Confederate Command Stands

Further to the previous post a quick update of the Command stands now complete with flags.

4 Figure Command Group

Flag from GMB Designs

6 Figure Command Group based on Richard Hook's illustration.
Flag from Flags For the Lads showing the very distinctive South Carolina Palmetto tree and crescent moon State Flag design.

Flag from Flags For the Lads

Almost There

After what seems like an eternity I'm now finished painting the Confederate figures - hurrah! There are only 54 of the little chaps but they are all unique due to the combination of different parts and paint schemes. Variety may be the spice of life but in the future I think I'll stick to nice and regimented (literally) uniforms.

Massed ranks of the Confederate troops waiting for the Yankees (and properly finished bases)

Here is a image of the command group based on the Hampton’s Legion, Washington Light Infantry Volunteers. More information on that will be posted at a later date. The only thing now left to do is to the paint and base the figures properly.

Next in line are two artillery pieces and both Union and Confederate cavalry, again all from the Perry ACW range. I've never attempted to paint miniature horses so that should be fun - I hope.

Coventry sallet

After my car decided to self destruct and blow up on April Fool's day I had an afternoon free. My brother suggested going to Coventry as the Herbert museum and art gallery has just now been refurbished and reopened. So off we went.

Of immediate interest for me was this sallet, called appropriately the 'Coventry Sallet'.

This helmet was originally on display in the Guild Hall. Also on display at the museum are two bills, the standard arm during the middle ages for the English. There is another bill, presumably from the the same stock, still on display in situ at the Guild Hall. Typically I didn't take a picture.

According to the info panel this was possibly made in Bruges, Belgium (nee Flanders) and is now a standard type for re-enactors.

Museum reproduction (dressing up time)

Yours truely (or "A helmet wearing a helmet"). Trying the sallet on was interesting. With the visor down, my vision is very limited. In fact, to see anything I had to either tilt the sallet back Greek hoplite style or drop my chin(s) onto my chest and look up. I can easily imagine an ordinary foot soldier without the luxury of a bevor adopting this stance. The Herbert Museum & Art gallery is well worth a visit.

Modified Figures – Episode VI

Not sure if this really counts as a modified figure as there only slight alterations but here goes:
To compliment the Major James Conner figure mentioned in the Modified Figures II http://ubique-matt.blogspot.com/2009/02/modified-figures-episode-2.html posting I thought it would be possible to group several miniatures together, based on the Hook illustration of Hampton’s Legion in the Brassey's History of Uniforms American Civil War: Confederate Army book. The picture shows accompanying soldiers dressed in ragged clothing. One is shown sporting a green shirt which was obviously easy to replicate.













Before painting started I used a sharp scalpel and file to cut into the knee area to give the impression of torn trousers. Since this picture was taken I've repainted the shirt; I'm still trying to get the correct, more subtle, shade of green. This image was taken under quite bright artificial light, I'm still not convinced my painting technique is appropriate i.e. the shading on the trousers looks stripey. Although, saying that, the shading doesn't look that bad under normal daylight.

The only further other item needed to finish the figure will be to glue a bayonet to the end of the musket.

Roman Legionary

Over the weekend I was having a look around my parents house as they still have a number of models I painted in my youth. This 75mm (3") high miniature was bought at a WMMS show around 20 years ago. I'm not even sure now who the manufacturer was, possibly Andrea Miniatures?

The fort detail is based on the reconstructed Roman fort at the Lunt at nearby Coventry. It's interesting that I still enjoy the modelling side of things, but from a painting point of view the figure looks quite crude now.

West Midlands Military show (WMMS)

8th March 2009

The West Midlands Military show (WMMS) is organised by Alumwell Wargames Society and is held at Aldersley Leisure centre. It was attending this same show last year that kickstarted my interest in modeling again. The show itself an interesting mix of wargames, model displays and traders. There were some impressive display games in particular one based around Stokesay Castle by a Shrewsbury club, although with some of the exhibition and participation games you do sometimes get the feeling that you’re interrupting someone else’s fun.

There was a fascinating display of real military artifacts including a jeep and motorbike. It isn’t until you handle a genuine firearm that you appreciate just how heavy they are. I picked up a M3 grease gun thinking I could handle it a spud gun and had to put it down after a few minutes.

Another positive aspect of the show was that I managed to meet up with a local model club that I'd previously known of years ago (must be 15+ years). I'd spoken to the members last year time at the show and then promptly lost their contact details.

Overall it's a good show with terrible parking, even if this year I did actually manage to park on site.

Purchases

Books:

• The Gettysburg Companion (a very impressive volume)
• Osprey AWI Washington’s Army (1)
• Osprey AWI Washington’s Army (2)
• Osprey AWI British Army
• Osprey Continental Infantry of the American Revolution

Miniatures:

• Great War WWI US troop command and bombers
• Renegade WWI Stormtroopers
• Perry Plastic French Napoleonic’s
• Perry Agincourt dismounted men-at-arms
• Perry ACW confederate artillery
• Kingmaker Hussite knights & command group
• Victirx British Centre Company
• Wings of War Udet & Brulowski
• Flags for the Lads AWI continental flag sheet & ACW South Carolina flag sheet.

This little lot should last me a couple of years.

After I’d given my credit card some serious damage during my two hour visit my brother & myself visited Old Moseley Hall. This National Trust house is just a few miles away from the show. Charles II rested here (i.e. literally hid under the bed) after the Battle of Worcester in September 1641. The highest small window directly above the doorway is where Charles watched the remnants of his Scottish army retreat along the (then main) road back on their long walk home.

Modified Figures - Episode V Confederate Flag bearer

Another miniature modified to complete a command group. Pretty easy this one; Confederate Flag bearer, the right arm (holding the staff) came straight off the sprue. Modified left arm, chopped and changed hand. Still trying to decide if to have the chap holding the carbine:

or sticking the carbine to the back of the figure.

Decisions, decisions.