Looking Back...

2014 was a busy year! Early in the year I had the joy of seeing the publication of my first book with author credits... Donnybrook! Unfortunately, real life conspired to limit what I was able to do by way of support for the rules. They have proved popular nonetheless and in the spirit of the way the rules were intended, many gamers have taken them and made them their own, pushing them in other periods and tweaking rules to suit.

During the first three months of the year, I was heavily into the Lord of the Rings. Besides painting over 100 models, I actually got in a game! I have lots more models and I'd like to return to Middle Earth again in the future.

Games Workshop managed to grab a pile of cash from me in March with the release of the huge Imperial Knight kit. I bought five of 'em - but only managed to (mostly) paint two. Oh, well, I still have the other three...

While I was in 40k mode, I added two squads to my Death Korps of Krieg army.

Then during the last half of the year I managed to maintain focus on one project - The American War of Independence. I painted five battalions of infantry, three squadrons of cavalry, twenty-four skirmishers, two cannons, and four officer vignettes. I actually completed the goal I initially set for the collection (including three battalions of infantry I painted earlier) which is nearly unprecedented for me!

Happy New Year! I'll have another post in a few days with my plans for 2015...

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your families the very best for the holiday season...

Stro'Knor Macekiller

I decided to start a new blog that focuses on my retro-mini (Oldhammer and Rogue Trader) collection...

Stro'Knor Macekiller

Renegade Miniatures

Renegade Miniatures is back and open for business...

Their site features a pile of ECW collection in their gallery page! It was kind of nice to see because I boxed these models up stored them in the garage. I haven't really missed them until seeing all of these photos! Their ECW models were among my favorite. The ranges are all not as complete as I would wish, but they fit in very well with Foundry (Dark Ages), Artizan (WW2), and Bicorne (ECW)... these three are based on my experience and I'm sure the other ranges fit in nicely as well and I highly recommend them.

AWI American Artillery

Here are the last of the combat units for my original goal for the American army...

I have limbers and a powder wagon to add at some point, but artillery wasn't as nimble in the AWI as in later periods. The limbers were usually civilian hires and their wagon teams were moved to the rear in fighting. It was not at all certain that they would come back if the battle was going against them! Limbers would be more useful in meeting engagements where the guns need to move onto the field.

I left the cannons loose on the base so I can swap out the guns for other calibers or use the same guns with the limbers. The Perry limbers actually come with their guns so if I can round up some loose artillerist models I can make two more stands - probably far more than I would need for most battles. I plan to add a pair of 40x40 stands to place behind these models to form a small artillery park with drag men, spare equipment, crates, etc.

Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

Finally we come to the commander-in-chief of my little army, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and a couple of his loyal rifles...

I am nearing rarified air - actually reaching the goal I set for a historical army! In a few days I will finish it off with a couple of guns, a summary of the American collection, and a plan for the British going forward!

Colonel William Washington

Here is the commander for my mounted brigade, Colonel William Washington (though he might not always represent the esteemed colonel in fictional scenarios)!

It may also be more accurate to field the mounted elements of the army without a brigade commander as these were often in reserve under the direct command of the commander-in-chief, but I like the idea of having the famous colonel represented on the table!

AWI Skirmishers 06

Ok, 24 models in six days! Here are group shots of the two 12-model units...

I'd actually like to expand this part of the collection to 24 militia and 24 uniformed models, possibly with some light infantry uniforms mixed in. However, this is plenty for now.

Up next, a couple more commanders and a pair of cannons!