Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: Redshank on August 15, 2022, 02:22:26 PM
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I am slowly making progress with my forces for MAW. Here we go with the Mississippi Rifles:
(https://i.imgur.com/vJ8L9O1.jpg)
I wasn't sure of the officer's uniform so I just gave him a standard US Army one. (This would be Colonel Jefferson Davis no less.)
(https://i.imgur.com/vP3ZxAb.jpg)
These are 15mm Old Glory/Blue Moon which I find are fully compatible with my 18mm Eurekas.
Speaking of which... here come the Mexican 8th Cavalry, so far unbased:
(https://i.imgur.com/mhJ5L2P.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Y9nrBl5.jpg)
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Good to see those. I particularly like the Mexican cavalry. I wonder how well the newer Blue Moon figures fit with OG and Eureka?
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I wonder how well the newer Blue Moon figures fit with OG and Eureka?
Will post some pics later but I have found the Blue Moons are fully compatible with the Eureka 18mm.
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Lovely work, really like the Mexican cavalry, super job! :)
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Very cool to see these! MAW using Blue Moon/Eureka is something I have often considered doing so really good to see some examples.
How do you find painting them?
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Very cool to see these! MAW using Blue Moon/Eureka is something I have often considered doing so really good to see some examples.
How do you find painting them?
Short answer, on the whole great, although the OG/BM Mississippi Rifle sculpts were showing their age a little, I felt. That said, the OG/BM Light Mexican Infantry I have compare very well with Eureka - I will try and post some pics of the 2.
Long answer... I went with Eureka (plus some OG/BM) kind of as a compromise between 28mm 1stCorps and the 10mm So Far From God range. More practical for the tabletop and quicker to paint than 28mm, but with a bit more visual appeal from the figures than you get (or at least I get!) from 10mm; also I already used 10mm for another period and fancied a change.
The challenge I find has been to make the most of what the scale offers without falling down the trap of trying to do 28mm detail level, while still doing the figures justice. It's always about deciding when enough is enough.
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OG/BM Mexican Light Infantry vs Eureka US infantry:
(https://i.imgur.com/AU0Bzi9.jpg)
From left to right: Eureka US infantry, OG/BM Mississippi Rifles, OG/BM Mexican Light Infantry.
(https://i.imgur.com/SjEuNDD.jpg)
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A. The figures look good.
B. They seem to mix well. On the battlefield, they'll do just fine. Looks-wise, that is. Performance-wise remains to be seen! :)
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Nice work! The two different manufacturers work really well together. :)
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Thanks for the kind words. Taking good photos of models is clearly a skill in itself and also clearly one I don't have!
Just a couple of things, 1) I am not aware of anyone doing 15/18mm Mexican Zapadores yet. And 2) although light infantry is available in shako and tailcoat, sources (e.g. Brassey) suggest that was dress uniform, but the units actually fought in an outfit that looked a lot more like US infantry, with a forage cap and short coat, in a dark blue-grey tone.
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Thanks for the pics Redshank they all work together nicely.
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Good to see the MAW still getting some table time. Makes me want to get my 28s out for a go. What rules are you using?
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What rules are you using?
Thinking of either Live Free or Die, or Regimental Fire & Fury, but yet to playtest either.
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Don't know Live Free or Die rules but Fire and Fury (regimental and brigade) I find really wonky and very slow moving - unless playing a pretty small battle, forget getting to real determination, time will rear its ugly head before you get there. I have friends that play the rules and I won't bother playing - too much time for too little result.
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By the power of Greyskull, I resurrect this thread! After a major delay, my Mex-American War project has jolted forwards again.
Mexican 6th Infantry: using the mixed-headgear minis for a change:
(https://i.imgur.com/GOTT24S.jpg)
Grenadier Guards of the Supreme Power (what a name)! I am happier with how these came out, even though the uniforms are fiddlier.
(https://i.imgur.com/TaKFu2A.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/z87aZnX.jpg)
These are all Eureka 18mm. All unbased as yet because I am working away from home for a bit (abroad) and don't have my basing materials with me. Also, the only varnish I could get over here came out distinctly glossy for a supposedly matt product. I'll try a coat of matt when I get home.
Many of the bayonets came off, irritatingly, despite my attempts to be careful.
I was going to use the GGotSP as stand-ins for the Zapadores, but since I bought them I found other minis that would work better, so the GGotSP are not strictly required for my project (Taylor's northern campaign). Never mind, they will add some variety to the Mexican side.
