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| Two units with a leader. |
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| Canadian Militia Officer |
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| Canadian Militia |
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| Canadian Militia |
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| Canadian Militia |
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| Canadian Militia |
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Canadian Militia for the French and Indian War
Just a short update today as work is still kicking my butt. Finished up basing my Canadian Militia for Muskets and Tomahawks today. An officer with two units of eight each. I've been making a little progress on several projects vs. a lot on one ... need to get my act together here shortly.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Battle Report 4/7/2013 - Muskets and Tomahawks
I was fortunate to get a game of Muskets and Tomahawks in today at my local game store (Game Kastle). The ever friendly and helpful Seth played the French and Indians while I took on the role of the British.
FRENCH
1 x Regular Officer
12 x Regulars
8 x Compagnie Franches de la Marine
8 x Compagnie Franches de la Marine
1 x Indian Leader
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
BRITISH
1 x Regular Officer
12 x Regulars
12 x Regulars
8 x Grenadiers
8 x Rangers
8 x Rangers
2 x Wagons (being escorted)
20 x Settlers (for the scenario)
We played on a 4'x6' table. The French objective was to kill all the settlers. The British objective was to successfully escort their two wagons off the opposite end of the table. The French sub-plot was to have their officer avoid bloodshed (he couldn't kill anyone during the game). Ironically, the British rolled one less than the French and their officer had to kill 6 enemy figures in either combat or via shooting by the end of the game. This was not to be accomplished for the British ... the French however did successfully fulfill their sub-plot.
The settlers all setup in and around the small town/cluster of buildings with their fine Mayor attempting to calm everyone down as a British column was nearby and coming to save them (but not soon enough as they would find out!). Two of the Indian units lay in ambush in the woods along the road to the town at the start of the game - three markers were deployed, one was a dummy marker. The French and Indians not in ambush started the game either side of the town (long table edge) and near the table edge. The British column was already well underway heading towards the town on the main road.
We played four turns before the last of the settlers were killed. The first unit destroyed was one of the French Marine units ... but in a fit of bad luck the random event for that turn was unexpected reinforcements - so that destroyed unit showed right back up again ... nothing like having to kill that same damn unit twice! But it was a nice twist that really only sped along the inevitable.
I have to say I very much enjoyed playing with lots of settlers around the town. The French had their work cut out for them. One of the random events rolled resulted in the civilians not trusting any soldiers (friend or enemy) - so a pack of them fled away from their protectors - and ultimately into the hands of some unfriendly Indians. Many scalps were taken during the course of this game. In fact, the number of tomahawk thrown melee's that occurred was high (Rangers, Indians and French Marines all participated in several of these throughout the game). Lots of fun when you get to throw tomahawks!
In the end however, all the settlers were killed. A fatal flaw on my behalf was not deploying one of the regular units out into the wheat fields to provide protection for the fleeing townsfolk - I got all jammed up on the road and ended up fighting over the large house - which I eventually lite on fire.
I very enjoyable game with a great opponent - thus continues my 100% enjoyment of/satisfaction with, the Muskets and Tomahawks rules. Pictures below.
Forgive the quality of the pictures as I had left my nice camera at home and had to use my mobile phone to take the pictures.
Until next time folks! Canadian Militia - just finishing up their bases with tuffs so should have pictures of those up soon.
FRENCH
1 x Regular Officer
12 x Regulars
8 x Compagnie Franches de la Marine
8 x Compagnie Franches de la Marine
1 x Indian Leader
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
6 x Indians
BRITISH
1 x Regular Officer
12 x Regulars
12 x Regulars
8 x Grenadiers
8 x Rangers
8 x Rangers
2 x Wagons (being escorted)
20 x Settlers (for the scenario)
We played on a 4'x6' table. The French objective was to kill all the settlers. The British objective was to successfully escort their two wagons off the opposite end of the table. The French sub-plot was to have their officer avoid bloodshed (he couldn't kill anyone during the game). Ironically, the British rolled one less than the French and their officer had to kill 6 enemy figures in either combat or via shooting by the end of the game. This was not to be accomplished for the British ... the French however did successfully fulfill their sub-plot.
