My First Completed Confederate Brigade

 

Following on from my 12 June post and my seduction into yet another project, I thought I would show you where I have got to so far. The first brigade has four regiments each of five bases with (usually) five figures on each base, so around 100 figures in total. This is comprised of a couple of boxes of Perry plastics and two metal command packs, which coincidentally comes to 100 figures! Each command pack has two standard bearers, officers and drummers, providing one of each for two of the four regiments. No wastage.

As a previous plastic-sceptic, I must admit that I am very impressed with these figures. They assemble easily, are in a nice mix of right shoulder shift poses and are more robust than I would have thought. Price wise they are, as you might expect, very competitive.

As I have lots of other projects on the go for 2024, I have decided to use the softly softly approach with this one going forward. I have assembled and undercoated another couple of hundred figures or so and about half of these are already block painted - something I was still able to do during the early days of convalescence. I have divided them into batches of 10 with the same basic colour scheme and started working through them alongside other painting jobs. The uniforms are fairly undemanding and I am finding that for little extra effort I can get through them fairly quickly - so far three batches done in a few weeks. Another seven batches to go and that will be the second brigade done - stay tuned to see if I can keep it up!!

2024 Here We Come!

After an unwanted break due to the accident, I am determined not only to crack on and get some of the figures I have been painting on the table this year, but to try and make more of an effort with the blog. I am surprised (and grateful) that despite a lack of posts on my part, that the number of followers has continued to grow. That demands a bit more effort from yours truly!!

This year I am looking to get my Napoleonics (phase 1) to the point where I can play a decent sized game. My AWI collection has also grown quite a bit (more to follow). We have also settled on a quick, easy and enjoyable set of rules: Little Wars TV's "Live Free or Die" - we may tweak them a bit as wargamers do - but they seem to tick the boxes for us.

I also need to crack on with my WW2 stuff. "The Road to Berlin" card driven rules have been in hibernation for a while, although I am still playing about with them from time to time. 

I am also hoping to do another scenario book this year - back to WW2 this time.

Phase 1 of the big terrain build is nearing completion, so at least we have a decent table to play on, but there is still plenty more to do on that front too.

I would also like to squeeze in WW1 as well if I can find the time (see below). 

Having been a big fan of Lardy rules for many years and having become more interested in WW1 and its possibilities on the wargames table for another, it was with some interest that I came across this publication (actually a PDF), reviewed on Alex Sotheran's Storm of Steel channel on YouTube. It is a compilation of all the articles featured in the annual Lard Special between 2004 and 2015. It is an absolute mine of inspiration, information and wargaming goodness which I have read with great enjoyment.

As well as a good number of scenarios for "Through the Mud and the Blood" and "If the Lord Spares Us", there is a wealth of articles on many other topics. If you have even a passing interest in the First World War this is a great read and an absolute steal for a tenner.

Play the Game, A Great War Compendium – TooFatLardies

As if I didn't have enough to do, I am slowly collecting the figures for a 1916-18 British and German force. I am also planning on doing a dozen or so terrain boards with a trench system and other useful features. Again more to follow. 

Well, at least I haven't bitten off more than I can chew for 2024!!