Fun [internet] fact I just learned: the height requirement for the GGotSP was only 5'6".
Onto the US 2nd dragoons, stay tuned...
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And now for the 2nd US Dragoons!
(https://i.imgur.com/QQshzYD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0FTOZeh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TRYoyJF.jpg)
I really like the poses on some of these models, especially the ones swiping to the side.
Less positively, I am not used to spraycan varnish and overdid it somewhat on a few models, leading to a buildup of residue, which will need touched up once I get home. Also the supposedly matt varnish still looks pretty shiny - I'm hoping a coast of my usual matt will sort that out.
Onto some "redleg" US infantry next (artillery serving as infantry).
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Hi folks,
Eureka will be releasing Zapadores and also a few more additions in not too distant. US volunteer infantry, US sailors , US flying artillery in shako.
I asked for some more additions, looking forward to them.
Scott
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Excellent news! I was in touch with Mike about Zapadores a while ago - great to hear this is moving ahead.
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Indeed it is!
I will try to post some of my efforts on the Eureka sculpts when I get a moment. They are in storage right now. I used Contrast paints with further acrylic highlights. Your excellent work has inspired me to get them back out!
Scott
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Indeed it is!
I will try to post some of my efforts on the Eureka sculpts when I get a moment. They are in storage right now. I used Contrast paints with further acrylic highlights. Your excellent work has inspired me to get them back out!
Scott
Please do sir - I'd be interested to see Contrast paints on these 15mm/18mm chaps.
What rules are you using?
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Finished first 4 bases or so of the US 1st Artillery, serving as infantry ("redlegs"):
(https://i.imgur.com/oZlEEVo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4dEelS9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xvu8ZZt.jpg)
Onto some Mexican 1st Cavalry next. Really looking forward to painting these guys.
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Please do sir - I'd be interested to see Contrast paints on these 15mm/18mm chaps.
What rules are you using?
I will certainly do that! On a break right now but when back will post some pictures.
Rules. Right now, no idea. I view this war as one best fought at big skirmish or regimental level. Am thinking of Sharp Practice for the big skirmish but the Fire and Fury variant for the latter. Do you have rules in view?
My initial thoughts revolve around gaming aspects of the California expedition. I have a lot of Presidials ! Might suggest to Eureka that they do dismounted Presidials skirmishing….
Scott
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Rules-wise, I'm leaning towards a slightly-modified Live Free or Die, for Taylor's northern campaign. I'm excited Eureka might expand the range to cover more of the volunteer units that were with Taylor at Buena Vista.
The main thing not in the original rules is the US flying artillery. I'm thinking two command points for a move/fire/move order, breaking the normal move sequence - their "fire" action would include say up to 12" of move either side of their shot. But I haven't tried it in play yet. Vicious on the Mexicans, but costly for the Americans in terms of command points.
I'm using the scenarios put out for Regimental Fire and Fury for background info / orders of battle, and I'd be interested to try those rules too, although views on them seem mixed.
California would certainly offer lots of opportunities for skirmish games. It's just a hundred men a side or so even for some named engagements like San Pasqual.
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Mexican First Cavalry completed! Well, before basing and varnishing at least:
(https://i.imgur.com/9ke3cKx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rY190nw.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LbAfzaB.jpg)
The white horse was an experiment - white patches over grey undercoat, then a coat of dark wash. I'm tempted to do some more highlights but that can tip over too easily into overdoing it, so I'll leave it there for now (and probably end up doing it anyway when I get to basing).
Two compromises vs what I know of the history: first, a majority of them should probably have lances instead of swords, but I like the sword poses.
Also, the army list I am using (from Fire and Fury, for Palo Alto) says they fought together with 7th Cavalry in a 6-base unit, but I have enough for 6 bases here of 1st Cav alone. I preferred the 1st Cav models and uniforms.
Onto 10th Mexican Line infantry next - a chance to crack out my purple paint for a change as some of their uniform detailing was in that colour according to Osprey.
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Really beautiful collection! The Mexican American War has long been a gaming interest of mine. I began and aborted projects in 28mm (First Corps and OG figures) and 15mm (Musket and Minifigs) and only finally completed armies in 10mm (So Far From God miniatures). I game the MAW with Field of Battle 3.
I like your use of Blue Moon and Eureka, they go together nicely and you've done a splendid job with all of those pretty uniforms. Keep up the great work!
