Thursday, May 7, 2020

BMC House

This house began as a BMC "Gettysburg Frontier House."  Its basic style made it a perfect candidate for time travel to the 18th Century, but a few changes were required.

First, the covered porch was not attached.  Instead, a stone step (originally a flooring sample) was installed.






The walls were assembled and the house received a cream-colored interior coat of paint, as well as a black wash outside.  Interior windows and both sides of the door were accented with half-round plastic sprue (visible if you click on the top image).

The roof itself received very few changes, aside from shaving one edge slightly to accommodate the chimney.




The shutters were popsicle sticks that were embossed into the shutter pattern and painted.  They were then glued onto the building.  Most were glued open, but the window at the top does not have enough room for that.  Therefore, that window was permanently shut.





The chimney was an interesting and enjoyable piece of work.  Beginning with a piece of pink insulation foam, the shape was traced from a book and cut out.  Brick pattern was embossed using a pen.  The entire chimney was then painted in several different coats of red, and the mortar was painted after that.  Finally, a wash of black paint was applied to tone down the "fire engine red" color and give it a weathered look.

The interior was deliberately left plain to allow for the addition of any furniture desired.

However, I did add a fireplace (a wooden dollhouse accessory from Joann's).  The stone hearth was formed from Sculpey pressed into a rocky texture plate.  The hearth was painted gray, the mortar was painted beige, then washed with black wash.












It makes a perfect setting for the lovely Marx Colonial accessories, as well as Barzso's relaxed American Revolution camp figures.

Now this house is furnished inside and out, ready for any action that may arise!

Friday, April 17, 2020

Baileywick & Sir Bartleby (BMC)

These two gentlemen are attendants for King Roland and Queen Miranda (previously featured on http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/06/royalty.html)


The gentleman in the greyish-blue coat is Sir Bartleby.  His duties include commanding of one of King Roland's companies of guards. Though he earned his knighthood, it is likely that he is a knight baronet (and so his knighthood is hereditary).  This is an important point, as he is related to the royal family by marriage.  He wears five medals on his coat, which is also decorated with a golden chain lace piping on the hems and cuffs.


The other gentleman is Baileywick the castle steward.  In addition to overseeing all activities within the castle premises, he acts as an unofficial advisor to King Roland.  He will also defend the royal family if it becomes necessary.  He carries a pocket watch and is busy consulting it though his pair of silver spectacles.  Both Baileywick and Sir Bartleby tie their cravats in the old-fashioned (c. 1730s) style, with large bows.













King Roland II, Queen Miranda, Baileywick the steward, and Sir Bartleby are deep in consultation.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Through the Woods (Legends of the High Seas)

"Gaston?"
"Ha!  You thought I died!"

"Since France allied with the colonies, we have powerful friends."


"So do I.  Experienced hunters are much in demand during this quarrel between England and her colonies...and the British pay in gold!"


With no way to outfight Gaston, Belle and Prince Adam must escape from him.


This view shows the terrain that Belle and Prince Adam must cross to exit off Gaston's side of the table.  These are their victory conditions; Gaston wins by killing both Prince Adam and Belle.

For the first four turns, Prince Adam and Belle won priority, enabling them to advance across the board and use the forest for cover.  They stuck fairly near each other, as Gaston has a higher Fight value and could pick them off if they separated.
Priority then went to Gaston for Turns 5 and 6, enabling him to close with them.  Belle and Prince Adam regained Priority for Turn 7--only to make a major blunder.  Prince Adam advanced (unsupported) within charge range of Gaston.  Gaston promptly charged him, won the fight, and demolished Prince Adam's defense to lay him low.

Victory for Belle was now impossible, but she could still force a draw.  Gaston won priority for the next two turns, but Belle kept just out of his reach by leaving the forest and moving across the open road.  With her movement distance doubled (vs. slogging through the forest), Gaston would have to move quickly for victory.

But priority was won by Belle on Turn 10, who proceeded toward the board edge.  In the two remaining turns, Gaston attempted to close the gap, but Belle safely exited the board.

Neither side entirely fulfilled their victory conditions.  Since Belle did escape, I would call it a marginal victory for her.


