A new craze in Pils Holstein - Tricorne banging.
Gotta watch this, it's awesome!
http://youtu.be/uT3SBzmDxGk
Will it catch on do you think?
Pils-Holstein's got talent!!
More wargame related stuff soon.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Action at Altenkirchen
A recent game set up:
- the scene from behind the French lines.
Forces involved:
Pils-Holstein
Commanded by Prinz Albrecht of Pils-Holstein
Second in command: Brigadier Maximillian von Bruch.
Infantry
1. Pils Holstein Leibgarde (30 figs)
2. Kronprinz Grenadiers (30 figs)
Light Infantry
1. Kurtz Jagers (14 figs)
Cavalry
1. Kronenbrau Kuirassiere Regt (20 figs)
2. Transvladak Uhlanen (10 figs)
Artillery
2 Light Guns.
French
Commanded by Marshall Saxe
Second in Command: The Marquis of Genitalia
Infantry
1. Picardie Regt (30 figs)
2. Diesbach Regt (30 figs)
Light Infantry
1. Arquebusiers de Grassin (28 figs)
Cavalry
1. Edelweiss Hussars (20 figs)
2. Nassau Saarbruchen Volunteer Hussars (10 figs)
Artillery
2 Light Guns.
Will report on the action when I get a moment!
Forces involved:
Pils-Holstein
Commanded by Prinz Albrecht of Pils-Holstein
Second in command: Brigadier Maximillian von Bruch.
Infantry
1. Pils Holstein Leibgarde (30 figs)
2. Kronprinz Grenadiers (30 figs)
Light Infantry
1. Kurtz Jagers (14 figs)
Cavalry
1. Kronenbrau Kuirassiere Regt (20 figs)
2. Transvladak Uhlanen (10 figs)
Artillery
2 Light Guns.
French
Commanded by Marshall Saxe
Second in Command: The Marquis of Genitalia
Infantry
1. Picardie Regt (30 figs)
2. Diesbach Regt (30 figs)
Light Infantry
1. Arquebusiers de Grassin (28 figs)
Cavalry
1. Edelweiss Hussars (20 figs)
2. Nassau Saarbruchen Volunteer Hussars (10 figs)
Artillery
2 Light Guns.
Will report on the action when I get a moment!
Sunday, 2 March 2014
A Small French Force
Having shown the progress of the Pils Holstein forces previously, here are the French forces to date...
Left to Right: Arquebusiers de Grassin; Picardie Regt supported by Diesbach Regt. and flanked by 2 light guns; Edelweiss Hussars supported by a squadron of Nassau Saarbruchen Volunteer Hussars.
Left to Right: Arquebusiers de Grassin; Picardie Regt supported by Diesbach Regt. and flanked by 2 light guns; Edelweiss Hussars supported by a squadron of Nassau Saarbruchen Volunteer Hussars.
Below: French Infantry Brigadier: The Marquis de Genitalia. Converted figure. Painted by Mark Allen.
This weekend saw the first small action, played out between the French force shown and The Pils Holstein contingent depicted a couple of posts ago. A thoroughly enjoyable encounter and a chance to test out rules.
Report, maps and photo dossier being compiled as we speak.Tuesday, 4 February 2014
French Infantry Regiment Picardie
Despite the disappointment of the Rugby result at the weekend, it's time I showed the first of the completed French infantry battalions.
The Picardie Regiment.
Painted by James Brewerton, flags by Mark Allen, and basing by myself.
Sadly, not a great photo... doesn't do James' painting full justice.
More French figures are on the basing conveyor belt and when complete will allow a small action to take place. And even more have been added to the painting production line. The invasion force is starting to build!
The Picardie Regiment.
Painted by James Brewerton, flags by Mark Allen, and basing by myself.
Sadly, not a great photo... doesn't do James' painting full justice.
More French figures are on the basing conveyor belt and when complete will allow a small action to take place. And even more have been added to the painting production line. The invasion force is starting to build!