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For the Flying Artillery: maybe a gunner rolling a lit shell into captain Bragg's tent? :D
Lovely figures, look forward to your AARs.
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Thankyou for the kind words!
Really beautiful collection! The Mexican American War has long been a gaming interest of mine. I began and aborted projects in 28mm (First Corps and OG figures) and 15mm (Musket and Minifigs) and only finally completed armies in 10mm (So Far From God miniatures). I game the MAW with Field of Battle 3.
I did look at the SFFG range and was sorely tempted, but I have another period in 10mm (FPW) and fancied a change.
I will try and check out Field of Battle 3. I also have another ruleset in pdf called Brave Men Badly Led that is specifically for MAW and deserves a playtest at some point!
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Rules-wise, I'm leaning towards a slightly-modified Live Free or Die, for Taylor's northern campaign. I'm excited Eureka might expand the range to cover more of the volunteer units that were with Taylor at Buena Vista.
The main thing not in the original rules is the US flying artillery. I'm thinking two command points for a move/fire/move order, breaking the normal move sequence - their "fire" action would include say up to 12" of move either side of their shot. But I haven't tried it in play yet. Vicious on the Mexicans, but costly for the Americans in terms of command points.
I'm using the scenarios put out for Regimental Fire and Fury for background info / orders of battle, and I'd be interested to try those rules too, although views on them seem mixed.
California would certainly offer lots of opportunities for skirmish games. It's just a hundred men a side or so even for some named engagements like San Pasqual.
Live Free or Die, excellent idea. I use them in my 10 mm AWI games and very much enjoy them. Although AWI specific I don’t doubt that they could be tweaked for MAW, not least given small size of battles and wide variety of troop class/ morale states.
I like your flying artillery idea. Any thoughts on special rules for the Mexicans? Am guessing use of the lance will be one? And while I am here I really love the Mexican cavalry you just did. Very evocative.
I think my one concern with Fire and Fury is sheer number of bases needed. With Live Free, unit sizes are of course relative, so may well look at giving those a shot.
I also attach some WIP of my contrast painted efforts. I use these paints to establish a base for further work. Bit like oil painting idea of laying down values. The completed US infantry private and officer have had acrylic highlights added as has one of the 11th regiment Mexican privates. Really proof of concept work so far.
Pics also attached of Texas Rangers, some have had acrylic highlights added. And a mounted US officer.
I find that contrast paints work really well for horses. The knack is selecting a natural tone, as ever. Given the use of a lot of piebald and skewbald types, especially in irregular units and even Mexican regular units, the flow quality of contrast paints really lend themselves to painting the more challenging breeds.
I think , for volunteer infantry, Eureka are going for a fairly rough and ready civilian / quasi - uniform look, at least from memory. I dare say mixing in some regulars for a more uniformed appearance would work. I know that Eureka are sorting out master moulds just now so guess release will be not too far away.
Ok, must head! But this thread has inspired me to do some more and get beyond a few proof of concept figures.
Scott
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looking food. Those the softcaps on the Americans
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@Flodden, the contrast paint is working very well - those look excellent. Concept proven, I would say!
Quite right on the effectiveness of the Mexican lancers. Maybe an extra die (or even 2) on a successful charge. Given how expensive charges are in LFoD in terms of command points, some balance would still be maintained.
I'm intrigued by "Brave Men Badly Led" - set of rules I found online from Alex Bagosy of Black Army Productions. Only 9 figures per infantry regiment of 3 bases and 6 per cavalry (and 1 gun per battery) so it's light on figures requirement. It uses a similar command-point mechanic as LFoD. It also employs event cards, such as: "Desert Winds - all shooting at -1D6 this turn", or "Jefferson Davis - any one friendly unit is immediately rallied", which seems like a great way to bring in some MAW flavour.
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I like the paint job on your figures. Well done!
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Redshank,
Many thanks for the kind words. I am getting the look I want and that being so I now aim to produce the Mexican 11th regiment and some Presidials / Rancheros to fight a small column of US infantry, Dragoons and Texas Rangers. Perhaps with a 6 pounder. This is an initial set of forces to get me gaming the period. I will certainly bear your rule suggestions on Mexican lancers in mind.
Would dismounted skirmishing Presidials be a suggestion for Eureka? I might ask Nic. Anything else you think worth a request? I wondered about Mexican light infantry skirmishing in soft cap with Baker rifles and National Guards in frock coats to represent a number of units , including the San Patricios. I have also pondered asking for 1840s Apache or Navajos to give some add spice.
