I bought some Austrian WW1 infantry from Irregular Miniatures – I thought they might work for mid 19th century forces. The peaked cap was my interest. The lower leg bindings were not desired and the baggy trousers equally did not look promising. Also the front peaks were a bit obvious.
I put them aside way back in 2020.
And then just before Xmas 2022 I had another look and decided they might work as fill in for my mid 19th century Danish tests.
In this case I had a go at painting away the errors. The only mods were to slice off the hat top and add a sliver of tapered plastic. One original test with a tall “wood” mod cap can also be seen!
Here are some 1850 infantry fresh from defeating their German adversaries.
At the start of the war the Infantry sported Red tunics and Bell Shakoes. My previous post for such a unit is here.
2023 has proven to be one of thin pickings wargame wise when it comes to painting.
I managed a few games and I have started on some permanent grid boards – now half abandoned!
Yet Painting which has been a mainstay over the last few years has dried up.
Well until yesterday when ignoring the paint queue I started some new figures…..madness this way lies…….
In the queue are mid 19th century Dane’s, French, hannovarians, Austrians, Piedmontese, with some zorn painted ecw figures from 2021 plus 1970’s Vikings to add flavour!
So now I have added more – Prussians, Bavarians, Danes and wagons.
This latest madness stems from the battle of standard and me looking for a medieval cart – queue I find my half prepped danish and Prussian horse plus some newline Prussians earmarked as 1848 Bavarians.
The other night, as we entered a concerted high pressure weather system, the moon rose through an interesting cloud fragmentation (which I missed capturing) only to reveal absolute clarity in the night sky. Stars in my eyes followed………..
The sky was very blue black and bright in the moonlight and the stars were very very bright and clear. So with a simple phone camera I caught some surprising images. Normally I struggle to replicate my naked eye views of the stars.
Looking south
I think by the TV aerial just above is Aldebaran and Hyades? while centre is Orions belt and above is Betelgeuse and below Rigel? and just into the cloud at the top may be Castor and Pollux – Gemini?
Looking south east ?Looking south east again?
Best I can offer for the above two is Hydra on the left edge?
Looking due north toward horizon
It looks like Cassiopeia – the cluster towards top left by the cloud? and that bottom light is starlike but badly out of focus.
Looking south again toward horizon
Orions belt centre and Aldebaran upper right?
Looking right overhead but still westwards?
is it possible these stars to centre and left are andromeda?
The sunset which made me look skywards to start with, had some isolated whispery shower clouds.
For the proper stargazers – All images taken in northern england at 19:25 in the evening on 7th March 2023 – you can tell I am no astronomer.
I spoke too soon regarding the end of winter. Of course it snows into June in the British Isles if it wants to.
A light covering still gives that idyllic feel that snow offers The snow is melting as quickly as it snowsLate snow still offers both the memory of winter while the flowers wait the return of warmer temperatures ?
It will probably be 20 degrees in a couple of weeks such is our island weather.
And all this feeds our preoccupation with the sky. What next I wonder.
This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words, as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………
This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words, as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………
Sunrise-Sunset
2023 like 2022 seems to have been richer for its sunrise and sunsets.
This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………
Flood – natural – its concentration made by human hands.
This years Hammerhead was very busy – the car park was full and early on. This site is no good for public transport being well outside Newark with no bus services to the site. The car park is therefore a good measure of attendance.
Inside the main hall it was extremely busy. Traders were doing lots of business or rather had many visitors. How much was being spent was another matter.
The participation games looked well patronised.
One change was the second hall that held mainly the DBA gamers was not open this year. So the DBA gamers were in the main hall. Much reduced in number post covid19 and perhaps some were grateful for the hubbub around them while others maybe longed for the quieter setting of the second hall. Earnest stuff though!
I spent little – in fact just a set of transfers on the day!
Normally I have a few things in mind but not this time. I was tempted by some paper boys books, see below one of the participation games, while Helion publications on Franco Prussian and Hungary 1848 wars almost made me part with some cash. Osprey have published yet another book about late roman britain – my interest was that it covered Gaul as well – but not enough to make a buy – yet. Some 1/72 plastic kit armoured cars nearly captured me. In the end I was happy just to look.
A few games I did snap all looked fine. I forgot to go back and play the Spanish Civil War game (GB30 a very spanish civil war by Three shirews gaming) or get a pick – it was very lively.
Similarly no pick of Anarchy in North Yorkshire 1138 (GB15) by Red car Iron Beards: Using the versatile Lion Rampant ruleset for a small skirmish. I had a good chat with them – hope they find a new home and grow again.
GA03 Gaslands on show – but I am guessing this product has run a bit low on gas since its spectacular arrival?It remains an interesting alternative that is easily accessible – Homefront Gamers offered a good set up.Not much scenery tempts me although I have a soft spot for sunshine buildings – maybe thats a winter thing? TD19 Charlie Foxtrot Models was busy.GB01 Ice Slaughter – Lake Priepus by Like a Stone Wall Wargames Group I think.GB17 Edge on Flat Figures don’t seem that tempting.However – face on I think they are more than impressive. And these are 10mm – much smaller than the original sets. So en masse they look good.My only purchase! Pendraken TD10 to the rescue………
Hammerhead offers an excellent variety of gaming opportunities. When you add in the trader range it is definitely a show to consider.
For me there was the added social aspect – it is a welcoming show.
Compared to VAP 2023, Hammerhead was clearly well organised on the day. It benefits from being on one level although it perhaps lacks facilities to be much bigger – the second hall only really works on fine days I guess!
The emphasis on participation brings a greater variety of games, it seems to me.
In that sense the two shows being close together on the calendar are complimentary.
This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words, as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………
Frosty Morning – I found this particular sunrise “developed” an interesting image on my window.
This Winter was wet and is now dry – it has been sometimes cold but the overwhelming feeling is it is another mild winter – famous last words, as Spring is not yet with us and it can still snow and freeze well into April………
Fog – The flood plain of the River Ouse – ideal for fog, mist and interesting skies…………
The Wargaming Erratic 