The Crimean War project continues to hold my attention, I'm really happy with what has been achieved so far so felt it time to layout everything I have painted to date. Thirty odd bases is enough to be getting on with for the time being although I will still be adding to them going forward, but I really want to focus on making some terrain boards for them to fight over now. I want to try to reflect the sparse open landscape of the Crimea as they just don't feel right laid on the bright green cloth. I'm developing my rules based heavily on the C&C combat and morale system, tweaking the square rules for example for allowing an infantry unit to stand and fire at charging cavalry in an attempt to 'bounce' them before contact. By this period the majority of the British army was armed with percussion cap rifle muskets, initially the Minie with the British made Enfield rifle musket being issued from late 1853. This solid and reliable weapon of .577 calibre was a huge technological advance over the smoothbore flintlock weapons carried at Waterloo almost 40 years earlier and infantry had little to fear from a cavalry charge. Worth noting that many Russian infantry were still armed with the obsolete smoothbores at this time so I need to reflect this in my rules.
I re-watched the 1968 film The Charge of The Light Brigade yesterday, not seen it for a while but really enjoyed it. Trevor Howard gives a splendid performance as Lord Cardigan commanding his beloved 11th Hussars (The Cherry bums), and gets some great lines "If they can't fornicate they can't fight". I enjoyed the Alma scenes very much especially the Guards and Highlanders as they struggled to take the high ground after crossing the river, stirring stuff indeed. Lord Raglan was portrayed as something of a confused old man, complaining to General Airey about the presence of the French Allies and still convinced they were the enemy! Raglan had of course served on Wellingtons Staff at Waterloo where he lost his right arm. I found the cavalry charge scenes actually quite moving.
Anyway, here's another short video of what I have so far, the mass effect of this scale is what I really like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H6bzY4zj9o
Great looking troops so far! An exciting project. For terrain ideas, have a look through Cadogan's Crimea, which contains lots of period specific watercolors of the campaign area and battlefields.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards,
Stokes
Thank you Stokes. I have seen many of those fine watercolours and they will be a useful reference.
DeleteRegards,
Lee.
Definitely in my top five favourite war films! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the terrain, something Alma-ish?
ReplyDeleteCheers Ian and yes, a wonderful film 'Black bottles'! I have a pretty clear idea of what I hope to achieve with the boards, modest size 3 x 4 and textured to match the bases in colour.
DeleteSuper parade, it is amazing that you have put together two workable armies from scratch in such a short space of time. They do look the business.
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm, and very much a side line project after my commission work, they do seem to have come along quite well. I'm very keen to game with them too.
DeleteComing on a treat - I'd really like to see what the complete Light Brigade would look like. I reckon it would match the famous illustration rather well.
ReplyDeleteI'll get there eventually Rob, Light Dragoons are on the desk now with Hussars going on the next order :) The range is so expansive there is much painting ahead of me.
DeleteYour a bloody painting machine mate. To think you are painting other folks troops as well…awesome! They look lovely. Interested to see what you do with the terrain!
ReplyDeleteI like that comment JBM :) You know how that old Black Dog has to be kept at bay and for me this has long been a great therapy although I must admit I'm struggling a bit recently.
DeleteExcellent achievement in a pretty small timescale. Looking forward to seeing how the terrain come along and to your first game. Now back to assess the storm damage and pick up the broken fence!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Graham. I'm glad I no longer live on the coast as much as I miss the beach walks. Every storm we would lose 6' fence panels that would literally take off as though made of cardboard! Hope the damage is not too bad there.
DeleteBeautiful Lee, and even better you seem to be using Irregular Miniatures. Many years ago John and I staged the Battle of Balaclava using Irregular and Ian Kay sculpted some lovely stuff for the project. Its a great scale for the war. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much :) Must say I'm very impressed with this range, I just need to figure how best to create the terrain for them to fight over, I'm torn between functional and realistic!
DeleteSplendid progress in a short time, I look forward to your terrain solutions!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain