Monday, February 28, 2011

Longbows Englands Equalizer of the 100 Years War



In battle after battle through the 100 Years War, the deadly longbow of the English Army bested the knights of France. Thousands of French knights met their doom attacking these archers of the English king.


Shooting more than ten arrows a minute, the English & Welsh archers were able to send clouds of arrows into the French. The shorter ranged crossbows of the French meant that the crossbowmen were often decimated well before coming into shooting range of their own weapons.



The are plastic Warhammer figures from Tom's Army that I painted in the early 2000's

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Ogre Here, Ogre There



The cry of "Ogre...Run for your lives," would make the blood run cold in any fantasy world. With his massive strength, brutal & cruel manner, Bonne Krusher the Ogre was a truly fearful monster.

Bonne Krusher Relies on his massive morningstar to make his point in every confrontation. Few are those brave enough to face Bonne's wrath.



This is a Ral Partha metal piece that I painted in the late 1970's for my D&D Campaigns.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

12 Pounder or 1 Pounder



This basic cannon design was the norm for more than a century. On ship or land the wooden carriage was strong and durable.



These cannons were rated by the weight of the shot they fired and could be made in any size from 1 to 64 pounders, with 12 pounders being one of the most common ship born designs.




So what size of shot did this real piece fire?











Whoa, Therri has discovered a 1 pounder in the convenient portable size.




Friday, February 25, 2011

Pirates-No Problem Meet theTwins


When danger appears on the high seas, twin Lewis Machine Guns are great equalizers.
These are some of the cool accessory metal pieces from Pulp Figures.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Mustering the Holiday Troops



Here we have the first contingent of soldiers for next Christmas season. I just painted up these nutcrackers for Therri's ever growing army (she has several hundred nutcrackers for the holidays).

Thursday, February 17, 2011

For England-Heavy Cavalry Advance




























English heavy cavalry advances while pikemen in the rear follow to finish the assault.

















More of my old 25mm Minifigs cast in the 1970's.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Heavy Cavalry-English Civil War Style






















Heavy Cavalry was the shock and Awe force of the 17th Century.























These are 25mm metal Minifigs, cast in the 1970's, they are from a simpler time and design in wargame figures (ie they do not have anything near the detail of modern figures}. I found these in a box in the garage and decided to paint them up in 2005, regardless of their lack of detail.


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Horse Holders to the Front

Troopers of a US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment deploy as skirmishers as more troopers charges past.
From Cuba to the Philippines, volunteer cavalry fought to spread American power at the turn of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Horse holders would control two to four horses thereby freeing up their riders as mobile infantry troopers.
These are more of my 15mm metal, colonialism American soldiers that I painted in the early '80's.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Hot Lead Will Ruin A Knights Day























Musket men take deadly aim with their new and improved matchlock pieces.




























Single shot muskets would soon spell doom to the heavy armored knights that had ruled the battlefield for centuries. Soon pike and musket armies, supported by fast lightly armored cavalry would be the main warriors for the next century.











































These are plastic Warhammer figures from Games Workshop that I painted in the 1990's.





Sunday, February 13, 2011

Samurai-the Fanatic Warrior

Toijo Kokomuni is a samurai with the Minamoto Clan. His endless training has formed him into fearless killing machine.
Toijo is a 25mm, Ral Partha metal miniature that I painted in the late '80's.

Abandoned Houses Turn to Ruins
















In the early 90's I built this little hut to look like it was abandoned and in the process of being dismantled. It was for 25mm figures but works for 28mm as well.

Friday, February 11, 2011

When You want the Best send for the 10th

Recognized as one of the best US Cavalry Regiments of the late 19th Century, The 10th was one of the famous "Buffalo Soldiers" units.
The 10th was a black unit with white officers. The most famous commander of the 10th was "Blackjack" Pershing. When offered command of the 1st US Cavalry Regiment (the lower the regimental number the higher the prestige the unit held) Pershing was said to have commented "why would I want to give up command of the best regiment in the army."
It is often forgotten that the 10th supported the dismounted charge of Teddy Roosevelt's 1st Volunteer Cavalry up San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War of 1898.
These are 15mm Heritage figures that I painted in the early 1980's, for my American colonialism army.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

When the Dragon Lady Means Business.....



The Dragon Lady uses many tools to "get her way." When a solid message needs to be sent the HMG sends a very very strong message indeed. Cross the Dragon Lady and she will cut you down.


Both pieces are from Pulp Figures.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I Am the Commander-YOU WILL FOLLOW ME NOW!


A leader in battle can not ask-he commands! This commander of a unite of Menoth Exemplar Errants is an expert at giving orders and leading his men.

Another interesting and detailed metal casting from Privateer Press.

Rally-Rally-Rally on the Flag for Victory


The flag is always a point to call together the troops. This is even more evident in an army of such a strong religious fever as that of the forces of Menoth.


Here the battle standard of the Menoth Exemplar Errants stands ready to rally and lead the troops into harms way.









These metal command pieces were a match paint job I did for some troops that Richard purchased already painted.




Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Crossbows--the Great Equalizer of the Renaissance


Three Renaissance Crossbowmen take steady aim from behind light cover.


The crossbow of the Renaissance Era was able to penetrate most armour of the day at moderate ranges. While slower than bow fire, the added penetration power was considered a balanced trade off. But a newer more powerful weapon was in the wings and with the next technological advance would surpass both bow and crossbow-the matchlock musket.






These are plastic Warhammer figures from Games Workshop that I painted in the 1990's.