The Master Gunner and the Priest

Below are a few little projects that I have been working on over the last couple of days.  I am currently putting together my artillery and baggage trains for my ECW armies and here is a taste of what is to come!

A Saker Cannon.  This was an Essex Rennaisance Cannon.  I liked the size of it, particularly the barrel, but the wheels were too primitive (4 spoked) for this period.  I replaced teh wheels with some GW ones I had sitting around and it fits the period perfectly! 

The Master Gunner is a superb metal figure from Warlord games. Many of their metal figures from the Pike and Shotte range are exceptional in terms of detail, proportion, accuracy and character.  Master gunners were valued personel, a mix of scientist and artist.  Despite the innacuracy and unpredictable nature of these big guns, the men that oversaw them were highly regarded. One contemporary account declares that in the absence of the high command that the artillery shall assume the role! This guy sits with one knee on the gun as he sights it up to let it go!

This priest is just the man to whip the irish brigade boys into a Papist frenzy!  He is a very old Citadel miniature.  I have added the crook to pull any lost lambs back into the fold!

Montrose Scots- The Irish Brigade and Scots Lancers

I haven't been posting too much recently, because I have been consumed with the painting of grey!  These units are the latest addition to my Montrose Royalist army.  No Montrose army is complete without the Irish brigade.  These troops were arguably some of the most experienced and competent to fight in the civil wars.  They were desperate men, many had served as mercenaries on the continent and about a third of them were displaced Scots; many of them MacDonalds, looking to return to their piece of the homeland. They knew that the stakes were high and that there would be no privileges given if they were captured.  The figures below are a mixed bag.  The Shot are Foundry figures and the pike are made by Warlord Games.  There is a converted Foundry drummer in there somewhere.  The Colours are hand painted.

Irish Foot (Shot)

Irish Officer

The Scots lancers are all Warlord Games figures and are armed to the teeth.  Many have minor conversions, with the addition of bonnets and extra pistols. 

Lastly, the highland gentlemen (in a previous post) and the Irish Boys need a  leader.  The reputation and prowess if Alasdair MacDonald or MacColla the Devastator!  He is a character who was literally larger than life, apparently he stood a good foot taller than the average man and was a charismatic and ruthless leader.  He is credited for uniting the highland clans with Montrose and gave the Covenators something to think about!
The figures here, which will form the command of my highland gentlemen are all Warlord Games models, with MacColla being the tallest one!

On the painting table: Strathbogie Regiment of Foot (90% finished, Scots Frame gun and Crew, A Falconet Gun and crew and Montrose Himself!