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Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: OB on March 03, 2024, 11:20:13 AM

Title: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 03, 2024, 11:20:13 AM: I have been refurbishing my old Yellow Ribbon collection and have dug out an ancient copy of Greg Novak’s Yellow Ribbon rules.

Most of the figures I have are from the original Frei Korp range. I’m not sure if they first appeared in the 70’s or early 80’s. A long time ago for sure. They are true 15mm. I also have some Minifigs and Peter Pig, they all work together nicely enough.
If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on March 03, 2024, 03:05:03 PM: Very interesting!
I've just got a set of Yellow Ribbon rules, any advice on how the game plays, would be most appreciated.
:)
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 03, 2024, 03:37:05 PM: Thanks Harry.

Yellow Ribbon plays very nicely, solo or with pals.

The Indians do their own thing. This is good as the cavalry never know how they will react. You need a pack of playing cards to determine the cavalry wounds. It isn't complex or time consuming. Cavalry players need to take good care of their wounded.

The game fairly nips along once you have started. You do need to rate both sides before you begin. This is good because it allows for very different sorts of game.

I intend a blog post on playing Yellow Ribbon as part of this project.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: has.been on March 03, 2024, 03:49:45 PM: Very nice paint jobs there OB.

I have (long waiting) project to do similar (6mm) using Pony Wars.
How do you think they compare with Yellow Ribbon, if you've played
them that is.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 03, 2024, 05:25:53 PM: OB, I highly recommend you go with Peter Pig for your teepees. I have lots of Irregular stuff but their teepees are small and all metal and - to my eye - not the most convincing. Peter Pig are much better, in my opinion.

For dismounted tribals - Peter Pig, QRF - Yellow Ribbon, and especially the old range available through Hovels, great little bits in the village packs, also travois.

If you need to add wagons, back to Peter Pig which is also a great source for dead - but also Hovels, though Hovels range are the smallish old west 15 mm figures out there.

For the comparison question between Pony Wars and Yellow Ribbon - I'd say very different rules, I bought the reprint of Pony Wars, which inspired my massive collection that is only partly painted, but just decided they weren't playable. Yellow Ribbon are certainly playable but my collection is too big for single basing figures which I think Yellow Ribbon requires.

Last thought, for now, use Rosebud as your inspiration over Little Big Horn. More options.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 03, 2024, 05:50:49 PM: Quote from: has.been on March 03, 2024, 03:49:45 PM
Very nice paint jobs there OB.

I have (long waiting) project to do similar (6mm) using Pony Wars.
How do you think they compare with Yellow Ribbon, if you've played
them that is.

Thanks, the ink wash does a lot of work in painting those fellow. Makes the detail easier to pick out.

I have both, they are very different. Yellow Ribbon is easier to get on the table. Less figures required too.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 03, 2024, 06:03:24 PM: Quote from: FifteensAway on March 03, 2024, 05:25:53 PM
OB, I highly recommend you go with Peter Pig for your teepees. I have lots of Irregular stuff but their teepees are small and all metal and - to my eye - not the most convincing. Peter Pig are much better, in my opinion.

For dismounted tribals - Peter Pig, QRF - Yellow Ribbon, and especially the old range available through Hovels, great little bits in the village packs, also travois.

If you need to add wagons, back to Peter Pig which is also a great source for dead - but also Hovels, though Hovels range are the smallish old west 15 mm figures out there.

For the comparison question between Pony Wars and Yellow Ribbon - I'd say very different rules, I bought the reprint of Pony Wars, which inspired my massive collection that is only partly painted, but just decided they weren't playable. Yellow Ribbon are certainly playable but my collection is too big for single basing figures which I think Yellow Ribbon requires.

Last thought, for now, use Rosebud as your inspiration over Little Big Horn. More options.

Too late on the tepees. All the same I think you are right. The Irregular ones are not a good match for Sioux Lodges. I may get some of the Hovels village stuff.

I have a wagon coming from QRF. It's been coming for a month now. Must be coming off road overland or maybe lost a wheel. I did get the Peter Pig wounded cavalry figures. You don't need the dead for Yellow Ribbon. The wounded are essential.

I think you can easily double base your Indians for Yellow Ribbon except for the Leader figures. Not so the cavalry of course. My Indians are on a mixture of double and single bases. That seems to work for casualty removal if you have enough singles.

Yes on the Rosebud. I have Powder River and the Battle of the Rosebud ordered. They should arrive next week.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on March 04, 2024, 11:55:55 AM: A quick skim through the rules puts me in mind of 'With Fire and Sword'. The Palefaces must complete their task, while making sure no wounded, fall into the hands of bronzed, painted savages! So straight away, the Blubelly's are hobbled somewhat. In true Crazy Horse mode, the Redskins kind of knock about, till they think,'I've fought enough for today'!
I'm really looking forward to getting started heading West.

:-*
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 04, 2024, 06:47:27 PM: That sounds about right. Both rule sets are about the same vintage. The real fun starts when the Cavalry have Indian allies who, naturally enough, behave like Indians.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 05, 2024, 02:07:57 PM: QRF seems to be getting product out to buyer about a month after ordering from personal experience and other posters here on TMP - a thread specific to the company and how long to get stuff from them recently. Hope you have yours by now.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 05, 2024, 03:13:58 PM: I still don't, but Powder River and Rosebud have arrived! A real treat I think.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 08, 2024, 09:33:41 AM: K Company US 7th Cavalry is now up on my blog mounted and dismounted. All from QRF.