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Inspiration
OK, I'm biased. As you know if you've been a regular visitor to the blog, John Ray is a good friend of mine, so let me declare that up front, for the topic of inspiration is John's book, A Military Gentleman.
With the book having been available for a while, I thought it only appropriate to now give you my first impressions, and to impress upon those who are fans of the horse & musket period (and the 18th century in particular), that this really is a tome worth investing in.
So, with my allegiance fully declared, here goes:
Wow!
You know, there are those pieces of inspiration, whether they be books, artwork, films, in fact anything that stirs the hobby juices, that come along once in a while and really make an impact. This book is one of those. It's jam-packed with John's extra-ordinary and unique collection. It's got a style of presentation that is so professional and beautifully executed. The attendant artwork is superb, and the text itself is something of great interest and difference that it will hold attention throughout.
John's collection is simply stunning, and the combination of massed ranks of marching infantrymen interspersed with vignettes that capture the period so delightfully, is quite marvellous. In fact, it's that combination that really hits the sweet spot for me.
The collection itself is vast… with big battalions in that inimitable pose that John Ray has sculpted. And the vastness is matched by the consistently high quality of the paintwork, the simple and effective basing style, and the wonderful array of flags.
The extra-ordinary buildings (the large town scenes are breath-taking) have a believability that is often absent in model collections, and this can be said of the ships, wagons, coaches and other attendant paraphernalia… all of which has an authentic style that takes you right into John's miniature world.
The photography is first class and with the highest production values in terms of paper quality, John's massive collection is seen in full glory.
The addition of Brian Rigelsford's charming pen and ink sketches throughout the book is a lovely touch and adds to the overall elegance of the work. Then there's some of Bob Marion's work too, and again the colour and style of the plates compliments the book beautifully.
The text itself is a story, which is a neat idea, and allows John to showcase the collection superbly. Many of the vignettes and individual figures were created purely for the story too.
This book isn't so much a wargaming book as it is a work of art. It's a reflection of John's passion for, and focus upon, a very specific period. The collector and connoisseur in you will love it…
see the link to John's blog on the right hand side of this page for more details…
Next time I'll give some more progress on my own collection.
Until then, that's all for now…
With the book having been available for a while, I thought it only appropriate to now give you my first impressions, and to impress upon those who are fans of the horse & musket period (and the 18th century in particular), that this really is a tome worth investing in.
So, with my allegiance fully declared, here goes:
Wow!
You know, there are those pieces of inspiration, whether they be books, artwork, films, in fact anything that stirs the hobby juices, that come along once in a while and really make an impact. This book is one of those. It's jam-packed with John's extra-ordinary and unique collection. It's got a style of presentation that is so professional and beautifully executed. The attendant artwork is superb, and the text itself is something of great interest and difference that it will hold attention throughout.
John's collection is simply stunning, and the combination of massed ranks of marching infantrymen interspersed with vignettes that capture the period so delightfully, is quite marvellous. In fact, it's that combination that really hits the sweet spot for me.
The collection itself is vast… with big battalions in that inimitable pose that John Ray has sculpted. And the vastness is matched by the consistently high quality of the paintwork, the simple and effective basing style, and the wonderful array of flags.
The extra-ordinary buildings (the large town scenes are breath-taking) have a believability that is often absent in model collections, and this can be said of the ships, wagons, coaches and other attendant paraphernalia… all of which has an authentic style that takes you right into John's miniature world.
The addition of Brian Rigelsford's charming pen and ink sketches throughout the book is a lovely touch and adds to the overall elegance of the work. Then there's some of Bob Marion's work too, and again the colour and style of the plates compliments the book beautifully.
The text itself is a story, which is a neat idea, and allows John to showcase the collection superbly. Many of the vignettes and individual figures were created purely for the story too.
This book isn't so much a wargaming book as it is a work of art. It's a reflection of John's passion for, and focus upon, a very specific period. The collector and connoisseur in you will love it…
see the link to John's blog on the right hand side of this page for more details…
Next time I'll give some more progress on my own collection.