In between domestic tasks today, hope to do some more on my 11 th and Presidials. Will keep send in pictures as matters develop.
Do you have a supplier of accurate, high quality flags? The ranges I know of are limited and often focus on the 1830s Texas period.
I might add am intrigued by your forum name. I have a whole pile of Redshanks in my Renaissance Irish army. My own name reflects my big 10 mm Flodden collection.
I took your advice on Brave Men, Badly Led. Ordered from Lulu in soft back and should be here in a few days
Ok, as far as I know the 11th did not fight in the Californian or Texan theatres, but I just love the white jacket and maroon trousers rig!
Scott
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I like the paint job on your figures. Well done!
Much obliged CapnJim! I will aim to get more done and take better pictures!
Scott
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I find, generally, and 15 mm more particularly, that once the "battle is joined" on the table top, most players no longer care about the paint job so feel free to go with 'good enough' to help with production.
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I find, generally, and 15 mm more particularly, that once the "battle is joined" on the table top, most players no longer care about the paint job so feel free to go with 'good enough' to help with production.
Sound advice! I am trying to keep my painting to the fun level rather than letting it become a chore.
Redshank,
Many thanks for the kind words. I am getting the look I want and that being so I now aim to produce the Mexican 11th regiment and some Presidials / Rancheros to fight a small column of US infantry, Dragoons and Texas Rangers. Perhaps with a 6 pounder. This is an initial set of forces to get me gaming the period. I will certainly bear your rule suggestions on Mexican lancers in mind.
Would dismounted skirmishing Presidials be a suggestion for Eureka? I might ask Nic. Anything else you think worth a request? I wondered about Mexican light infantry skirmishing in soft cap with Baker rifles and National Guards in frock coats to represent a number of units , including the San Patricios. I have also pondered asking for 1840s Apache or Navajos to give some add spice.
In between domestic tasks today, hope to do some more on my 11 th and Presidials. Will keep send in pictures as matters develop.
Do you have a supplier of accurate, high quality flags? The ranges I know of are limited and often focus on the 1830s Texas period.
I might add am intrigued by your forum name. I have a whole pile of Redshanks in my Renaissance Irish army. My own name reflects my big 10 mm Flodden collection.
I took your advice on Brave Men, Badly Led. Ordered from Lulu in soft back and should be here in a few days
Ok, as far as I know the 11th did not fight in the Californian or Texan theatres, but I just love the white jacket and maroon trousers rig!
Scott
Hey Scott, I fully endorse your decision to go with Rule of Cool on unit selection! Anyway, you might do another theatre later.
The main additions to the Eureka range I would like to see are Zapadores. (I was emailing Mike a while back about it but the discussion kind of petered out for some reason - as I recall his view was they should be in shakoes not busbies.) For San P's, I reckon regular line infantry would do (judging by the Brassey book)? Mex light infantry in soft caps would be nice to have too - US infantry figures are close, but I think the Mex lights all had swords.
That and some of the US volunteer units for visual variety would be nice.
Blue Moon do Mex infantry in long coats https://www.oldgloryuk.com/15mm-mexican-war/50/237/577/594
Interested to hear what you think of BMBL! And to see some more of your minis. I started Mex 10th today after a bit of a break. I am (slowly) working up to Palo Alto / Resaca de la Palma.
My long-term goal is to do a multiplayer 2-table game of Contreras/Churubusco where the players have to allocate troops between the two approaches to Mexico City, with suitable incentives for skulduggery and backstabbing between them!
By the way, no great story on my forum handle - I just wanted a Scottish themed name! I haven't delved into Scottish military history yet or collected for anything before 1776 - I am trying to keep myself under some sort of control!
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I found this online resource of mainly MAW items, so thought I would share:
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/mhinojosa/
Some fascinating stuff including Mexican grenadier light and grenadier company infantry insignia, and a US Army shako plates. Although mostly too small to make a difference at 18mm.
But there are some watercolours of Mexican uniforms too, some of which are contemporary - including for ex. an 11th regt drummer:
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/mhinojosa/1/
Anyway, Mexican 10th Regt nearly done, and I undercoated a bunch of Mexican Auxiliary Cavalry last night ready for the next stage of the campaign!
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Hi Redshank!
I owe you a reply. Work has been crazy. Will reply more fully over next few days. Got the Brave Men, Badly Led rules. They look interesting.
