AWI/ACW Buildings and Bases

 

I had these lovely buildings made for me a while back by Oshiro Models. I asked for them to be unbased to cut down on the footprint if I needed to squeeze them in somewhere. Unlike Napoleonics for example, where a couple of buildings might represent a small hamlet, individual buildings on an AWI/ACW battlefield usually represent just that - individual buildings. House to house fighting was fairly rare in these conflicts, so it is quite important to prevent them from dominating the table space too much. That said, they can look a bit "bald" on their own and the bases set them off nicely I think.

The small yard bases is simply placed adjacent to the church; although it isn't too clear in the photo, there is room at the front to enter. Nice and easy to make and the tree adds a little something too I think. 

And here it is in its natural state.

Here is one of two barns that James made for me; A nice natural wood effect.

This time the base is designed so that the barn can rest on top of it with a little post and rail fencing, stones, flock and tufts to finish it off.

All in all, worth the effort I think and I will do the same with some of the other buildings as I try and make my battlefields a bit more attractive and interesting. I am also working on a load of fencing; post and rail and worm and am looking at adding some very attractive stone fences cast by Battle Honours. I have also recently picked up some very nice "short haired" teddy bear fur on EBAY which should make great looking wheatfields. Hopefully I can do an ACW battle report soon to show it all off. 

Terrain of course is just as time consuming as painting figures but really worth it if, like me, you are really into the aesthetic side of the hobby.

Napoleonic Prussian Reserve and Landwehr Infantry

 

Bagration to Berlin has been absorbing a lot of my hobby time recently, but I am still working on other projects when time allows. The latest Napoleonic additions are some Reserve and Landwehr units (2 of each) to support the 5 line units already completed, making 9 in all - about half of the planned total. Figures are, as usual, Wargames Foundry purchased 18 months ago during the annual Christmas sale and very nice they are too despite their age. Full of character and enjoyable to paint.

Here are the two Reserve units. These are in the light grey uniform; the next two will probably be in blue for a bit of variety.

                             

Here are a couple of shots of one of the Silesian Landwehr units. As usual I have "scruffied" them up a little for that 1813 Prussian campaign look.

Finally the two Reserve units in a bit more of a close up. All the flags as usual by GMB.

The plan is to be able to field a Prussian army of around 18 infantry units, 8-10 cavalry units and half a dozen batteries plus command - enough for a full day's gaming, without the need for Russian support. Still a fair way to go but steady progress. The longer term aim for my 1813-14 Napoleonic collection is a Prussian and Russian force that can fight independently or together against a core French line force, supported by Italians (already painted), Bavarians, Saxons and possibly Poles. Later on I am hoping to add a decent force of French Guards: Old, Middle and Young to round things off. Still a long term project with everything else that is going on.

After a bit of a lull, I am again pressing on with phase 1 of my 7 Years War collection, which is shaping up nicely. I have knocking on for half of it done and not too far from getting it on the table, which I am really looking forward to. We can then start to playtest the rules; a blend of card driven and Honours of War plus a few tweaks of my own. With 30 figure infantry units, which look great deployed in line, it should be quite a spectacle. Watch this space.