Using 1935 prints as a reference for imagineering uniforms

 I found some really interesting prints online of French troops in 1935. They provided ideas for uniforms for my French inspired opposition ( still settling on a name for them , all ideas welcome) to the Duchy of Volare Cantare ( my Interwar Italian inspired imagination) which will be used in some company level games using the “Company Fire “ rules by John Y. The prints are of infantry, Chasseurs a Pied and Sapeurs Pompiers , I just couldn’t resist the opportunity for silver helmets! Here are the AIP figures so far with their inspiration.

Forty mil moving forward...

Landsknechts and dismounted cavalrymen moving forward, based and almost completed-

 Pike block with two handed swordsman out in front and wings of arquebusiers on either flank.

Elastolin mortar/cannon which actually fires. Arquebusiers using rock for cover and about to scout ahead. Below:An aerial view with dismounted cavalry at the back.

Peasants undercoated and ready for painting over the next few days...

40mm figures advancing on two fronts...

My forty millimetre figures are advancing on two fronts. Firstly the 1549 Western Rising and secondly the German Peasants War. Makes practical and economic sense to collection a core for both with a few specific figures for each one. Here is some background reading-

Every game needs a personality to hang the narrative upon. I am lucky with such a person in the shape of Gotz Von Berlichingen! I first encountered him as a boy in the Elastolin catalogue and was fascinated by his iron hand too. He is a larger than life figure who is fascinating to read about. I have a figure of him( see below) and here are a few pictures of his hand and article about him.

A smaller manufacturer- Doug Miller 1525.

Here is another excellent manufacturer, in this case of 40mm figures, well worth supporting.

https://1525miniatures.net/about/

Here is the cardboard box the figures come in and the set unboxed.

Beautifully made figures, compatible with Elastolin 40mm and others, which are a joy to paint. Not only is Doug a great author and manufacturer but he is also a great person to deal with. Email enquires and orders are swiftly and efficiently dealt with. Pop over to his site and have a look...

40mm work in progress...

Bow and arquebus, getting it right in simple rules

Been reading around the subject of bows and guns in the sixteenth century yesterday whilst waiting in for a boiler repair man ( not a bicycle repair man ha, ha) who didn’t turn up. As part of my 1549 project I was thinking what difference there would be between these weapons in rules. I looked at a number - George Gush, dba,dbm, rough wooing etc as well as reading historical accounts.
With my focus being as narrow, ie Tudor Rebellion in the West Country in 1549 I wanted to show the differences, the positives and negatives, the quirks of these two weapons but in a simple way . Any suggestions as to rate of fire, comparative ranges and effects?

Converting and basing for 1549 in 40mm

Today I have been doing some background reading for my Landsknechts in Devon project . As well as that I have been working on converting some figures-

With the 40mm figures above I have used some bows and arrow bags from a Perry Miniatures late Medieval sprue. I think they do look in case so far but the proof will be in the finished items when painted.

I based and textured the Landsknechts etc and here they are drying.

The Helion book is a compelling and fascinating read and I would recommend it to those interested in 16th Century history and warfare. Helion are producing some excellent books ( and have done so for some time ) and are deserving of our support.

Pikes!

Looked out the 40mm figures today, removing their halberds and replaced them with wire pikes. Nothing glued in,still thinking.

I think they work well as a pike block. Also looked out 50mm square base but it proved too small , will try 60mm tomorrow.

Inspiration old and new

When I moved years ago I had to get rid of loads of wargaming magazines etc. This was due to space considerations. I did keep two bound volumes of Miniature Wargames. One mainly for the article below “Landsknechts in Devon”  an evocative title if ever I heard one. Now Helion have brought a new book out about the period. Sounds like a call to arms! Probably 40mm using “Rough Wooing “ now time to wait for the Helion book to come and have a wee think. Autumn plans may be coming together...