Flats (flat out?) progress

Update and photo dump on progress with the French Renaissance army composed of Zinnfiguren flats.

Some more Gascon "Adventureur" crossbow:

  

In one of a large lot were several "Knights" in active poses but with a 3/4 view; I struggled to see how these could be mixed with side view figures on the same stand. I then realised some rule sets (DBA RRR, Impetus) used separate generals on round stands; these would also be needed for historic refights with multiple commands. So I decided to use the 3/4 view figures as commanders:

A generic infantry commander identity yet to be decided.

It was difficult to get the shading right so I was pleased when some members of the VWC said they looked fully round.

Next "De Foix" who can be Nemours or Gaston de Foix:

Lastly "Tremouille":

I hope to add flags with appropriate coats of arms in due course.

Next, I was never very happy with some of the figures used for the Picard pike; I found some figures to replace some crude conversions (may recycle as early Swiss):

I have shown some later "Archers" basically less armoured Gensdarmes, part of the "Lance"however, there is some evidence that in the early days they were indeed mounted archers. As the DBA 3 list includes such mounted archers (3-4 foot and 1 mounted on a base) I decided to include some. Pictures showing such troops appear in contemporary pictures of Charles VII invasion of Italy, especially some who could be the following ("archers" are listed at Fornovo in some accounts):

Garde Archers Ecosse (Scots guard archers).

As I had spare figures, I added some "normal" Archers:

Lastly the French artillery with crew from spare medieval figures. The chap with one leg in the air will have his foot resting on the cannon. He is not (despite Alan https://tradgardland.blogspot.com/) armed with a FAB lolly! I was trying to hint at a lighted match......😐

As has been pointed out (thanks Brian) he will be in for a shock when the recoil takes effect!

I have a WIP photo showing the basic Contrast paint finish before AP washes and acrylic highlighting.

To finish the army needs Swiss and Landesknechts; I'm waiting for some figures from Germany before I progress to the Swiss. There are also some more Gensdarmes that would allow for Maximillian / Impetus armies (which use 24 elements or double sized bases).

I intend to try out the various rules I have to see which best "fits" the Italian Wars. Other armies are the Spanish, Imperial and various bits for Italian states - I will probably have some dedicated troops for Venice and the Papacy and possibly Milan (cavalry) while the rest are likely to be more "generic" as Italian mercenaries proliferated in both Italian States armies as well as the foreign ones. I also have some Turks for a Machiavelli Campaign.

This has led me to think about naval aspects; despite lots of 1/1200th scale galleys I have been toying with the idea of 1/600th (some of which I may have) or 1/300th......that way lies madness however!

Vive le Roi! (and some less salubrious persons)

The flats insanity continues; I have painted up figures for a stand to represent Louis XII.

In addition, I found some rather ropey "knight" figures with poorly defined heads. Looking at them, I was struck by the thought of converting them to Stradiots......some Green stuff later and we have enough for a couple of stands.

I'm working on the artillery currently but need to clean up some more figures. I have dug out some more potential Picard pike so will probably replace 3 of the figures done previously. There are also some more Gascon crossbow to do and then it will be Swiss and the dreaded Landesknechts....

More French Nobility and lesser "gentlemen"

The Zinnfiguren Italian Wars continues with more French; they have a lot of choice in the various army lists, so even for rules which use a reduced number of "elements" still need multiple figures.

More Gensdarmes

"Archers" - part of the "Lance" originally were mounted longbowmen and in the early Italian Wars may have fought as such; later were less armoured lancers

Finally some mounted Crossbowmen

I have tried to keep to a restricted colour palette throughout to tie the army together, basically blue, red, white and yellow.

The figures mostly come from a large lot; I selected the figures charging (as oppose to stationary with lance upright) to represent the French Gensdarmes, noted for their aggressive charges. As such, they are a mixed bag.

I have a few "front view" Knights cleaned up and primed; these I'm going to pair on circular bases as general figures for those rules that use separate generals which attach to an element - I can see this as necessary for larger games or historical refights. I also have an element which will become the general element, in this case an approximation of Louis XII; I'm toying with variants for Charles and Francis. There are also two large cannon and crew and some converted Stradiots.

Waiting in the wings for cleaning up and priming are Swiss, Landesknechts, more Gascons and possibly more French infantry.

Secret project revealed!

So initial experiments have worked out quite well, so I can reveal what I have been up to the last few weeks......

Italian Wars using 30mm Zinnfiguren flats.......WTF!

Completely left field distraction; so how did I get here.....

I have been interested in the Italian Wars for years; memories of Peter Gilder's armies in early MW magazine, playing Machiavelli, etc all contributed. Many years ago, my mate Pete Foggin gave me some 15mm he had designed and cast - not sure if they were ever available commercially. I started adding and adding, made a start on DBA sized armies French and Milanese which I never quite finished and then changed focus to Impetus sized bases and Maximillian rules which are a DBA derivative but use armies of 23-30 elements, so double initial plans....

