More Landsknecht Pikemen

Here's the latest batch of Landsknecht pikemen from the 1/72 scale set by Dark Dream Studios.

The flags are from Stuart Mulligan's Landsknecht painting guide, which you can find here:

http://www.stuartmulligan.com/landsknechts.htm

A huge thank you to Mr Mulligan. The painting guide is brilliant, and makes the confusing job of painting Landsknechts much easier.

Good news also for early C16th armies in 1/72 scale, with these new figures on their way from Dark Dream Studios: http://www.bennosfigures.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4571

Renaissance Cavalry

The next stage of my Maximilian Imperial army for DBA-RRR is complete - the cavalry. These figures are a box of Renaissance Knights from Dark Dream Studios. Great figures - some of the horse poses leave a little to be desired, but the riders are beautifully detailed, with very fine detail on their armour. They take some putting together, with separate swords, scabbards, crests etc, but I think the results are worth it.

I just made one small conversion, giving the commander a head from a Landsknecht rather than an enclosed helmet.

It seems that Dark Dream Studio are making a follow up set to their Landsknechts (http://www.bennosfigures.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4571) , and I for one am a happy man. I just wish they would go the whole hog and bring out Renaissance Swiss, Italians, Spanish, English .... Maybe one day.

Landsknecht Pikemen

Here is my first batch of Landsknecht pikemen, double based for DBA-RRR. Like the review on Plastic Soldier Review says, they are a bit of a nightmare to put together. But I'm pretty pleased with the end result.

Covenanter Flags 3

Here are three more Covenanter flags that I have just finished.

First up, a cavalry cornet from Forbes' Regiment of Horse, captured at Dunbar in 1650.

Also captured at Dunbar was this foot ensign. It may have been the colour of Colonel Sir Alexander Sutherland.

...and here's another ensign captured at Preston in 1648. This was the Colonel's colour for Lord Cranston's Regiment of Foot (the Edinburgh Levies).

Covenanter Flags 2

Here are three more Covenanter foot ensigns.

First up, a flag captured at Dunbar in 1650. It probably belonged to a Captain Christall from John Forbes of Leslie's regiment.

Next, an ensign captured at Preston in 1648. It may have belonged to a Captain Leslie in Sir Alexander Fraser of Philforth's Firelocks, raised in Aberdeenshire in 1648.

And the third one is a generic Covenanter ensign, using the motto as it appears on a surviving flag in the National Museum of Scotland.

Enjoy.

Work in Progress: Landsknechts!

My next big project for 2010 is to paint up a Maximilian Imperial army from the early 16th Century for DBA-RRR. All the figures are from Dark Dream Studios, comprising a box of their Landsknecht Dopplesoldners and Arquebusiers, a box of Landsknecht pikemen and a box of Renaissance knights. I've finished the first batch, the Dopplesoldners (double-pay men) whose job it was to hack their way into the enemy pike blocks using their monstrous two handed swords.

The first element completed for the army is the forlorn hope, who were identified by carrying a plain red Blutfahne ('blood banner')

I haven't based the other Dopplesoldners yet. The plan is to base the pikemen on extra- deep bases, and to include these figures ahead of the pikes.

Landsknechts are very tricky to paint, with their layers of slashed clothing revealing different colours. The best book I've found so far to explain how the clothing was actually made is the Osprey Landsknecht Soldier by John Richards, from their Warrior series.

Covenanter Flags 1

I've been painting a few more ECW flags, and today it's the turn of the Scots Covenanters. All these flags are infantry ensigns.

'Reviresco' means 'I Flourish Again'. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out except for the gold Covenanter motto. I haven't found a solution for writing in gold yet, and any suggestions are welcome. This ensign was carried by a Captain Aikman, who served in Colonel John Lindsay of Edzell's Regiment, raised in Forfarshire in 1650. Alternatively, it may have been a Captain's colour from the Earl of Nithsdale's Regiment of Foot. The flag was captured by Cromwell's troops at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650.

This one was captured at Preston in 1648. It probably belonged to a Catptain Erskine, from Colonel George Keith's regiment, raised in Aberdeenshire in 1648.

