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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Svennn on 07 April 2010, 06:05:55 PM

Title: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Svennn on 07 April 2010, 06:05:55 PM
Apart from the Foundry ones, what other options would work for my Indian Mutiny/China project? I thought there would be a Perry Sudan one but can't see one.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Tommy20 on 07 April 2010, 07:30:59 PM
As far as I know, nobody makes British limbers for the Zulu, Sudan, or Boer Wars (again, except the ridiculously priced Foundry one).  In fact, I can't find a Boer War era 12 pdr since Foundry lost their molds.  Another glaring omission is the General Service wagon.

I seem to recall hearing that Empress would eventually come out with a limber & team & wagon train.  That might have been wishful thinking, though.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: fastolfrus on 07 April 2010, 11:04:59 PM
Minifigs used to have some years ago.
Hinchcliffe might have had something - they used to have odd bits of siege artillery etc.
Irregular might have something.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on 08 April 2010, 12:40:51 AM
We also need guns and limbers for the Sikh Wars. At present, only Old Glory makes British/EIC limbers for the Sikh Wars but they are not the best...as the horses aren't all that great. Nobody that I know of makes Sikh artillery limbers and such.

The book by Smyth on the captured Sikh artillery following the 1st Sikh War (1845-6) is a treasure trove of info, including detailed blueprints (of guns and limbers, as well as the inscriptions on the guns in Farsi)!

I was thinking of making my own, using the Smyth drawings...but of course, time (and skill) aren't always in abundance. The key question is, if you build them, will anyone come??? ???

As for the Foundry guns, I am glad I got a bunch of them...as they are pretty nice, and there is nothing like an elephant moving a siege gun ;)
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: carlos marighela on 08 April 2010, 07:20:34 AM
Had the limbers changed much betwixt the Napoleonic period and the Sikh Wars? I ask because the British field artillery was essentially unchanged and I'd be mildly surprised if the matching limbers had changed. I'd be looking at the various Napoleonic ranges if you want limbers for the Sikh Wars. Hinchcliffe make excellent limbers.

Things have changed by 1860 because the 2nd China War sees the fielding of Armstrong breechloaders. Alas suitable guns and impedimentia was something Foundry left out of their range. Maybe look at ACW ranges, if nothing else there's bound to be something you can convert.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: the Mutineer on 08 April 2010, 08:24:41 AM
I have asked a sculptor to price up some artillery train stuff, with the intention to do a limber horse team , 10" mortar and carriage,  9lb field gun , 24lb siege gun and elephant transport and siege train Oxen.

 This will all be part of the Mutiny range but not before the core infantry and cavalry some 3-4 months
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Thunderchicken on 08 April 2010, 01:53:23 PM
I'd never thought about the availability of limbers at this scale until you mentioned it. I always thought that when I got around to buying a couple it wouldn't be a problem sourcing them. How odd there's not that many on the market.  ???
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Aaron on 08 April 2010, 03:01:50 PM
Not that odd at all really since they rarely make a profit!
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Thunderchicken on 08 April 2010, 03:07:28 PM
True. I recently wargamed colonial fisicuffs in 15mm so took it for granted.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Svennn on 08 April 2010, 03:23:53 PM
How much would a limber have changed by the time of the great war? GWM do one or would I be better going for a Napoleonic one?

One of these ammunition wagons should look ok as scenery - shouldn't it?
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on 08 April 2010, 03:46:31 PM
The limber in this pic (admittedly only a Britains model) from the late 19thC does not look too different to the Napoleonic version - at least to my eyes:

(http://www.lloydralstontoys.com/auctionitems/202_1.jpg)

I'd be happy to use a Naps version, even at risk of Mr Anal telling me it's wrong  lol

Are there no 28mm Crimea War versions available?
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Plynkes on 08 April 2010, 03:49:37 PM
Don't ask me. Never bother with limbers and horse teams, for one thing they take up too much bleedin' room on the table top,  especially in 28mm.


Give me a nice little screw gun and a mule or two, or a couple of camels. Then I'm 'appy.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Svennn on 08 April 2010, 03:58:56 PM
Don't ask me. Never bother with limbers and horse teams, for one thing they take up too much bleedin' room on the table top,  especially in 28mm.


and its even worse than having to paint horses for cavalry but I just fancied doing one for some reason. It was then the hole in both my knowledge and availability became apparent.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Malamute on 08 April 2010, 04:06:13 PM
Redoubt Miniatures produce a limber for their Zulu wars range. It is available on its own (You buy the horses seperately).
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Hammers on 08 April 2010, 04:11:42 PM
Don't ask me. Never bother with limbers and horse teams, for one thing they take up too much bleedin' room on the table top,  especially in 28mm.


Give me a nice little screw gun and a mule or two, or a couple of camels. Then I'm 'appy.

