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Post by Brian Cameron on Mar 15, 2022 20:07:35 GMT
And here I was thinking this was an obscure period! Very nice set up Zuludon.
Ross - Thanks - not surprising that you're knowledgable on this. I'm thinking of having a unit in shako just to help with unit id and a bit of variation. The articles I referred to above give some info on uniforms so I plan on doing a unit in green as you've suggested. I note that some of the artillery units served as infantry and probably (good enough for me!) wore the Royal Artillery uniform, blue tunic and trousers, so that'll be another version. I've taken a chance on a copy of Military uniforms of Canada 1665 - 1970 by Summers & Chartrand which hopefully will provide a bit more info. Distinguishing the Fenian units will take a little thought - possibly by hat eg one figure in a dark blue kepi on each base in a unit, a grey kepi in another. I'm waiting for inspiration to strike! While ordering some confederates and union infantry I've also bought a set of the Replicants condeferate raiders for a bit of variation. A box of Expeditionary Force Frontier Light Horse (on foot) also joined the order though they may need a bit of work on hats and boots. But then that's what green epoxy, miliput and plasticine aree for!
Brian
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 15, 2022 21:04:23 GMT
Excellent looking game.
What amendments did you make to the Sword and the Flame?
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 15, 2022 21:12:35 GMT
Brian , a book l found fascinating on this period is “ The Last invasion of Canada” by Hereward Senior.
It is a cracking read and gives lots of ideas for games and units.
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Post by zuludon on Mar 15, 2022 22:13:50 GMT
Tradgardmastre,
Thanks! There were six Canadian/British infantry units. The Rifles and one infantry unit represented the British and they were, of course, rated as British. The other four were rated as Egyptian. Using the unit point system, both sides had a total of around 600 points. All the Fenians were rated as Egyptians except for the Louisiana Tigers who were rated British. Both sides had, in addition, one cavalry unit and one artillery unit.
I used the small unit option of 12 man infantry units, 6 man cavalry and 3 man artillery crews.
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Post by epturner on Mar 15, 2022 22:48:06 GMT
You can also use 8 figure infantry units with TSATF. I do that for my larger colonial battles, especially in the Sudan.
My plan has me basing my forces on the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and the 13th Battalion. Known later as the "Quickest Out of Ridgeway" and "The Scarlet Runners" for their, er..... performance.
Thanks, again, Ross, for your input.
Eric
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 16, 2022 7:50:28 GMT
Bill C , personal message me with your address and I will send you the book I mentioned for a read. There is no hurry to send it back.
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Post by Mike Blake on Mar 16, 2022 10:29:51 GMT
Mike - thanks also. Apologies for the ignorance but I don't recognise 'MUIA'. Brian Sorry - Military Uniforms in America, the plates published by the US based Society of Military Historians. |
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 16, 2022 12:21:16 GMT
I meant Brian C not Bill C apologies for typo!☹️
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Post by Brian Cameron on Mar 17, 2022 10:45:41 GMT
Thank you that's very kind. I've pm'ed
Brian
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Post by Brian Cameron on Mar 17, 2022 10:49:26 GMT
Poss - I meant to add that your blog has been a great inspiration for this project. The games are likely to emulate your 54mm adventures, they're a great example of what can be achived in a fairly small space with large figures.
Brian
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 18, 2022 9:00:06 GMT
Thanks for your kind comments. 54mm can be enjoyed on big tables as we did last weekend but it also is fun on wee tables like mine. I am gratified to have been an inspiration. If I can do anything to help just ask.
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Post by Brian Cameron on Mar 20, 2022 12:07:35 GMT
Possibly I should start / retitle this thread as the I find more on the subject of raids on Canada. Even the North West Mountd Police get into the atc when they were despatched to deal with whisky traders from Montana who were operating illegally from 'Fort Whoop-up'. I know this sounds like a Ross MacFarlane invention but it is a real incident.
While awaiting the arrival of some figures from Steve Weston I've been experimenting with painting 54mm on some old figures. I don't want to do the full shade/colour/highlight approach I use for 28mm but I doubt that plastic figures, which usually have more relief, would suit a 'glossy toy soldier' approach. I've tried block painting and then using various washes but they don't look so good on 54mm figures as they can in smaller scales (though I've never really been able to master wshes). Looking at my old gunfighters from the 70s they had a fairly basic approach to shading which I'll try next. I'm wondering (WARNING, HERESY!) whether I should be doing it in 42mm where I could use a few of my existing figures and the Spencer-Smith modular approach offers a lot of flexibility and the glossy finish works well. Still, 54mm seems more of a challenge. Any advice from old hands would be appreciated. In the meantime I've found a book on my shelves which may help, it's called 'Making Model Soldiers' published in 1975 by some chap called Mike Blake...
My thanks for all the feedback and comment so far, particularly to Alan Gruber for the loan of a splendid book on the subject of the Fenian raids.
Brian
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Post by rossmac on Mar 20, 2022 13:05:18 GMT
You might have a hard time making a wargame out of the Mounties chasing a few American bootleggers out of Fort Whoop Up but the 1885 Rebellion had some small battles worth gaming. In good British traditions, we lost every battle but the last one but it would have been a longer, harder war if the Rebel political leaders had not known before it started that they could not win militarily and so reigned in their military commanders and aimed for a political victory with the fewest deaths possible such as they had won in 1870 resulting in Manitoba joining Canada as a full province rather than being ruled as a territory from Ottawa.
It also would have been a harder fight if 2 of the 3 column commanders hadn't been British officers who were concerned about being blamed for excessive Canadian casualties ("committing Custer" as General Strange sometimes referred to it as the Cowboy General since had had come out of retirement as a rancher to resume his uniform and command one of the columns). Col Otter, the only Canadian column commander, had no such scruples which made Cut Knife Creek one of the more interesting battles.
On the table though, we are in charge........
Ross
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Post by epturner on Mar 20, 2022 13:23:32 GMT
I already have figures in the queue in 25mm.... the old RAFM line.
I've got several old Boer figures (I think) with muskets painted up as Metis.
I'm looking to use Sharp Practice for the 1885 NW Rebellion.
Now... were I to upgrade this to 54mm... I might look at The Portable Wargame, or maybe something off of Ross' blog. Anglo-Zulu War figures would work, but I'd need to do head swops to replace the sun helmet with the Glengarry.
More food for thought.
Eric
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Post by tradgardmastre on Mar 21, 2022 7:41:09 GMT
Boers as Metis , now there’s a thought in 54mm - AIP Boers …
Fifty four is calling you Eric. A wee side project/ palate cleanser to work on over the next few weeks. Wouldn’t need tons for a game. Think in terms of a Ross M sized force…
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