Prince Adam was not killed.  Instead, he was stunned and left by Gaston, but quickly came to and disappeared before Gaston could return.  He and Belle are sure to have more adventures...once they are reunited.








(This was my first solo playthrough for Warhammer Historical's Legends of the High Seas ruleset.  The rules are easy to understand but allow for complexity.)

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Two's Company



Meet two bad sidekick dudes employed by Charles Kemp of the East India Company.  Mr. Kemp features as the villain in the movie Beyond the Mask.  Often he is escorted by these black-and-gray clad enforcers.

Some experts believe that their distinctive coats are the results of overdyeing red British army coats, then reattaching the linings and facings. It is certain, however, that this is an extremely distinctive uniform.  Their unique grey facings could have earned them the nickname "Kemp's Greys."

I currently have two privates and one officer of Kemp's Greys, as well as Kemp's bodyguard Basil in his uniform of this unit.  The officer, Basil, and the tall private are all Ideal recasts.  The shorter private is a BMC British grenadier.






The soldiers comb the terrain to find Will Reynolds (supposedly killed in action at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/10/beyond-mask-skirmish-game-part-ii.html)

" 'E was killed right near 'ere, Bill."
"Then why can't we find 'is body?"
"Keep searching."

Friday, January 24, 2020

Governor Weatherby Swann (Hawthorne Village)

This dapper old-fashioned gentleman was another Hawthorne Village piece.  Civilian figures for the 18th Century are rare enough, but those in a full wig are nearly impossible to find.

Until now.

Enter Hawthorne Village’s Governor Weatherby Swann.  He has a full wig and the long coat and waistcoat characteristic of the first half of the 18th Century.









Such a regal personage deserves an important position, and there are rumors King George will give him a posting in the American colonies.  (Though considering the disturbed state of the colonies at present, this may not be such a desired office!)



However, he will be ably supported by the determined Commodore James Norrington, as well as a proud company of British regulars. (For Commodore Norrington's gallery, visit http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/12/commodore-james-norrington.html)

Monday, January 6, 2020

Mustering the Troops--2019

In 2019 I achieved the goal of painting 29 figures.  However, only 28 are joining Redcoats and Ruffles because one was a gift.  (Click all images for larger versions)


Elite Continental light infantry are always useful, and the light company of the 2nd Canadian Regiment mustered three figures, with an additional light infantryman in a comfortable summer "uniform" of a hunting shirt.  The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment also mustered two fusiliers, as did the French Regiment Gatenais.
Gaskins’ detachment of the Virginia Line also began recruiting with two men.





The Loyalist unit Queen’s Rangers began its muster with three infantrymen.  Look for more from them in 2020!  King George's army was also reinforced with 5 privates of the 43rd Regiment of Foot.








Civilians had a strong 2019, with nine new figures. Some were royalty or nobility, while others were laborers.  Some have already been showcased on Redcoats and Ruffles: http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/12/commodore-james-norrington.html

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/06/royalty.html

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/01/libertys-kids-lady-phillips-disney.html

The rest eagerly await their turn in the spotlight.





The 29th figure was a present for my sister’s high school graduation.  It shows her in the costume she wore for her ballet solo en pointe.


Not counted in the 29 figures painted were three repaints, shown here.

These figures were at one time part of my "Seven Years War in India" project, but that has since been dropped and some of the figures repurposed.  The gentleman in light blue coat (originally the splendidly-named Willoughby Tregellis, Governor of St. Christopher's Island for the Honorable East India Company) appears perturbed at his change in status--held at gunpoint by two American militia.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Commodore James Norrington (Hawthorne Village)

This figure was originally named Commodore James Norrington, and I kept the name.  He is a recasting of the original, but some conversion work was done (most notably lengthening his sword from a letter opener into a blade for a true gentleman).






The sculpt was lovely and captured the personality of an aristocratic 18th Century officer perfectly.



He was painted as an officer of the British Royal Navy.  He appears happy to command a detachment of Marines, since he currently lacks a ship.









Figure cast with Amazing Casting Resin.  Painted with a mix of acrylics and enamels.