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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: matakishi on April 13, 2021, 02:04:38 PM

Title: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)
Post by: matakishi on April 13, 2021, 02:04:38 PM
I've wanted to do a Crimean project since 1992. I've finished thinking about it now and started painting.

Russian Infantry

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-russian-infantry-008_orig.jpg)

93rd Highlanders

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-highland-infantry-005_orig.jpg)

Russian Grenadiers

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-russian-infantry-014_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimean-war-2021-troops-003_orig.jpg)

Project details here:
https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: mmcv on April 13, 2021, 02:25:05 PM
Very nice start!
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: jambo1 on April 13, 2021, 02:43:02 PM
Interesting read and a super start, Crimean War is one that interests me but never done anything about. Look forward to seeing your progress. :)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: dallascowboy43 on April 13, 2021, 05:52:42 PM
A lovely start, what classifications will you be using for sharp practice?
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: matakishi on April 13, 2021, 08:46:06 PM
A lovely start, what classifications will you be using for sharp practice?

No idea, I haven't read the rules yet, just the army composition bits. I'll give some thoughts to individual units once everything's done. Because I'm producing (mostly) equal forces I don't want to penalise the Russians too much or big up the British excessively so it may take some careful thought to keep things reasonable whilst still imparting some national flavour.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Baron von Wreckedoften on April 14, 2021, 08:37:30 AM
Looks most impressive.

I've always wanted to do an Inkerman game (using Andy Callan's old "Forest Fight" rules to replicate units getting lost and appearing from/disappearing into the fog), but the only figures of British troops in greatcoats I can find are the Tumbling Dice 20mm range - not bad, but not quite the variety of poses and troop types that I want.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on April 14, 2021, 12:22:23 PM
Nice Project - it was one of my early lockdown ones too. I plumped for using Rebels and Patriots, but ignoring the company scale.

Will you be getting French and Turks too?
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: matakishi on April 14, 2021, 02:34:18 PM
Two french infantry units, no Turks in the first batch, maybe later.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: OB on April 14, 2021, 02:50:57 PM
I like the period too.  For a more balanced game using troops from Cathcart's 4th Division who did not have the improved muskets really evens things up on the table top.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Captain Blood on April 14, 2021, 05:42:13 PM
29 years is sufficient build up  lol

Looking good Paul.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: matakishi on April 16, 2021, 09:27:09 AM
29 years is sufficient build up  lol

No point rushing into things.

Here are the Coldstream Guards.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-coldstream-guards-004_orig.jpg)

Everything so far after two weeks painting.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimean-war-2021-troops-006_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: has.been on April 16, 2021, 09:35:12 AM
Quote
No point rushing into things.

A good friend convinced me years ago that
ALL wargames figures need several coats of...
'Looking at' before you get onto the final stages
of things like filing off cast lines & undercoats. lol

Good luck with the project. You always do nice
looking stuff. Keep it up (please)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Bloggard on April 16, 2021, 12:17:48 PM
for some reason the Crimea always gets me, figures-wise. Particularly dismal war, even by war's standards tho'.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Plynkes on April 16, 2021, 12:51:46 PM
Cool! Those Great War minis look really nice. I think I would have been tempted into getting some when they came out, apart from the fact that I did the Crimea in 15mm many years ago and didn't really want to go over old ground again. Looking good.


Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: jambo1 on April 16, 2021, 01:34:17 PM
Coldstream guards look great. :)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Codsticker on April 16, 2021, 02:08:47 PM
That's a great turnout for 2 weeks of painting.

Our group is currently painting up Crimean War forces in 18mm (Eureka Miniatures); I have Turks on the painting table at the moment.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Baron von Wreckedoften on April 16, 2021, 10:06:04 PM
Just a small point, but in the Guards, the colours are usually carried in the reverse manner to those of the Line regiments - ie the "plain" flag is the King's/Queen's Colour and is on the right (when viewed from behind the regiment looking towards the enemy) and the "union" flag is the Regimental Colour and thus stands on the left.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on April 16, 2021, 10:24:10 PM
Nice figures and nice basing too.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: matakishi on April 17, 2021, 12:30:15 AM
Just a small point, but in the Guards, the colours are usually carried in the reverse manner to those of the Line regiments - ie the "plain" flag is the King's/Queen's Colour and is on the right (when viewed from behind the regiment looking towards the enemy) and the "union" flag is the Regimental Colour and thus stands on the left.