I have also a selection of wounded cavalry from Peter Pig. All intended for Yellow Ribbon.

As required by the rules I have rated K Company. There is also some info on the men of K Company and their commander.

If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Tom Dulski on March 08, 2024, 11:50:31 AM: Wonderful, we need more plains wars stuff on this board.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 08, 2024, 12:17:34 PM: Thanks Tom. My next plains war post will be on the Crow.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on March 08, 2024, 02:12:54 PM: Like those, a lot.

:-*
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 08, 2024, 03:24:30 PM: Cheers Harry!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 08, 2024, 03:42:13 PM: Impressive that you included so many dismounted horses in your collection (are they the mounted version without the riders or permanent dismounted horses?).

I took the easier route of having just one permanently dismounted horse per company to mark the point of dismount and opted not to have householders at all - not for Yellow Ribbon, my companies are 12 figures only. I figure to reduce dismounted firing by less dice or a lower ability to hit. Considering I have a total of 25 cavalry troops/companies and 3 additional scout companies in my collection - with only 4 painted so far - that seemed a bit more sane.

If I ever get my collection fulling painted, Tom's refrain might be "we need less Plains Wars stuff on this board"! lol

My overall Old West/Pony Wars figure collection can certainly qualify as "delightfully insane". :o
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 08, 2024, 08:17:05 PM: Thanks Fifteens Away.

My cavalry figures are all one piece castings, so yes separate horses for dismounted cavalry.

You have a huge collection to work with! I guess you could begin by painting enough for small games. I'm always interested in seeing 15mm Plains War stuff.

I have to seriously set about painting my dismounted Indians.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 09, 2024, 07:33:58 PM: Here are a few shots of my cavalry painted (not by me, by a friend) and, obviously, the bases are not yet textured because I haven't decided how I want to do it:

Mounted:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRbfzL5VaVjRpFWuUvlakgzCaWUziOD4pobl2KCObz4PiqFQbmmI8JTDKbSvyoPs-h2EOq5-fr8ySziH7oD6yhEVDx8PYV-pS_OvKXOznyaKGS6smMbqwKIogmfUsJVpI7EgEo6B_HHgNd39wjwBxWWReqsSHFet3oh9MFZQF9mZv4abRFYXG7ZxXYA/w640-h480/IMG_0317.jpg)

Dismounted with the standing horses:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis14u6Fsiz1kh0rN7vXddVuJsFpg76cgA8upHSav_JgIDBNzSMYL3MlZ83nOUbnCHl8FuQ79BmwHJO0eIj2MKtOeD22v61k41gfqRaSyQSQZuncx5itA_2ed1Xo2zkNWJPYg7hBWRfea_HBCLmo2OOPnDYL2rDr8qR9sD2wm_cW4rIdE7lKd8ETWWgzw/w640-h480/IMG_0321.jpg)

And casualty figures including downed horses:
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3r4bNBqDJ_CW75QDpzQaD2VWQ82lIeUTyACg7aqxIx7qAZfXnrk3RN93Su5T8Jqy6M5jiW5C-na5rIdo-g1jtumKNIAZ0cc7YDZZdiaYPBOd0wbCOcC7S-lYhYADWuC77KGRMSJazK22P8BrjdYp59wTvQjvUHrEwRU4xLgiEDrPrkXcYtIAYA3wkw/w640-h480/IMG_0324.jpg)

And as evidence of the "happy insanity", the planned towns 'populations':
Anachronism 34 groups (408) (64 dead)

Lodgepole Creek 13 groups (156) + 1 group (168 + 28 dead)

Alkali Wells 13 groups (156) + 1 group (168 + 28 dead)

Muleskinner Canyon 6 groups (72) + 1 group (84 + 14 dead)

Mescalarilla 6 groups (72) + 1 group (84 + 14 dead)

Dork's Claims 2 groups (24) + 1 group (36 + 6 dead)

Bull's Butt 2 groups (24) + 1 group (36 + 6 dead)

"Environs" 22 groups (264) + 1 group (276 + 46 dead)

The environs are the farmers, ranchers, miners, stage stations, trading station, etc., that are out on their isolated own. The "+1" groups were late additions after making some orders. NEVER intended to have so many! But now I've got them, might as well work on them.

My populations are more representative of the true west, not just the white folk, but the hispanics, the Indians, black folk and Chinese, too. And, of course, Germans and Irish. A true melting pot. Not sure my Shaolin temple priests are 'true west' but I was a big fan of the Kung Fu TV show in my youth. Groups are generally 12 + 2 dead. Sometimes I count a casting of two as two, like a mom with a child standing next to her, less precise with babes in arms.

105 groups = 1,260 + 210 dead (and those six prospector mules) (1,476 pieces including babes in arms)

Might remove the 'more modern' film crew and just leave the 'old fashioned' film crew as the 'roaming' group (film groups possible in the very late western period that stretched to about 1920 in some ways).

