French and Indian Wars game

I had Nick over for a game of Sharp Practice 2 set in the French and Indian War. It was the first time I got the collection on the table for a game and I was pretty chuffed! The reason it took so long was because I wanted to have enough figures for both sides and I also didn't like how the rules for Indians were written in the lists in which they acted like little more then mobile assualt groups. The problem was solved in Lard Magazine 2022 in which the Indians were given an alternative way to be fielded that is much more in line with how I perceived they fought which was small groups sniping the enemy followed by hit and run attacks while trying to preserve their warriors. Basically the blue print for light infantry.

The pictures were taken from my phone so not of the best quality, but does give you an idea of the game. Maybe one day I'll sit down and make a proper lighted photo shoot of the figures in action, but I'm a lazy photographer when it comes around to taking pictures which is why my postings lag behind in my hobby works.

Nick played the French and I played the British colonials. There were no regular troops and was fought by regional troops, like marines, rangers, conscrips, volunteers, militia and Indians. The game was a learning curve as the period really forces you to make decisions about keeping your troops in formation for easier control and massed volleys or breaking them up into groups to avoid being out flanked. It was great fun! 

I'm now full of inspiration to paint up more for the period to include figures and terrain!

I'm looking forward to the next game of French and Indian wars, but I do need more trees even though I have a lot, but not quite enough it seems!

Thanks for viewing!

Indian War Party

 

Back with some more French and Indian Wars for my Sharp Practice collection. Some of these Indians I painted before and some of them are newly painted, but I couldn't remember which so I just decided to include them all.

For Sharp Practice Indians are classified as tribal which makes sense and are 12 man units however I'm not really sure they fought the way as written in the rules(poor shots, very aggressive). I decided to split them in two units of 6 with a leader and treat them more like light infantry which means they will be aggressive at the right moment and are decent shots basically.

Indians are a challenge to paint with the extra patterns, warpaint and flesh, but when finished are some of the coolest looking figures in the collection due to the exotic warrior look combined with colonial wear so pays off in the end imho.

The figures themselves are a mixture of Galloping Major and Redoubt which work very well together making it difficult to tell which is which unless you know the ranges well. Really fine figures to work with. Painting was the usual Foundry paints, Vallejo and MIG pigments.

Still looking to get my first French and Indian war game in.....maybe this is the year as I have enough now!

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company- Galloping Major, Redoubt Miniatures

Colonial Rangers

 

Adding some more backlog units to the blog, but this time French and Indians wars for some more Sharp Practice. This is the first of two colonial ranger units I painted up so far. These were some of the best troops the British/Americans could put in the field due to their skill in musketry and woodsman craft and often just really knowing the land well and how to use it.

Since I quite enjoy painting natural colors especially green these were more fun then usual to paint up. Plus I really got a chance to get some contrast in there with the blue without overpowering the other colors which can happen when introducing a stronger color contrasts.

The figures themselves are from Galloping Major and just a real pleasure to paint with just the right amount of detail to give them character, but not so much you feel bogged down.

The paints I used were Foundry as usual with some Vallejo here and there. The basing was a mix of sand, stones, MiniNatur bushes and flowers and some MIG pigments for weathering. These bases are from Warbases I believe.

I think I'll post some Indians and Rangers after this so I can get up to date on my F&IW progress. Who knows maybe one day I'll get to play the collection!

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company- Galloping Major

F&IW Militia

 

Posting some more of my backlog work that I wasn't able to post before the challenge started. These are some organized militia that have some training, but not quite at the provincial level.

I created these with the intention of using them for Sharp Practice, but these of course can be used for any ruleset because they are sabot based.

 The figures are from Galloping Major and the whole range is excellent and very painter friendly, but I must say these are my favorite so far as I really like the eclectic clothes and equipment.

I really like the posing of the figures as it gives a sense of chaotic action with some shooting and some calling and others loading a real militia scene if you will. You could imagine the poor officer choking on smoke trying to get the men to fire in sequence......maybe the first shot if he can harness their excitement, but after that forgot it not going to happen.  

The figures were painted using my customary Foundry paints which gives a nice color intensive effect to the miniatures I really like and I also mixed in some Vallajo and Mig pigments for some dusting on the stones.

The command group represents the Captain probably selected by the men and a drummer who may or may not know how to use it in a military formation and his lieutenant crouching and sergeant. All the figures are also sabot based so I can put them in the formations or trade them out on other sabot commands. 

Recently I just hosted my first game online and it was very fun (AWI game) and I hope to do another perhaps featuring my F&IW collection. I still have some more F&IW backlog, but just one more I think which I'll post soon....ish.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company-Galloping Major

Settlers Defending

My first post of  the challenge is some skirmishing settlers for my French and Indian War collection which has continued to grow over the years, but has yet to see the battlefield which I plan to rectify this year. I suppose the delay has been I wanted to have the right amount before hitting the table ad hoc.

I think ever since I'd seen Last Of the Mohicans(1992) those many moons ago I was hooked with the period . The absolutely fascinating mix of Frontiersmen, regular infantry, Indians, settlers, militia creates a dynamic that gives many different opportunities of gaming from formal battles to bitter skirmishing all in different weather conditions and challenging terrain to navigate like spots of open fields mixed in with dense woods for example.

As for figures one is pretty spoiled for choice as most mainline producers carry a range of figures with some companies dedicated to the period itself. As for myself I went with Galloping Major and Redoubt miniatures as I find both quite painter friendly and packing tons of character.

The paints I used were my go to Foundry range which is my preference for anything Horse and Musket and earlier as I like the strong bold colors they produce. I also use some Vallejo paints which are great as well. The stones and such get a dusting of Mig pigments for some weathering.

I also painted up a preacher to help keep the spirits of the fighting men up and is a useful support option when playing Sharp Practice. I noticed I was short a supporting non commissioned officer for my French Compagnies Franches de la Marine so painted one of those up as well.

Thanks for viewing!

Miniature Company- Galloping Major, Redoubt Miniatures