A Reiving we will go!

Well with a first test game of the En Garde rules from Osprey, l thought it best to complete a few more of my reivers. First up was the 5th foot and mounted figure from Hoka Hey/ Graven Images. Took no time at all to get this guy painted.

I also finished another 3 figures from TAG, still leaves 1 blister pack to complete. These are very nice figures and painted up well.

So this brings my Reivers up to a very use able force, though I'll definitely expand the collection but at a leisurely pace. So far l have completed;
5 Mounted troopers with dismounted option
1 March Warden
1 Houndsman with 2 hounds
10 Reivers with mixed weapons.

More Border Reivers

I've slowly been making my way through the first set of figures I picked up for this project. Not far off being able to put on a small game to test the rules out.

First we have another foot and mounted figure from Hoka hey. This brings me to 4 of the 6 figures from 'Red Rowan'

I'm not too happy with the buff leather riding boots. They seem a little too bright. Next was the first figure from The Assault Group. They are a nice set of figures but much smaller than those from Hoka hey. They should mix better with the Reiver castings figures already painted.

I do have another of the Hoka hey foot and mounted figures completed, along with 3 more from TAG but I've run out of basing material.

More Ottoman Turks

With a game coming up against Mick and his Russians, I found the impetus to complete the last of the mounted figures for this army. They're still a handful of infantry to sort out.

So here is the last regiment of Sipahi.  Like the last unit I completed, these are the old Mikes Models. I loved painting these and tempted to get more. I again went for a slightly regimented look, sticking to red and white.

Lastly was some additional commanders to lead the army. These are a mix of Mikes Models and Roundway figures.

So that just about completes the army. Made of the following horse:

10 regiments of Sipahi 

3 regiments of Beslu

6 regiments of Dellis

4 regiments of Wallachians 

2 regiments of Akinji

The infantry is less impressive:

7 regiments of Jannisarries

7 regiments of Azabs

1 regiment of Tefuki

10 regiments of Irregulars.

I think I need some artillery. 

'Hot trod' Border Reivers

It's the start of another little side project. Being a Northumbrian the Border Reivers, their history and background has always inspired me. So now it was time to actually collect enough figures to get them on the gaming table.

At the aptly named Border Reiver show in Newcastle I picked up the first figures for a family. A quick visit to the Hoka Hey stand to pick up a pack of mounted Reivers and their dismounted equivalent. Then it was a visit to Reiver castings to pick up a couple of packs from them. These along with a free Warden figure were a good starting point.

So first up is the Reiver castings. A hound master with a couple of hounds as well as a pack of mixed weaponed reivers.

Hound master and Slueth hounds

Warden's men

Not bad figures. They are a fraction smaller than the Hoka Hey/Graven Images figures, but definitely of a slimmer build.

Next up is 3 of the mounted figures from Hoka hey with their foot equivalent. These are hefty figures and were a joy to paint. The horses though are not my favourite.

Lastly is an old foam building that has been in my collection for a very long time. Probably more for the Highlands  of Scotland, but will see service as an isolated cottage in the borders.

The turf roof looks very bright in the photo, but is actually much darker.

Next I have the last 3 mounted figures to complete. I also ordered a couple of packs from TAG which have just arrived, more compatible with the Reiver castings. Not a bad start. I will have to add some civilians, livestock I have plenty of. I also might pick up a Bastle House, I have seen one in MDF but it has a staircase?? These were a later addition as most Bastle houses used a ladder to the upper entrance. I may just build one myself with foamcore.

For rules, I have the Osprey En Garde rules which look suitable for the period. Will look to give them a try in the next couple of weeks.

Crimson Fists

After a small club game on Thursday night I decided to add a few extras to my Crimson fists space marines. Going through the old spares box I was able to add some extra close assault troopers, a couple of heavy weapon troopers and enough tactical marines to round them out at 3 squads.

Next up was some vehicles to make the force more mobile  especially as I envisage games where they are responding to attacks or out on patrol. I've been able to add a dreadnought, a very old rhino kit from my youth. The other 2 vehicles are from Old Crow. The beauty of Rogue trader is I can create my own stats for these.

So I reckon that's 2 weeks work to get a usable force on the tabletop to face the Orks. Now I can get back to my Crimean War project.

The force consists of
1 captain
1 Librarian
1 assault squad
3 tactical squads