Over half of the above 'popultation' is primed and ready for painting - (and more since)

And one last photo, of a possible set up of Mescalarila - using Peter Pig buildings (still not painted):
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwbHhdmlaaHxQiJGfZb4q9sViQU1fh91tpEO7yBhgcCCqaOxCOe8Yo4KwFzuWFlaj-_1bRUB5gepUDp5nhEyjJbV09X6Wdd2S3A3mrfhqe3T8TsG7f-VcYI1T9W3UKZ7XlxOWWVeZiQrgq5AeD26zVm_ENSdWkk0eWgaOA9zI3gkgsHiIwvyAaUnpGQ/w640-h480/IMG_0310.jpg)
I have buildings for all the towns, with some scratch builds in progress.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 09, 2024, 09:10:38 PM: What a project! You went big. Very nice to see the pic's, thank you. You have enough cavalry painted to play Yellow Ribbon or the "Rampant" variants.

I do want to get some Miners, Cattle and Bison next. Very modest by comparison.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: CapnJim on March 09, 2024, 10:56:02 PM: I'm a bit late to this party, but so far, so good!

Personally, I'm avoiding Cavalry vs. Indians, even though my 3rd-great-uncle chased Commanches around Texas and New Mexico in the early 1870s in the 4th Cavalry. It would just another rabbit hole down which I would go...
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 10, 2024, 01:30:17 AM: CapnJim, are you trying to say you're full up on 'rabbit holes'?! :D

OB, for cattle, Peter Pig's longhorns come with separate heads so you can make minor adjustments in their head positions and - if you are willing to waste a body (that's how I came up with Bull's Butt) - you can also have heads to decorate fence gates, etc. Skulls are available via 3D print - and, no, I have no idea of an STL but my local guy printed some for me. Various other sources for cattle - one, whose name I don't recall, has bull, cow, calves in a multi-pack (I recall it was from a company with a nice range of Early Imperial Romans], everyone else as far as I know is one pose only: Minifigs, Irregular, Stone Mountain, and Peter Pig.

On the bison - or buffalo as we call them here in the states - you are spoiled for choice from multiple sources. Not aware of any dead bison/buffalo in 15 mm but I bought some I will (did already?) cut from their bases - and about half of them I'll grind down the fur to be able paint them as skinned animals. QRF does sell a set of Indians hunting buffalo. The different ranges come in varied sizes so if you mix them up you can get a nice varied herd. I doubt you'll go as far as I did: 120 of the critters all painted and ready to go; and more for the dead and a few for single basing for hunts - those latter not yet painted. [I need to model a buffalo jump, surprisingly shorter than you'd expect]

For miners, I'm using ACW engineers and artillerymen. If you know of better in 15 mm, do let me know.

Back to Yellow Ribbon - do you think my three abreast basing for mounted and foot would work with the rules? And thanks!

edit: went puttering around and found a couple more photos to inspire OB in his progress:

Pronghorn antelope, from Irregular Miniatures.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDp_z5n65FI/XstEByMjiOI/AAAAAAAAEeg/7U1qiMZYzOsXAzA1RCVufzf-0F1OwiBkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2149.JPG)

Alas, not all 120 of the painted buffalo in this shot but in the poorer lighted one below there is:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhDqt1pczrc/XstEDZRQEJI/AAAAAAAAEes/bCQUqX9tUGEXgA9smpHAI_Z9P13qe0V6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2157.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSqnE1mX0TQ/XstEEaxlpWI/AAAAAAAAEe0/xp4oiLjghOceY_kg941byRC9slxtFuFewCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2161.JPG)

"Oh, give me a home,
where the buffalo roam,
where the deer
and
the antelope play..."

I guess I need to work on those plastic deer I bought to round out the lyrics. ;)
(Famous cowboy song in case you don't know it, Home On the Range)

Oh, what the heck, one more of my long horns this time - from a Raid on Panama game, 96 of them - also have 4 dead (combination of Peter Pig, Minifigs and some long OOP Frontier):
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYsYi8syHmBh9FBoYQMZZZ_Oy3y4pC6PtcrlqnEICNSJ3o_BCdmbSZKGmvsBEOjRXVhOnUIDXb7L2m6nhzph_X9DNcbHf0hbnhHe0bz_jV7Wa3K84A5Me7XmVtbrYY83ySR1Zg81fhPg4AheoXQd8zW_G4fXmfiXlyKOyzP7krMzVAKsbS-9ec73tDQ/w640-h480/2EB99FC7-4686-4851-821A-9C039D068737_1_105_c.jpeg)

Now I'm done. For now.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 10, 2024, 10:14:47 AM: Very nice indeed. Great to see the Prong Horns and the Buffalo on mass. The Peter Pig Long Horn cattle look just right.

Good idea on sourcing the Miners, that's what I'll do.

It occurs to me that if you used a base of 3 to represent a single figure in Yellow Ribbon you could do it. The single figure after all can represent more than 1 man in the rules. Worth a try maybe?

Your table looks very impressive too.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 10, 2024, 03:31:33 PM: Hmm, instead of 16 figures use 16 stands? That would give a troop of 48 figures and my photo above of 4 companies becomes 1 troop. Curious. Must think upon this. Does mean not being able to field a full regiment which would now be 192 stands! Plus additional for highest command. Hmm.

