Tuesday 2 September 2014

Silk Purses from Sows Ears Part 2.


Several weeks ago I posted that I was going to paint up some plastic Spencer Smith ACW figures for my Old School project and having reach the front of my painting queue I now present the 4th Michigan for my Union force . (see  
http://tonystoysoldiers.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/O.S.%20ACW )
                                   


For the Confederate force I have painted them up as the Charleston Zouave Cadets , historically I don't think this unit got bigger than an odd company or so and its doubtful if they wore this uniform in action - however this being Old School I do not feel constrained by history - and they look very pretty and brighten up my otherwise rather dull Rebel force. 


In homage to my wargaming past the 2 units have been displayed on this book , published in 1970 I bought it with one of my first pay cheques when I started work that year - it was and still is a brilliant book as a starter for the ACW and it opened the world of ACW Zouaves etc to me . As you can see it's taken its fair share of paint over the years - a veteran in every sense !. 


I could not afford the hard backed edition as my starting wage was £5 before stoppages and paying my mother board and lodgings . A piece of my wargaming history - I get a bit misty eyed over it - 'sniff !'







4 comments:

  1. Great figures and I still have the Almark book on the shelves beside me as I type this.
    My dad bought it for me to help me paint up my Airfix chaps.I still refer to it too.

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  2. I like both of these units. I have been thinking of doing a unit inspired by the Charleston Cadets as well.

    Mark

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  3. Silk Purses indeed! No Reb army is complete without red kepis.

    Ah Almark! Wonderful books. And to think Mike is still an active wargame, converter and painter.

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    1. Yes he appears regularly at the Reading show with a participation game using 54mm figures , he did a companion book on the cavalry but never got around to the artillery one.

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