This reference work is timely. I am about to paint some more 11 Regiment and this drummer picture is great.
Do we know if in the other regiments, they had drummers with reversed coats? Indeed is the blue here the deeper indigo blue or meant to be the lighter blue of the facings of the 11 th?
Good luck with the next batch of painting. Hope to get back to the 11 th over the weekend.
Scott
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Hi Flodden, I reckon the colour scheme on that drummer can't be a straight-up reversal because the 11th didn't have green in their uniform (so far as I know). So I don't know what to make of it! I don't know if there was a system for drummer uniforms. I would like to find out.
On your other question on flags, the online collection I linked to does include an example of a Mexican regimental colour. I am using Virtual Armchair General's pdf's for now.
https://www.thevirtualarmchairgeneral.com/347-Mexican%20War%20Flags.html
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Hi Redshank,
As a Scot living in Scotland I love your embracing of a Scottish forum name! And I love my Redshank force, courtesy of the very American Khurasan miniatures!
Ok, here are some replies. Zapadores, I think from images of greens I have seen , that Eureka have gone for a bearskin type option. The sources I have read suggest that was in use in the war.
Drummers, just noted that in plates to Plate 2 in the Anton Adams book, War in Mexico, it is said that Mexican drummers did not reverse colours but wore the same coat as their regiment. Some National Guard units did reverse. As for the 11 th, the plate you found suggests this elite line regiment was an exception. As for green lapels, indeed, this does seem to be unusual, unless was a nod to green in the national flag. I just painted a drummer based on the plate, so green lapels remain!
On flags, I completely forgot I got the TVAG range a few years back and they are stored on my desktop pc. Thanks for the reminder of the range. Do you happen to know if Mexican units carried a national and regimental flag?
As for other sculpts from Eureka, I agree, the San Patricios could just be in national guard kit. I guess given the nature of the recruitment of these men, that they got what was going, with no scope for a special uniform. I have the OG castings in frock coats and can see me use those as San Blas national guard. Some of the Eureka Crimean War French , not least the officers in kepi, would work for national guard types.
If you are looking for Mexican guerilla or civilians, including women and priests, check out the AB Figures, Napoleonic Spanish. They match very well size wise and style with Eureka. They also do a nice mule train.
For Mexican light infantry, the US regular infantry might work, at least some of the poses. As you say they carried a sword. I might ask Nic if Mike would still consider some bespoke types.
Read through the Brave Men, Badly Led rules. These look interesting and can see me give them a try. I will though have bigger units than the rules suggest. It is a visual thing for me and I don’t mind painting more figures. Right now have 48 of the 11 th Regiment on the way to completion. Marching poses. Have started the 3rd Regiment as well. Thinking of basing on 30 mm square but not sure if will base in two ranks of two, or three of three. I have settled on using the skirmish poses on 30 mm round bases to operate ahead of the main unit. I read yesterday that Mexican light company men operated in three man teams. I can get three different poses on a base.
I will post more pics as the project grows. I did a lot of painting yesterday and the grey weather here today suggests that pattern will be repeated!
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Hi Scott, I reckon good call on bigger units with BMBL - I was planning on doing the same myself. I don't think it would break anything, although I find I need to try these tweaks in play to be sure. In fact I reckon bigger units would be more consistent with his weapon ranges; he has got musket range at 4 inches, which is more than his infantry regiment frontage. I think that is a bit too long. More importantly, like you I also prefer bigger units visually.
I have gone with 4 figs in 2 ranks on an inch square base, and typically 6 bases per unit.
I think I have read somewhere Mexican infantry regiments generally only carried one colour into action, presumably regimental. But I am away from my books right now so can't track down the reference.
On the Zap headgear - my Brassey book says bearskins, but Osprey says shakoes. So who knows - not me at the moment anyway! Although when I start going down the rabbit hole on uniforms, I try and remind myself the Mexicans probably just turned up in whatever they could scrounge.
By the way, I normally live in Scotland (Falkirk), although I'm working abroad for a while. I do have some minis with me and am trying to crack on with my painting in my downtime. Would be great to have a showdown when I get back! (Bagsy the Mexicans!!)
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Hi Redshank!
Falkirk! How many Mex Am gamers are there in Scotland ? ! I am in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. A game sounds like fun and okay I will be Manifest Destiny Team.
