54mm AWI British Light Dragoons

Greetings fellow Grognards!  Presented for your enjoyment, another installment of Of Dice and Army Men!  (insert Twilight Zone music here).  As promised, this week I bring to you the completed AWI 54mm British Light Dragoons!

To be quite honest, I was in a painting funk.  Seeing these unpainted figures on the shelf was unsettling.  I really wanted to paint them, but just lacked the energy to 'git 'er done'.  These troopers are again from the Armies in Plastics line and I have wanted to add them to the army for a LONG time.  I had thought seriously about cutting the heads off some of my extra Prussian BMC/ Americana troops, head swapping them and then doing some Dremel work to get the helmet shape I needed for the Dragoons.  Maybe it was the conversion work that had me on pause.  Then it hit me; (insert flash and clap of thunder) being soft plastic, I noticed I could actually shape the tricorn hats with which they wore into the Dragoon helmets!

I usually like to start with one figure as my prototype and convert and paint them all the way to the pre-wash stage.  I work out the bugs and hopefully end up with something I can live with.  Well, after converting the first Dragoon and painting him out, I was quite pleased.  Now the fires were stoked!

I pressed on converting the head gear on the remainder and gluing on some fuzzy pipe cleaner to simulate the helmet fur/ tassels/ thingies....this technique seems to be paying off as I used it also on my Continental Light Infantry!  See previous post for more details.

Looks good to me, but you be the judge.  Only one hang-up issue was the sabers.  I knew they were going to be trouble in soft plastic due to the flexibility.  The base coat, although made to adhere to plastic, just didn't take.  I thought about cutting them off and cutting plasticard to shape of the blades and inserting them in the hilts, however, I thought I'd give the Mod Podge coating trick a try.  I painted on mod podge matte on the bare saber blades, let dry and then painted onto the mod podge.  So far so good.  There are articles about this method on the net.  Google and enjoy!

In Patriots and Rebels, this unit can be used as Light Cavalry or Mounted Skirmishers.  I have listed them below for both for reference.  The points work out the same as shown below, but the units due have some unique options and skills inherent with the troop types.  The Light Cavalry option gives them an option for Evade or Counterattack.  Mounted Skirmishers offers Evade only but you can upgrade to Sharpshooters for 4pts or Good Shooters for 2pts.

Light Cavalry (6 trooper unit)  4pts.

    Aggressive 1 pt.

or

Mounted Skirmishers (6 troopers)  2 pts.

    Mounted  2 pts.

    Aggressive  1 pt.

British Light Dragoons

There you have it, another one bites the dust! 

Until next time...GAME ON!

2021 Painted Miniatures Scoreboard:

Unpainted: 1620 (note: slight increase as I ran afoul of ebay treasures, again!)

Painted: 162

NEXT UP:  54mm AWI Continental Light Cavalry

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way...

At the end of our last episode we left our hero, the fearless Grognard54, headed to paint some 54mm AWI British and Continental Cavalry...well, as the say, the best laid plans go out the window when the battle starts...or something to that effect!

So too it was with my plan to paint some 54mm AWI Cavalry.  As I had much to base coat laying around, I figured I would kill two or five birds at one time.  Grabbing my trusty Krylon plastics gray primer, I lined up my Cavalry, some high elves, human archers, dark elves, frost giants and winter wolves for a primer firing squad.

Now, here is the important part...listen to manufacturers when they say that their minis need no primer, don't use primer and begin brushing on your acrylics without needing primer.  There is something to be said about following directions...

Yours truly, being the salty old Grognard, decided that the trusty gray primer for plastics had not failed him up to this point, so I threw caution to the wind (or selectively ignored the instructions) and fired away!

Let's just say that all but the Reaper Frost Giants came out of the primer application unscathed, even the Reaper Winter wolves!  The Frost Giants took on a tacky finish.  Knowing full well, I didn't follow the strong advice of Reaper, I went to their help contact e-mail and groveled for assistance.

Surprisingly, the Reaper Rep only gently slapped me on the hand and then recommended a few things to see if it would help "save" the models.   The word "save" was not something I had wanted to hear, as throwing away around $50 worth models was not on my "to do" list.

In the end, I started painting my acrylics over the tacky base and all appears to be well. No cracking, chipping or tackiness!  For those interested in Reaper's recommendations, besides tossing the models, they suggested hitting them with their matte finish and then seeing what happened or stripping them down.

So, having gone that far, I decided to hold off on painting the Cavalry and see what would happen to the Reaper Frost Giants.  Below are the results and the points I would use them for in Dragon Rampant as they are a warband unto themselves.

Frost Giant Warband (24 pts.)

Frost Giant King (Elite Foot/ Single Model Unit) ....6pts. 

Frost Giant Queen (Heavy Foot+Wizardling/ Single Model Unit)....6pts.

    Spell 1: Almighty Prod!

    Spell 2: Heal Thee!