The settlers all setup in and around the small town/cluster of buildings with their fine Mayor attempting to calm everyone down as a British column was nearby and coming to save them (but not soon enough as they would find out!). Two of the Indian units lay in ambush in the woods along the road to the town at the start of the game - three markers were deployed, one was a dummy marker. The French and Indians not in ambush started the game either side of the town (long table edge) and near the table edge. The British column was already well underway heading towards the town on the main road.
We played four turns before the last of the settlers were killed. The first unit destroyed was one of the French Marine units ... but in a fit of bad luck the random event for that turn was unexpected reinforcements - so that destroyed unit showed right back up again ... nothing like having to kill that same damn unit twice! But it was a nice twist that really only sped along the inevitable.
I have to say I very much enjoyed playing with lots of settlers around the town. The French had their work cut out for them. One of the random events rolled resulted in the civilians not trusting any soldiers (friend or enemy) - so a pack of them fled away from their protectors - and ultimately into the hands of some unfriendly Indians. Many scalps were taken during the course of this game. In fact, the number of tomahawk thrown melee's that occurred was high (Rangers, Indians and French Marines all participated in several of these throughout the game). Lots of fun when you get to throw tomahawks!
In the end however, all the settlers were killed. A fatal flaw on my behalf was not deploying one of the regular units out into the wheat fields to provide protection for the fleeing townsfolk - I got all jammed up on the road and ended up fighting over the large house - which I eventually lite on fire.
I very enjoyable game with a great opponent - thus continues my 100% enjoyment of/satisfaction with, the Muskets and Tomahawks rules. Pictures below.
Forgive the quality of the pictures as I had left my nice camera at home and had to use my mobile phone to take the pictures.
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| A great day for a game at Game Kastle. |
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| The British column. |
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| Settlers milling about - what to do! |
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| The Mayor attempts to clam people near the t-intersection. |
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| Chaos ensues as the French advance. |
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| Rangers and Indians duk'in it out tomahawk style! |
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| Seth rounds the table reveling in his scalping of innocents! |
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| The settlers flee towards the fields. |
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| Indians running down settlers in the fields. |
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| The main house is on fire! |
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| The scene of the last settlers stand. "Game over man, game over!" |
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| Burn baby, burn! |
Until next time folks! Canadian Militia - just finishing up their bases with tuffs so should have pictures of those up soon.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Civilians and Settlers for the French and Indian War
Work has been extremely busy lately which is why I've been silent for a few weeks ... however fear not as progress has been made on several fronts! I've been fortunate enough to have another large wave (perhaps my final wave) of French and Indian War miniatures completed for Muskets and Tomahawks. I'll be making a separate post for my French reinforcements that are done now - this post is focused on the civilians and settlers that will be filling out my local habitations - both native and not. Once again a special thanks to Artmaster Studio for great work.
First up, those awesome Perry Miniatures wagons that are available. I just had to have these are they are a excellent added touch to any battlefield. I have three wagons of various sizes that I'll use for scenarios (escort for example) or to just add some flavor to the local battlefield.
I've added 12 native "civilians" as well (as I have a few long houses and will do up a small native settlement).
My american colonists are led by the Mayor (local leader) and his lovely wife.
Rounding out the american colonists are 20 of the sort you'd find around town or on a farm. These are a mix of Conquest Miniatures and Perry Miniatures.
I'm working through basing a new French regiment of regulars (La Reine) and an officer and two units of Canadian Militia (Coureur des Bois). I'm also doing a large batch of Bolt Action vehicles for my German and British armies (~15 vehicles), and of course more terrain - so lots to come!
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| Powder cart, Perry Miniatures AW125 |
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| Tumbrel cart, Perry Miniatures AW127 |
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| Ammunition wagon, Perry Miniatures AW126 |
I've added 12 native "civilians" as well (as I have a few long houses and will do up a small native settlement).
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| Conquest Miniatures |
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| Conquest Miniatures |
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| Redoubt Enterprises |
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| Redoubt Enterprises |
My american colonists are led by the Mayor (local leader) and his lovely wife.
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| The Mayor and his wife (or mistress) |
Rounding out the american colonists are 20 of the sort you'd find around town or on a farm. These are a mix of Conquest Miniatures and Perry Miniatures.
