps, III, IX and XI organised for the Age of Valor rules, basically Fire and Fury but can of course be used for the excellent Bloody Big Battles set. I placed a good number on my 7' by 4' table but many more are still in the box. This little lot has taken quite some time to paint up hence not posting as often as usual. Most figures are Lancaster Games.

Dave.

1/1,200 HMS Mary, English 3rd rate.

 A second Anglo Dutch War ship completed, in this case HMS Mary an English 3rd rate. Originally commissioned as Speaker and built in Woolwich by Christopher Pett in 1650, re-named in 1660 she was a 50 gun frigate, re-built in 1688 and wrecked in 1703.

Langton as usual.

Dave.

1,1200 HMS Prince 1670, Anglo Dutch wars

 While since I last posted folks but what with holidays (good), work (bad) and life in general (meh) these things happen. I am soon to complete a huge 15mm Austrian 1859/66 army but more of that in another post.

In the meantime I have finally bitten the bullet and have begun constructing and painting both sides of the Anglo Dutch wars sailing ships purchased from Langton Miniatures about three years ago which have lain neglected in a box since then. There are about twenty of these beautiful models to do and I must admit to being somewhat daunted about beginning this particular project. If I say so I can paint figures to a good standard, I'm not immodest that way but hey there you go, but I'm a crap modeler, no two ways about it I hate making houses, terrain and bloody ships! I have done some in the past and did a reasonable job but I must say that I didn't really enjoy it. The end result was fine, love the end result but man the process of fiddling on doing sails, shrouds, ratlines etc does my head in. So there I sat looking at twenty fantastic Langton models knowing what must be done, well here is the first.

She is HMS Prince, built in 1670 a one hundred gun 1st rate and during the Third Anglo Dutch War served as the flagship of The Lord High Admiral The Duke of York.

Still learning as I go so a few mistakes but not too bad. The rigging is kept to a minimum as it is a wargaming model plus I haven't the skill or patience to do more. I had asked Rob Anderson of Northumbrian Painting Services to rig the ships when I finished just to piss him off cause I know he hates it but as I seem to have drilled the holes for the rat lines just behind the shrouds I have modelled the ratlines with brass wire myself. Got out of that one mate! Flags hand painted by myself as usual.

Dave.