Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: TheWeasel on August 22, 2014, 05:36:20 AM
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For several years I've wanted to paint up my own set of AWI Redcoats. From a gaming standpoint, the Corps of Marines is a flexible force that can be used in proper AWI battles, as well as being useful in naval games and [ahem] Pirate [ahem] games. Also I happen to reenact this unit, so it's kind of close to my heart...
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Test-Marine-1_zpsb1ee9229.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/08/awi-british-marines-test-figure.html)
The model used is from the Perry plastic AWI British Infantry set, which was nothing short of a joy to paint, and represents the beginnings of my 28mm Crown Forces. I appreciate their detailing, especially the attention to all the small fixtures on the muskets.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Test-Marine-spread_zps0917c86d.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/08/awi-british-marines-test-figure.html)
The second figure out of my recruitment depot [painting desk] is the first NCO of the force.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Marine-Sgt1_zps653f25bd.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/08/marine-recruiting-sergeant.html)
A little more detail is on the blog (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com). I'll be adding there and here as progress is made.
Thanks for reading!
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Update! A detachment of 8 is now ready to go ashore:
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Marine-squad2_zps30f9f584.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/08/british-marines-shore-party.html)
Overall they've been a fun paint so far, but I've learned a few lessons on the way. More waxing philosophic at the blog, of course (picture is link).
Thanks for reading!
Constructive criticism is quite welcome, btw.
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What makes them marines? The white facings?
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Yes, indeed, it's the facings. At this point in history, the Marines are not yet Royal, and their facing color is white. They were used rather extensively early in the war as a combined land battalion, hence the inland basing.
Of course, there are other white faced regiments as well, but these have little fouled anchor buttons, if you look closely lol
In the end, they're Marines mostly because of intent.
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well done sir. good looking lobster backs :D
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Those are very nice and fit with one of my ideas: operations of marines along the Carolina and Georgia coasts intercepting rebels smuggling goods and powder/shot. :)
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Very nice indeed. :-*
May i ask that you also put 1 or 2 pics of your reenactment uniform as painting guides to us all as well as a possible link to your reenactment group web page?
Its helpfull for us gamers to have real uniforms as guides to paint our minis.
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You need to redo the eyes so the Rebels will know when to shoot when you play Bunker Hill...
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Nicely done.
One thing you might want to consider with figures featuring so much white is differing the base/shade colour from grey. For example, a very light, almost sandy brown can work very well on breeches
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Thanks so much for the feedback!
Below is a picture of me in my Marine impression. My guys are in the yellow facings, as we are changing from the 29th Regiment over to marines. So far I'm the only one who's completed the new uniform. The other regiments in the picture are from some our other local groups (bonus references for painting!). Most of them are the 33rd Foot (red facings with double bastion looped lace), as wella s the 7th Company Coldstream Guards Grenadier Company with their characteristic caps. The 33rd is a paragon of authenticity, and their webpage is here. (http://www.33rdfoot.org). My group of Marines have not launched our website as of now.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/10537430_10202322029787957_3532338081156513525_n_zps2585e30a.jpg)
The lack of white of eyes is part of my meta-game cheating. If they can't see them, they cant fire :D. More seriously, I paint eyes on my heroically scaled figures, but when I do up more reasonably proportioned historical models, I think eyes give the figure more of a cartoony look than I aim for.
The base color for small clothes and facings are both coming from the Vallejo game color equivilant of the old Citadel bleached bone, but I'm afraid I still have some color correction to learn with photographing miniatures :/
In any case I'm working on the second tray of these, as well as some Connecticut Line to face them; WIP photos to follow soon.
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Very usefull information.
A "marriage" of reenactment and wargame is perfect for we all can play both 1 to 1 scale and also in other ones. :D
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A "marriage" of reenactment and wargame is perfect for we all can play both 1 to 1 scale and also in other ones.
When I win the lotto, that is how I am going to war-game: Re-enactors for figures and two tethered hot air balloons for the players. First game will be the Alamo at the Alamo Ranch in Texas.
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ACW Gamer, when you do win the lottery, please PM me...
I do find that the two hobbies of wargaming and reenacting work well together. They often inform each other, and not only in uniform minutia. They offer each other a wealth of interesting battle scenarios, and performing drill from the Manual Exercise yourself certainly helps with the posing of plastic figures.
I admit I've had the same thoughts about scales, rumacara.
UPDATES:
The second group of Marines, as well as some Continentals have their smallclothes and regimentals painted, and are awaiting finishing touches such as skin and darklining around the cross belts. Progress photos will be up soon.