My full setup with the 12 figure troops meant 12*12 = 144 figures + 6-9 figures for regimental command so 150-153 figures for a full regiment. The second set of companies is intended for 3 separate battalions from 3 separate regiments with one battalion being from the 9th/10th (colored). Of course, the full regiment will be the 7th - despite my preference for Rosebud over Little Big Horn. Easy enough to designate as a different regiment for a game. The 25th company was meant for a 'brigade' HQ for some hypothetical engagement. Again, hmmm.

Can always go both ways I guess - just have to justify why every 4th stand is a command stand of some sort. Yet again, hmmm.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 10, 2024, 05:07:15 PM: There is another way. Just use casualty markers, bits of gravel as rocks or a D4 behind every base. When you take a casualty remove a rock or turn the dice. Or, keep a pen a paper tally and mark off as you loose figures.

Maybe try stuff out with a single company first and see what works.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 10, 2024, 06:17:37 PM: I need to pull out my copy of the rules and give them a review.

Meanwhile, I found the old range that had the bull, cow, calves: Corvus Belli - don't know if anyone has their figures anymore; the current company by that name has something entirely different. But here is a photo I found:

(https://human-sphere.com/images/thumb/e/e6/Herd_of_Cows.png/800px-Herd_of_Cows.png)

If I needed/wanted more cattle, I'd hunt down as many of these packs as I could find.

Forged in Battle has these:
(https://www.forgedinbattle.com/image/cache/catalog/War_And_Empire_II/Farm/WE-A01_COWS_PIGS-800x600.jpg)

I find those cattle poses a bit odd.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 10, 2024, 08:28:14 PM: Plastic Soldier Company has Corvus Belli now. I don't know if the cattle made the transition.

Yeah, something odd about the FiB cattle. I'll go Peter Pig and Minifigs for my Long Horns I think.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: CapnJim on March 11, 2024, 05:10:53 PM: Yes indeed full up on rabbit holes. Coincidentally. Rabbit Hole also happens to be lovely bourbon...
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: MaleGriffin on March 11, 2024, 05:38:04 PM: Quite the collection! I'm glad to see 15mm has a good selection of figures and critters! In addition to the necessary US cavalry, indians, you have buildings cows, longhorn cattle, buffalo, pigs and even Pronghorn antelope! Well done sir! A great collection!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 11, 2024, 11:27:37 PM: Going to have to find - or take - some photos of additional critters. Have domestics well covered and almost all painted: quite a bit more cattle to include oxen and African cattle that mix well with the longhorn which will raise the full herd to 150 animals, also Hereford and Black Baldies (black cattle with white faces), and a couple of dairy herds, probably 300 or so total - and Brahmins in that overall total, and dead cows courtesy or Peter Pig. Sheep, at least 100. Goats, about 36 plus more for desert games. Pigs, about 80 or so but painted as different breeds. And even poultry, chickens, ducks, geese - and a few turkeys (HO pre-painted plastic). I converted pigs and sheep to dead. All of the foregoing is painted. Still not painted are a bunch of dogs and a score or so of cats (unless pre-painted plastics).

Domestic and wild horses in plentitude - for the native pony herds, the cavalry remudas, some mustangs, and just normal horses - some without tack others with tack. Must have over 1,000 horses in total including cavalry and various mounted 'civilians' - and plenty of dead horses, too. Most of these need painting still.

On the wilder fringes I have deer and bears, coyotes and wolves, even found some mountain lions (best being HO pre-painted plastics), prairie dogs!!!, squirrels - yes, squirrels, skunks, raccoons (don't think I have possums but would love to - well, I think I have one as part of a 3D print - or maybe it is the armadillo I am thinking of), rabbits and bunnies, snakes - yes, 15 mm snakes from the 3D print world including rattlesnakes. I have several 3D printed terrain bases with at least five them including an animal of some sort. Lots of varied birds from Peter Pig fantasy eagles to HO birds to Splintered Light flocks - and bats from the same source. A few rats even. And perhaps oddest of all are varied and sundry insects though these are mostly meant for my jungles but a few that can work in the Old West. A portion of this is painted and a lot still to get done. Many of the smaller animals came from the defunct Musket Miniatures - some of the ranges are still out there from others but I haven't seen the small animals. If I ever sell those tiny critters it will be at an Extreme Premium! ;)

What can I say. For me, I need all of this to decorate my table even if it has no other purpose in the game. One of my passions, odd though it may be. Lots of fun to have at hand when needed.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: sepoy1857 on March 12, 2024, 01:20:03 AM: WoW! great painting. Looks like it would make for a fun and interrsting game (unless Custer in leading...then it may be over in about 20 min!).
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 12, 2024, 05:37:36 AM: After my last post here I went out and took photos of all (I hope! - probably quite a few in the Old West setup that didn't make the shoot, pony herd, etc.) of my non-Africa and non-Prehistoric animals which I am in the process of adding to my blog but that is going to take some time - a lot of photos. Not all of the figures are painted, just wanted a visual record for myself.

