ImagiNations: Hussards Poitou

I decided on the weekend that there has been too much attention the last couple of years on building armies for Nordstrum (for Michael) and Gaelia (for Mel), so back to the better army, Le Grand-Duché de Gourmandie. I delved into the box o' shame and found some Crusader Miniature hussars that were part of a large order I made from Old Glory before their distribution agreement with Crusader was ended (maybe five... six years ago?). At the time, I realized I'd never get such a deal again (40% discount with the OG Army card) and I put in a huge order ($700-800ish, after the discount). My foresight has, I suppose, come to fruition. The only problem was the horses. While I had enough left over for this unit, they had been through a failed priming episode sometime in the last few years (the less said the better). Thus, they were subjected to a Simple Green bath and vigorous brushing. This removed 90% of the paint but left a filmy coating on the figures. A lengthy bath in vinegar and scrubbing with detergent afterward seemed to do the trick. All this extra work had these figures toppling on the edge of my patience and they just barely made it on to the positive side of the cost-benefit  analysis.

Les Hussards Poitou (Crusader Miniatures)

Raised and paid for personally by Arch-Bishop Ambroise de Chabichou du Poitou.

Arch-Bishop Ambroise de Chabichou du Poitou.

His Eminence has a special rule in Black Powder: Clergy - May attempt to rally one unit per turn within 12" (and outside 12" from the enemy); OR re-roll one Break Test if unit within 12"

FIW: first game

A few weeks ago, Michael and I were able to throw the new French & Indian War collection on the table for a game. This was as much an opportunity to throw dice and get a feel for the period with Sharp Practice 2 as anything else; thus, no game narrative and only pictures. 

A good view of all the new (and refurbished) trees. I think they provide a good woodland mix.

Skirmishers deploy into the woods.

French regulars arrive!

British regulars and rangers deploy to attack the fort.

Milice Canadienne man the ramparts.

Rangers blast the head of the French column.

ImagiNations: Infanteri Brokkebjerg

Marching out from the Nordstrum depots, a new regiment: Infanteri Brokkebjerg.

Infanteri Brokkebjerg is the start of a second brigade for the Nordstrum army. The first brigade (see here) sported red facings and these new units will have yellow. As with the first brigade, these are all Front Rank figures from the Spanish Napoleonic range.

While writing this post I recalled that I had completed some heavy artillery for the second Nordstrum brigade last month but had neglected to post. Again, these are Front Rank Figures. The heavy artillery in the Nordstrum army (allocated at one battery per brigade) is a separate administrative organization from the infantry and thus do not share the brigade facing colours. Instead they sport blue uniforms with red facings, regardless of their brigade assignments.

something new, you say? a little trip into the desert

As Vidal over the years has frequently indulged my various gaming whims, I thought I'd jump on board one of his projects, at least in a limited way. And no, this is not the start of another new project for me...no, really! Vidal has been beavering away at a colonial Sudan project and has made some significant progress but it seemed he would need some bolstering of the Madhist forces. I thus ordered a box of Perry plastics and began to add to his growing horde. It's all too true that I'm not a fan at all of plastics (too fiddly and time-consuming) but I persevered and assembled the box (shy of a few models) and came up with a few units.

Two 12-figure groups of spear and sword-armed warriors, one 6-figure group of riflemen, and two leaders. Flags are scanned and home-printed versions of the ones in the Perry instructional pamphlet.

Two leaders (or Big Men).

Bija tribesmen (or "fuzzy-wuzzies"). 

I opted for the simpler tribal option of undecorated robes, although I did decorate a couple of the hems.

Kordofani tribesmen.

Kordofani riflemen.

This will be a standard 6-figure skirmish unit for Sharp Practice (if that is indeed the ruleset of choice).