Tuesday, July 7, 2020

AWI British progress; Regulars and Lights


I've completed more of the AWI miniatures.  But first..

Happy 4th of July!


Daughter #1 was disappointed that we couldn't do out usual habit of attending the downtown fireworks show because it was cancelled due to pandemic.  In truth, she was more upset about missing out on the inflatable bounce-y houses and junk food than the actual fireworks.   Still we soldiered on and did our other usual activities.  One of which was BREAKIN the LAW.  I drive over the the town next door where fireworks are legal, purchase a bunch, and dive them back to my house and set them off in the yard.  Daring, I know, but I don't fear breaking the law in minor ways because I'm white male. 
Oooooohhhh, topical humor during these days of unrest, now that is daring.  Better show some cute kid pics quick! 

Daughter #1



Son #2

I had to show the dark pics, otherwise the cuteness would be overwhelming.


So Hooray for America!  Suck it Brits! 

I'm sorry Brits.  I didn't mean that, you know I love all of you.  To make up for my crassness, how about some pics of AWI British troops that I painted up to an average standard? 
Yeah... I know....that feels more like an extra punishment.  

More AWI British


I've been doing a spot of painting.

8 more British regulars join the ranks.




These miniatures are the same sculpts featured in 2 post ago, just adding to the numbers of painted Redcoats.  









The real stars of the post with their fancy uniforms: here are 12 British Light infantry. 

British Light infantry are supposed to be really good.
And they get a fancy uniform.






These guys should have some sort of insignia on the front of their silly hats.  I tried painting one on there a couple times but it always looked terrible.  In the end I just left the hats black.  I told you it was an average paint job.

Example of the uniform stolen from the web


Here are some close ups.  I also found it tricky to paint the shoulder pads thingys. But overall, the miniatures came out rather nice.  






"let us load our guns shall we?"






These are the smart guys who decided to kneel and be smaller targets





Overall, this little project is coming along nicely.  Plus I am swelling with pride because I doing that thing that is sometimes elusive to miniature wargamers: buying a pile of miniatures AND painting them all.  

Well most of them...

Here we have what's left of the British lead pile.
12 miniatures consisting of two command packs.
Each pack has an officer, a redcoat in a cool pose, 2 flag bears and drummers.


Still to paint are the two officers and two more regulars that came in the command blister (the four on the left of the pic) who have unique poses.  I think I'll pass for now on the flag bearers and the drummers and leave them in their lead underwear.  Since the  skirmish rules that I'll be using  (Muskets and Tomahawks 2) don't use them for anything anyway.  If and when the forces get larger and I start to have whole regiments on the table, then I'll paint them up. Because regiments without flags or command stands can look rather silly.   So 8 miniatures get placed in the lead pile for future use, 4 more to paint and the initial British force is complete!

Until the inevitable purchase of more of them.  Not to mention the other lead pile of Americans and terrain.  Wargaming is a fun hobby isn't it.  

Thanks for reading. 






40 comments:

  1. Well done Stew, beautiful Brits...and fireworks!

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  2. Ah, to be privileged and a member of the "haves."

    Your AWI British work is fab but, really, you call a few unpainted figures a pile of lead? Come on! I find that many in my seat cushions...

    Wargaming is a fun hobby, for sure.

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    1. Thanks JF. It is a nice life most of the time, but I try to remind myself to be grateful. Times are hard right now for a lot of people, but my family and I are weathering the storm pretty well and for that; especially grateful.

      Oh, I break down my lead mountain into local hillocks. Let’s see, there’s the Age of Sail lead mound, the Dark Ages, lord of the Rings, WWII....
      Due to the novelty the AWI gets broken down even further to the British and American lead piles. Over times these will merge. 😀

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  3. Happy 4th!

    Our neighbors one upped you and went from "legal here" fireworks (of which I set off a few) to "illegal in this state". Sounded like an artillery barrage.

    And what is more topical than painting AWI/AR figures for the 4th? Although as the bad guys, I feel like they should have powdered hair.

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    1. Thanks Laz!
      Yeah, I thought the troops fit the theme. 😀
      The officers will have powdered hair, I thought the rank and file wouldn’t bother.

      Having the small kids, I only got sparklers and some fountain types that shoot colors into the air and make loud bangs. As fireworks go, it was actually pretty tame. 😀

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    2. Rank and file couldn't afford wigs. Even a lower level officer's pay was barely enough to get into that fake-hair nonsense.

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  4. Nice job on the figures, bringing out their animation and good faces rather nicely.

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    1. Thanks Norm. The faces are well sculpted and the AP dip brings out the details rather well. 😀

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  5. Love the Light Infantry mate. Really nicely done.

    4th for us was enjoyed on the balcony with far too many beverages and everyone else's fireworks (Cheaper that way!).

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    1. Hi Dai! Glad you had a good 4th.