Currently am looking to base infantry on 40 by 30, two ranks of three, five to eight bases per unit or seven where light company is detached. Cavalry , regular, 40 mm square or 40 mm round for irregular cavalry, ditto irregular infantry like Texas Rangers, guerillas etc. cannon 40 mm wide by 50 deep. Idea is to allow use with systems that use uniform frontages eg Lasalle, as well as more generally.
I think you are right on one standard per unit for Mexicans and generally on your view that kit could be quite a mix with the Mexicans.
I now have about 48 11th Regiment near completion, 48 3rd half done and a five base San Patricio battalion undercoated. Once these guys are done, a brigade, I will move to the easier to do US infantry.
Will keep in touch and will send pics of my proof of concept 11 th on bases albeit not landscaped. If I like the look I will proceed to landscape with a suitably scrub like finish.
Scott
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The Project continues with two more Mexican units (to take on Flodden in due course!) - again unbased for now, as I am still away from home without access to my basing materials. Anyway, first up, the purple-lapelled 10th Infantry:
(https://i.imgur.com/eJECKaN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/53lbrSa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eqhEBNO.jpg)
Next, some Presidial Cavalry:
(https://i.imgur.com/ybpyKiJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VRXqTED.jpg)
Enough for 8 bases here (2 to a base) as they are standing in for Mounted Auxiliaries of Villa del Norte. This is a big unit, and probably intimidating for an inexperienced American player to observe across the table, but with very fragile morale. Basically only good for riding down unformed American infantry.
Onto some dismounted American dragoons next to give myself a break from Mexican cavalry. I realised I bought enough figures for 3 foot dragoons per base, versus 2 when mounted, which I suppose means half of the horses magically turn into soldiers! I am not planning on bothering with figures for the held horses, partly because I don't know anyone who makes them for MAW in 15mm/18mm, and I haven't researched availability of proxies from other periods.
By the way has anyone ever taken minis in hand luggage? Got to get these guys home soon, and the thought of BA or similar jokers losing my luggage with them inside is enough to make the blood run cold...
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This time with hopefully more effective photos, taken utilising all-new TableEdgeTM technology:
(https://i.imgur.com/9CQwFeL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/t7E5J7a.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LzSS3Oo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zWbYodY.jpg)
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Just caught this thread today with the new post, glad I saw it Recent posts list. A 15/18mm MAW project using Eureka and/or OG/BM has been a wishlist project for a long time, this really made that itch worse! Lovely stuff all around.
Chris
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Them Mexican fellers look good. Well done!
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Just caught this thread today with the new post, glad I saw it Recent posts list. A 15/18mm MAW project using Eureka and/or OG/BM has been a wishlist project for a long time, this really made that itch worse! Lovely stuff all around.
Chris
Cheers! By the way, Eureka and OG/BM are compatible in terms of scale. I posted some comparison shots up-thread you can check out.
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I picked up a book called "Echoes of the Mexican-American War" by Libura, Morales Moreno and Marquez (translated by Mark Fried) at my local library. It's structured around long extracts from primary sources, with plenty of pics. It's not a military history (the authors make some basic mistakes on that side), but some of the images seemed worth sharing.
Mexican cannon. I don't place much weight on the uniforms though - the illustrators seem to have been making it up. The notion of Mexican infantry wearing green seems to have taken hold for some reason.
(https://i.imgur.com/odscI2T.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/h7z3tqz.jpg)
Mexican Californian lancer:
(https://i.imgur.com/YG2ZRDK.jpg)
More Mexican cavalry in California. I don't recall seeing these tall, New England Puritan type hats in any other illustrations of the conflict:
(https://i.imgur.com/V2yWhAZ.jpg)
Veracruz layout:
(https://i.imgur.com/dkiDfnc.jpg)
...and now back to painting as I have got a game coming up at the club!
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Got the Mex-American collection down to the club for a first game last night. We tried a loose approximation of Palo Alto, although orders of battle and terrain were not exact. The Americans were tasked with breaking through the Mexican line to secure the far road exit within 16 turns. We used Live Free or Die with a few house rules to cover flying artillery and forming square (although the latter was not needed). 2 of us were playing the rules for the first time.
The Americans in two brigades, formed up in column for the advance:
(https://i.imgur.com/ADeTWk5.jpg)
The more numerous Mexican forces lined up to face them:
(https://i.imgur.com/Kypmhs4.jpg)
Closeup on the Mexican 6th infantry, with the 1st visible behind them (on temporary bases...)
