Friday, October 7, 2011

Wainwright Battery #1 I Corps


I'm modelling my armies under the command structure at Gettysburg for both sides. This is my first artillery piece for the period and is a 3" rifled parrott gun.Information on each battery under General Wainwright at the time of Gettysburg is a bit sketchy except for perhaps Lt. Greenleaf T. Stevens and so I'll just number them battery #1, #2 etc. for ease.
Wainwright was commissioned a major in the 1st New York Artillery on October 17, 1861 and rose quickly through the ranks.
He was chief of artillery of I Corps at the Battle of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg where he helped repulse the Confederate attacks on Cemetery Hill and exchanged volleys with confederate artillery prior to Pickett's charge.
In 1864 he became chief of artillery of V Corps and also attained the rank of Brevet General which he held until the end of the war.
He was an author as well writing "A Diary of Battle: The Personal Journals of Colonel Charles S. Wainwright, 1861–1865" where he discussed his opinions on various generals he served under and experiences he had to include engagements and how to use artillery.
I was pretty keen to try out the new Foundry ACW paints, but didn't want to do a whole regiment before trying it out and so opted for an artillery piece as a test run. The Union Blue does come out authentically dark, but I'm undecided if it's perhaps too dark as I prefer a bit of a zing to my miniatures. The Union Blue Trousers came out great and so no need for a second thought on that. I'm looking forward to see if the confederate colors work out just as good. For the cannon body I tried Foundry's French Gun Olive Green and thought it too bright and so instead went with French Dragoon Green which I quite like.
Next up Iron Brigade!
Thank you for viewing.:-)
Miniature Company- Perry Miniatures

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Progress on my hobby room

Here it is so far!
                                                                                 
I've just put in some new display cabinets and shelves . The floors have been scrubbed to almost new and the walls and ceiling are also repainted.
One of the shelves backboard you may have noticed is missing and that was because it arrived torn and so I'm waiting on the replacement.

I've also put in some new overhead lighting that has really brightened up the room.

I also completely reorganized a large storage cabinet with extra shelves. It's a closed cabinet for items I don't wish to be seen as it's largely modelling supplies and bits and bobs.

As you can see the walls(especially the wall behind my photography table) need some adornment  and so I just ordered some military scenic prints  to spruce up the walls a bit in order to give it a better gamer/history buff feel to the room in addition to the miniatures and books.

I have a bathroom attached to the room where I still need to buy a closed door shelf for it and some new towels and such.
Next large project for the room is putting in a custom games table with closed doors for storage underneath instead of the folding tables I'm currently using. I'll probably do this in November or December I figure.
So far I'm very happy with the room and feeling pretty excited as it's nearing completion.:-)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Unexpected


Sorry about the lack of posts recently, but I was at a tournament in France and when I got home I got the phone call everyone dreads and heard that my loving and kind father who I loved very much had unexpectedly passed away which pretty much left me shattered for a few days. I've managed to start keeping myself busy in order to stop myself sinking into a black hole of depression. I can't paint yet, but I have started work on my hobby room which is busy work that's helps me not to think too much. I know the grief will lessen in time, but will never completely go away. I'll miss him very much.
I thought I would show the mess that is my hobby room to show you I'll have plenty to do with cleaning up, replacing shelves, new lighting and repainting walls. I'll take some more pictures when I'm done.
I also have some pics of the event in France and will post them tonight or in the next day or two.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Caballeros Attacking


The last unit finished for the event!!!!! (pant, gasp,.......I made it!) This last instalment for the event project is a another unit of Caballeros who have now thrown their throwing spears and have drawn their swords for close work to finish the attack.

Again, like the other unit of Caballeros they have a smaller standard compared to the Caballeros Hidalgos whose role is pure shock troops. The smaller standard allows them to move quicker as they try to break up enemy formations with javelins and then when the enemy is disorganized they launch their assaults which is more in the traditional method of Iberian fighting rather then Caballeros Hidalgos adopted Frankish style of fighting.

As with the rest of the army I mixed Christian and Moorish looks together to give that Iberian feel to them. I continued using AP with highlights and hand painting shields and banner.

Completing this army was much tougher then I thought it would be, but I'm happy I pushed through and finished. I thought painting cavalry would be less models to do, but in reality it's really two models which doubles the figure count. I'll eventually add more to the army, but it will be infantry!! After now painting 64 cavalry models I won't be painting any more 28mm horses for a little bit and that's for sure! I'll do a full army picture when I get some time.
As always thank you for viewing.:-)
Miniature Company- Artizan, Perry, Conquest Miniatures

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Caballeros Hidalgos on the charge


This is my latest instalment of Caballeros Hidalgos for my El Cid army with some more of the noble sons of Spain now pictured here on a full tilt charge led by an inspirational cantador featured on the black stallion with a small guitar strapped to his back.
A cantador was a form of bard that would sing stories of knightly adventures and virtues which was to help inspire the knights to exert themselves to feats of valour.......and sometimes it worked and sometimes not.
Again the models are done with AP with extra highlights added except shields and banner which are completely hand painted from start to finish.
Just one more unit of Caballeros to go and that will complete the army for the event. I'm struggling to get it done, but I think I'll make it.
In 2 weeks I get to start back on my ACW! Today is my birthday I enjoying looking at my new mini's and to try out the Foundry ACW new paint range I got!
Thank you for viewing!:-)
Miniature Company-Perry, Artizan and Conquest Games

Monday, August 29, 2011

Ironclads



As some of you readers might know the American Civil War is my favourite period not only in land warfare, but navel as well. Basically I think Ironclads are just flat out cool! The steam powered engines combined with bolt on plates just looks great. Really love the atmosphere it gives off.
I would like to collect a few in 28mm, but the only ones I know are Redoubt which are a bit pricey and most without pictures. However, the ones I did see did look really nice.Does anyone have pics of the Redoubt Ironclads not shown on their web page?  I'm also wondering do any of you know where I could view some other companies 28mm Ironclads. I'm looking for rules at this scale as well to use them with and would appreciate any pointers in that direction.:-)
I should add that I will use scaled down models like almost everything is done in 25mm or it would be far too big! Most ships will measure between 20in and 30in long and 5in to 10in wide.
I really and I mean really would like to get back to painting my ACW material, but my current El Cid project has me tied down until mid September as that's the deadline for an event. To be honest I'm finding it tough going painting this project as my heart just isn't in it right now and it feels more like a job then a hobby at the moment.:-( Of course I'll be happy when I'm done and did it, but still......... Anybody out there in or been in the same situation to commiserate with?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

More Jinetes


Just finished up this new unit of Jinetes. Just like the other unit of Jinetes I kept the clothes simple and the shields as well to show their status as a rung less then the Caballeros. As with the other units I continued to Mix in Moors and Christians to maintain the theme.
Now going back on to some Caballeros again which in total gives me two units to go and a month to finish. It's going to be tight, but I think I'll make it.
I still want to drift back into other projects, but I've managed to remain focused so far.
Thanks for viewing as always.:-)
Minature Company-Crusader, Artizan, Conquest Miniatures