(http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/exhibitions/shortVisits/animals/images/92145.jpg)
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Plynkes on 08 April 2010, 04:13:57 PM
I imagine they are a bit thin on the ground because most gamers are like me, and too lazy to bother with them, hence they don't sell all that well.


I do actually have an elephant-propelled gun in my 15mm Indian Mutiny collection, as it happens, H.  :)
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: answer_is_42 on 08 April 2010, 04:28:15 PM
Would any of Tiger Miniature's stuff be any good? I haven't got any myself, but their equipment range is the only one I'd consider buying;
http://tigerminiatures.co.uk/page6.htm
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on 08 April 2010, 07:45:49 PM
The main need is for Horse Artillery limbers and teams actually moving...not just trotting about...that is afterall what Horse Artillery units do, move, unlimber, fire, relimber, relocate, etc.

As for info on limbers, Franklin has written a couple of good books (with loads of illustrations) for the British, one on the Naps period (and the guns and limbers didn't change very much after 1815 until the end of the 1850s) and another on rockets used from the Nap period up until the 1860s.

Unfortunately, there isn't any limbers for Native troops, like the Sikhs. Moreover, the guns produced for them in 28mm (Foundry) aren't very representational of the vast array of guns they used. The guns are copies of the Sutlej guns held by the British. If you are in London you can see Sikh guns at the Woolwich Arsenal (hurry up before it closes and is turned into a housing estate!) and the Royal Hospital (Chelsea, outback). I think there are some other Sikh guns held in Dover Castle.

So how about someone doing a Sikh limber??? Don't worry, I will do my own using plastic card and such...it will be fun! :D

Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on 09 April 2010, 08:09:59 AM
...and the guns and limbers didn't change very much after 1815 until the end of the 1850s) and another on rockets used from the Nap period up until the 1860s.
There you go Svennn - use Napoleonic models  ;D
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Svennn on 09 April 2010, 09:17:41 AM
As we are talking about the far reaches of the Empire I also doubt the latest kit would not have been shipped immediately. More chance of any new fangled designs being seen back in Blighty or in Europe?

Mullet, what a wonderful suggestion :D You wouldn't have one knocking around anywhere would you? lol

Next thing will be what to do about crew.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: sukhe_bator on 17 March 2011, 11:29:50 AM
You can also see a sutlej gun and limber at the National Sikh Heritage Museum in Derby and Maidstone Museum.
The Sikhs had adopted the Congreve block trail gun carriage by the late 1820's for their horse artillery and horse drawn field artillery. However the vast majority were still using split trail carriages of a broadly Napoleonic design.
One rather natty bit of kit was a 'mortizer' - a short barreled mortar mounted on a howitzer field carriage. Good at lobbing shells at infantry.   
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: ARKOUDAKI on 18 March 2011, 12:28:16 AM
sukhe_bator

Do tell me more...I am very interested in Sikh History.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: timg on 18 March 2011, 11:46:07 AM
Wonder why we have'nt seen more plastic artillery sets and wagons/carts etc. I bet some generic carts etc would be a big seller as would be a lot cheaper in plastic. And a basic artillery set with lots of parts for converting would be usefull.

Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Elprez on 18 March 2011, 01:43:50 PM
I have no idea whether this would be useful or not, but have you seen Northstars 1/2 price Foundry sale including a RHA Horse artillery train & limber for £10?

http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=2043 (http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=2043)
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on 18 March 2011, 02:43:09 PM
I have no idea whether this would be useful or not, but have you seen Northstars 1/2 price Foundry sale including a RHA Horse artillery train & limber for £10?

http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=2043 (http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=2043)

Wow! Half price Foundry, at sensible shipping rates and great with NS's great service  ;D

Shame there's no colonial stuff, but I'm hugely tempted by the ACW. Thanks for the URL!
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: carlos marighela on 18 March 2011, 09:51:31 PM
Or there's always the Victrix plastic set which comes with a couple of limbers.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: fastolfrus on 18 March 2011, 11:37:33 PM
You could always write to Victrix and suggest it for future release.

GS wagons might be a more marketable suggestion.

Mutineer might be a good one to approach for Sikh guns & limbers, they are constantly expanding their ranges.
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: jamesmanto on 19 March 2011, 01:51:00 AM
That limber from Tiger looks very suitable.

Here's what I put together with pieces from RAFM:
http://rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.com/2010/07/soldiers-of-queen-empress-part-3.html

James
Title: Re: Limbers and other bits of big kit - what options
Post by: italwars on 04 June 2015, 01:09:54 PM
i have similar needs:
Limbers for British Colonial Artillery (AZW and Boer War)
plus same need for my French/Prussian/Neapolitan late 19c. /Risorgimento miniature armies in 28mm
i thought at those ones from Perry Plastic ACW..quite generic..and , of course, the guns included in the box would find some use for the above mentioned continental 19 C. armies
what do you think?
https://www.perry-miniatures.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_62&products_id=3015&osCsid=bnea3ih6vqifgi2nf5j3kfn7k6