Lovely weather for painting

I've been taking advantage of the lovely sunshine in the North East of England and getting lots of stuff completed. In this heat I can get the bases all completed with the quick drying times compared to the normal 24-48 hours it usually takes.

First up is some extra Native Americans, the 3 bases of cavalry and the casualty figures that I was waiting on the bases for. The riders are a mix of Tabletop, Friekorps and Peter Pig. The casualty figures are all from Peter Pig.

The other figures I completed for the Pony wars were two more companies of US infantry from the 9th regiment, 'G' and 'H' companies. These are all from Friekorps.

In a bit of a change I bought myself a single sprue of the Town Watch for Guards of Traitors Toll. They are lovely figures from Wargames Atlantic. Neil G and Thom from the Club are putting a display game for Border Reiver, so I thought I better learn the rules and what better way than using your own figures. I went for a simple sky blue/white for their tabards.

For the bases I used some air drying clay as I want to represent cobblestones that would match Thom's gaming mat. I'm quite happy with how the bases turned out for the first attempt Now back to getting some US cavalry finished over the weekend.

US Infantry and extras

The Infantry played a significant role in the Pony wars, garrisoning the frontier forts and supporting the cavalry. Looking at the Order of battle for Rosebud creek, there were 5 companies present, so I needed to paint some up. These are 'A' company from the 9th US Infantry. The figures are all from Friekorps. I've kept them to my standard 5 bases for a unit.

After these were done I realised I had run out of the appropriate bases for both the cavalry and native Americans. I had painted up 6 mounted warriors for the natives. So I switched tack and added another wagon and some casualty figures as I'll need these for the game (I even ran out of these bases) I still have the eight for the Native Americans to base.

With a game against Mitch on Tuesday to work through the rules he asked to see what he would be commanding so I took the opportunity to photograph the completed figures so far for both sides.

US cavalry column

Native Americans

Lakota and Oglala warriors

With a larger game planned for Thursday I am painting up two more companies of US infantry, I also have the loan of part of Robbo's collection, providing another three troops of US cavalry and 20 bases of Native Americans. Should be a good couple of games.

To further expand the collection I have the following for the Native Americans, 6 more bases of cavalry, villagers, 2 more Tepees, casualty figures and a smoke signal set. For the US army I have 2 more troops of cavalry, 2 more companies of infantry, a wagon, 5 more bases of Crow scouts, armed civilians and more casualty figures. Should keep me busy over the next few weeks.

'A' troop, 2nd Cavalry

In preparation for a run out of the rules next Tuesday, I completed a 4th troop of US cavalry. The mounted figures are all from Warrior miniatures and the dismounted troopers are Peter Pig, a mix of Pony Wars and ACW figures. These were leftovers from my ACW forces. At 15mm I think the ACW figures are a close enough proxy.

The guidons are home made and represent 'A' troop from the 2nd cavalry. The other three troops I have are all from the 3rd cavalry. The main reason these are a different regiments is because the figures are slightly larger than the Peter Pig figures. So going forward the 3rd cavalry will be Peter Pig and 2nd cavalry will be a mix of Warrior and Tabletop. This works for me as I'm basing the collection loosely on Crook's force at the Rosebud Creek

More Native Americans

With plans for a game in a couple of weeks at the club I needed to get more Native Americans painted up. First is six bases each of mounted warriors and infantry. These are a mix of Tabletop, Freikorps and Peter Pig miniatures, the infantry are all from Hovels.

Now to lead my Native American forces I painted up two of the character figures from Peter Pig, these all include a dismounted version and casualty figures. I've named the Cunning fox and Little Beaver.

Not to be out done I added some Crow scouts for my US cavalry forces. These are from Hovels, a shame there is only a single pose for the rider and dismounted figure. I may add some from Peter Pig as I'll be needing a few more for a battle like Rosebud Creek.

It'll be back to the US forces as I have 'D' company half painted and 'E' company undercoated along with enough infantry for three units.

'C' Troop and Natives

As I already have the inkling of a plan for a test game at the club in two weeks I added 'C' troop to the collection. Like 'A' and 'B' troop these are all from Peter Pig and include the dismounted troopers. The flag is from Wargames design. I really need to source some flags for the individual troops and move away from the American flag. So far nothing has come up. 

'C' Troop

Head of the column

3rd cavalry on patrol

After these were done I made a start on some I made a start on some dismounted native Americans. These are from Hovels. Nice enough figures but only 3 poses available. After these 4 bases I have another 6 on the painting table.  I may pick up a pack or two from Peter Pig to add some variety.

The eagle eyed among you may notice some very simple face paint added to these. You can really see it from 3ft away on the wargames table.

For the weekend I have a 4th troop of US cavalry prepped and ready for painting. I'll hopefully make a start on some Crow scouts and more Native Americans that I got cleaned up and ready for priming.

And more Pony Wars

I've had a bit of a productive weekend. After receiving the Friekorps figures from Robbo, it would have been rude not to get some of them painted. So I prepped 20 of them or enough for 10 more bases and set to work. They painted up quite quickly. I even found that size wise they are a good match with my existing figures, so that is an added bonus. I really need to pluck some courage for adding warpaint. I think I'll practice on some of the foot figures. Though once on the table I doubt you would be able to make it out. The sun shining through the window spoilt the photos. 

Not quite a horde of 'Indians'

So that brings me up to 31 completed bases of Native Americans, that's at 60% completion for the initial plan. I've 16 more of the Friekorps figures from Robbo and another 16 from Peter Pig miniatures for a further 16 bases. Enough to start getting some games in, once I paint a few more US Cavalry. 

Looking at the US Cavalry I had a bonus find. I was hunting through some of the unpainted lead and came across some leftover confederate cavalry from my ACW collection. There are enough for two 10 man units, both foot and mounted. More than passable enough for this period. With the last of the Peter Pig figures I'll be able to field five 10 man units. In the meantime I painted up a supply wagon, I picked this up from Colonel Bills, It's a Peter Pig model from their ACW range. I deliberately based the mules separately so I can also use the wagon as part of a makeshift barricade.

On the painting table I've started to make progress on the 3rd US cavalry unit and some dismounted native Americans.

More 15mm Pony Wars

Just another quick update as I make a little more progress on this collection. First up was some 15mm tepees from Hovels They may be a little on the small size compared to more modern sculpts, but at £2.50 for 2 they are an absolute bargain. Peter Pig charge £6 for 1. They are were just given a quick paint up.

I'll definitely pick up some more of these as well as some from Peter Pig for added variety. I can't imagine that tepees came in an agreed size. I want to have quite a large village, at least 10 models will be required. On the theme of Hovels, I picked up some of their mounted Native Americans. These are a good size match with the Peter Pig and Tabletop figures I already have. They also add some much needed variety. I'm quite impressed with the Hovels figures despite their age.

L to R, Hovels, Hovels, Peter Pig & Tabletop

For the US cavalry I've added 2 officers, both foot and mounted. These are from Peter Pig

Now on to a bonus. As I was working my way through the figures I had already purchased, I picked up a conversation at the club at my ideas for wargaming the period when Robbo mentioned he had some leftover figures from his own Pony Wars collection that I could have. I gladly accepted, all he wanted for them was to paint up a pack of Indian villagers. So now I am the proud owner of around 40 Friekorps native American cavalry. They are only slightly larger but should mix very well.