I am just posting one here for now, the longhorn cattle getting reinforced by my 18 oxen and 36 Masai cattle - and then I added in 4 'ancient' mounted Frontier cowboys (wish I had more!) to ride herd, too bad about the poor guy that gets to ride drag (behind the cattle and the dust and other stuff cattle leave in their wake). I do have another 14 mounted 'cowboys' but they are just Peter Pig armed ones, not yet painted but primed, rather than having lariats like the Frontier ones. That's 150 cattle in the photo!

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOxkVBLaQ0eXePYBLRgZB9U4cHg7Y5BGU5kcJZOkMjYKXr-iSLSJIaSm3fAQ_lZm6TPXlf9q7AwCxnXiu7QRAJ5vDVs_L6f_JSnmygIm-Z4LwkYMRRtnOY7s76AqAIBHY5cO7oyeTPMwwboSTRnVWo60ywyWCRaabkL1XmxbxLjVh4ymKflGIf-biE9M1/w480-h640/IMG_2950.jpg)

I won't post more photos here but I may post a link once they are all up on the blog.

I want to see more of OB's work.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 12, 2024, 11:27:40 AM: I look forward to seeing them all on your blog.

I will post my Crow Indian Band in a couple of days. They are mainly Peter Pig with a few from Minifigs and QRF. Following that it will be the All Brave Dogs Lakota. Then a Cavalry HQ Company, then more Sioux and Cheyenne. I'm currently working on an Indian Village.

I have ordered a few more bits and pieces for this project. What I would like next is an Ambulance, QRF have a nice one. Speaking of QRF my order arrived within a month allowing for February being a short one. Castings were sharper than the originals as the moulds were redone.

I have nearly finished Powder River by Hedren. First rate stuff, next up is Rosebud. I intend to write a half dozen scenarios for Yellow Ribbon, play them and put them on my blog. The should work with other rules too.

Lots to do and I'm enjoying it all.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 12, 2024, 02:51:00 PM: Looking forward OB - especially to your scenarios.

And here is the link, north of 100 photos, domesticated and wild animals, painted and not yet painted:

https://whiskeyhills.blogspot.com/p/the-apache_20.html (https://whiskeyhills.blogspot.com/p/the-apache_20.html)

Don't be alarmed by the word Apache in the link, it goes to the renamed page for critters but apparently still picks up the old name for the link.

The link is to my Whiskey Hills blog, the Critters page, that overall is focused on Old West and Pony Wars with a profound amount of evidence of how over the top my collection of figures for it is. Not all of the page links have stuff there yet but will eventually. The main posts cover a lot of stuff including some mental meanderings at times related to the collection.

With the photos of the animals, I tried to include pointers for where to find the animals - if still available. No idea on the soft rubber toy animals, I found all of them in spinner racks in toy stores or zoos for some.

The "moral" of the photo-story is always keep your eyes out for what you can find, be creative in the looking, and Buy It When You Find It or it will be gone when you go looking for it later!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 14, 2024, 07:20:02 AM: Thanks for the link.

There is a post about the Crow and some more pic’s on my blog. I have one Crow Warrior Band only in my collection. They will be fielded in full as US Cavalry Allies or in smaller numbers as Scouts.

The figures are all 15mm from Peter Pig, Minifigs and QRF. I think they work together nicely enough.

If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on March 14, 2024, 10:07:55 AM: Great looking Scouts OB. Can't wait to see the Plains Indians, and read your 'Yellow Ribbon' AARs.

:-*
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 14, 2024, 10:47:49 AM: Thanks Harry. I'm just painting my HQ Detachment and working on a couple of scenarios. About to order a small cattle herd too. Peter Pig and I'll get a few Buffalo too.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 14, 2024, 10:30:28 PM: "Small cattle herd" and "a few Buffalo"? Hmm. You don't want to go as large as I did then?! :o

More power to your sanity, then.

Very nice on your Crows and your background on the blog.

I look forward with great anticipation to your review of the Hedren book on Rosebud - and his writing style in general. My Old West/Pony Wars book collection is pretty large but I'm never averse to more books. But the prices are a bit steep from the university press so a review before spending seems in order.

Hope, once you have all your stuff painted, you keep on posting games using yours - or other's - scenarios. Love to see more and help keep me inspired to move forward with my own collection.

I've posted about his before: When wife and I visited Little Bighorn we broke the day by going to lunch across the street at Crow cafe/store and were served in part by the granddaughter of the last war chief of the Crow nation. Sort of cool. Bought his book - alas, not a great read. Still cool to get to that degree of connection.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 15, 2024, 12:27:13 AM: You have the got right visual effect but I couldn't afford the storage space for anything like that. I'd like to claim sanity but, well you know.

My fauna are going to be very modest. I want the Longhorns as food on the hoof for my Cavalry Column. Naturally the Indians will try to run them off.

The Buffalo are great just because it is the Great Plains and there should be Buffalo. I also want to use them as a trigger event in games. Crooke was sneaking up on the Cheyenne when his Crow allies spotted Buffalo. Immediately the hunted them. The shooting alerted the Cheyenne and Crooke's surprise evaporated. I'm thinking about a game mechanism for that.