Until then, that's all for now…
Sunday, 5 January 2014
A Growing Force
Firstly, a very Happy New Year... may your 2014 be prosperous.
Over the past few weeks, brushes have been wielded, notably by Mark Allen, and James Brewerton, to the extent that I now have a basing backlog!! (I know, I'm a slacker).
James has done a lovely job on the first of the French infantry regiments, and they are next in the basing queue. Photos will be coming once they are complete.
Meanwhile, Mark completed the Kronprinz Grenadiers, to accompany their sister battalion featured last time, the Pils Holstein Leibgarde.
Here is the embryonic Pils-Holstein army in full array, on recent manoeuvres.
Shown here are The Kronenbrau Kuirassiers, Holstein Hussars, Transvladak Uhlanen, Leibgarde Regt, Kronprinz Grenadiers, and Kurtz Jagers, along with 2 light guns.
A variety of commanders are in attendance.
And here's the Infantry Brigade, with their commander, Brigadier Maximillian von Bruch (painted by yours truly a few weeks ago).
This force will face a similar sized French array in a small action over the coming weeks, and I'll post a report here.
Meanwhile, best wishes for the year to come, and I do hope you will continue to visit and enjoy the blog. This year, as the armies grow and develop, things will start to get interesting. I promise...
Over the past few weeks, brushes have been wielded, notably by Mark Allen, and James Brewerton, to the extent that I now have a basing backlog!! (I know, I'm a slacker).
James has done a lovely job on the first of the French infantry regiments, and they are next in the basing queue. Photos will be coming once they are complete.
Meanwhile, Mark completed the Kronprinz Grenadiers, to accompany their sister battalion featured last time, the Pils Holstein Leibgarde.
Here is the embryonic Pils-Holstein army in full array, on recent manoeuvres.
A variety of commanders are in attendance.
And here's the Infantry Brigade, with their commander, Brigadier Maximillian von Bruch (painted by yours truly a few weeks ago).
This force will face a similar sized French array in a small action over the coming weeks, and I'll post a report here.
Meanwhile, best wishes for the year to come, and I do hope you will continue to visit and enjoy the blog. This year, as the armies grow and develop, things will start to get interesting. I promise...
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Perspectives
The past month has been, and the next month will be, a very busy time for me, with the usual festive preparations being particularly hectic this year. I head for Thailand next week (staying at www.Sarojin.com - can't wait), and have a demanding (in a good way) business schedule too at the moment, hence the infrequent posts.
However, I do intend to have a game with this collection (as it stands so far) early in the New Year, and am building up some bits 'n' bobs whilst the main infantry units are being prepared by Mark and James.
Tomorrow I get to pick up the second Pils Holstein infantry battalion, currently being dressed for action by Mark.
In the meantime, I want to share with you some of my own painting creations, as I am tinkering around the fringes of the collection:
First, some Pils Holstein light guns...
Figures are from the Perry AWI range.
Next, a unit of fictional cavalry...
...The Transvladak Uhlanen (from Transvladachia, a region of mountains and forests in the SE of Europe... these rascals are fierce mercenaries, and the Pils Holstein purse has attracted them to defend against the French border incursions.
You may remember one of their officers (Major Ligue) mentioned as Tessa Pepisa's ADC in an earlier post.
Figures are John Ray unique originals.
This is a single squadron unit.
Whilst infantry are standardised at 30 figures (with the exception of combined Grenadier battalions which will be 24s), I am allowing some latitude in the sizes of cavalry units.
Sad News and Perspectives...
on Friday 8 November as I was about to begin a seminar, I received some bad news. The previous evening, Lee Maxwell had passed away.
Lee had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease around a year ago. Graham (see Scotia Albion blog http://scotiaalbion.blogspot.co.uk/ ) had kept me appraised of the deterioration in Lee's condition, but I wasn't prepared for the Lee I met at Partizan, for the last time, in September.