In the mean time, I've run a battle to test out the cards for the AWI expansion for Sharp Practice ; With Fire and Sword:
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Battle%20Reports/AWI%20Sharp%20Practice%20With%20Tim/P1110550-panorama_zps6dd4ffce.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/skirmish-in-northeast-awi-sharp-practice.html)
The game itself is somewhat WIP, as scenery, figures, and rules are still being finalized. More in-depth report & assessment on the blog.
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Nice work!!
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Hello again, and thanks for the kind words!
After my latest painting frenzy, allow me to present the second group of completed British Marines.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Marine-squad2-1_zps58e47d34.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/2nd-detachment-of-marines-perry-plastic.html)
After struggling with the first group, these were constructed as one unit together on their movement tray to ensure that they ranked up a bit neater. I am, however, still not entirely confident in my paring of the musket arm to the left arm from the sprue. Is it paired to the arm adjacent or across from it?
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Sprue-Query_zps5bbf6594.jpg)
I always seem to have some difficulty mating the arms with the torso and each other without leaving a gap somewhere.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/Marine-squad2-4_zps83af92d1.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/2nd-detachment-of-marines-perry-plastic.html)
As of now I'll be taking a short hiatus from the redcoats to work on some of the Continental Line infantry, which will be posted here next.
Comments & constructive criticism welcome, as always, especially if it pertains to how to line up the arms better!
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Nice ones. :-*
Now you have to add some sailors for a landing party. :D
Galloping Major just released a pre order of sailors for the 18th century.
About the arms why dont you put a small amount of green stuff to disguise it?
It might work and its easy to do.
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Thanks for the tip on green-stuffing the arm gap, and I'm glad you like the progress so far. I think the next group of Marines (and most certainly their command staff) will get that treatment...
I do have some Navy in the works, but they may be a bit too late for this period, as they are Napoleonic era sailors. Those in monmouths and tarred hats should play both parts just fine, but the top hats and fore&aft bicorns would stand out a bit...
Marching in to oppose the redcoats, I've finished the first squad of Continental Line. I did the initial test figure to see how the brown coated uniform would work a little while back (forgive the reposted image).
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/P1070733.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2012/10/continental-army-part-ii.html)
Working from here, here are the first 8:
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/4thCT-3_zps42ffc510.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/connecticut-line-infantry.html)
And comparison with the Marines...
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/4thCT-4_zps17fe99fc.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/connecticut-line-infantry.html)
To keep the models more identifiable on table, because the brown with red facings can be taken as redcoats at the glance, I modulated color on the small clothes to keep them looking a bit earthier and a little less uniform than their British counterparts.
Of course I do ramble on a bit longer about it on the blog, but I'll spare you here. These were finished somewhat hastily for a game, but I'll probably go back for some further detailing on the faces, which look a bit bare for my preferences.
Thanks again for reading!
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Nice ones. :-*
Both armies are growing steady.
Looking great.
About the sailors if you mix 1 or 2 like the one painted in your web page thatīs ok but they are more early 19th century in my humble opinion.
Trousers where larger and many would use short trousers instead of long ones.
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Again, thanks! Agreed on the sailors. I started painting those before I knew I'd be doing Marines for an earlier period; they're meant for my Napoleonic era skirmishes...
Now for some updates. I've written a scenario for a large skirmish action based on the Battle of Harlem Heights, that I ran on the anniversary weekend of the actual battle. My full report is not yet ready, but as a teaser I staged a small scene of the Landing at Kip's Bay, Sept. 1776, that preceded the action.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Battle%20Reports/Landing%20at%20Kipps%20Bay/KippsBay_zps3b9a99a3.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/09/landing-at-kips-bay.html)
Stay tuned for the full battle report to come!
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(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/10537430_10202322029787957_3532338081156513525_n_zps2585e30a.jpg)
The lack of white of eyes is part of my meta-game cheating. If they can't see them, they cant fire :D.
I would most respectfully submit that we don't need the eyes as aiming points! Here is me forming up the Weasel's opposition at the same event. (Small world, I guess)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-31neKMyL5cg/VDMaHFcathI/AAAAAAAAAV0/ETyOLhgFVtc/s1600/DSCF6827.jpg)
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I would most respectfully submit that we don't need the eyes as aiming points!
You don't??!! I guess I can stop squinting now, then...
Very small world indeed! Great to run into friends, even online.
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Nice painting, I look forward to following your progress (and giving me the push to start my project).
