A couple of years ago, on a whim, I purchased some Front Rank Napoleonic French in bicornes. I just like the figures, and fancied painting them up. I had been to Paris for a few days, and returned with the wonderful Musee de l'Armee in mind, and thought 'well, why not?' But somehow, at the time, other things took over. However, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to give them a go.
And so, I present the first battalion, 4eme Ligne, circa 1805 or thereabouts.
Really enjoyed painting them. So will it be a passing dalliance, or is a new project born?
We each have our own preferences in this hobby of ours. Some love the game. Some love the painting. Some love the modelling, or the terrain-making. Some love the design, sculpting, and conversion of figures. Some spend more time on research, reading and studying the uniforms or histories of campaigns. In fact, I would say, that for many people in the hobby, some or all of these elements will play a big part. But, at a push, most will have a preference, or a hierarchy of priorities. And each to their own.
The recent lockdown has been kind to me in terms of painting. Whilst I have been working hard at the day job, I have also used the time to get more done at the paint desk. Where I haven't been so good is at the gaming table. I openly confess that whilst I like a good game amongst pals, the gaming part of the hobby is not paramount for me. And that makes gaming without an opponent seem, well, even more fruitless somehow. I had long suspected it. But recent events have rather confirmed it. QED.
You see, I set up the Altekirche game at the end of June... and I have only done three turns since then, manoeuvring the armies into position. Here's the state of play...
I'm not sure they will fire, attack, or just sit there glaring at each other for a while longer. For me, it's just enough to look at the scene laid out on the table. Food for thought...
I can't remember what I was initially searching for (and I doesn't really matter now) but you know how you accidentally stumble across something that you thought was lost and you let out one of those gasps of surprise and relief and contentment (steady at the back there)... I recently came across some old external hard drives, which I thought had been lost over time. On one of these was a very 'important' folder... including all the old photos I took when Charles S Grant and I played the campaign for the book Raid on St Michel.
Many will be familiar with the book, I'm sure. It included the collection of figures features in Charles' father's book, The War Game. These pictures were, of course, reproduced in B/W for the St Michel book, but most have never been seen in colour before. They show off that iconic SSM collection rather well I think.
I gave a presentation of the first action of the campaign to the Virtual Wargames Club last weekend, using these pictures, and discussing the campaign mechanisms (such as casualty recording and how the various teaser games were strung together), and I will be doing more from this campaign at the VWC this coming weekend. As well as that, we have the usual high standard of in-depth wargaming chatter, pictures and banter from all the members. I am indebted to the VWC members who have all entered into the spirit of the 'club', developing genuine friendships, and making significant contributions each week with their pictures and information. It really has been the best possible way of finding out about how other people approach the hobby. Last week our conversation went from Stalingrad to Tolkien to 18th century campaign mechanisms... and all stations in between. And I have picked up lots of little tips and tricks and techniques regarding the painting and modelling aspects of the hobby.
The group began as an antidote to lockdown wargaming blues, but has now become a regular weekend tonic and I can see it continuing in some form well into the future. If you fancy joining us for a chat, the details are on the right hand side of this blog, including my email address. Feel free to get in touch.
