Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Militia in hunting shirts and round hats




   One can always use another militia unit.  No matter the time period.  Especially if they have round (top) hats!



  These figures are from Brigade games miniatures.  I picked them up at Cold Wars.  I had heard very good things about the range and was eager to see if they fit in with my Knuckleduster miniatures.  They do!  Similar style and look correct together on the table top.



  These figures will be a generic militia unit.  The round hats and hunting shirts fit in for the  Niagara or Upper Canada,  the Chesapeake bay area and New Orleans.

  The black flag with the death's head belonged to a New York militia regiment.  The other flag was similar to one I saw in Lossing's field book diverge War of 1812.  I think two flags look way better in a infantry regiment.

  Very happy with these fine fellows.  I will be working on a Brigade games miniature regiment of American Regulars in mid war uniform soon.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Based for trees



  Always looking to add trees to my collection of terrain.  When you game American Revolution and War of 1812 you need plenty of woods to provide cover for you rifle men and indians, and for period atmosphere.  Most of my trees are individual based.

  At Cold Wars this year I got some extra trees free when I bought some river sections.  Since they needed to be based I used some pre cut GW based I had lying around unused.  I think they look good this way.  I may create some addition bases like these to use to break up line of sight in games.  I am going to add some woodland type animals to some for color.  But more of that in another posting.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Gabions



  A most useful item.  These gabions came pre painted and ready to use.  Picked them up at Cold Wars.  I will have to think up some scenarios to use in future games.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

7th New York Hussars 1814


  The War of 1812 was not known for its cavalry actions.  One can always find an exception to the rule but for the most part cavalry played a very minor role.  But that has not stopped any miniature war gamer from fielding these colorful regiments.  And something about cavalry on the table top means glorious charges no matter the historical realities.




  Adding to my American army I already have two mounted regiments. One of American regular Dragoon and a militia regiment in hunting shirts and too hats.   But I just had to add these fine fellows.  As militia they most likely paid for their own uniforms.  And from the looks of These fellows they must have been from the upper crust of society.  Not content with plain uniforms they modeled theirs on the European hussars that graced so many Napoleonic battlefields.


  I can find little information about them so I cannot tell if their actions in the field resembled their uniforms.  Perhaps they got no further from the Niagara frontier then their own town greens.  perhaps most of their actions of dating were with the local ladies.  But I am sure on my table They will be involved in many heroic actions.



  Figured are from the Old Glory line of miniatures.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Hemingway in Havana







  Back in March Janine booked a short four night cruise out of Miami to Havana Cuba for us.  Well we are just back in the USA.  The trip was exciting and wonderful but exhausting.

  Havana is like stepping back into the 1950's.  If you like classic cars this would be like going to heaven.  The cars are beautiful and the owners very proud of them.  Interestingly the engine are usually entirely rebuild, many of them with canabalized Russian engines.  You can hire the car and driver for a three or four hour tour of the city.  Due to the heat (and yes it is very hot) I perfered the air conditioned tour bus.



  A visit to Havana would not be complete without a evening at the famous Tropicana night club.  Again entering the venue is like stepping back in time.  When you enter  ladies are given a rose, and the gentlemen a cigar.  You also get a bottle of Havana rum and a can of cola to enjoy with the show.  A very large and very talented band provided an amazing variety of music throughout the night.  The dancers and their costumes were incredible and would put to shame a Las Vegas show.



  Being a fan of Hemingway visiting his home was a must see. We booked a tour for our second day there which included not only visiting his home but two of his favorite bars.



  The home is meticulously maintained.  It truly looks like you could see Hemingway striding about with a drink in hand or standing in his writing room composing at his typewriter.  The swimming pool is empty which is sad.  But next to the pool is his fishing boat the Pilar.  In town at the El Floridita  there is a bronze statue of him at the bar.  And yes they make a great dacari.  At the La Bodeguita Del Medio you get a mojito. Cheers!