Something completely different - Border Reivers in 28mm

 This has been brewing on and off for years. Some figures were done years ago put aside and then forgotten about. However with my regular gaming opponent getting some impressive buildings  ( a bastle house and Pele tower) https://thistleandtime.scot/fortresses-of-survival-tower-houses-peels-and-bastles-of-the-scottish-borders/

and my enthusiasm for the manufacturer Vendel Miniatures, now Bloody Day, in the form of some good eBay finds, things came together. The figures were finished some time back as part of a stalled renaissance Irish project in 28mm . All was painted but my enthusiasm to game it disappeared but will return soon l am sure. Anyway l hosted here and tried out a game set in the Borders between England and Scotland in the late sixteenth century. Here is a link to a wee background article if the period is new to you-

https://romanarmymuseum.com/about/border-reivers/

I painted two forces for the period, my opponent has lots painted too btw, one represents the border reivers themselves and the other representing the forces of law and order in the form of The March Warden, his men and townspeople. A lot of figures , especially the reivers were converted by adding different weapons and equipment, much of which were gleaned from Perry plastic kits, to add interest and equipment for for fun. The rules were those which had once been free on the internet which I have had knocking around for years. So finally, with the addition of cattle and pigs to steal not to mention some buildings and fences , we had a crack at the game yesterday.

The rules and figures ready for their first outing yesterday plus d10 , only dice needed.

The terrain set up on the dining room table. Note animals in fields. The rules have a section on herding animals btw.

Trying to get a balance of not too much terrain but not to little either. Enough to prevent it being too easy for either side to steal the cattle and pigs as well as engaging the enemy.

The Reivers , identified by red flowers on their bases, move with intent towards the cattle as well as the enemy.

Blurry photo of the townsfolk about to do the same…

Herders attempt to control the herd and bring it away. The cattle are spooked by arquebus fire and prove hard to manage…

Cattle bolting away from the frustrated herders and the sounds of gunshots.

A herder driving some pigs with greater success just as we had to call time on the game. Verdict, great fun full of gaming possibilities including some scenario and campaign ideas contained in the rules. We will read the rules with greater attention and give the game a go again next week, can’t wait!

Moving on or scenes from the work bench

The latest Strelets figures are coming along nicely. Some off the figures are incredibly well attached to the sprue and can be hard to remove, especially for one who doesn’t trust himself with a sharp modelling knife. Note arrival in the background of a couple of tankettes purchased from Etsy or maybe EBay. Figures on sprue, painted , strong tone applied then varnish, gloss of course! That was earlier yesterday.

Post basing. I will explain a little more later about what each base represents. Note 3.7  cm TAK 1918 printed anti tank guns. A big thanks to DM of the VWC who printed these for me in three scales! Note too 28mm cattle being got ready for a game later today. This was the state of play yesterday evening.

Closer look at the figures prior to completing the basing and touching up to add fine detail or flaked paint due to taking off the sprue.

All in all coming along nicely…

 

Wind and wuthering or the Perils of Penedredfel

 

The wild winds and rain yesterday blew the station over not to mention those working there . At least the rain cleaned things up a bit 

The sorry state of Penedredfel Station resulting from my daughter’s splendid efforts to scrub the slabs.

In other news the engine remains out of action due to fibrous plant material on the line now jammed in the cogs linking the locomotive power to the wheels.

And the next box

 Inspite of feeling yucky l have begun the next box-

Here they are in all their plastic glory. Sadly no random Strelsi figures in this box.

Inspiration off my bookshelves to help choose a colour scheme…

Am going to paint the helmet and jacket green, do equipment, weapons and flesh, leaving the trousers the grey plastic. Then the wash…

Possible anti tank gun to be utilised by the force…

Here they are the first sprue finished last night prior to varnishing. Green not showing as much as I would like , perhaps a thinner wash…

Now thinking of a name for the army of these chaps from a former empire…

Matters diverse

 Having avoided bad flu/colds over the winter l came down with a stinker on Thursday, the eve of my birthday.

My middle daughter has worked hard recently on the garden and on my birthday l decided to give the train the first outing of the year. Unfortunately almost immediately the train took some fibrous plant material into the gear wheel where the motor connects with the wheel and stopped immediately. So far l have been unable to get it out.

Two thirds of the family came round for a meal on my birthday , the others being down with a bug.

Daughter number one made a Schwartzwald cake as the birthday cake, it was excellent.

I now am officially a State Pension recipient.

Earlier in the day I had been out briefly to see a local art exhibition and have lunch. Note Barbour padded jacket  which was my present from the family. 

Also got this from them, should come in handy with Bolt Action etc.

One of the paintings l saw at the exhibition.

Much of Thursday was sitting around miserably listening to the cricket.

My daughter working hard in the garden this week.

Jan would have been 64 today, kept thinking  of the Beatles song…

Did little as feeling a tad vile . Did make the VWC which was as enjoyable and stimulating as ever. Some work was done on the third and latest box of Strelets. 

We have been enjoying my Christmas present of late especially with the clear nights and full moon.

 

The Angelica is coming out and will be six feet later in the season.

The Rhubarb too has returned with the promise of good eating ahead.

 

A few Transilvanian recruits

 Finished a few recruits for Transilvania -

A tankette representing the motorised elements of the cavalry regiments. Note the Transilvanian colours to aid aerial identification.

A Skoda 75mm Mountain Howitzer to support the infantry.

Finally in some boxes of Strelets each sprue comes with a 17th century Strelsi figure. This was the case with Italian figures l recently used as Volare Cantare troops. So l popped the four figures aside and had a wee think. What I came up with was using them as woodsmen/hunters/ trappers with no formal military training but good shots. They were recruited in times of war by the Transilvanian army. They will be deployed in my games with a defensive ( last line of defence ?) role , probably to hold a wood village or bridge . They can retreat but not advance. We will see how it goes…

Thoroughly modern Alfonso or the Army of the Duchy of Volare Cantare

 

Duke Alfonso’s favourite things are dancing and playing tennis but he realises a chap must keep up with the times and have a thoroughly modern army.

Duke Alfonso’s best friend is a rather extreme poet . Alfonso and him flew over Vienna together and dropped poems not bombs Alfonso had an awful cold the day the poet and his chums went to Fiume. Alfonso was rather relieved and has discovered the extreme poet is more extreme than Alfonso cares to be.

Alfonso loves the new , the shiny and the modern. He has shiny planes as part of his army and tankettes too.

There are mountain troops to patrol the high passes and mountain howitzers to help them. Engineers wait to build bridges and more.

The back bone of the Ducal army however are the infantry regiments l to Xlll.

Alfonso loves the art work of his futurist artist friends but finds their politics too much. But their canvases are so forward looking…

The Duke even had a go at painting in the style himself, with some success. Storm clouds are gathering, Transilvania is on the march as are its friends an£ enemies. Reluctantly the Duke will have to pop the tennis racquet away, clean the paintbrush and prepare for harder times ahead…