Hendren is good and writes nicely. I'm nearly finished Powder River then it is onto Rosebud. Both my copies are paperbacks. I would have liked hardbacks but that meant delivery in September. I couldn't wait. The paperbacks are not cheap but I found them affordable as books go. I will do a review for each of them, not sure when though.

I'm working on a scenario roughly based on events in the Powder River Campaign. It involves an Indian attack on a HQ Detachment. The Army will have its hands full trying to defend their cattle herd, Mule Train, Wagon , horses and the wounded. To do it they will have a Company of Cavalry and one of Infantry. The Indians will appear at Dawn from a dice decided direction. How the Army player has posted his Scouts and Pickets will count.

I'm about half way there with it.

More to come as soon as stuff is done and thanks for the encouragement.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 16, 2024, 03:18:03 AM: Thanks for the reply OB.

I found and posted photos of the wild turkeys, see link above. Also, my Indian Pony Herd and the cavalry remounts (remuda). And under the Lakota and Apache page, a look at my collection of teepees, just primed so far. And a 'main post' showing the painted railroad track. And under another page, the first painted folk for Mescarilla. I suppose with the army figures, about 36 painted Apache (need to paint two of them), and the Mescarilla folk, I could run a game of some sorts. Just not sure when. Heading back to try and get photos of my supply of "standing saddled horses" for decorating all those hitching posts I've got in my possession and awaiting painting.

I am posting this to encourage OB to include both a pony herd and cavalry remounts - though it sounds like he might already be moving that direction. Also for the teepees so he can see some options.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 16, 2024, 11:37:08 AM: That's very helpful, it's great to see what is available. Manufacturers don't always oblige.

Yes, I have an Indian Pony Herd 18 strong. All of my cavalry have unmounted horses for when their riders fight on foot. That's 32 in all. The horse holders remain mounted.

I have Apaches too. Just 12 mounted and 24 on foot. Enough for a game. Yellow Ribbon caters for Apache. The stats are very different as you might expect.

I have just finished my Army Wagon and I'm starting on my three Companies of infantry. Eight men to a Company.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: CapnJim on March 16, 2024, 08:47:56 PM: I like those scouts. Well done!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 17, 2024, 09:33:36 AM: Thanks Jim. They were a joy to paint.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 17, 2024, 12:13:34 PM: OB, another thought for your fauna. One of the concepts I've considered is to have my pronghorn antelope herd roaming about on the table and then - poof - it turns out to actually be a band of mounted Indians. Would need to be at a distance to justify the misidentification. Or, the pronghorn could actually remain on the board having been used by the Indians as cover of their approach. Could do the same with your buffalo.

To get a real sense of what it is what like observing, pick a point you know and then move a minimum of one mile away - better if two miles - and then observe the activity at the known point and consider it as if you'd never been to that point and were trying to figure out what was going on. I have one description of cavalry observing the Little Big Horn pony herd and couldn't really see it - and it wasn't a small herd - and the Indians said to look at what looked like worms wriggling on the ground. I think that was more than two miles, maybe closer to five miles.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 17, 2024, 04:39:27 PM: That's an interesting example. The Indians unaided could see the pony herds. It was familiar to them. The soldiers couldn't the herds even with field glasses.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 19, 2024, 03:39:01 PM: HQ Company is coming together. Mine is the sort of thing General Crooke liked with an infantry Company or two to protect the wagons and mule train. One the whole thing is done I'll put some pic's on my blog.

In the meantime here are a couple of pic's of my progress so far. All from QRF. The wagon is a particularly nice piece of kit.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Tom Dulski on March 20, 2024, 11:24:26 AM: Nice work, are those infantry wearing gloves?
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 20, 2024, 01:09:14 PM: Thanks Tom, no just big hands.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 20, 2024, 01:36:37 PM: Nice job on the wagon - and the horses. Do you use some sort of 'rub' effect when painting your horses?
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 20, 2024, 03:14:00 PM: Cheers 15s.

No, I use a Windsor and Newton brown ink and then highlight in the base colour of the horse. For Black manes and tails I highlight in Panzer Grey. Then Windsor and Newton Acrylic Matt UV Varnish. Tan brown undercoat for the most part, for lighter horses I find linen coloured paint makes a good undercoat.

If I were painting 28s I think I might use the rub method. I've seen very impressive results with it.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 27, 2024, 03:35:58 PM: My first Indian Warrior Band.

This one representing Sioux, Cheyenne or Arapahoe. The figures are from QRF bought sometime in the last century. I’m currently working on the same band dismounted. 18 figures per Band.

I have rated the Band in accordance with Yellow ribbon.

Eventually I will have 3 Bands mounted and dismounted. There are also pic’s of Peter Pig and Minifigs Buffalo on my blog. I’m awaiting some more from QRF.

There is a pic of Peter Pig Longhorns too.

If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 27, 2024, 05:55:27 PM: Very nice, OB. Took a look at the blog - recommend if you do more long horn cattle that you use other colors if you have them, herds were usually a bit more colorful. Yours are fine as is, just if you do more. The buffalo look good - but be prepared for the QRF bison to be a good deal bigger.

Oh, and them Indians ain't bad, neither! lol
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 28, 2024, 10:55:15 AM: Thanks 15s.

Good tip on the Longhorns. Yeah, the QRF Buffalo should complete the effect of different ages.