This one is probably a Colonel's colour, and possibly from the Master of Caithness' Regiment of Foot. It was also captured at Dunbar in 1650.

Two More Royalist Standards

Here are two more cornets captured from the Royalists at the Battle of 1st Newbury.

The motto (Dona dei utraque regi) means 'Both gifts of god are for the king'. The two gifts are the crown and the wreath of victory.

The motto means 'Square in every way'. The source for this cornet is a book from 1655 by Thomas Blount, titled The Art of Making Devises'. According to Blount the bearer of this cornet was probably proclaiming his hatred of anything to do with roundheads. Which is a bit naff.

More ECW Flags

Here are my latest two ECW cavalry cornets. Hope somebody finds them useful.

Parliamentarian, 1642-. Captain Booth of Cheshire. Motto means 'Not without cause'.

Royalist, 1643-14 June 1645 (captured at Naseby). This cornet was probably one of a series used by Sir Horatio Cary and his officers in a regiment of horse raised in the West Country in late 1643. The motto is an insult directed at the Earl of Essex, whose wife was notoriously unfaithful. A similar cornet with red ground was also captured at Naseby.

Wargaming the English Civil War in 1/72 Scale Part 4: Flags

There were three types of flags used in the English Civil Wars: Ensigns, Cornets and Guidons. All were generically known as ‘colours’. Ensigns were used by foot, cornets by horse and guidons by dragoons.

You can find a great introduction to ECW flags here:

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=uGBG25-u67kC&pg=PR23&lpg=PR23&dq=english+civil+war+flags&source=bl&ots=HbkC5hKVkt&sig=YPqBCSyB44R_qix6Xg1Pucy-wc0&hl=en&ei=baCIS_v_ENGGkAXTpc0C&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CCYQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=english%20civil%20war%20flags&f=false

This gives the full introduction from The English Emblem Tradition Vol. 3: Emblematic Flag Devices of the English Civil Wars 1642-1660 by Alan R. Young, 1995. I own this book and it is great, giving a description and illustration (when known) of every known flag from the English Civil Wars that bears an emblem and slogan of some sort. This does mean however that most of the flags included are cavalry cornets. The book doesn’t include the more generic foot ensigns.

1. Ensigns

Ensigns were carried by each company of foot. They were usually about 2 metres square, so in 1/72 scale should measure about 2.8cm square. They were carried on short poles (around 2.3 metres long) to allow flourishing and twirling. In both Parliamentarian and Royalist armies the ensigns followed a similar design scheme. The ensign belonging to the Colonel was usually plain, the Lieutenant-Colonel’s ensign bore only the cross of St George in the top left corner. The ensigns of the Captains commanding each of the (usually 5) companies usually bore a number of heraldic devices or symbols, the number of which showed the seniority of the Captain. The more senior the Captain, the fewer devices.

This scheme is well illustrated on some free flags for the Earl of Essex’s army available on the Warflag site:

http://www.warflag.com/flags/ecw/ecw.shtml

Some other free ensigns are available here:

http://tmg110.tripod.com/british6.htm

http://www.quindia.com/studioart08.htm

Covenanter, Scots Royalist and Irish Confederate ensigns were a little different. Covenanter ensigns were usually, but by no means always, based on the St Andrew’s saltire, with some variation on the motto ‘Covenant for Religion, Crown and Kingdom’ or similar. In addition, the ensigns often included some heraldic emblem, often denoting the regiment’s colonel.

