Hessen-Darmstadt Army Review

Although the figures were all finished in the frst half of the last quarter, the Hessians never got a proper Army review. 

The army of Hessen-Darmstatd certainly epitomizes the "Pocket Army" ideal. 

All in all, it's a very satisfying, nicely balanced force. 

Three infantry units ("brigades"), made up of a total of 9 battalions if you used that scale) , one battery, and one cavalry unit.

All figures once again by Lucas Luber and Piano Wargames.

"The Indefatigable Hessians" - chapter title about the Hessians in 1809, from John Gill's excellent "With Eagles to Glory". 

 

Boxing Day Review of my Ancient Indian Army

 

Of course, we don't observe Boxing Day in the US, but it always seemed very civilized to me to havbe a holiday the day AFTER Christmas as well. With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday this year, most of us in the US had the day off work, myself included. 

Still, a fine day for a parade and review of my recently expanded and now "completed" Indian Army.

Here it is in all its multitudinous glory! 

In total there are 7 Elephants, 2 four horse chariots, 3 two horse chariots, 8 figures of Light Cavalry, 24 Medium cavalry ,and  12 Heavy Cavalry.

The foot troops comprise 24 Light Infantry (mix of Archers and Javelinmen)  and  96 Medium Infantry Archers, 48 Medium Infantry Spearmen, and 12 medium Infantry 2 handed Swordsmen (who could represent either of the two types after falling back upon their secondary weapons!). 

Finally, there are 2 mounted and 7 Foot command figures. Total for the army thus is 180 Foot, 44 Horse, & elephants, 5 Chariots, and 9 command figures; call it about 250 figures depending upon how you count the Chariots and elephants!

Left flank, mostly previously painted Minifigs. 

Left center, mostly previously painted Minifigs again, although they went substantial reorganization, rebasing, and some minor paint updates!

Right Center - mostly recently painted Old Glory and Newline Designs figures.

Right Center - a mix of Minifigs, Old Glory, and Newline Designs figures. 

That should be pretty much a wrap on these Mauryan Indians. They are a bit light in the Elephant arm for an Indian Army, though...

Army Review: Bill's Medievals and (my) Teutonic Knights

 

These Late Medieval figures were a mostly unexpected acquisition, and an indirect consequence of my acquiring part of the collection of the (sadly) late Bill McHugh, which was chiefly focused on his excellent Hittite troops. 

At the time I got them, in all honesty, I had no idea what I would ever do with them!

Then came a great many  play-by Zoom games  set during the Wars pf the Roses with the new Test of Resolve rules, followed by the plans of Tim and David to run a bunch of WotR games at Historicon 2022. 

With the new baggage rules (Airline, not wargames!), it would not be practical for them to bring any troops with them. Thus I found myself, along with long time wargames freind, Ken Baggaley. Essentially all of the infantry are done, and many were used in games last month. There remains about 40 or so Knights on cloth barded horses. Those will need more tough up and lance repairs. They are "small" 25's, and will likely make to core of a French HYW army. I'll just need to find some small 25 mm infantry to go with the, Come to thuink of it I have some that Joe gave me 20 + years ago, that would probably be very suitable. Hmm...

 

As IO was doing this Review, I realized that I have never done a review of my small Teutonic Knights army.

 It is composed almost entirely of mid 1970's Minifigs. 

The figures were more inspired by the motion picture "Alexander Nevsky" than strictly historical garb, specifically the Battle of the Ice in 1242, where Alexander and his foot soldiers defeated the Teutonic Knights and their Estonian allies. 

Not a large force, but it has seen quite a lot of action over the 40 + years since I painted them!

Sergeants, Knights, and a few members of the Order itself. 

Infantry, including spearmen, crossbowmen, skirmish archers, and axe throwers

More Sergeants and Knights.\

Some Medieval war engines for support and or Castle sieges! 

Army Review: Wars of the Roses and Hundred Years War figures

Time for mot one Army review, but two!  First up are the Wars of the Roses fiogures, pretty much a;; painted in 2022.

The additionof the flags adds a lot, as usual. 

Almost all Old Glpory figures with a few Perry thrown in here and there, although mostly form the HYW range. 

Speaking of the Hundred Years War, I already had a small force for English HYW troops. and made a few additions to them as well. 

These are mostly Perry Figures, except most of the cavalry are Old Glory for their Wars of the Roses range! 

I should add some more archers, and I already have plenty of lead for more Cavalry as well. 

 

Sea Peoples Army Review!

 

Here's my whole Sea Peoples Horde, deployed for Review. 

Army totals:  6 Light Chariots, 3 Ox Carts, 2 Peleset MI Archers, 4 Peleset Warbands,  6 Sardana Warbands, 2 Sherdan Warbands, 3 LI skirmishers (and many more available, if needed, from the generic Canaanite troops), 9 command/heroes (2 are missing in action here, but were later discovered and added to their fellows!) 

In all, that makes 189 figures, plus the chariots and carts. 

As can be seen from the different basing, about 60 figures plus some leaders are from Bill McHugh's collection. 

They stand ready to fight against (or allied to) Egyptians, Hittites, Canaanites, Libyans and the like!

View from the rear!

Left flank.

Left Center.

Right Center.

Right Flank.

All of the Sherdan and Sardana figures in one 4 liter Really Useful Box.

The Peleset figures in a 2nd box (the Chariots and Oxcarts, and remaining single figures are in a third box).