Coehorn Mortar With Crew And Transport.

Finally getting through the backlog of painted figures that needed finishing off . First up is the Coehorn mortar and crew for which I did some conversion work on the figures .

The mortar needs some transport and it seems they just used a light cart to carry it around . The cart is a MDF model , the horse a spare plastic one and the driver a converted Lowlander . 

The completed group, the gunners are converted Imex AWI artillerymen , rather pleased how this has turned out and it's a bit different from the usual run of the mill artillery .

The Argyll Militia

Rather than just having red coated Line infantry to represent the Government forces I decided to have some of the of the Argyll Militia that were raised by Archibald Campbell 3rd Duke of Argyll . These were not uniformed but wore a black cockade and a red cross on their bonnets . 

The figures are by Red Box  from their Militia and Loyalist troops  ,  my hand was not steady enough to paint crosses, so I just gave them red cockades instead . They took part in some of the smaller actions and raids but tended to be kept out of the way in the main battles to prevent confusion with the enemy Highlanders . I'm putting the finishing touches to the first of my Government Line Regiments .

Sir John Cope .

I've got my Government C in C done - here is Sir John Cope the British Commander at Prestonpans with his ADC . There are nearly enough figures completed for a small game later this coming week .  

Goverment Firepower .

The Coehorn mortar was used frequently for field actions during the Jacobite rebellions , at Glen Shiel in 1719 and at Prestonpans and Culloden , it was popular because it was light and easily transportable plus it's high trajectory was ideal  for shelling targets on the steep glens in Scotland . 

I thought I must have one for my Government forces . Of course nobody does one in 1/72nd scale , I am going to use the Imex AWI British gunners for my artillery crews and their gun looks like a small howitzer - so I cut one up - removing the wheels , trail etc and mounted it on a thin piece of MDF to look like a Coehorn . The crew have been given larger cuffs and coat tails using 'green stuff' to make them look more in period . I'm afraid the photo doesn't show thing very well I will post a photo when they're painted .

A Slight Deviation .

I had the table set up for a TSATF N.W. Frontier game ( http://tonystoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2019/02/return-to-rogan-josh-valley-part1.html) Then I remembered my old gaming pal 'R' was calling round , since he moved to the deep South I don't see him very often so whilst visiting family up here he was calling for a game . Not wishing to force my eccentricities on other people (TSATF isn't for everyone) I converted the table from the N.W of Indian to the N.W of Italy and we played a game set in the Italian wars of Independence 1860ish .

We used 'Black Powder' a set of rules we both know and I was the Austrians and 'R' was the Piedmontese . It was an encounter game between to advance guard forces trying to capture the bridge over the river . 'R' got there first with his Lancers and drove off my Hussars whilst his infantry moved up .

It was a quick and eventful game but due to my poor leadership values of my Generals I struggled to respond to his attacks and soon the casualties mounted up (the red counters) and my force fell apart before my reinforcements could arrive  , a great game even though I lost and proves you can fight a game successfully with BP without masses of figures .

The Earl Of Loudoun's Regiment Of Foote.

Have made a start on the Government forces to oppose my Jacobites . This is the Earl Of Loudoun's Regt. (64th) , there were only three weak companies at Prestonpans left guarding the baggage train but I have decided to paint up a full size unit of six bases .

The figures are from the Redbox Highland Infantry box and I think they are rather nice .

Here are the command base the flag was a nightmare to get right , there is some dispute on the colour of the regimental facings - either white or light buff - I went for buff . I'm painting up the first of the British foot next .

Return To The Rogan Josh Valley (part1)

When I'm stuck for an idea to game my default setting is something Old School and I thought it was time for another North West Frontier game using 'The Sword And The Flame' . The Imperial force is attempting to attack the troublesome Rogan Josh valley and it's way is being blocked by a force of irregular tribesmen . I diced for the starting positions of the British force and also for the Afghans .

I diced for the composition of the Afghans  from a chart I made up with ten ready made forces on it and it produced 3 bands of  irregular tribesmen  , a gun and a cavalry unit . Here we see the Afghan leader Bungit Din having a lively 'discussion' with a mysterious Russian officer whilst the Burpa tribesmen take up positions . (overtones here of Carry On Up The Khyber)

The somewhat antiquated gun is sighted on the approaching British force.

The British commander General Crawley ('Creepy' to the other ranks ) blissfully unaware of the hidden enemy awaits the rest of his force , behind him a company of the 14th Sikhs await his orders .

And here they are - 2 Companies of Gurkhas and a Mountain gun (not on the table yet) moving down the road past the chance cards and rule book .  Too be continued ……..

(PS I apologies for the non appearance of the second part of the O.S ACW game - my camera battery died on me )