Part 1 of the Bill McHugh Collection: The Hittites

    Back in the Spring of this year, my freind Jeff Grein wrote to tell me the sad news that our mutual freind, Bill McHugh had passed away rather suddenly, and that he was tasked by his widow with liquidating his collection, with the funds to benefit the choir that Bill sang with. Jeff offered me pretty much first choice of anything from the collection that I was interested in at very reasonable prices. However, even at that, I was already concluding that I was approaching having "nearly enough" troops, and only so much room to store them... as well as a finite amount of funds. I thus wound up acquiring a still very substantial amount of figures that would fit well with some of my existing armies that would benefit from expansion.

    Bill (and Jeff,, and some others) routinely came to Historicon from California. I first met Bill at  in Fredericksburg; I believe the first time was in 2015, when he played in one of my two Ligny games. I remember that game in particular because Bill was in the throws of a nasty stomach virus at the time, and had to hed out to the lavatory between every move!  None the less, he soldiered on, and with the benefit of a little minor medical advice and that potent pharmaceutical, Tincture of Time, he was soon feeling better. Thereafter, Bill played in at least one if not more of my games at every Historicon that followed. I don't have any pictures of Bill from that game, probably because he was away from the table so often. However, there follow some shots of Bill in some of the other games he played in over four conventions:

Bill (in red T-shirt and cap, top right), who played Hannibal's "Ambush" at the Battle of  Geronium, 217 BC, at Historicon 2018.

Bill (in green shirt and cap) commanding a Portuguese Corps (heavily disguised as l815 Brunswickers!) at the Talvera Campaign in a Day, Historicon 2018.

Bill in 2018 once again, here outside of "Lisbon" with his British allies. 

Bill (chartreuse colored shirt and cap) playing in the big Chariot Wars Egypt vs Assyria game (with To the Strongest!) at Historicon 2017.

Bill (blue shirt and cap) playing Sassanid Persians vs Palmyra with TTS at Historicon 2016.

Bill (left foreground) playing at the Battle of Liebertwolkwitz, 1813, at Historicon 2016 (Field of Battle rules).

Bill (yellow shirt and cap) playing in a smaller Egypt vs Assyria game with TTS, Historicon 2015. 

I thought of doing a clever parody of Stevenson's verse, as a Martial Elegy for a Wargamer, but decided the lighthearted tone of the original was better suited to Bill's positive personality. He was a gentleman and a pleasure to play with. We will miss him at wargames to come. However, we will remember him especially when his former miniature soldiers take to the Field of Honor!

A Martial Elegy For Some Lead Soldiers

by Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson

For certain soldiers lately dead
Our reverent dirge shall here be said.
Them, when their martial leader called,
No dread preparative appalled;
But leaden-hearted, leaden-heeled,
I marked them steadfast in the field.
Death grimly sided with the foe,
And smote each leaden hero low.
Proudly they perished one by one:
The dread Pea-cannon's work was done!
O not for them the tears we shed,
Consigned to their congenial lead;
But while unmoved their sleep they take,
We mourn for their dear Captain's sake,
For their dear Captain, who shall smart
Both in his pocket and his heart,
Who saw his heroes shed their gore,
And lacked a shilling to buy more!

A bit blurry shots of the first lot of Bill's figures, Hittites.

Axemen; I believe these may be the same manufacturer (unknown, ? early Foundry) ) as the Hittites that my freind Ken Baggalye passed along to me a few years back.

 If not, they  are an excellent match for them in size and style. There are enough figures for 2 units of 12 each

Hittite Spearmen. 

Once again, enough for 2 units of 12 each. 

I rather like the 1990's style basing, with looks to be course sand and white glue, stained with browns and greens. 

Single figures, which will probably become Leaders. 

I will have to decide whether to retain this basing style, or convert to my own. Either way, they will need to be glued to my 60 mm element bases. 

Hittite Guardsmen; enough for 2 - 3 units of 12. 

By large, these figures are all very nicely painted.

I may have some spare figures from those that Ken gave me to round out these units. 

A slew of Hittite chariots! These all need some degree of repair and refurbishment. I especially like the basing effect on these, and the bases are already the same size that I use. 

This tray has 14  Chariots by itself! 

Once again, these figures look to be the same or very similar to those that Ken B. gave me a number of years ago. 

They will be a very impressive force when restored!

Some closer shots of 4 additional chariots!

I may need a few more Egyptian vehicles to combat them!

There will surely be a Battle of Qadesh (Kadwesh) at a future Historicon!

Most of these chariots need the wheels reattached, etc.

Masses of LI Slingers.

I will have to add a spot of color to some aspect of these troops to distinguish the different "units" of 2 stands/4 figures each. 

Enough for 7 units.

LI archers.

Once again, need a bit of color to distinguish the individual "units". 

Enough for 4 units.

A swarm of LI Javelinmen. 

38 figures in all.

Enough for 9+ units of 4, or 

1 -  3 Medium units of 12, and  0, 3, or 6 units of 4.