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| American colonists |
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| American colonists |
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| American colonists |
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| American colonists |
I'm working through basing a new French regiment of regulars (La Reine) and an officer and two units of Canadian Militia (Coureur des Bois). I'm also doing a large batch of Bolt Action vehicles for my German and British armies (~15 vehicles), and of course more terrain - so lots to come!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Anti-tank? Yes please!
I just finished painting my British 6pdr anti-tank gun. I also wrapped up my PaK40 the other day and now both my British and German armies have anti-tank gun teams added to them. I haven't done any camo on the PaK40 yet ... I may do it ... I may not ... going to wait and see.
Before we get to the pictures ... how about a quote from Kelly's Heroes (after Cowboy drives into the barn at the beginning and crashes into a support column):
Corporal> "God dammit Cowboy!"
Cowboy> "I don't know what shit you talk'in bout boy; there aint three tanks out there, there's about 20 of them - aint that right Willard!"
Man I love that movie! Pictures below of the gun teams.
I'm looking forward to using these soon in a game of Bolt Action!
Before we get to the pictures ... how about a quote from Kelly's Heroes (after Cowboy drives into the barn at the beginning and crashes into a support column):
Corporal> "God dammit Cowboy!"
Cowboy> "I don't know what shit you talk'in bout boy; there aint three tanks out there, there's about 20 of them - aint that right Willard!"
Man I love that movie! Pictures below of the gun teams.
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| Ready for action! |
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| British 6pdr |
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| British 6pdr |
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| British 6pdr |
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| British 6pdr |
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| German PaK40 |
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| German PaK40 |
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| German PaK40 |
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| German PaK40 |
I'm looking forward to using these soon in a game of Bolt Action!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Explosions and Craters
With my recent games of Bolt Action I've been inspired to build some blast markers/explosions and some craters to represent artillery and mortar strikes. Hopefully you like them --- I'm looking forward to using them in my games!
Materials list:
1 x Armory Matt Black Spray Primer
1 x GW Skull White Spray Primer
1 x Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage Package (any color)
1 x Hot Glue Gun with lots of glue sticks
2mm thickness MDF bases 60mm round (from Warbases - for the large blasts)
25mm round Rendra plastic bases (for the small blasts)
Several stripes of round balsa wood dowels (for creating the armatures for the large blasts)
Several wire spears 50mm long (for creating the armatures for the small blasts)
(optional) 2 x packs of blast craters from Architects of War
The first thing I did was my blast craters from Architects of War. Below is a picture and the steps I used to finish them.
Step1: Black primer.
Step2: Drybrush of GW scorched earth.
Step3: Drybrush of GW graveyard earth.
Step4: Light drybrush of Foundry Sand 10C (can also use GW bleached bone).
Step5: Painted the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32A.
Step6: Drybrush the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32B.
Step7: Drybrush the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32C.
Step8: GW static grass around the blast hole.
I started with the armatures. I used my drill to drill holes at angles for the "outside" ring of the blast and drilled a straight up hole for the center of the blast. I used my small hand drill for the small blast marker to achieve the same structure for the armatures on the small base. Picture below.
Next I used the hot glue gun to glue the Woodland Scenics clump foliage to the armatures. You really do need a proper hot glue gun (they are cheap) for this as if you just try to glue it you'll have a slow and/or difficult go of it. I start by getting foliage on the base, then I work the armatures individually, then I fill out the bottom of the blast a little as needed.
Now, using a hot glue gun for this you are going to get lots of "streaks" from the hot glue. Let them dry then use tweezers to remove them. If you try to remove them while they are not dry they'll make a bigger mess. Pictures below.
Next I got my spray paint out. The first thing you want to do at this point is get a healthy base coat of black primer on the clump foliage ... but that doesn't mean spray it from 1cm away! I recommend about 4 "rounds" of black spray. The first I try to hit it from about 8-12 inches away ... getting "under" it (as much as you can while it is not on it's side), in the sides, from the top down, all around. The reason you don't want to be too close is that the power of the spray will blow off the clump foliage. By taking a lighter approach first the paint will help secure the foliage that isn't set firmly by the glue. The second round I tip it on it's side and hit it from the bottom. The third round is really just touch ups ... making sure that I have got black into all the cracks and such. Pictures below.
Ok, almost there! This last step is critical. Time for the white spray primer.
