Thomas Fairfax

Here's Sir Thomas Fairfax.  One of the more popular roundhead generals.  It's a Warlord games figure.  The horse is really animated and enjoyable to paint.  The drum is from as Warlord infantry command sprue.

ECW Warlord Dragoons

Warlord make some great ECW figures in their metal range and the Dragoons box set are no exception.  They are require assembly for the plastic horses and there are plenty of options for hats.  The figures have plenty of detail, carrying lanterns, rabbits and other paraphernalia.  Even if you are not into this period- they are a great fun to paint and worth the money! There are mounted and unmounted troops to offer more flexibility on the gaming table. 

Another Firelock Storming Party

Here is another firelock storming party made by warlord Miniatures.  The drummer and officer are both metal and are really superb miniatures. Next up on the ECW table is a unit of dragons.

Some more ECW figures

 Some additions to the Grand Royal Army!

I have been neglecting my duties of adding to the blog- mostly due to the miserable weather.  However....today was the perfect day for taking photos of miniatures.  Here are some English Civil War figures I have painted recently.  The blue regiment is a mix of Warlord and Redoubt figures.  The Warlord figures are the command and pike from their 30 Years War box set and the Shotte are all Redoubt.  Redoubt make some of my favourite ECW figures- however- their moulds seem to be getting a bit tired and they need a fair bit of clean up.  Warlord minis always seem to be crisp.

The figures below are from the Warlord Firelock Storming party box.  Many of them are conversions through.  Having painted a few boxes of Warlord ECW plastics, I have accumulated quite a few bodies without arms.  Interestingly, the Firelock box gives you extra arms!  -and voila! some of the easiest conversions ever!

Firelock Storming Party

The Petard crew is also a Warlord set.  These metal figures are bravely storming the fortifications.  I wasn't sure how to base these figures and toyed with individual bases and combinations- but finally arrived at the idea of putting them all on one base. They were lovely figures to paint.  Full of character and detail.

Petard Crew

The Lord and Lady have come to view the spectacle!

Here is the beginnings of my ECW camp for my army.  The Lord and his good lady have kindly come down from the manor to see the Kings good men dispense some royal justice!  No day out in the countryside would be complete without bringing your favorite spaniel.  Of course, you couldn't walk it yourself- so that is why the kennel-boy is on hand.   The figures are made by Redoubt, who have a varied range of character and vignettes from this period.  The clothes on these figures were lovely to paint.  The only detraction was an unsightly cast line across her face, which was hard to clean up. 

Warlord Royalist Cavalry- Sir Monty's Cavaliers!

Here is another completed box from the Warlord Pike and Shotte range.  These figures are from the Royalist cavalry which happens to be the same as the Parliamentarian box, just with different artwork!  I wanted my Cavaliers to have a bit more dash and style than those in the set (and reality).  So I have added a few flourishes here and there.  I have used some Redoubt helmeted heads that I had lying around and with creative use of greenstuff and some parts left from one of the infantry box sets, I have added some feathers and 'puffy' sleeves.  I have based these up for FOGR.
These gents are now ready to chase some roundheads fom the field of battle- never to return!  The flag is hard to make out in the photo- but it depicts two bones in the shape of a cross.  Just what Sir Monty likes best!

Onwards -- for King and glory!

The other cavalier at our house! Sir Monty!

More ECW Artillery and Cavalry

 Here are some pictures of my latest additions to my ECW retinue.  First up is the 'big gun'.  This stand is a hodge-podge of makes. The gun is made by essex, the wheels are GW plastic cart wheels and the crew are from the Warlord Mortar kit.  It all came together nicely and the sculpting of the crew makes the painting of them an absolute joy!

Here we have some other conversions.  The figures are based upon the Warlord Royalist Cavalry kit.  The horses are untouched other than some green stiff to fill the gaps.  The riders were originally a bit small for my liking, especially when compared to the excellent Warlord and Redoubt metal figures I have already.  Using some excess Redoubt heads I was able to make a swap and add some height.  One figure has a 'fancy' sleeve employed from the spares box, left over from the infantry box set and the other arm was made from green stuff.  The carbine was in the original box.  Overall, they came up quite well and shall add some variety to my cavalier units.

Oliver Cromwell and the Saker Gun

Here are some images of my recent ECW efforts.  Below is the magnificently designed Saker cannon from Warlord Games- with an additional Master Gunner - of course! This was a pleasure to paint and I have not seen a gun or crew from this period to rival it.  This is the same as model depicted on the rear cover of the Field of Glory Renaissance rules. 

 Here is Oliver Cromwell in his glory.  Depicted in his earlier days, when he led the fearsome 'Ironsides' before he became "Lord Protector' or just a plain old megalomaniac! Oliver here is showing off his 'secret' or armoured skull cap. Once again, this was made by Warlord Games.  Below he is 'revving' up the troops for the charge- probably quoting revelations or some such! The figures in this lot are a mix of Redoubt and Essex with a couple of conversions and even one chap has a Prince August head!


Let's give those Cavaliers a taste of holy steel!



Chins up lads!

CHAAARGE!

Bill and Barney Lead the Baggage Train

Every good army needs a baggage train.  Here is part of a project I have been working on.  The two figures have been in my collection waiting for a paint for almost two decades!

Bill The Pony

Bill the pony is the same one that followed the fellowship of the Lord of the Rings.  He is good friends with Sam and Tom Bombadil  and on occasion will carry baggage for the odd Pike and Shotte army!  He is a two piece casting and comes from the original Citadel miniatures range for the Lord of the Rings way back in 1885/6 when Citadel held the licence.  I'm surprised that I have kept him unpainted for so long!  Upon investigation on the Stuff of Legends site, I found that I have collected most of the figures in the seres and still have them! Here is a link to the  fellowship of the ring boxed set from which Bill came from.

'Barney' the Donkey and cart do not keep the same illustrious company as Bill.  They are about 21 years old. Originally, the cart came with a coachman with some outlandish blunderbuss, whom I still have tucked away in a box somewhere.  It is a great looking cart that can fit many periods.  Barney and the coachman (picture at the bottom of page)

Barney and Cart

As an aside, here is a stand from immortal's plastic Greeks set.  They are a lovely kit and a challenge to paint.  The waterslide transfers are very good.

Immortal Greeks

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!

Against all Traitors! - The Strathbogie Regiment, Montrose and the Frame Gun

The Montrose forces were bolstered by the Strathbogie Regiment. At one stage, they were one of the best equipped regiments in Scotland, they began their life on the side of the Covenantors at the beginning of the the war and later joined Montrose to fight the Royalist cause.
Below are figures form the Warlords Games plastic box set painted in the colours of the Strathbogie regiment (which is pretty much hodden grey- the same as everyone else!) They flew a version of the Royal Colours with God save the King and "For God and the King and Against all Traitouris" emblazoned on it.  That would have really got up the nose of the Covenantors!

Here he is! The great Montrose Himself.  A Warlords game lead figure. He was an absolute treat to paint and will lead the army well!

A Scots frame gun.  Complete with leather clad barrels and the tar paint job.  Those Scots were sure big on practicality!

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!