Where did that month go? Scorchio and Sinistria...

Alarmingly I noted a couple of weeks ago that my last post was at the start of the month...

However, I've been struggling  to post anything, as Chez Moi it has not been that interesting....

In between work and an unseasonable heat wave in the UK,  I had done little more than finish off preparing the last two proper "armies" for  the Soldier King project; while in itself that's something of a milestone, sadly I'm still some way from finishing the project.

I have been converting some figures for "rebels" (a random event in the game) who will also do as civilian militia. Finalising the recruitment system, it does mean some armies are not yet at maximum size, notably the Electoral states and Estavia. The latter needs another brigade of infantry and an additional cavalry unit, the former is undecided.

Braving the heat (to paraphrase the Fast Show -"Scorchio!) and  the perils of paint drying on the palette or brush before reaching the figures, I have managed some painting. I didn't bring out my home made wet palette - I find it dilutes the paint which is problematic for block painting on a black undercoat in a toy soldier style.

The first unit of Sinistria has mustered out, infantry with retained Grenadiers (head conversions). The army is heavily based of Freikorps von Favrat - a short lived Prussian FK - gunners and LI will mimic Russian units - add in the concept of the Black Brunswickers in the Napoleonic wars and you have the "Black Brigades" of Sinistria....

I'm hoping for a "quick win" on this army, as with a black undercoat, coats, hats and gaiters are already done...

Hopefully, more soon....

Progress report and new temptations

Progress on the Soldier King project continues - the small armies of Sinistria and Dupanen have been cleaned up, prepared and in the case of Sinistria (bar one foot regt - due to a miscalculation) undercoated in black. Dupanen suffered delays as during preparation I broke bits off two hussars and standard bearer and a grenadier - brittle plastic - always a hazard with these old figures.

Fortunately I have the uniforms and flags mapped out to some extent so unlike Waldow, I should be able to get on with them relatively quickly. Both are small armies of 8 units + gun and staff.

After that, I have some rebels / militia to convert and finish (some are already done), Estavian and Imperial additions which should fill the existing boxes. Anything after that would be as a result of campaigns - before anyone asks - it's planned but I currently lack anywhere to actually play games....

As a further distraction / temptation, I have discovered a new range of figures for the French Wars of Religion - Hugenots v Catholics, Reiter, Landesknecht in Plunderhosen, Millers, battle of Dreux and all that...

I have been vaguely interested since seeing an article in an early edition of Battle for Wargamers magazine and a little while ago was musing over the early Wargames Foundry wars of Religion range and Essex Miniatures Spanish in the way that wargamers do....

The new range are from Pete Smith, well known for his marvellous flags:

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?item=256946546227&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211&_ssn=petes_flags

They are apparently nearer to 18mm than 15mm, at present only infantry are available but when I contacted Pete he sent me some pictures of greens for the cavalry sent to the mould maker - artillery and more cavalry, Millers, Spanish etc to follow. At present on eBay, Pete is setting up a dedicated webstore and sells via another platform.

Pictures from eBay and Pete Smith.

French, Landesknecht and Royal Swiss foot - shot, pike and command, see eBay for pack contents and prices.

 

Pete tells me he is trying to resist doing Irish! He already has a Flodden Scots range in 28mm.

I'm trying to resist but I have a feeling some of these may make their way into the lead pile....