Take your black blast markers ... get the GW white spray paint. It is critical that you do this from about 2-3 feet ... yes, feet, away. I start far away and move a little closer depending on how the white is applying to the clump foliage. If you are too close you'll get black recesses with very white clumps ... it will look not right. You are attempting to get the blast marker into the "mist" of the spray paint. I spray at all the various angles until it looks right. Once you get this done the blast marker is complete. Pictures below.
Ok, they'll do ... not the best but good enough for me. You can of course add some "flames" in there if you want using colour washed cotton, or the Flames of War pre-coloured flames (not sure if they still sell it ... I used to have a bunch).
Until next time - happy gaming!
Materials list:
1 x Armory Matt Black Spray Primer
1 x GW Skull White Spray Primer
1 x Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage Package (any color)
1 x Hot Glue Gun with lots of glue sticks
2mm thickness MDF bases 60mm round (from Warbases - for the large blasts)
25mm round Rendra plastic bases (for the small blasts)
Several stripes of round balsa wood dowels (for creating the armatures for the large blasts)
Several wire spears 50mm long (for creating the armatures for the small blasts)
(optional) 2 x packs of blast craters from Architects of War
The first thing I did was my blast craters from Architects of War. Below is a picture and the steps I used to finish them.
Step1: Black primer.
Step2: Drybrush of GW scorched earth.
Step3: Drybrush of GW graveyard earth.
Step4: Light drybrush of Foundry Sand 10C (can also use GW bleached bone).
Step5: Painted the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32A.
Step6: Drybrush the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32B.
Step7: Drybrush the rocks with Foundry Slate Grey 32C.
Step8: GW static grass around the blast hole.
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| AoW blast craters |
I started with the armatures. I used my drill to drill holes at angles for the "outside" ring of the blast and drilled a straight up hole for the center of the blast. I used my small hand drill for the small blast marker to achieve the same structure for the armatures on the small base. Picture below.
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| Base and armatures done |
Next I used the hot glue gun to glue the Woodland Scenics clump foliage to the armatures. You really do need a proper hot glue gun (they are cheap) for this as if you just try to glue it you'll have a slow and/or difficult go of it. I start by getting foliage on the base, then I work the armatures individually, then I fill out the bottom of the blast a little as needed.
Now, using a hot glue gun for this you are going to get lots of "streaks" from the hot glue. Let them dry then use tweezers to remove them. If you try to remove them while they are not dry they'll make a bigger mess. Pictures below.
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| Adding the clump foliage |
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| Adding the clump foliage |
Next I got my spray paint out. The first thing you want to do at this point is get a healthy base coat of black primer on the clump foliage ... but that doesn't mean spray it from 1cm away! I recommend about 4 "rounds" of black spray. The first I try to hit it from about 8-12 inches away ... getting "under" it (as much as you can while it is not on it's side), in the sides, from the top down, all around. The reason you don't want to be too close is that the power of the spray will blow off the clump foliage. By taking a lighter approach first the paint will help secure the foliage that isn't set firmly by the glue. The second round I tip it on it's side and hit it from the bottom. The third round is really just touch ups ... making sure that I have got black into all the cracks and such. Pictures below.
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| Black and white spray primer |
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| Sprayed black |
Ok, almost there! This last step is critical. Time for the white spray primer.
Take your black blast markers ... get the GW white spray paint. It is critical that you do this from about 2-3 feet ... yes, feet, away. I start far away and move a little closer depending on how the white is applying to the clump foliage. If you are too close you'll get black recesses with very white clumps ... it will look not right. You are attempting to get the blast marker into the "mist" of the spray paint. I spray at all the various angles until it looks right. Once you get this done the blast marker is complete. Pictures below.
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| Completed blast markers |
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| Large blast (for artillery strikes) |
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| Large blast size comparison (that is a Warlord Games 28mm Bolt Action miniature) |
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| The small blast marker (for mortar strikes) - note it is sitting in one of my blast craters |
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| Small blast marker beside a blast crater |
Ok, they'll do ... not the best but good enough for me. You can of course add some "flames" in there if you want using colour washed cotton, or the Flames of War pre-coloured flames (not sure if they still sell it ... I used to have a bunch).
Until next time - happy gaming!
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