    Spell 3: Power Bolt

Frost Giant Bodyguard (Elite Foot/ Single Model Unit)....6pts.

Frost Giant Bodyguard (Elite Foot/ Single Model Unit)....6pts.

Additionally, for a larger army or an alternate unit....

Winter Wolves (Lesser Warbeasts/ 6 model unit)...4pts.

    Skill: Cunning...2pts.

Frost Giant King and Queen:

Frost Giant Bodyguards:

Winter Wolves:

Frost Giant Warband:

So, that does check off one of my 2021 projects; Dragon Rampant - Frost Giant Warband.

Unfortunately, I added to my totals of unpainted troops with the purchase of a Perry Miniatures Battle in a Box Set and some additional old school Bretonnian Bowmen off of eBay.

2021 Painted Miniatures Scoreboard:

Unpainted: 1602 

Painted: 156

Frost Giant Warband Project....Complete (for now...I have my eyes on some Frostgrave Barbarians!)

Fear not true believers...I will be putting up some real numbers on the painted side soon!  Very soon! Unless of course something new comes up on ebay...ooooh shinny....

NEXT UP: (for real)  54mm AWI British Cavalry

54mm AWI Northeastern Woodland Indians

 Hail Grognards!

Welcome back to another installment of my current project in 54mm, AWI Northeastern Woodland Indians.  I finally based these up last night, putting to bed another piece of what feels like an old Soviet 7 year plan!  The dip was a bit dark and with the gloss, really hid the colors I had worked so hard to capture on the face and body art and clothes. But, after hitting it with a good matte coat and adding the basing, the features began to come out.  One day, if I'm feeling rather adventurous, I may go back in and add dry brush highlights; when I have time...LOL...

These figures are once again from the Armies in Plastic Line.  I really love the mix of poses on these and you get 18 figures per box, which is exactly what you need to field a large unit of Natives in Rebels and Patriots for 5pts.  If you trim them back to 12 figures, it only costs you 4 pts.

So have it your way!

The War Party...ready to fight for their British allies!

Reload and fire!

Snipping behind trees and rock, before the Tomahawks are unleashed!

Knives and Tomahawks at the ready!

The Native are restless!

Well, there you have it!  Another unit in the books! The beauty of these figures is that I can use them for a future 54mm French and Indian War project!   Ah the madness!  Speaking of madness...

As promised, I said I would finally figure out the numbers on my "TBP" (that's 'To Be Painted') pile.  So after much shuffling, gnashing of teeth and something that may have involved calculus, I have arrived at the (insane) total below.  I will keep track of them as the year progresses.

Unpainted: 1442

Painted:  146

So, until next time, may the dice be gracious and your battles many!

NEXT UP: 54mm AWI British Mounted Dragoons

54mm AWI American Continentals

 

Welcome fellow Grognards to another installment of my 54mm AWI forces for Rebels and Patriots.  Things have been busy around the household and I've been distracted with a bunch of deliveries from ebay around another of my projects for Dragon Rampant.  But I digress...

As promised, I have uploaded some pics off the trusty smart phone to show you the 24 point American Continental Army ready to do battle.  Of course there are other items in the works, but more of that later.

American Continental 24 pt. Army List

Line Infantry (Continentals - pre uniform standard "Browns") (12 models w/ Leader) 4pts.

Line Infantry (Continentals - post uniform standard "Blues") (12 models) 4 pts.

Light Infantry (12 models) (Aggressive) 7 pts.

Line Infantry (Militia) (12 models) (Timid, Good Shooters) 5 pts.

Light Artillery (Cannon and 4 crew) 4 pts.

Figures are mainly from Armies in Plastics as well as BMC/ Americana and some conversions using figures and parts from each to better represent troop types.  Flags are all from warflag.com and re-scaled for 54mm.

First up, the pre-Continental Uniform standard Continentals in brown uniforms.  Pennsylvania had a regiment early in the war outfitted in this kit; red collars and trim, brown jackets.  Figures from Armies in Plastic.

Next up, another unit of Continentals, however, this time outfitted in post uniform standards issue in their dress red, white and blue!  Figures from Armies in Plastic.

To support the Line Infantry, a unit of Light Infantry, given the 'Aggressive' trait to help in hand-to-hand combat.  The Light show some conversion work.  For the regiment standard, I cut the head off of the Armies in Plastic troop, removed his loading rifle, and drilled holes in his hands for the brass wire for the flag pole.  I then did a head swap with a BMC/ Americana Hessian, to go with the unit which are all BMC/ Americana Hessians.  With a little Dremmel work and a cut piece of pipe cleaner for the feathers, I was able to create a better Light Infantry head gear look.

Following them are the Colonial Militia.  I used Armies in Plastics figures for these and chose models without bayonets.  To reflect this I gave them the 'Timid' trait as well as the 'Good Shooter' trait.