A few beautiful flags for Scots Royalists, Covenanters and Irish are available on the Project Auldearn blog:

http://auldearn1645.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-08-01T14%3A29%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7

If you want to buy ensigns for your ECW armies, the only option I am aware of in 1/72 scale is Rofur Flags:

http://www.rofur-flags.de/liste2a/liste2a-engl.htm

Some are also available from Tiny Tin Troops, but I couldn’t work out what scale these are:

http://www.tinytintroops.co.uk/Flags/flags_ECW.htm

2. Cornets

Cornets were much smaller than ensigns, measuring only 60cm square, which is about 0.8cm in 1/72 scale! I usually make them a lot bigger than this, going for the visual appeal over strict accuracy. Cornets were carried on lances between 2.44 metres and 2.74 metres in length. Unlike ensigns, cornets usually had a fringe, and bore a much greater variety of images and slogans. Many included outright propaganda messages. I’m not aware of any free cornets on the internet, or of anyone selling them in 1/72 scale. So I’ve decided to make some, and will put them up on this blog as they become available. Just resize them as you see fit on a colour printer. If anyone uses these I would love to see the finished product. Here are two for starters:

Parliamentarian Cornet belonging to Captain Dobbins of Worcestershire (1642-). Motto means 'While I breathe, I hope.'

Pariamentarian Cornet (1642-). Bearer unknown. Motto means 'Death for me is gain.

3. Guidons

Guidons were carried by dragoons. They were a similar size to cornets, but were distinguished by having a swallow-tail shape. The designs followed a similar scheme to infantry ensigns.

II/19 Scots Covenanter Army for DBA-RRR

Right - I finished the artillery for my Covenanters (guns and crew from Tumbling Dice). So the army is complete and ready to march on Newcastle. Here are some images of the army arrayed.

Tumbling Dice volley gun.

The manor house in the background was a real find. It is a card model from Metcalfe Models, designed for use with HO/OO railway layouts. It was a joy to put together, everything fitting perfectly. It probably has some anachronistic features as it it supposed to be a renovated C17th manor house still in use in the C20th, but I have pretty much left it as is, just repainting the modern door, and changing the date above the door from 1679 to 1629. I am going to mount this on a base with some sort of garden and enclosing wall, and will also get hold of a great church model made by Metcalfe.

After painting the dour Covenanters I'm desperate for a project involving colour. Swinging to the other extreme, I'm going to make a Maximilian Imperial army, using the Renaissance knights and Landsknechts from Dark Dream Studio.

Covenanter foot complete!

I have just finished the foot component of my Covenanter army for DBA-RRR. This consists of 5 elements of pike and 5 of muskets, based in my usual unorthodox manner. The figures are nearly all Tumbling Dice, with a couple of SHQ musketeers skulking in the background. The SHQ figures have loads of character, but their muskets look like toys compared to the (overscale) weapons carried by the TD figures. Pikes are all made from trusty broom bristles, and the flags were taken (with great appreciation) from the Project Auldearn blog.

These are just some hasty photos. I have two elements of artillery to go to finish the army, and then I'll post some images of them all in their dour Presbyterian glory.

The Covenanters!

I've just finished the cavalry for my DBA-RRR Covenanter army. Here's a sight to strike fear into any heart - heavily armed Presbyterians. All figures are 1/72 metal from Tumbling Dice.

First up, the Covenanter general, who is based as a single figure under the DBA-RRR rules.

'After yon Papist!'

Next, three elements of horse, using slightly different basing rules to DBA-RRR to make them consistent with the rest of my ECW figures.

The banner is a simplified attempt at a Covenanter flag captured by Cromwell's troops at Dunbar in 1650. While looking for flags I found this excellent reference.

Finally, an element of lancers. These are converted from Tumbling Dice figures holding muskets, and the helmeted head is from a figure in the A Call To Arms command set. The lances are broom bristles.

Next up - musketeers.

ECW Parliamentary Cavalry

This is just a quick update with my first figures finished for 2010 - a unit of Parliamentary horse. The riders are from Tumbling Dice (with one from SHQ). The horses are mainly Tumbling Dice, but with a few Revell horses thrown in for variety. I think they match up pretty well.

Now that these chaps are finished I'm concentrating on my first big project for the year - making a Covenanter army for DBA-RRR.

Wargaming the English Civil War in 1/72 Scale Part 3: Artillery

3. Artillery

So, you have your cavalry and infantry for your ECW army, but what about the artillery? Fear not, you are well served.

