SYW French - Regiment du Roi

Introducing the freshly recruited (painted and based) 28mm Front Rank figures depicting the 1st battalion of the Regiment du Roi. The purist will note that I have not painted the orange-red lace on the coats that the historical unit had. This was because it would have been too time consuming and I wasn't confident that I would make a decent job of it.The thing I like most about this unit is the superb flags by GMB Flags. Keep up the good work in producing these, Grahame! There will be a 2nd battalion to fight along side them in due course. When I saw that Front Rank was up for sale, I stocked up on packs of French, British and Hanoverian units so I could complete my project just in case the lines were discontinued. Lucky I did, as the take over by Gripping Beast took way longer than predicted.

Thanks for taking a look!

FIW 60th (Royal American) Foot in 28mm

Another purchase from the swap meet here in Christchurch late last year was a 12-figure skirmish unit for the French and Indian War that I've painted up as the 60th (Royal American) Foot. These figures are by Blue Moon and are the first I've had from this company. The unit was quite quick to paint as I didn't have to both about any lace, apart from the officer and the cocked hats. It turns out that these figures were originally purchased by one of my mates from the Southern Strategist League of Gentlemen Wargamers (the venerable Chris Packer)...along with all my other purhchases that day. What I particularly like about these blokes is the dynamic poses which had some realism. One of the figures came minus it's musket, so I attached a pistol to him to ensure he had a weapon to take on the dreaded French and their indian allies.

Thanks for taking a look!

28mm Perry Confederate Generals

Every year I pop along to the annual Christchurch Wargamers Swap Meet at the Woolston Workingmens Club with no intension of buying anything...and every year I've come away lighter in the wallet. Last year was no acception, although the August event was delayed until November due to Covid restrictions here in New Zealand. At one stage it was thought that the event would not go ahead at all, which led me to actually buy a 28mm two-masted 18th century sloop directly off a bloke who had 3D printed it off to sell at the swap meet. That done, my intention was to head along and have a chat with like-minded blokes that I only get to catch up with once a year...we'll that was what I told my long suffering wife. Anyway, within 5 minutes of arriving I had secured some bargains that included a pack of 3 Perry Miniatures 28mm Confederate generals, some 28mm French and Indian Wars British infantry, French couriers du bois and a host in woodland indians...and some Foundry Plains Wars US Army infantry (that I wasn't that interested in, but I was attracted to the mounted Gatling Gun that was included). At the Mess such purchases tend to get thrown in a box and can remain unpainted for years. However, this year was the exception and I managed to paint the Confederate generals in record time for me.

Now back to concentrating on my Seven Years War/ French & Indian War project. Until next time!

Christa Hook painting

I was very excited on Friday when the original painting of the Downshire Irish Militiaman that is on the front cover of my new book, arrived in the post. Christa Hook has done a fantastic job in painting this and the vibrant colours and layering has really given depth to the image. I can't wait to get it framed and hanging in pride of place in 'The Mess.'

Irish/ Scottish Tower House in 28mm

I've never lost my childhood fascination with castles, and after a trip to a clan reunion in Ireland a fews years back where I managed to visit a few, I was determined to try to scratch build a simple fortified tower house. I wanted to be able to use it for table top fighting in Ireland and Scotland, so something generic was what I was trying to achieve. During the 2021 lockdown in New Zealand I decided to have a crack at making one using artist board and cardboard. I did cheat a little bit by getting a resin portcullis doorway printed off at work and I bought a roll of vinyl brickwork from our local Christmas shop for the floor of the parapet. This tower is loosely based on Dunguarie Castle on the shore of Galway Bay. I may have made it a bit too big, but I had to be able to have single figures on 30mm base defending the parapet. The following is a series of photos taken through the building process. This is only stage 1, as I intend basing the tower surrounded with a barmkin (defensive wall) and a couple of out buildings, such as a stable and small forge. So this is still a work in progress.

Thanks for taking a look. Until next time.

SYW French Infantry Regiment du Dauphin

Well, the end of the year has arrived and it has certainly been interesting around the world. Sadly, many people have lost loved ones and the pandemic has affected all of us in some way. The silver lining to the lockdowns is that there have been more opportunities to delve into our hobby. That said, I still didn't get as much painting done as I had planned. I am slowly building up a couple of 28 mm SYW armies to fight each other in the Western theatre in Germany. The attached images are of the last unit I completed in 2021...the first battalion of the Regiment du Dauphin.

The figures are Front Rank and the superb flags are from GMB. Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2022. Until next time.

New book - British Army in Ireland, 1793-1815

I'm very proud to announce that my latest book, 'Rebellion, Invasion and Occupation: The British Army in Ireland, 1793-1815,' (published by Helion and Company in the UK) has finally been released. Covid has certainly played a part in the delay, but hopefully readers will find it interesting and that it fills a gap in the historiography of the period. It's based on my MA thesis, but minus all the academic argument which would have bored the general reader. Helion have done a great job with the maps and Christa Hook has made a superb job of the cover artwork...which I have managed to purchase off her to adorn a wall in my wargaming room, 'The Mess.' In the appendices I've also added orders of battle for the main engagements, along with uniform details for the Irish Militia, yeomanry and fencibles. For those interested, it can be purchased online directly from Helion and Company (https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/rebellion-invasion-and-occupation-the-british-army-in-ireland-1793-1815.php?sid=a817cf0c9182597c57c77ceaee78b0a1), or via the Book Depository or Amazon. It appears that W.H. Smith will also be stocking it for High Street purchasing in the UK.