Bit late now  >:(
Oh well, maybe next time. I'm not alone in my ignorance judging from the painted unit photos I found to see what the flag looked like.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project
Post by: matakishi on April 27, 2021, 06:32:46 PM
Russian Infantry in helmets

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-russian-infantryt-w-helmets-painted-001_orig.jpg)

Moscow Regiment

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/moscow-regiment-005_orig.jpg)

Rifle skirmishers

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-british-rifles-003_orig.jpg)

Russians so far

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-russians-so-far-7-units-001_orig.jpg)

British so fare

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-british-so-far-5-units-003_orig.jpg)

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians and the Rifles Page 2)
Post by: jambo1 on April 28, 2021, 04:06:36 AM
Lovely work and your project is coming along at a good pace, really like the Moscow Regiment, very nice indeed. :)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians and the Rifles Page 2)
Post by: matakishi on May 15, 2021, 02:07:57 PM
A quick update to show progress.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-british-so-far-9-units-001_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimean-war-2021-troops-008_orig.jpg)

And the final, enlarged plans for each army.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/british-crimean-plan-002_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/russian-crimean-plan-002_orig.jpg)

Russian sailors next

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/russian-sailors-001_orig.jpg)

Project page:
https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: Ray Rivers on May 15, 2021, 02:57:24 PM
Nice!  :-*

It's a great project, but I'm not so sure I would call it small.  ;)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: vodkafan on May 15, 2021, 08:10:32 PM
 Matakishi will you be having Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole somewhere on the table ?
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: matakishi on May 16, 2021, 07:06:33 AM
Matakishi will you be having Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole somewhere on the table ?

No, afraid not.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: armchairgeneral on May 16, 2021, 07:31:49 AM
Excellent painting and good progress so far.

Like the look of the plans. I like to plan out the army at the start  :)

Wasn’t the British army of greater quality so you may need more Russians?
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: matakishi on May 16, 2021, 08:11:49 AM
Excellent painting and good progress so far.

Like the look of the plans. I like to plan out the army at the start  :)

Wasn’t the British army of greater quality so you may need more Russians?

Much better quality and much better weapons, Russia's one advantage was its overabundance of artillery. To compensate the Russian bases will be much tougher to signify that each represents many moresoldiers than a British base.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: vodkafan on May 16, 2021, 10:12:43 AM
No, afraid not.

Yeah I guess Florence wasn't so good with a musket anyways... ::)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: Deflatermouse on May 16, 2021, 10:51:22 AM
The Crimea was one of the first, if not the first, armies I started in 15mm. In '89 All Minifigs.
Should get it finished soon.
British, Russians, Turks and a couple of French.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: Bloggard on May 17, 2021, 08:20:22 AM
those russian sailors are excellent sculpts.  :-*
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: meninobesta on May 17, 2021, 02:28:03 PM
I also use winecorks for handling minis during painting
After sometime using this method I've started to hotglue washers on top and in the bottom of the corks
the bottom one helps to stabilize
the top one protects the corks when you're removing the mini from it

Anyway, great project!
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: matakishi on May 17, 2021, 06:19:15 PM
those russian sailors are excellent sculpts.  :-*

I'm enjoying painting the whole range, they're great wargame sculpts, well-defined, deep detail and accessible posing.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (More Russians, more British, Page 2)
Post by: matakishi on May 18, 2021, 08:45:06 PM
The sailors are done.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/russian-sailors-004_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Russian sailors, Page 3)
Post by: Roo on May 18, 2021, 09:11:49 PM
Like all your projects, well planned, well executed and extremely good!  Shows how effective planning can be scaled up as you roll units off the production line...good lesson to us all!
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Russian sailors, Page 3)
Post by: Bloggard on May 19, 2021, 09:29:33 AM
Like all your projects, well planned, well executed and extremely good!  Shows how effective planning can be scaled up as you roll units off the production line...good lesson to us all!

absolutely. Top class.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Russian sailors, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on May 19, 2021, 06:13:02 PM
That's kind of you to say so.
I originally planned a smaller set of miniatures with eight bases of infantry and four bases of cavalry to a side. As I progressed through the painting I realised that I could increase the infantry to ten bases a side without any problems so the plan changed.
Later the plan changed to twelve bases. Twelve bases meant I could field six two-base infantry units if I wanted to play using Neil Thomas's rules. I still planned to brigade the cavalry and only have two cavalry per side though.

Recently I decided to make each cavalry regiment two bases instead of one anyway. I realised that, despite many years of wargaming, I've never owned a pair of 'regular' armies like these. Matched armies that utilise infantry, cavalry and guns are a wargaming staple and yet I've never assembled any (other than a large but abortive ACW attempt 22 years ago).

This then is my 'armies' project and I probably won't do another so I may as well do this properly. It's interesting (to me at least) that the final figure count that I've settled on is the same as a Crimean plan I made four years ago and dismissed as 'too many' to cope with.

Things change :)
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Russian sailors, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on May 29, 2021, 08:54:26 AM
I'm working on the last British infantry unit now which will complete the infantry for this project (200 figures)

Updates:

French

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/french-crimean-infantry-005_orig.jpg)

Expanded Moscow Regiment

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimean-rifles-and-moscow-adds-003_orig.jpg)

Expanded Rifles

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-british-rifles-006_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-so-far-all-russian-infantry-and-one-british-to-go_orig.jpg)

Project page: https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Russian sailors, Page 3)
Post by: Plynkes on May 29, 2021, 08:56:23 AM
Wonderful stuff, Paul. It's lovely seeing this all come together.


Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: Emir of Askaristan on May 29, 2021, 09:16:02 AM
Lovely, really like your French and the rifles too. Your light basing helps lift the colours too.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: CapnJim on May 29, 2021, 04:29:45 PM
On then.  Those are some very nicely done figures/units.  It'll be interesting to see them on the battlefield!
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: Eric the Shed on May 30, 2021, 06:45:36 AM
looking fabulous Paul
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on May 31, 2021, 02:31:01 PM
Soldiering on (haha, see what I did there) here's the final British unit, the 13th Somersetshire Regiment.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-british-infantry-13th-regiment-005_orig.jpg)

With that unit done, all the infantry is complete for this project.
Here they are.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/2021-crimea-all-the-infantry-001_orig.jpg)

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html

Not the biggest army in the world but eminently suitable for my 6'x4' table.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: Ray Rivers on June 02, 2021, 03:25:44 PM
Not the biggest army in the world but eminently suitable for my 6'x4' table.

I think they look great. One of your larger projects I do believe.

Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (ALL the infantry, Page 3)
Post by: vodkafan on June 11, 2021, 11:02:56 PM
Interesting to read how the project grew. And the fact you have never had an "army" project till now. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your games with it. Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.
Your work has always been a big inspiration to me, just wish I could emulate your methodical approach...
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (ALL the infantry, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on June 12, 2021, 05:35:21 AM
Interesting to read how the project grew. And the fact you have never had an "army" project till now. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your games with it. Looking forward to seeing the cavalry and artillery.
Your work has always been a big inspiration to me, just wish I could emulate your methodical approach...

Thank you, I admit I was surprised when I thought about it. I've played hundreds of Napoleonic, ACW, ECW etc. wargames, but only ever with other people's toys. I'm thoroughly enjoying this project.

Here's the first of the cavalry, Russian lancers from Foundry.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/russian-crimean-lancers-003_orig.jpg)

and the 17th Lancers from Great War miniatures.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-17th-lancers-007_orig.jpg)

11th Hussars and some Zouaves on the painting table.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-zouaves-003_orig.jpg)

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (French, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on June 12, 2021, 05:39:48 AM
I think they look great. One of your larger projects I do believe.

Actually, in terms of figures, it's not that large compared to some of my sprawling sci-fi or fantasy projects. It will contain just under 300 figures when everything's done which is still a respectable total I think. Aiming to finish next month sometime, although it might run over because I want to do some buildings.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (First of the cavalry, Page 3)
Post by: matakishi on June 19, 2021, 06:41:43 AM
New stuff added.
Zouave skirmishers

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-zouaves-009_orig.jpg)

11th Hussars

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-11th-hussars-painted-003_orig.jpg)

Which completes my Light Brigade

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-light-brigade-001_orig.jpg)

Everything so far

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-armies-with-light-brigade-huge_orig.jpg)

Next up, Russian Dragoons.

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (The Light Brigade, Page 4)
Post by: Hu Rhu on June 19, 2021, 08:48:23 AM
That's an impressive force you are building up.  Especially like the French Zouave Skirmishers.  :-* :-*
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (The Light Brigade, Page 4)
Post by: matakishi on June 26, 2021, 09:57:52 AM
Russian Dragoons.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-russian-dragoons-008_orig.jpg)

That's half the cavalry done.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-half-the-cavalry-completed_orig.jpg)

Scots greys next.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-scots-greys-001_orig.jpg)

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (The Light Brigade, Page 4)
Post by: Bloggard on June 26, 2021, 08:55:56 PM
great stuff.

looking forward to seeing those Scots Greys done.
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (The Light Brigade, Page 4)
Post by: matakishi on July 10, 2021, 03:59:11 PM
Nearing the end of the cavalry now, two units left to do.

Scots Greys

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-scots-greys-009_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-scots-greys-010_orig.jpg)

British naval gun

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-british-naval-gun-002_orig.jpg)

Cossacks

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-cossacks-009_orig.jpg)

Cossack howitzer

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-cossack-howitzer-002_orig.jpg)

https://www.matakishi.net/crimean-war-2021.html
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)
Post by: matakishi on October 10, 2021, 06:01:58 PM
I finished this project in August. We've had four games as we tinkered the rules for a bit of balance for the Russians. In the end we settled on numerical superiority and so I painted up two more infantry units and two more guns for them.

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-game-04-002_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimean-game-01-005_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-russian-command-002_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-british-command-006_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-russian-reinforcements-013_orig.jpg)

(https://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/crimea-big-game-002_orig.jpg)

There's a video of our latest game here:
https://youtu.be/KN-Z43mRc_M
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)
Post by: DintheDin on October 10, 2021, 06:11:50 PM
Just caught up with this.
Lovely paintjobs and video! Cheers!
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)
Post by: has.been on October 11, 2021, 09:29:09 AM
As expected very good work.
Even if the work was poor quality,
which it definitely isn't, I am very
impressed with your ability to start
AND FINISH your projects. I have absolutely
no problem with starting projects, but... :D :D :D
Title: Re: I'm doing a small Crimea project (Cossacks, Page 4)
Post by: Bloggard on October 11, 2021, 09:42:28 AM
splendid looking collection, and proper looking game ...  :-*