You Can Never Have Enough Milita

Colonial Milita was the original "Nation Guard" before the American Revolution.

Quality and training varied greatly from unit to unit. And uniformity of weapons was basically unheard of. As were uniforms in general, in both cases it was usually left to the individual soldier to supply his own clothing and weapon(s). 

 But what they lacked in training and uniformity, they made up in numbers. And as the Russians were fond of saying, large numbers of troops have a quality all their own.

These are plastic Warlord "Epic" scalepieces I painted in July.

French Aid for the American Revolution

The Gatinais Regiment of French infantry marches to the drums in support of the American Revolution. 

The commander is dedicated to the American cause.

Vive la roi-Vive les Americains

These are the first of my 250 American Revolution forces that I began painting this month.

Latest Project - War for Independence

In my 50+ years of painting wargame military figures I've paint many armies. Ancient Egyptian, Roman, Dark Ages, Ancient Chinese, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Samurai, Lace Wars, Seven Years War, Napoleonic Wars, War Between the States, Colonial Wars (My first armies were African Colonial- Zulu, British, Boers, Arab and French in Jack Scrubby's "N Gauge."), the Great War, the Banana Wars, Second World War, Korean War, (I lost friends in Vietnam and have never been interested, apart from a few character pieces, in painting that sad conflict) Science Fiction and Fantasy. More than 30,000 figures sized from 6mm to 100mm+. Yet I never covered the American War for Independence in large numbers. Well in honor of the 250 Anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence that oversite is now to be addressed by my new project-the 2000+ figures Revolution! from Warlords "Epic Black Powder" series.

I was impressed with the set overall, although the lack of action poses for the line infantry is kind of nostalgic as it reminds me of the limited styles available in the late '60's and early '70's metal pieces.

Bases & terrain 

Colonials

British and European troops.

First up is conversion of some British Regulars into a Brigade of French troops. Here's hoping my old eyes can hold up painting these small guys.

Once More into the Breach-FIRE

Captain Sir Regnald Rupert Fitzrichmond IV, horseman extraordinaire, relishes in the sounds of battle. Especially when his battery of 4 pdr artillery is pounding the French.

Be the target French infantry, artillery, cavalry or structures, all give him great pleasure when his battery smashes them.

Blasting breaches in enemy lines for his supporting infantry to exploit is especially pleasing to him.

Even his charger, Tuter, enjoys the smoke and noise of battle. When Tuter's blood is up, it takes Sir Regenald best efforts to reign in his mount when the valiant charger tries to bolt towards the bloody battlefield.

Captain Sir Regnald Rupert Fitzrichmond IV is a plastic set I painted earlier this month.

Say Hello to Our Little Friend

Loaded with double shot (or the more deadly "Grapeshot"), this view of a British 4 pounder was the last vision many an enemy would ever see.

This gun and grew is supporting the British and their allies in the bloody War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714).

While not as powerful as its large cousins, the 4 pdr artillery piece was a main stay of European armies throughout the 18th century.

Being lighter than the larger caliber artillery pieces, the 4 pdr was easier to place forward with the infantry as a true supporting fieldpiece.

This is a plastic kit I put together and painted earlier this month.

 A similar Bavarian piece can be seen here: 

World Historyprof: Nothing Says Good Morning Like a Cannon Blast

Captain Hans von Knochenkopf to the Rescue

Captain Hans von Knochenkopf is known throughout the Bavarian Army as one of the bravest, and unluckiest officers of Duke Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria

Known to lead from the front, heedless of the physical dangers, the good captain is also known for his terrible sense of direction.

For more than once his valiant charges have led his forces to the exact wrong part of the battlefield. Have battles been lost or even won by his mistakes? No one knows, but his bravery can not be denied.

Captain Hans von Knochenkopf is a plastic piece I painted up this month.

Nothing Says Good Morning Like a Cannon Blast

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This Bavarian 6 pounder artillery crew is ready to reload after their early morning volley into the ranks British on August 13, 1704.

This crew is one of the 90 guns of the Pro-Bourbon Army at the Battle of Blenheim.

Their 6 pdr is one of the more common field pieces of the war.

With an effective range of over 500 meters.

The 6-pounder size artillery piece will be largely use in all the wars of the 18th century. And will see action will into the 19th. By the time of the American Civil War, it will be out classed by the 12 pounder and slowly disappear from the armies of the World powers.

This is a plastic kit I put together and painted this month.

Which Side Should We Chose Rebels of Empire?

Ready to hit the Warpath, this group of Native American warriors much choose which side in the Revolution they should take.

Many feel the colonials are a bigger danger than the rulers of the British Empire who are far away for the lands of these Americans.

The chiefs will make the decision, and these warriors are eager to fight however the enemy will be.

I painted these plastic warriors in December '23.

Can't have a Battle with out the Drummer

The drummer was critical for the sending of commands to military units for thousands of years. Here we have an 18th century French drummer of the Breese Regiment, a unit that wore white uniforms. It was a common feature of European armies of the time that musicians would not wear the same color uniform as their regiment. Often it was in the exact opposite colors of the regiment so a British regiment with red jackets and buff cuff could have its musicians in buff jackets with red cuffs.

I painted this plastic model this week.
 

Red Coats on the March

From the War pf the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) to the Seven Years War (1756-1763), the British Red Coats were in almost constant conflit during the first half of the 18th century.

Scottish Higland's, European fields, North American Forests, Plains of India and the far-flung lands of the British Empire all saw the Red Coats shed their blood for the King.

I painted these plastic Red Coats early this month.
 

Today's Worktable

Today's WIP are all plastic. in front are 19 Lace Wars 18th century pieces. Some will be like the 3 partially painted grenadiers, but most will be a mix of French line and grenadiers.

In the back is Blackpool from Atomic Mass Games.  To his right are two British in tropical kit.