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After much ado, I have finally finished my report on my Battle of Harlem Heights skirmish.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Battle%20Reports/Harlem%20Heights%20SP/HarlemHeights07_zpsb63d9ce8.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/11/battle-of-harlem-heights-sharp-practice.html)
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Battle%20Reports/Harlem%20Heights%20SP/HarlemHeights09_zps4418485c.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/11/battle-of-harlem-heights-sharp-practice.html)
The scenario I put together was intended to distill the overall action of the historical battle into a more manageable game size (read: I only have so many figures...) I believe the game we played captured the spirit of the battle quite well, to the chagrin of my little redcoats. The Sharp Practice bonus deck had cards to improve British firepower, and to both boost and handicap militia morale, as they were a bit of a wildcard in the actual battle. More photos and rambling available for your distraction on the blog (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2014/11/battle-of-harlem-heights-sharp-practice.html).
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Nice battle. :-*
Your collection is groing steady.
Keep it coming.
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Lovely stuff. They look quite imposing all ranked up. I'm glad you forwent the all-too-ubiquitous blue uniforms for the Continentals - the other variants are much more exciting, I find.
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I hope I am not breaking any forum rules about threadcromancy, but I am finally able to post an update on my ongoing (and sometimes infrequent) AWI project.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5282_zpsfq3fqnwu.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-horse-be-with-you.html)
After some weeks of labor, allow me to present my mounted british officer, sculpted by Perry Miniatures. He represents many hours of glazing, but I feel it was worth the extra effort to achieve a smooth transition in the highlighting, especially on a centerpiece figure.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5280_zpsitfeulzu.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-horse-be-with-you.html)
As always, the blog has more photos and a longer stream of consciousness (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-horse-be-with-you.html).
I have also been playing around with aperture and shutterspeed settings on my wife's camera, and I think I am getting closer to a good working set up for shooting minis.
Next in the works is a command group on foot to lead the Marines, though I am still not certain they carried colors in the early campaigns of the war, and it is quite difficult to get any source about their musicians' uniforms...
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Nicely done - not often one sees a genuine "horse marine".
I was intrigued by your Haarlem Heights re-fight. Have you tried the HH scenario in the third "British Grenadier" scenario book? (You don't need to use the rules, the scenario books are "stand alone".)
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Lovely addition - from the reds to the basing. Well done.
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Well painted. :-*
That base is very nice.
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not often one sees a genuine "horse marine".
lol ...maybe he is in to water polo? (He is inspired by Maj. Pitcairn, who rode to Lexington on horseback.)
Thanks for the kind comments, I appreciate the feedback.
The base is fairly simple, using Vallejo pumice paste, static grass, and some birch seeds leaves.
As to the HH scenario, I had created my own for my game (which left some room for improvement, especially in game-balance), but would love to see how a scenario written by someone who knows what they're doing plays out. I'll have to check out the book, and the ruleset, too.
In terms of updates, the figures for the foot command are nearly finished, and I am finding a little more in way of sources that point toward the use of colors by the Marine land batallions at the outbreak of the war, though they are hardly primary documents. I may use a more generic colors for a white-faced regiment. (Of course, if anyone has any insight or sources on the subject, I am all ears) More photos to come soon!
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About 18th century sailors, Galloping Major will release some soon.
There are greens of the miniatures on their webpage and here on LAF.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=69973.0
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In terms of updates, the figures for the foot command are nearly finished, and I am finding a little more in way of sources that point toward the use of colors by the Marine land battalions at the outbreak of the war, though they are hardly primary documents. I may use a more generic colors for a white-faced regiment. (Of course, if anyone has any insight or sources on the subject, I am all ears) More photos to come soon!
If you haven't already done so, try this link (I've also sent you a PM about it):-
http://britishmarines.blogspot.co.uk/
There are two known sets of colours that could be candidates for the Boston Marine battalions - one had a ship as the central motif, the other a fouled anchor, as seen on the belt plates for all companies, and the metal plates on the grenadier caps. Nobody is absolutely sure which, if either, was carried, but it does seem clear that they did not have the usual wreath and numbered cartouche seen on the colours of Line regiments.
[BTW, "horse marine" is a term of mild abuse for someone out of his depth or in unfamiliar territory, and was commonly used in the UK and US armed forces in the 19th and early/mid-20th centuries. I doubt it is used very much nowadays, even in the military.]
