Ehum... while I am at it... some ACW advice please :-P

[Galland]

Okay

I really, and I mean really, dont need more projects, I mean, we have plenty of large projects going on, several gaming tables and campaigns in various stages of completion. However... "cough"... I got a few miniatures the other day, including a ACW CS General and also accidently some ACW Cavalry, all of them aquired with the best of Old West Gaming in mind... but... I cant help thinking that this is a great opportunity for starting up a "small" ACW skirmish force? I am well aware of the fact that ACW is the last step before the final and foulest of wargaming crimes, napoleonics. Its the miniature variant of the gold paved road down to all wargamers own purgatorium.

Back to the topic (better stay focused ehh? heh), so with this in mind, what are the finest 28mm (I prefer larger and heroic miniatures to smaller "true" 25s) available? What brand would be the best way to go? I am quite sure that I will aquire both some CS and some Union troops in the end, but will start with the rebels. I wouldent mind mixing figures from various brands either.

I am also interested in some colour/paint suggestions, any brand would be of interest, as long as it is a good paint to do the job for CS troops, ie. the grey and whatnot that is needed. The civilian clothes that was used I can figure out, it is mainly the uniform colours that I will be needing. Suggestions for the Union tropps are also of interest.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

[Lowtardog]

I would go for the Perry stuff

[Tom Reed]

I'll second that. The Perry Stuff.

[Galland]

It seems like the Perry miniatures are generally well thought of, both here and elsewhere. I also wonder, what would be a good skirmish rules set for ACW? While we are at it, suggestions for larger forces are of interest as well, but primarley I am looking for some skirmish rules.
We used to have a Swedish *gasp* rules set (named Bonny Blue), but I seem to have lost it in the great warp.

[Froggy the Great]

The Perry box sets come with a simple set of rules for the units you're buying, and I've done good ACW/VSF gaming with a variant of FUBAR.

[General Roos]

While we are at it, suggestions for larger forces are of interest as well, but primarley I am looking for some skirmish rules.

Bull Run to Gettysburg by Foundry. Awesome rules. There are a couple of samples at the bottom of the page (link)

http://wargamesfoundry.com/books/wargames_rule_book/any/any/bull_run_to_gettysburg_fp023/

[Tom Reed]

I've had a fun time playing Brother Against Brother.

[Lowtardog]

I've had a fun time playing Brother Against Brother.

Gets my vote

[Tomsche]

I play Johnny reb 3 and Rank and File, depending if I face `experienced` period gamers (so JR3 it is then) or go for the more easy play of Rank and File to bring people into the period

Modelwise:  Perry plastics for bulking out, and Redoubt for all the special thingiers.  They also carry a large range of more obscure `special characters` such as Meagher.

[joroas]

There is a Sharp Practice variant for the ACW too.  Yes, go Perry, great range, a lot of plastics and loads still to come............

[THE CID]

Hi  I prefer Dixon ACW to Perry, they have much more Character. Even if the heads are big, the amount of variation and historical accuracy is outstanding.   THE CID.  P.S I still love Perry Figures for other periods.

[pcjohnstone]

Agree with Joroas - the Sharp Practice variant is called Terrible Sharp Sword. I played a game of it with the Lardies at Salute - a mighty fine set of rules coupled with a scenario where the Reb officer openly displayed his affection for chickens - great fun.

[Galland]

Bull Run to Gettysburg by Foundry. Awesome rules. There are a couple of samples at the bottom of the page (link)

http://wargamesfoundry.com/books/wargames_rule_book/any/any/bull_run_to_gettysburg_fp023/

I belive that you allready have this at home Mattias? If so, I will promtly use yours, without any sort of hesitation or guilt!   I wouldent mind taking a look at the other systems either of course. Life is too short to stick with any rules set that is so so, I rather dish out some money and try to find a rules set that I really like. I used to own Johnny Reb, I suppose I can get it back, since I sold it cheapo to a shop here. Maybe I have to revise it. I havent looked at that rules system for the past decade or so I think.

So, suggestions for miniatures so far are:

Foundry
Redoubt
Dixon

Any other out there, that are of good quality and, as I said before, not to small?

[sepoy1857]

Rules: Terrible Sharp Sword from Too Fat Lardies; Figures: Steve Barber; Flags: GMB hands down!; Paints: Foundry has some great ACW palettes (greys, blue-greys, browns), and Vallejo for a lot of good browns/tan.

[General Roos]

I belive that you allready have this at home Mattias?

Guilty as charged!   

Any other out there, that are of good quality and, as I said before, not to small?

I bought the "three confederate prisoners at the Gettysburg battlefield" in 28mm. You know, the ones from Bradys famous picture. Beautifully sculpted. Lot of details. I bought them from an Australian manufacturer in 2006. Unfortunately, I can´t remember their name or find their site anymore. I can heartily recommend them (if they still exist?).