(https://i.imgur.com/3LKGT9q.jpg)
The Americans continue the advance through the clear ground around the chaparral:
(https://i.imgur.com/izU4aIr.jpg)
By turn 6 or 7, the Americans are starting to shake out into line while the Mexican 1st Cavalry bears down on the US 2nd Dragoons:
(https://i.imgur.com/eGSZNJW.jpg)
Owing to the vagaries of initiative, it was the Dragoons who charged home, even as Mexican infantry looms off to the flank:
(https://i.imgur.com/FWjYmwf.jpg)
By about Turn 10, the Mexican brigade around the road (with rancheros hovering uncertainly nearby) was wilting under ferocious US infantry volleys, backed up by a section of flying artillery. But the depleted Mississippi Rifles were facing the daunting prospect of fending off the best part of another Mexican brigade coming up on the flank.
(https://i.imgur.com/auzeM9J.jpg)
With the clock against us (both in reality and in game), we called the battle for the Mexicans. While it was likely the Americans would break through the depleted Mexican brigade holding the road, there likely wasn't time for the US forces to secure the exit, especially with the other Mexican brigade about to roll in from the flank.
All enjoyed the game, although it was agreed some further tweaks would help, both in the scenario design (possibly too much ground for the Americans to cover in the time available) and in our house rules for the flying artillery, which seemed not quite effective enough.
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Interesting AAR.
Love the minis! :-*
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The assault on Lead Mountain continues with the addition of the Mexican Light Cavalry:
(https://i.imgur.com/r6bbkVB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FxTMZSc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nYd988u.jpg)
As usual unbased, as I lack basing materials for now (working abroad for a bit).
They are a bit of a vision in blue - dark blue trousers, light blue jackets, blue saddle blankets and capes - so I tried to mix it up with various Army Painter shades - Wolf Grey, Electric Blue and so on. Still overall not the most visually interesting, but I need them for my Palo Alto project, so in they go. Also, I am increasingly convinced (as I read around) they should be lancers, but back when I was buying these, I'd read Mexican cavalry had sabres. So that's what I've got.
Speaking of the project... I am dangerously near finishing. Still to do:
- another regt of American infantry
- 2 more bases (8 figs) of "redleg" infantry (American gunners serving as infantry)
- artillerymen for both sides - should be mounted for the American flying artillery
- Tampico Coast Guards (5 bases)
- Mexican Presidials (4 cavalry bases = 8 figs)
If I can find proper Mexican sappers I would want a regt of those, but until somebody does them, I am using the Grenadiers as a stand-in.
The other figure availability problem I have is mounted gunners for the US Flying Artillery. I've read they struggled to get uniforms and turned up in whatever they could scrounge, so I might use dragoons painted with red artillery markings. This is definitely getting into the "nice to haves", anyway.
I've also got some casualty markers, but they should be quick to do, and they're not really necessary. (None of this is necessary of course, but you know what I mean!)
So overall, close to the finish line.
Then there is always Buena Vista to move on to... Which would give me an excuse for doing the Tulacingo Cuirassiers and Jalisco Lancers!
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Your cavalry looks good. So did that battle report! Well done, lad!
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Your cavalry looks good. So did that battle report! Well done, lad!
Muchos gracias, Capitano!
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Added another 6.5 bases' worth of "redleg" US infantry (artillerymen serving as infantry). I am going 4 to a base. The Palo Alto scenario done for Fire and Fury calls for a 12-base unit, which I can now do.
(https://i.imgur.com/nGWndwI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wGtiwfi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/quIoKBo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d0EEZ68.jpg)
I enjoyed doing these, so much so that I am even looking forward to doing some more US infantry next.
I switched to brown base layer and tanned flesh highlights for the skin, rather than tanned flesh + flesh wash. I've also moved away from drybrushed highlights to trying to be more precise. Both changes happened between two halves of this batch. But now I have jumbled up the minis I can no longer easily tell which mini was done which way!
EDIT: thanks to taking these photos I realised I'd left too much flash on the bayonet of the guy on the left!
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They look splendid! :-*
Believe me, you are not the first person who has picked up things when looking at photographs. Closeups also give you an opportunity to see the minis quite well, so that you can evaluate the finished product much easier, as well as your photo technique.
Keep up the good work!
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I must admit the 'photo technique' at the moment is to point my phone at them! Miniature photography remains a closed book to me so far.