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Well done! ;)
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Wow! Those Galloping Major sailors are great! :-* I will need minimum 1 of each of them in order to live a life of contentment ;)
I had also read in some of my reference books about the two possible versions of the Marine regimental colors that may have been carried, and as much as I'd really like it to be the ship, the anchor makes more sense as it follows their motif used on buttons, hats, etc., and I've seen that pattern carry through with other regiments that have distinct devices (ie the 23rd RWF). There is an example of a possible interpretation on the Fife & Drum page, but I think that this road leads to Photoshop one way or another. I appreciate the contact. I'll get in touch with the marine group especially since I am working on the same reenacting impression (on the opposite coast...).
You did have me doing some research on the "Horse Marine" thing. at first I thought it might be a translation from another language, maybe meaning something like "seahorse" but eventually found my way to the actual meaning... lol
Again, thanks for following along and for the support and kind comments!
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Beware though, Galloping Major models tend to be on the 30mm size.
Iīve preordered the sailors and when they arrive (hopefully one day) i can take a comparative shot if needed.
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Thanks rumacara, I may need to take you up on your comparison shot offer...
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5317_zpsd1ga5s9m.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/awi-marine-ensigns-colours.html)
In the mean time, I've made some progress on the unit colors. After some searching around through some book and internet sources, I settled on a design for the colors, and recreated them using graphic design software. The designs I settled on are based on invoices from tailors in Boston to the British marines stationed there specifying some flags they were asked to create.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5315_zpshqe9yixu.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/awi-marine-ensigns-colours.html)
I took some small artistic license on the regimental flag to include St George's Cross, which would likely have been there as it was customary on primarily white flags in both the army and navy at the time, and specified in the army's 1768 warrant.
The process for making the flags is not all that difficult if you have access to design software, and I'll post more precedural details a little later.
Comments & criticism welcome as always, and likewise additional rambling available here... (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/05/awi-marine-ensigns-colours.html)
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Those flags look great - the roses are striking. What sort of paper did you print them on? They seem to have quite a cloth-like texture. Or is that clever printing too?
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Lovelly flags. :-* :-*
Do try the ones in www.warflag.com
Already made and for free and also you might find easyer to transform the design.
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Thanks guys!
The flags are printed on a 24lb smooth uncoated stock, since it takes images really well on digital presses, and is as thin as I dare go, since it gets glued double-thick. The texture is actually a part of the graphics I made for the flags. The roses are borrowed from a photo of a reenactment group's colours and overlaid on my vector flags.
Thanks for the linky to the warflags. This is an awesome resource! I'll see how I can use these in future flag designs (this is my first regiment of redcoat miniatures, and I'll also have flags to do for the Continentals as they get made.).
Still working on a bit more of a walkthrough for my flag process, hope to post it this weekend, if life doesn't steer me elsewhere...
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After a bit of an absence to prepare for and participate in the Waterloo Bicentennial, I am returned to my smaller scale hobbies. I have written a tutorial on how I created my regimental colors using the Adobe Creative Suite. Full write up on the blog (Photo will link), which is more than I wish to rewrite here. The quick version is to create the flag designs in vector format in Illustrator, then blend them with a flag texture using Photoshop. Specific devices like the anchor and rose are taken from photographs and also added in Photoshop. The final flags are imposed in InDesign (with a little bleed) and printed on a digital press.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Flag-Tutorial-Slides2_zpss3yx8swj.jpg)(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Flag-Tutorial-Slides_zpsif3u8khx.jpg)(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Flag-Tutorial-Slides3_zpsjanxtvfu.jpg)(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Flag-Tutorial-Slides4_zpstnztthgv.jpg)(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/WIP/Flag-Tutorial-Slides5_zpsmio1svqg.jpg) (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/07/flag-graphic-tutorial.html#more)
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Sorry for the apparent double post with gratuitous quotes. I'm not quite sure how I managed to do that...
In it's place, here are some quick update images of the redcoat side of the project.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5325_zpsyhpb9gmn.jpg)
The command team for the Marine Battalion is now complete, after lengthy debate on the drummer's coat color.
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5321_zpsfea6trda.jpg)
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5322_zps08lfrgyk.jpg)
And the Marine Captain to lead his men:
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5319_zpsegwmempa.jpg)
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5320_zpsezqvrvmb.jpg)
And in parting, a view of the whole line so far...
(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o174/mzungu82/Historcal%20Figures/IMG_5328_zpsuitwptkn.jpg)
More rambling about the paint is of course available on the blog (http://weaselminis.blogspot.com/2015/07/awi-british-command-group.html) .