My next Indian Band will be all Minifigs. Much easier to paint than the QRF ones. There is so much detail on the latter that you are bound to miss something. The advantage of this basing method is that it is fairly easy to paint what you have missed. As an example one of the warriors has a stuffed bird on his head that I had not noticed.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 28, 2024, 02:51:15 PM: Here is a link to use when painting any additional longhorns, lots of pictorial variety:

https://www.rockingolonghorns.com (https://www.rockingolonghorns.com)

Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

There are others - just when you search, watch out for Texas Longhorns football (American style) postings!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on March 28, 2024, 04:58:54 PM: Quote from: OB on March 28, 2024, 10:55:15 AM
The advantage of this basing method is that it is easier to hide a mistake. As an example one of the warriors has a stuffed bird on his head that I had not noticed.

Ditch the munchkins and switch to 28s, much easier to gorm wots-wot.
It'll get you, on one particular mean hombre's, wanted posters...

"But Hell, I wouldn't have it any other way!"

:D
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 29, 2024, 12:32:34 AM: Thanks 15s. I might just re do a couple of them -simple enough on single bases. BTW, my Peter Pig tepees have arrived. As you said a superior product.

It's no use Harry, I have not painted anything bigger than 15mm for 40 years. It is often tempting though. There are some very nice figures out there.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on March 29, 2024, 01:08:35 AM: Don't worry, OB.

Harry is suffering from a variety of ailments related to withdrawals. His "little darlings" have been let go and replaced with miniatures on steroids. You might say he is all broken up 'that them handsome little fellers' have gone and taken "French leave" and left him with few painted figures to salve his breaking heart. Especially given he has to start hosting and reporting on western/pony wars games to earn my forgiveness :-[ - something he seems to think worthy of the death penalty, or as he put it, "'Ung by the neck until dead, dead, dead." So take it easy on the bereft man, maybe offer him a full pail of ale (instead of spa). He has to wait until he gets them Big Fellers painted.

You'll want your volume up a bit.

I guess it's time to break out a little Bob Marley music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6pm_IMohzI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6pm_IMohzI)

Yes, you can call me The Spoon, the fastest retorter in the west! lol :o :D ;)

Now, just to show there ain't no hard feelings on my part and with just a touch of Air Cav for a second or two:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV38r2cPzJY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV38r2cPzJY)

And, of course:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk_SPhyKLYY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk_SPhyKLYY)

Oh, heck, let's go for broke, hang in there until the end OB for a nice view of a modest herd of buffalo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HVsLmRaKig (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HVsLmRaKig)

And this has nothing to do with the above but it is just cool - and, for me, poignant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC3axYHlIW8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC3axYHlIW8)

When I first saw that last bit, in a movie theater with a big screen, for a fraction of a second, I was right there in the action charging down that hill! Coolest movie moment I ever experienced.

And, sadly, the Lt. Faversham figure who was going to appear in my games, well, he'll still be there but busted all the way down to private - and assigned six months of latrine duty. Poor man. I guess that is what the song means about paying the reckoning "on the nail". I just hope he doesn't 'show the white feather' and have to be chased down by a patrol and then locked in the guard house for a Very Long Time. ;)

Oh, and glad to offer any assistance I can OB. I think your figure may just be getting a promotion - well, if you are properly related to someone high up in the Washington establishment!
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on March 31, 2024, 12:04:48 PM: Connections!

I re did a couple of the Longhorns.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 02, 2024, 11:30:50 AM: My second Plains Indian Warrior Society is now up on my blog. This one represents the Elk Scrapers. The figures are all Minifigs and very nice they are too. Lots of variety and easy to paint.

As Yellow Ribbon requires I have done them mounted and dismounted.

There are also some thoughts on scalp dancing, women warriors and various observations on Plains Culture.

If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 02, 2024, 04:28:24 PM: Good progress, sir. And good research. Looking forward to when we see full games with the whole lot all on the table. Should be impressive.

I'm hoping I will have enough for a few games before this calendar year comes to a close. We shall see.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 02, 2024, 07:59:52 PM: Excellent blog post OB, if somewhat sad. A Stone Age culture meeting 'manifest destiny'.
:'(
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 03, 2024, 08:16:50 PM: Quote from: FifteensAway on April 02, 2024, 04:28:24 PM
Good progress, sir. And good research. Looking forward to when we see full games with the whole lot all on the table. Should be impressive.

I'm hoping I will have enough for a few games before this calendar year comes to a close. We shall see.

Thanks, I should be game ready by the end of next month at this rate. I'll post scenarios here as i go.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 03, 2024, 08:22:03 PM: Quote from: Harry Faversham on April 02, 2024, 07:59:52 PM
Excellent blog post OB, if somewhat sad. A Stone Age culture meeting 'manifest destiny'.
:'(

Thanks Harry, that is a good way to put it. Some, The Five Civilised Tribes, massively adapted. It didn't matter. They still ended up dispossessed.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 08, 2024, 10:13:54 AM: During the Rosebud Campaign General Crook, originally an infantry officer, realised the utility of Infantry for Indian fighting. Their longer ranged rifles allowed them to dominate ground. Luckily, I had about 20 infantry figures that could be used.