      Yeah, the snazzy uniforms of the lights really helps them look cool. 😀

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  6. Glad you got in your 4th July celebration, even if it was a bit subdued. The AWI figures turned out well - very serviceable. Like you I find there are some details that don't need to be painted in as they add little to the overall look of the figures, especially when on the table. Cheers Greg

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    1. Thanks Greg. Overall it still was a fun 4th. Even some Neighbors joined us appropriately distanced.
      I would of liked to paint the emblem on the hat, just didn’t have the skill. Still the figures look nice I think. 😀

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  7. Nice work....I am just completing an American unit so will blog soon. I have released that AWI is quite a tough period to paint all those buttons and lace. Hard thing is getting the balance right. Hang in there 👍

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    1. Thanks Matt. The AWI uniforms are a bit more complicated than say the ACW. Plus it being 28mm makes the miniatures more detailed as well. I think I found my balance for now. I’m helped by the uniformity of the British. I’m really in for it when I get around to American militia. 😀

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    2. As I mention on my blog I found the militia a challenge too due to the variety.....I had white dots in front of my eyes yesterday with painting buttons !

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    3. When I finally get around to painting the ton of militia I have, I’ll be thinking of you. 🙂
      Probably won’t bother with most buttons...

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  8. Grooming the next generation of rebels, I see--and practicing safe fireworks use, I'm sure, as well (page one of the "rebellious colonist" syllabus). Nice wings (that's what those thingys are called) on the "Light Bobs." Looking forward to seeing them in a game report!

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    1. Thanks Ed! Yes we had a bucket of water for fireworks disposal and another for emergencies.

      Oooooohhh, that’s what the shoulder pads are called. I did know the term ‘light bobs’ do I’m not completely ignorant. 😀. It’ll be awhile before the game report since I still need to paint all the Americans and build the terrain.

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  9. I do believe "a redcoat in a cool pose" equates to a non-commissioned officer. Congrats on adding to the family - I do hope they are all war-gamers in training, or at least painters and modelers in training! I shall look forward to playing with these toys one day when it is safe to do so.

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    1. Thanks very much Greg. They probably are NCOs of some sort. As to the rest; time will tell. 😀

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  10. Booooo you have now painted more red coats then me and I'm jealous hehe. They look great mate and I'm glad you are grinding on with this project.

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    1. Lol thanks CD. The total so far is 24 regulars and 12 lights. Not too shabby for me.
      I also tend to stick with a project for awhile once I commit to it. I have a low butterfly index. Otherwise I feel like I am wasting money. 😀

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  11. Great work there Stew and glad you enjoyed your Successful Treason celebration :)

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  12. An excellent celebration of our independence! The redcoats you painted look great, Stew. They're ready to take up a flank or garrison the Chew House at Germantown. Absolutely cannot wait to see them on the table. -Steve

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    1. Thanks Steve. Hopefully these crazy times will settle down soon and we can all get back to playing with our toys. 😀

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  13. Happy belated "Americans are Revolting" day! ;) Also, nice Brits.

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    1. Thanks FMB. Most of us Americans are revolting. 😀

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  14. Great looking Brits! Fireworks are great, until someone gets burnt! Steaming through your lead mountain!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain. I did burn my hand a little while using the cigarette lighter to set off the fireworks. You’d think all of those years of being a smoker would of helped out. 😀

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  15. Belated happy independence sir.
    What can I say, it was blokes from my place that fired the first shot at Concord ...at least that's what I heard ;)
    Great work on the Bloodybacks!

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    1. Thanks DdG! Oh, so it was YOUR family that fired the shot heard round the world! 😀

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  16. Great post Stew and a happy belated Independence Day my American friend! Hoping that the fireworks in the backyard hit the spot for the youngsters that's for sure. On the wargaming front, how dare you paint all the lead you are purchasing! You will give us procrastinators even more of a terrible reputation with our better halves. Take care, stay safe and enjoy.

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    1. Thanks very much Carlo. But not to worry, it’s not like our better halves read these silly little blogs or even know how much is in the lead pile. Least mine is blissfully unawares. 😀

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  17. Beautiful painting Stew! I especially like your bases. I thought British tricorn hats were out by the time of the AWI. Shows what I don't know about the period. Dang you got some cute kids. I remember when my girls were that age and wanting to paint minis with me. I still have some of their work displayed.

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    1. Thanks very Vol. but you are right that the tricon hat and big coat were definitely on the way out during the AWI. I just like the 1768 warrant uniform but it was being replaced quickly by more serviceable styles during the war.
      The kids are cute. Daughter #1 has not shown much interest in miniatures yet, except that one time when she accidentally broke all my ships. 😀

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  18. Ah, so she already has one sea fight in her repertoire! Very good, hope you made it a pleasurable experience? Haha

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  19. Happy belated 4th, Stew! Those redcoats look great and I wouldn't sweat the lack of iconography on their hats/helmets. That looks like a really small space to be able to squeeze freehand and I think most painters would struggle to pull it off. Its great to see all the progress you've made so far. You'll be playing out key battles of the American Revolution in no time, I'd wager! :)

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    1. Thanks again Kuribo. Yeah, getting stuff on the hat was beyond me. I also don’t know about doing battles in no time. There’s still a horde of Americans to do and some terrain,,,
      But I shall persevere. 😀

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