I have toyed with restarting, even trying to prune the unpainted horde to use the better figures such as Vexillia, but it has been a long time since I painted 15mm or worse, cleaned them up...

Then, bad week at work, needed some cheering up. Saw some cheap lots of flats on eBay. I had resisted previously, although very tempted by the SYW Zinnfiguren available; always drawn to them, the elegant look......several bloggers have indulged. Manfully I had not let myself be swayed. Looking at the flats, they had lots of knights / Gensdarmes which looked lovely with the plumes.....but could I paint them? Then....click! Oh WTF have I done!

So, there I was having bought lots of medieval / renaissance Zinnfiguren wondering not only whether I could paint them, but what I was going to do with them! I happened to glance at the bookshelves where a copy of DBA 3 sat. Hmm, it now goes up to the Italian Wars.....hmm.....Machiavelli campaign using DBA sized armies....hmm....this way it could be manageable and not grow like the 15mm version has. What about the painting? Would Contrast paints work?

So sorting through the figures, I worked out there was enough for Imperial German, some Spaniards, these could be French and these Italians....oh there's a Burgundian army....this could work!

So I started wit the French; there were a lot of "active" knights which would be just right for Gensdarmes d'Ordinance.....lets start humbler......Gascon crossbows:

The above are pure Contrast paints and Speed Paints metallics. Then it was Army Painter ink wash as a pin-wash, followed by selective highlighting with acyllics:

Looking good, lets add some more crossbow and Gensdarmes:

Went to town on the Gensdarmes, oil wipe (although water based oil paint!) followed by ink wash, pin-wash of AP ink, highlighting and tidy up, So far we have:

9x Gascon crossbow

7x Picard pike (Horde)

3x 3 Gensdarmes

To finish have another couple of elements of Gensdarmes, various general figures (for DBA RRR), 2x artillery, an element of mounted crossbow. All undercoated and ready to paint. To finish the French I have some cavalry (archers), Swiss, Landesknechts some converted Stradiots and probably need to add more |Picards. All but the Swiss and Germans are cleaned up awaiting primer.

The plan is to do Imperial, Spanish and Italians - a mix of Venetian, Papal and generic Italian troop types. Reinforcements have been sourced from the UK and Germany, and have just bought some Turkish looking cavalry.......

There is certainly a Burgundian army in there and possibly Swiss, Peasant Revolt plus more Landesknechts.....

So far, they have turned out quite nice and are quick to paint with the Contrast / Speed paints doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Washes and highlights lift them into the next league IMHO.

Of course, I have found buying flats is as addictive as normal figures.......if not more so!

New (old) *secret* project...

To elaborate on the somewhat confusing title......I have been busy with a *new* project; that is an *old* project but with a new twist........confused? Let me explain.....

There are many projects that I wish "to do", sadly ambition outstrips time. I'm hoping if I make retirement I will have time for them all....

This project is a long standing "to do"; indeed hesitant steps were made in 15mm but it stalled and grew and grew....

I'm approaching it from a completely left field angle to try again; I'm hoping, no trying to keep it manageable this time.

So why the *secret*? Well I'm not sure if it will work out as it in theory requires different techniques and I don't know if my skills are good enough! 

So, it's currently "in development" which doesn't mean just buying stuff, but actually requires preparation and work which I've completed this weekend, or rather made a significant start on. This time, I'm keeping it small - max 6 armies with a lot of generic components. Already have a game on which to base a campaign, have various rules I can use and plenty of source material.......

Intrigued? More next time.......hopefully........☺

"I looked over Jordan and what did I see.......Sweet Chariot."

As related in previous blog posts I have slowly been working on the Jordanian army of 1967. This post is by way of a progress report as to where I'm up to.

M48

The M48s had the jetisonable fuel tanks tweaked so they no longer pointed downwards. Here's the real thing:

I was helped by some modelling sites which helpfully show details the above site didn't. Alas the folding "shield" has a couple of different patterns; I chose one from a blueprint. Unfortunately the pictures of Jordanian M48s are unclear, however I suspect they were solid rather than with a "V" cut out. Anyway, here' my M48s showing various stages and just awaiting final stowage.

I then turned to the M47s

Getting the turret brackets to stick involved lots of super glue and swearing - as Eric suggested on the VWC a better name for a blog! Once fixed everything got some liquid Green Stuff, including the M48s.

Then I turned to the last tank used by Jordan; the Centurion. Jordan used Mk3 and Mk5 with the original British gun. In an attempt to differentiate from the IDF Sho't I made them all Mk3 with 20pdr . Progress from disassembly to finish.

 Finally, thwarted in attempts to purchase resin Trident M52 SPH, I have added bits to my bodge jobs.

 Most of above just need a bit of extra stowage (covers a multitude of sins!) and in some cases MGs (M47 and Centurion have cradle / bracket M48s are fitted.

To do - M113s, M42 Dusters, Long Toms and tractors, 25 pdrs and infantry. I also have a \Hunter and a "what-if" Widow Maker in 1:100