I added them to my HQ Detachment along Mules and Packers, the General and staff, Longhorns and other bits and pieces.

it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 08, 2024, 12:34:25 PM: Once read the marking on Indian pony's had great significance to their owner. Sadly, can't find the article, but think blue dots signified enemy camps raided?
Thing is, we go to great lengths to get our military uniforms as accurate as possible. I'd like to do the same with my Braves.
???
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 08, 2024, 01:44:54 PM: Yeah Harry, they did and I agree we should try and show it on our toys.

I don't know if the symbols used varied from tribe to tribe. It could have been a shared thing like sign language.

I forget which was which but a hand print meant a foe killed hand to hand either mounted or on foot. You will be able to do that in 28mm. It is awful tricky in 15mm.

Dots meant coup counted and the colour denoted what they were. For the Sioux green dot meant Crow, Yellow Shoshone, Red white man. short horizontal lines I think counted for other kills.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 09, 2024, 01:30:43 AM: Nice additions - and throw your budget to the wind. You need those mounted infantry, all of Crook's infantry if memory serves were mounted infantry. Though one wonders just how fractious pack mules turned into mounted infantry mules must have been.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 09, 2024, 08:56:39 AM: Thanks Fifteens. I was going that way. Now I'm not sure, the only mule mounted infantry I can find are in a single pose. Also the mules look more like horses. It's a maybe.

The infantry were mounted on pack mules from the mule train. Each infantry man was introduced to a mule and riding lessons commenced. At the end of the day the supervising officer unhitched his sword, threw it on the ground and wouldn't speak to anyone. It didn't go well.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 09, 2024, 12:24:12 PM: Brings to mind Major Dundee!

:D
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Khusru2 on April 09, 2024, 12:33:01 PM: A very nice collection.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 09, 2024, 03:55:29 PM: OB,

I understand your hesitancy and I'm sure you are referring to QRF's Yellow Ribbon range of mounted infantry, only ones I know of in 15 mm. But not sure why a challenge for single pose other than personal preference. Could always gain variety by painting figures in campaign attire so that you get varied looks. And as to them looking more like horses, only solution is to ignore it - or imagine the mules had their ears cropped (maybe frozen while on winter campaign so really needed). Or, just ignore the mounts and just use the dismounts in action. And, of course, you can use the infantry in other ways.

Well to keep in mind that infantry was known to the Indians as "walks-a-heaps". Sure, cavalry was important but infantry could pretty much out pace cavalry in some ways given the time needed to groom and graze horses and the need to dismount and walk the horses nearly as much as ride the horses. Here is a link to an Osprey: https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/us-infantry-in-the-indian-wars-186591-9781841769059/ (https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/us-infantry-in-the-indian-wars-186591-9781841769059/)'

As it implies in that link, Hollywood loves the cavalry but the infantry played a vital role in reality and not just as guards of supply dumps and wagon or mule trains.

Another link of general interest for the Indian Wars: https://history.army.mil/books/amh-v1/PDF/Chapter14.pdf (https://history.army.mil/books/amh-v1/PDF/Chapter14.pdf)

Now I'm off to see if there are statistics comparing the casualty rates between infantry and cavalry in the period. Might take some serious digging around to find that.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 09, 2024, 04:53:00 PM: Yes, time to watch Major Dundee again.

Thanks Khusru2.

Yeah, those are figures right enough. I quite like the idea of just giving them some mules to indicate they have them. We will see.

Very true about the infantry. Crook's rival General Miles made great use of them. Mainly against the Apache. From what I can gather the Plains Indians preferred to avoid infantry due to being outranged by their rifles.

I'll be interested to see what your casualty comparison turns up.

Handy links as ever Fifteens, thank you.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: Harry Faversham on April 09, 2024, 05:17:04 PM: Even though I'm on fifteens' wanted posters, dead or alive. His knowledge of the period's second to none.
:)
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 09, 2024, 09:25:45 PM: I can see the appeal of 28mm and I'm sure you get a pass Harry!

Yes, one of the great things about the hobby is there is always someone to point you in the right direction. It is always appreciated.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 09, 2024, 10:25:54 PM: Museum miniatures have donkeys ("naked") but not quite what you need - but a fun bit to add to your games if the mood strikes. Irregular Miniatures has a pack of "two naked mules". They also have pack mules and unladen pack mules. There are some photos on the site - in their 15 mm Animals range.

Harry can only redeem himself by sharing action reports of his games. Until then he stays on those wanted posters! lol
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 09, 2024, 10:55:00 PM: I have seen the naked mules and I like them. Not many people can say that. I might go QRF mules all the same because I can be sure of the size.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 10, 2024, 03:58:17 PM: Wise move, OB. Irregular do tend to the larger size, QRF is more in the mid-range of 15 mm.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: OB on April 11, 2024, 09:17:50 PM: Just got more from QRF today. A nice Gatling and limber, Buffalo and more pack mules. All good, I had been a bit concerned about casting given the other thread. Whatever the problems were it seems they are over.
Title: Re: Revisiting Yellow Ribbon- A Project
Post by: FifteensAway on April 11, 2024, 11:57:40 PM: I get there newsletter and it seems he has 'cleared the decks' for forward progress. Hope that is true.