The recently acquired Starter Army box of Warlord (ex Wargames Factory) figures included 4 sprues (40 figures) of American militia. There are two distinct body types; typical "civilian" type dress and frontier/woodsmen, in hunting shirts etc.
I have put together two of the frames, so I have two small units of ten militiamen each. In some cases, they may become larger units of three or even four bases, but I dent know if I will mix and match both body types together when I assemble the next two sprues or not.... thoughts?
"Civilian" Militia first
And the Frontiersmen second
With my reignited interest in the AWI, I pulled this book from my "library". I got it many years ago and think it may be the best "resource" book I own - its packed full of info on the AWI - many, many battles and engagements, some only a few hundred men on each side, pen portraits of almost anyone of any note involved in the conflict, as well as sundry information on tactics, strategy etc
This snippet, for example, I used to justify regulars v militia having a big advantage in melee when I wrote some AWI rules and scenarios!
That is it for tonight - a second Continental regiment is nearing completion.
Great work on the figures Keith. They are proportionally speaking quite pleasing to look at.
ReplyDeleteI like the snippets. Weather might be something to factor into some of AWI games.
Thanks Ricgard, and yes, the idea if a rain soaked battlefield is something I have considered several times, since first reading that particular gem of wisdom!
DeleteKeith, great work. You will have a fine force in no time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joe...let's hope so!
DeleteSuper work, Keith! Looks like your production rate seen an increase too. I don’t see why mixing and matching would not be entirely appropriate. Besides, it will provide an even more motley look to your it’s.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts Jon, I will have a think about it!
DeleteI'm sure that whatever direction you go with the next batch of these, they'll look splendid. Really like the look of the ones on display. Several of the best reference books on my shelves are from Cassell: great publisher!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed, yes, I am pretty sure I have several Cassell publications too!
DeleteNice work. You can mix the guys in hunting shirts into units of continentals for a bit of variety. Also some continentals used a dyed hunting shirt as their uniform., seen some in white, blue and a purple shade.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scotty and yes, I already considered that...however. the hunting shirt figures also have backwoods trousers(pants!), and weapons ie long rifles or muskets minus bayonets, so to make a regular unit wearing hunting shirts would involve a lot of converting! I am not sure if the Perry boxes perhaps come with a hunting shirt torso option??
DeleteGreat looking AWI, you're certainly crushing it.
ReplyDeleteI say go for it with the mix and match. 😁
Found this one in spam Stew.....thanks for this and your second comment!
DeleteNice work on the militia, you have done a fine job on them, your forces are building up very nicely. You are right about the book, it's a cracker I was recommended it and glad I got it, so much information in it.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Donnie...it is a great book, for sure! I used a lot of the info in it to create half a dozen AWI scenarios, many moons ago...I think we played Bunker Hill (of course!), Brandywine and maybe Monmouth Courthouse
DeleteMore than beautiful work sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michal!
DeleteThey are coming together beautifully Keith. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on that book as it seems really interesting. That is an interesting snippet on the use of the bayonet, and I was reading the other day about an incident where the British commander took the ammunition from his men to ensure they could only use the bayonet during a surprise night attack on some encamped militia.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence....I Googled the book to get an image of it, and it seems to be readily available still
DeleteGreat looking figures Keith.
ReplyDeleteI have no knowledge of the AWI but thought perhaps there could be a mixture of two types due to smaller towns including both townsmen and woodsmen for the same unit.
Thanks Ben, and that is probably a fair point....two mixed units coming to a painting desk me soon!
DeleteExcellent work Keith! I tend to keep my units seperate, so the hunting shirt chaps tend to me skirmishers/elite troops, whilst the other militia and of poorer quality and morale. Any spares are mixed together and can then count as whatever I want them to be for that scenario.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks like and excellent resource and nice snippets of info on the bayonets. I remember reading in Urban's book on the AWI how the British tended to advance, fire one volley and charge, which would often cause the militia etc to flee. Not having bayonets themselves seems a reasonable reason to leg it when facing with chaps who have!
Thanks for your opinion on the militia debate, Steve!
DeleteAs to your comments on militia decamping when faced with a Bayonet charge...totally agree!
What I really like about that book is, despite being written by an ex US Army Colonel, it debunks lots of the accepted myths of the AWI.
Nicely done Keith they have worked out well, I picked up a number of sprues of these but never got round to painting them as they don’t really fit with my other figures and I’m not keen on the ‘long’ muskets !
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt! I do know what you mean about the "long" muskets...they seem VERY long!
Deletemy earlier comment was eaten by the internet it seems, or into the spam folder. oh well.
ReplyDeleteanyways, nice troops, they look great. I think mixing the types together will be fine. 😁
Thanks for your comment and opinion Stew. I do check the spam folder a couple of times per week, but there has been nothing there recently 🙃
DeleteTwo great little units Keith. I can't see any problem mixing the 2 styles together. Having different poses and different uniforms will make them look even more ragged, so perfect for Militia.
ReplyDeleteCheers Ray, mixed units it shall he, I think!
DeleteLovely work Keith …
ReplyDeleteThe snippets from your book go to showing that they certainly didn’t like it….. up em!
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly....and quite right too!
DeleteImpressive buildings, Keith. I haven't been over to Matakishi's Tea House in awhile, but he does have some great stuff there. Nice work on the AWI guys too.
ReplyDeleteThanks a little Dean....I dropped the buildings off with Barry today....stupid me, I meant to take a couple of photos but got carried away with the excitement of the game! Ended up being 9 single level buildings, a couple of two story ones, and a mosque with minaret!
DeleteThat is " thanks a lot" obviously...bloody phone!
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