I prefer to remember the jolly giant of a character, the rugby loving, humorous, wonderful gentleman wargamer. The guy I roomed with when we did a refight of Blenheim for the 300th anniversary in 2004, and who sat up most of the night discussing plans for large battalions of Staddens (this was pre- "old school" days). The guy who was the life and soul of many weekend games, such as those held at faraway places such as Dumfries and darkest Lancashire.
Many readers may remember Lee as one of the Teeside Triumvirate (as Duncan MacFarlane referred to them) or Redcar Rebels, putting on games at shows (with his compatriots, Graham Cummings and Gordon MacLean) - some of the finest games on the circuit. They were featured in the hobby press often, most notably for their Killiecrankie game which was in Wargames World issue 3 (the yellow magazine that Duncan produced as a Wargames Illustrated supplement many moons ago).
Lee was always a real "wag", a hoot to wargame with... always quick-witted, and self-deprecating when the dice were not going for him. On one occasion as a whole cavalry brigade was wiped out in a large multiplayer game, he simply called out "Shovel!" and made to motion as if sweeping the detritus from the table!
My one regret is not getting one more game in with him when Graham and I had hoped we would.
I feel so sad for Lee's family and friends, and particularly for Graham who has lost his closest wargaming pal.
Lee Maxwell loved the 18th century period. I know that up there, somewhere, he's got those cavalry back and they are launching another charge. He will be missed.
However, I do intend to have a game with this collection (as it stands so far) early in the New Year, and am building up some bits 'n' bobs whilst the main infantry units are being prepared by Mark and James.
Tomorrow I get to pick up the second Pils Holstein infantry battalion, currently being dressed for action by Mark.
In the meantime, I want to share with you some of my own painting creations, as I am tinkering around the fringes of the collection:
First, some Pils Holstein light guns...
Figures are from the Perry AWI range.
Next, a unit of fictional cavalry...
...The Transvladak Uhlanen (from Transvladachia, a region of mountains and forests in the SE of Europe... these rascals are fierce mercenaries, and the Pils Holstein purse has attracted them to defend against the French border incursions.
You may remember one of their officers (Major Ligue) mentioned as Tessa Pepisa's ADC in an earlier post.
Figures are John Ray unique originals.
This is a single squadron unit.
Whilst infantry are standardised at 30 figures (with the exception of combined Grenadier battalions which will be 24s), I am allowing some latitude in the sizes of cavalry units.
Sad News and Perspectives...
on Friday 8 November as I was about to begin a seminar, I received some bad news. The previous evening, Lee Maxwell had passed away.
Lee had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease around a year ago. Graham (see Scotia Albion blog http://scotiaalbion.blogspot.co.uk/ ) had kept me appraised of the deterioration in Lee's condition, but I wasn't prepared for the Lee I met at Partizan, for the last time, in September.
I prefer to remember the jolly giant of a character, the rugby loving, humorous, wonderful gentleman wargamer. The guy I roomed with when we did a refight of Blenheim for the 300th anniversary in 2004, and who sat up most of the night discussing plans for large battalions of Staddens (this was pre- "old school" days). The guy who was the life and soul of many weekend games, such as those held at faraway places such as Dumfries and darkest Lancashire.
Many readers may remember Lee as one of the Teeside Triumvirate (as Duncan MacFarlane referred to them) or Redcar Rebels, putting on games at shows (with his compatriots, Graham Cummings and Gordon MacLean) - some of the finest games on the circuit. They were featured in the hobby press often, most notably for their Killiecrankie game which was in Wargames World issue 3 (the yellow magazine that Duncan produced as a Wargames Illustrated supplement many moons ago).
Lee was always a real "wag", a hoot to wargame with... always quick-witted, and self-deprecating when the dice were not going for him. On one occasion as a whole cavalry brigade was wiped out in a large multiplayer game, he simply called out "Shovel!" and made to motion as if sweeping the detritus from the table!
My one regret is not getting one more game in with him when Graham and I had hoped we would.
I feel so sad for Lee's family and friends, and particularly for Graham who has lost his closest wargaming pal.
Lee Maxwell loved the 18th century period. I know that up there, somewhere, he's got those cavalry back and they are launching another charge. He will be missed.
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