Basing the Rev War Collection

   I have decided to dive in and rebase my Rev War figures. I don't care for the thickness of the present bases and I am after all these years looking for a new look to them.  I envision bigger more solid looking British and Hessian units.  Americans will have more units but smaller in size.

    So the tedious work of soaking bases in water to dissolve the glue begins. Also digging through the box of left overs to find odd left over figures since some of my regiments will be slightly larger. And of course waiting to see when the new bases arrive. 

  Both armies are based around historical orders of battle for the 1776 New York campaign about September/October.   I find it fascinating.  The Americans are very colorful with some excellent regiments  (think Delaware and Smallwood's regiments) and a few talented officers.  The British are at their professional best.   Hessians have arrived and play a very important role.  Scale is 10:1 but I am very elastic as tiny units disappear fast and gigantic units are a pain.  Overly large units usually fought as two wings.it's

  Crown forces will mostly be eight figures per base and four bases per battalion. Bases are 80mm x 40mm.  This gives me 32 figures per battalion with Hessian and Elite British units (Guards, Grenadiers, Highlanders and Light Infantry) slightly larger.  No historical reason for the basing except I like how Jim Purky's forces look.  If I was looking for a reason I could say I was basing them by divisions (i.e. two company's is a division) but that is beside the point.  It just looks good to me.

  Still deciding on the light troops. Regulars may be based like the others except a couple less figures per base to account for more open formations but they can still fight in line. Those  troops who always skirmish mounted 2 per base on round bases. 

  Americans are another matter.  Probably will going with regiments of  20, 24 or 30 figures based on historical returns.  I am using General Charles Lee's division of  Glover's, McDougall's and Nixon's brigades each of four battalions.  Plus a militia Brigade of four battalions.

Club Game night

 

  Friday night was club game night.  We meet once a month and usually have three games running.  Tonight we had a number of guests and Gordon was happy to.put on a extra game to help our.  Thank you Gordan.  All pictures were taken from the club Facebook page.  I was too busy playing and having a grand time to take out my camera.

  Greg (standing) ran a 28mm Great Northern War game (Swedes v Russians) using his modified Test of Resolve rules. 

  Bob ran a 15mm Russo Turkish War game of the Battle of Plevna (using his innovative set of modifications for Command and Colors).  

  AJ, seated at right, put on the third game, a Clash of Spears game pitting Romans against Carthaginians.

 We had  24 gamers that night so  we needed a fourth game. Gordon set up and run a Star Wars Armada game.

Military Art of George Woodbridge Part 2

 

I posted last year a series of illustrations by George Woodbridge.  At the Sturbridge Village event I was fortunate to run unto Roy Najecki who I knew from the 40th Regiment Light Infantry company.  Note drawing above which looks amazing like Roy. As inspector for the Brigade of the American Revolution Roy published a wonderful little booklet about the various soldier impressions in the Brigade.  Kind of a program for the public at events.   It was filled with excellent illustrations by George Woodbridge which I would like to share here. Seeing Roy was one of the highlights for me at this event.

  George Woodbridge was commander of the reenactment organization "The Brigade of the American Revolution" during the Bicentennial.   His deep knowledge of uniforms helped mold the groups reputation for historical authenticity.  In addition he was a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians. Many of his drawings can be found in George Neumann's books on weapons of the American Revolution. He is better know as an artist for "Mad" magazine.   If you were in the Brigade during the 1970's you might have found yourself in one of his drawings in that magazine!  Perhaps better known for his American Civil War drawings George Woodbridge is one of the lesser known artists of the American Revolution.  This is sad because his soldier studies are outstanding and show a understanding of the clothing and equipment of the era. Must importantly his soldiers looked like people and not models.   

Rebels & Redcoats

 

  Each August Old Sturbridge Village holds a Revolutionary War event called Rebels and Redcoats.  Its a fun weekend to come out, visit the village and see the various reenactment groups.  Its also a chance to see old friends from my days in that hobby.  

  This year was especially outstanding for me as I got to see two old friends I have not seen in almost twenty years;  Carl Becker from the 1st Rhode Island and Roy Najecki from the light company if the 40th Regiment.  

American Heritage Museum in Hudson Massachusetts

 

Janine and I spent yesterday at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson Massachusetts.  They hosted A universal soldier day where various reenactment groups and individuals showed up and talk with the public.  Yes, there were the usual America Civil War and Rev War.  But I got to talk with individuals doing Roman legions, Spanish American War and Russian WW1.  Best of all toured the museums and displays of military equipment,antique cars and aircraft.

  I was very excited to see a couple of miniature Wargames groups set up displays of games.  So excited that I forgot to take any pictures!  What is wrong with me!  Old Colony Wargamers was the group years ago which got me into the hobby through their magazine The Courier.  I got to meet Tom Desmond and Alan Coughlin.  Tom's name was very familiar to me through The Courier.  Alan I knew through posts on his excellent blog Der Resin Kavalier (https://derresinkavalier.blogspot.com) which I highly recommend.  I also saw Bill Zona who I always fun to talk with.  He has a talent for putting on excellent looking games a that are fun and exciting.

Part of the museum has various antique cars on display.  Here is a few pictures:

And some excellent aircraft which I will be going back to see fly in September:

Bleriot XI

Wright Flyer model B

Nieuport 28

And some of the reenactors I talked with:

War of 1812 US Marine

Spanish American War US Infantry

Colin Rixon himself

Zulu War British Infantryman

WW1 Signal Corps

Roman Legion

Steve Ames and his wife

Imperial Russian infantry WW1

US Paratroopers and display

Here is a link to a special about the museum with much better pictures then I could ever take!  And a nice interview with my old friend Colin Rixon who I have not seen in too too many years at the museum today!

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/in-telling-the-history-of-war-this-massachusetts-museum-hopes-to-prevent-future-conflict