Home cast problems and a problem solved !

So the problem with using the 25mm Prince August molds is the lack of Prussian cavalry . I have used a Hussar mould for their Hussars , but I had a problem with making some Dragoons !

I had a root amongst my moulds and found what I think was a British Household cavalry mould . I cast some up, cut their heads off and added Prussian infantry heads with the good old covered shako ( a VERY fiddly job of which more anon) .

I then added the longer coat using 'green stuff' 

Think they will look okay with a black undercoat , will report back when I get more done. 

 

AI meets Toy Soldiers

Messing about with AI , I took this photo several years and asked AI to reproduce it as a Victorian postcard .

Interesting how AI can get carried away with itself - by putting the stamp on the wrong side of the cards, probably to enhance the Victorian feel of them. I'm still in two minds on AI !?.......

....... I remember HAL in 2001 A Space Odessey !

 

A bit of varnishing .

 

One of the advantages of this spell of hot weather is that is ideal for varnishing toy soldiers. This is my latest batch - the last of the French Infantry (for now) , the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Legere and a French Cavalry General on a new 'dramatic' horse care of my wargaming collegue 'S' who is the proprietor Hinchliffe models and has kindly provided me with the General Staff . Some better photos to follow once they are dry.

Hand crafted Prussian Artillery .

 

I've had these cast up for a while (before the heat-wave) and as Prince August don't do any Prussin artillery and crews I have decided to convert the French ones. Luckily if you squint there is not much difference between the uniforms (well nothing a coat of paint won't cover up)and the guns are similar. I've added Shako covers to the hats and a greatcoat roll around the bodies to give them that 'Prussian' look. The guns cast up well this time without a lot of failures and cursing and any imperfections repaired using 'green stuff' , they are next on the painting list and I'll update when they are done.

'Kugelhagel' The Battle for the Bridge (Part 2 )

 

The French get lucky ! reinforcements are on the way ! (Hinchliffe General and a Minifigs Artillery Officer)

Tramp , tramp, tramp ! 2 Battalions of the 2nd Legere march to the rescue !

Just in time as the leading French Battalion breakes and flees , however the Prussian elation is short lived !. The victorious Prussian Battalion comes under Artillery fire and breaks as well - and even worse their CinC is killed trying to rally them ! (rolled a double 6 on his wound chart)

The reinforcement move up and engage the enemy - just in time as another French unit breaks under harassing fire from the Prussian Jaegers . The newly arrived French General used his 'Jokers' to move his units up and into position.

The Prussian Landwehr Lancers move around the open flank but the bridge is held by a French Battallion . Time is ticking and we are on move 5 out of 6 .

The Prussians force forward breaking the leading Battalion of the Legere, the other forms square to counter the threat of the enemy Cavalry and the French General plays his 'Joker' cards to evacuate the Artillery towards the bridge .

The ' Emporer's Daughters ' are safe across the bridge as the remaining 2 Battalions come under pressure from the Prussians .

End game ! the rather battered French have held the bridge for 6 moves and so win the scenario. I think the French being agressive early on bought them time and disorganised the Prussians , they were also lucky getting reinforcements so early and the crafty playing of 'Jokers' allowed the French to retire and get the guns away . An exciting game ! which could have gone either way . I think I'm getting my head around the rules, which plays quickly , there are a few quirky bits which had to scratch my head about , but I'm going to play some more games as they are ideal for solo play.

'Kugelhagel' The Battle for the Bridge (Part 1)

 

As this is the first battle using these rules I decided to keep it simple . The Prussians have to push aside the French and capture the bridge within 6 moves . French advance units in the centre , the Prussians coming down the road in the distance . 

The initial French force 3 Battalions of the 45th Ligne and a Battery of Artillery - reinforcement will arrive on a D6 dice roll .

The Prussians march onto the table they hane a Fusilier Batt. (count as Light Infantry) 2 Musketeer Battalions , 2 small units of Jaegers and a unit of Landwehr Lancers - both sides are more or less equal points with a slight advantage to the Prussians .

The French decide to take the battle to the enemy and advance the 1st. Battalion and open fire on the Prussian Fusileers who are disordered by the volleys from the French.

The Prussians draw this card and get to move a unit 3 times .I'm using an old deck of Skat cards - you only use 7,8,9,10 and Aces. 7,8 = 1 move activation - 9 = 2 activations 10, Ace = 3 activations .

Towards the end of the first turn , the white markers show how many times the unit has been activated (can be activated twice per move) . The forwards movement by the French has rather halted the Prussian advance forcing them to deploy early and holding up the arrival of the rest of the column.

The Prussians the Fusileer Battalion has deployed in open order to screen the column but has been disrupted by enemy fire, the Jaegers are deploying to the flanks and the Musketeer Battalions are starting to form assault columns.

The French get lucky and reinforcements will arrive next move , the Brigadier has 2 'Joker' cards which he can use to disrupt the order of play and activate a unit 3 times - very useful ! - Part 2 soon ! 

The way forward - 'Kugelhagel'

 

I've been 'umming and arrhing' which rules to use with my homecast Prince August 25mm Napoleonic collection . I bought this copy of 'Kugelhagel' * , the English translation of a German set of Horse & Muskets era rules - they are sort of  Black Powder with card activation - which I like as it is ideal for solo play ! .. They have taken some getting my head around as although simple D6 based the translation is a bit strange at times. Luckily there is an active Facebook group ((1) Facebook) where my questions have swiftly answered .

Have got a couple of more units done - here the 2nd Legere .

A Prussian Volunteer Jaeger unit - using that strange little figure I find quite cute ! 

The tabletop is set up ready for the game - a report from 'the Tabletop of Mars' coming soon ! 

*'Hail of Bullets'