Finally, supporting the army is the Continental Light Artillery and 4 crew (Note:  I have six models painted up for crew to use for Medium Artillery if needed.  Figures are BMC/ Americana.

Next, a few shots of the troops in battle array!

So, there you have it.  A full 24 point American Continental Army ready to fight for Freedom and cast off the yoke of British tyranny!  

I have a few more 54mm AWI projects on the table at this time.  Another regiment of Colonial Militia (12 models) are in progress.  A half painted unit of French Line Infantry (12 models) are awaiting the newly purchased troops to help fill their ranks.  A unit each of British and Continental Cavalry (6 models each) are in the works as well as two units of Northeastern Woodland Indians; 18 models per unit.  All of these figures are from the Armies in Plastic line.

Sooner or later I'll get my purchased vs. painted stats up and running to show my 2021 progress.

So, until next time, keep your muskets clean and your bayonets at the ready!

NEXT UP: 54mm Northeastern Woodland Indians

54mm Cheap Terrain and a little elbow grease...

 This is double post day, trying to catch up...

In my last post, I snapped some pics of my AWI British in front of some buildings and tents.  

Tents are from a Timpo.  They were hot glued to a piece of cardboard and then base coated.  The whole thing was then painted and base was flocked.

The buildings are actually all wooden birdhouses you can pick up at a Michael's Craft store.

There are two versions used.  The first log cabin I used as a log cabin and then added cereal board siding.  The roof on each is individual cut cardboard roofing.  The original chimneys were removed and I added foam chimneys to the side carved from pink foam board.  Window and door details were added as well.  Base coat was applied and they were painted up for colonial period.  The watering trough was made from a foam block and covered in cereal board planks.  Barrels are the large wood barrels at Hobby Lobby painted with Sharpie wood grain applied!

The third building is a block house.  It started as a shed/ house, but then I figured I would add simple guns slits for a block house as I had seen at Old 96 in SC and the reconstructed block house there.  I still may cut the slits into the wood to give more of a depth to the firing slots.  Right now, the magic of Sharpie is again doing the job!

I'm planning on creating another building for my town.  I need to add a church as the town center.  Now if I can only find one more of those log cabins....

Next Up:  54mm AWI Continentals

54mm AWI British

 Well April is almost through and still so much to do...

Making good on my promise, below are a few shots of my 54mm AWI British forces.  I have built this force around a 24 point army for Rebels and Patriots by Osprey Publishing.  Of course, it could be used for many other rule sets.  Each figure is individually based.  Using a 40mm round base, I used a ton of cardboard from soda can holders, etc. and hot glued two of the discs together to make a base.  To add more weight to the base, I then slapped on some wood putty around the edges, after the soldiers had been secured to them. 

The figures are a mix of BMC/Americana and Armies in Plastic. As always, before painting, I wash my toy soldiers in a dish washing liquid warm water bath and let the air dry.  This helps remove the mold release agents and such to allow for a good base coat with a made for plastic primer, Krylon, that you can pick up at any Walmart.  Soldiers are then hot glued to the carboard bases.

Long story short, here is the current list for the British in Rebels and Patriots terms.

Line Infantry (includes your officer) 12 models  = 4pts.

Line Infantry 12 models = 4pts.

Light Infantry 12 models = 6pts.

Shock Infantry (Grenadiers) 12 models = 6pts.

Light Artillery (4 models) = 4pts.  (pictured with 6 models as used for Medium Artillery)

Additionally, for variety, I have the German Jaegers; 12 models for Skirmishers for 2pts and you can add Sharpshooter to the for 4pts.

In the works are some Native Americans and a unit of Cavalry.

Not all units need standards, but I chose to give my units each standards.  Each standard was converted removing a rifle and drilling holes aligned through each had to directly feed the pole.  Flags were upscaled from 28mm to 54mm, free from warflag.com. Wood glue is applied to one half and wrapped around the pole, bending the flag to give a wavy appearance and let set dry.  Of course this happens all after the model is painted!

Line Infantry (unit #1).  Figures are from Armies in Plastic.

Line Infantry (unit #2).  Figures are from Armies in Plastic.

Light Infantry (hats were slightly shaped with Dremel tool from Hessian hats).  Figures mainly are BMC/ Americana with officer and standards from Armies in Plastic.

Shock Infantry (Grenadiers) (I did some head swaps on the color guard.)  Figures are mainly from BMC/ Americana.  Standards were created from two Armies in Plastic troop with BMC/ Americana Grenadiers head swaps.  The officer is from Armies in Plastic.

Light Artillery (shown with two additional crew as Medium Artillery) (Had to do a repair job on the officer.  The models often have only half a pistol so I had to fabricate one.)  The cannon and crew are BMC/ Americana figures.

Skirmishers (German Jaegers).  Figures are from Armies in Plastic.

The British Army (so far...)

Hope you enjoyed the troop inspection! 

Next Up:  Simple 54mm terrain!