Revell Imperial Artillery

See the review here:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=310

A great set. Three guns, a surfeit of crew figures and a horse team to pull one of your guns. Sadly this set has been out of production for some time, and attracts crazy prices on Ebay. Mars has pirated the set, but their effort only includes some of the crew and leaves out the horse team. As usual with Mars the quality of the moulding is awful. Grab the Revell set if you can.

Revell guns and crew

Revell horse team

A Call to Arms Royalist Artillery

See the review here:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=20

Ignore the title. As with all of ACTA sets this is equally appropriate for Royalists, Parliamentarians or Scots too for that matter. Four guns and nicely moulded crew figures in four poses. Nothing like the variety of figures that Revell offers, but good enough for wargamers.

Mars Swedish Army with Culverin

This new release appears to be an original effort from Mars, and it looks promising. See images of the figures here:

http://www.marsfigures.com/

The horses are awful, but the gun, crew and mounted officers look quite useful. I will be getting this at some stage.

Tumbling Dice

Tumbling Dice have a number of guns and crew for the ECW, from very light falcons and volley guns to demi-culverins. I have two of these (unpainted) and they are excellent. The crew figures as usual with TD come with separate heads, there is a good range of poses, and the guns also come with accessories (barrels etc). Highly recommended.

Light gun and crew from Tumbling Dice

That pretty much concludes this little survey of what’s available for the ECW in 1/72 scale. There is far more variety than one might expect, especially if you are prepared to use metal figures as well.

Wargaming the English Civil War in 1/72 Scale Part 2: Cavalry

Revell 30YW Swedes painted as Parliamentarian horse

Cavalry and Dragoons

There are fewer options for ECW horse in 1/72 than for infantry, but it is still quite possible to build up varied and accurate units of cavalry and dragoons. Here are the possibilities.

Revell Swedish Cavalry

Read the review here:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=311

This is a beautiful set of cavalry for the 30YW that contains possibly the best horses ever made in this scale. The figures are quite suitable for the ECW (apart from some minor quibbles about swords), and include cuirassiers, harquebusiers and unarmoured horse suitable for dragoons. The Revell set of Swedish infantry also incidentally includes some kneeling figures armed with flintlocks who make great dismounted dragoons.

Dragoons (Revell figures)

You could easily just use this set to provide the cavalry for a Royalist or Parliamentarian army, but there is one problem – availability. In its wisdom Revell has not produced the set for years, although it seems to have just been re-released as a limited edition and is advertised on the Michigan Toy Soldier site. My advice is to grab some while you can. Another alternative, depending on your scruples and tolerance for carving off flash, is to buy the pirated copies of the set produced by Mars. They have released badly moulded and quite illegal copies split into two boxes – cuirassiers and dragoons.

If you can’t get hold of this set, there are some other possibilities.

Strelets Reitars of Charles XII

Read the review here:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=825

These figures are for the Great Northern War. However, they can be converted into pretty reasonable ECW cavalry. They don’t mix well with Revell though, being the usual Strelets ‘chunky’ style. To convert them, cut off the heads of any figures wearing tricorne hats and replace them with heads from A Call To Arms. The Reitars aren’t wearing backplates, but this can easily be disguised with a good paint job. It would also probably be more realistic to carve off some or all of the holster covers on the horses, as they look a bit too ‘18^th Century’. I quite like the effect of these figures, particularly for the New Model Army.

SHQ

SHQ have some 20mm ECW cavalry in metal. They didn’t impress me as much as their infantry. Poses are few, and the horses are too small. Some of the riders can be used in a unit on different horses.

From left to right: Three Tumbling Dice riders, a TD 'heavy' horse, a SHQ horse, SHQ rider, ACTA pikeman

Tumbling Dice

Tumbling Dice riders compared to Mars copies of Revell figures

TD have a good range of cavalry and dragoons with separate heads. This allows for more variation in a unit, and also allows figures to be used as Covenanters. The main problem with TD figures is the lack of variety in the horse poses. They have two – one with pistol holsters and one without. If. Like me, you don’t want your cavalry to appear to me trotting in step, you will have to source your horses from elsewhere. I have mounted a few on Revell horses, and like their look.

TD (and one SHQ) riders on TD and Revell horses

Next time - the artillery.