Some new figures and another cannon emplacement

Two packs from Steel Fist Miniatures arrived today, and lovely figures they are too.

A command set (LM15) and women camp followers (LM32) will have great utility once I figure out a few vignettes around camp, farm, and village life. The messenger will probably have spurs added, and be coupled with one of my Claymore Castings standing horses.

I have been meaning to model a second emplacement for a cannon for ages; since it has been too hot to paint I made a start with this little project.

These lovely women were sculpted by Paul Hicks. The figure on the left can hold a fork or a hand gun.

A very useful set of figures – just need to figure out who will be who.

The new gabion emplacement, and another I made earlier.

River crossings

The river project is now finished … for now. The stone and wooden bridges have been based, I have made the ford, and I’m pleased with the way they have turned out.

I am tempted to make another stone bridge, though, with two Gothic arches with a central pier. I also have an idea for roads: Pendragon make 75mm wide 2mm MDF straight, curved and junction road sections, which will be ideal, I think.

Now my desk is clear of modelling and scenic materials I can get on with painting miniatures. I have almost finished the first of Clifford’s Flower of Craven, and will move on to Wenlock’s companies next.

The ford …

… the wooden bridge …

… and the stone bridge.

The river runs away …

Firstly, welcome to my first follower! My river project really took over these past days, becoming my sole focus so that I could get my desk clear for more figure assembly and painting. Oh! And work.

I finished the additional short curves and 150mm lengths, giving just over 2300 mm of river.

I have also modelled stone and wooden bridges; these will be based on custom 3mm MDF bases from Pendragon, with modelled banks and route ways. I’ll make a ford too.

The complete Trevor Holland river sections.

The stone bridge and the wooden bridge – with a removable section to simulate damage, both ready for painting.

Flower of Craven mounted archers

I have started Clifford’s Flower of Craven, beginning with the mounted archers. I am planning eight mounted and eight dismounted figures, with a base of a couple of horses and a horse holder.

My intention is to match the dismounted archers as closely as possible with their mounted counterparts, so I selected two similar figures from the Perry Miniatures’ Wars of the Roses Light Cavalry and Infantry sets, and sculpted long riding boots and spurs for the dismounted figure with Green Stuff. I’m no sculptor, and this is my first time using Green Stuff (I like it), but I’m reasonably pleased with the result.

I have also assembled two horses with their holder and a standard bearer. Now I’m really looking forward to getting paint on them.

The first pair of archers, the horses and horse holder, with standard bearer. The horses are from Claymore Castings, the standard bearer is Steel Fist Miiniatures, and the horse holder is a Perry Miniatures archer.

Lancastrian limber ready for action

The Lancastrian cannon and limber are ready to join Margaret of Anjou’s army.

This model was inspired by Graham Turner’s painting The Hard Road to Tewkesbury in the fabulous The Wars of the Roses: The Medieval Art of Graham Turner, a similar model shown on the inspirational Full Harness blog, and informed by a bit of internet research looking at contemporary drawings and paintings.

The limber is from Perry Miniatures’ American War of Independence range (AW117), while the cannon is by Mark Copplestone. The figures are Perry Miniatures with one by Mark Copplestone holding the horse.

Graham Turner’s painting The Hard Road to Tewkesbury.

The model from the Full Harness blog.

My finished model, which isn’t as shiny as it looks here.

First based miniatures

I have finished basing the cannon and limber, an important milestone because it allowed me to work out how I wanted the bases to look, and which materials and techniques to use.

I wanted a muddy look to the ground, without overwhealming the figures, combined with a mix of earth and grass ground covers.

I made the mud using household filler (from a tube), fine sand and very small stones, all mixed with PVA and a household dark grey emulsion. Once dry I dry-brushed this with chocolate brown and dark grey acrylic.

I flocked the base with Footpath Scenes’ Grass Ground Cover Earth and Grass Blend (from Model Scenery Supplies), and added a few puddles with Vallejo Water Effects Still Water. It’s the first time I have used water effects, and I found that it was best to deposit a very small amount on a plastic palette, and then drip it into place with a small brush, gently spreading it into place. Finally, I added a few tufts.

I have to say that I have impressed myself with this, and I am looking forward to seeing how the various figures and equipment will look when finished.

On the work bench at the moment I have:

to base
– Francesco Coppini and Papal standard bearer
– 4 cannon and crews with associated stores

to finish painting
– 8 Flemish hand gunners
– 8 Burgundian crossbow men

undercoated and ready for painting
– Margaret of Anjou command vignette
– Edward Prince of Wales and standard bearer
– Edmund Earl of Rutland and standard bearer
– 8 French hand gunners
– 8 Breton crossbow men
– 24 French mercenaries armed with long spears

Based Yorkist cannon and limber, comprising a Front Rank cannon, converted Perry Miniatures cart, with Perry Miniatures metal and plastic figures, and a Steel Fist Miniatures dolly.

Artillery

I’ve had a bit of time to get on with the project, a bit of painting and a bit of modelling.

The limber for the Front Rank cannon is now in pretty good shape. I had to base the horse and then base the partially painted limber in order to accurately match up the straps and chains of the harnesses.

I have started varnishing the four figures that will complete this vignette, two of which are attired in the azure and murrey livery of Edward IV.

I’ll probably add a couple of tools to the limber platform. The crew figures will walk alongside.

The cannon and limber with the assembled cannons at the rear.

Mercenary artillery

Slowly building momentum, I returned my attention to the artillery, assembling all the cannons and finishing the limber.

I really like the rough hewn appearance of the Front Rank cannons (EQ73), which contrasts with the Perry Miniatures and Copplestone versions. With the limber in mind, I ordered an extra set of wheels from Gripping Beast, and Perry Miniatures’ tipping cart (WR31) forms the basis of the limber.

I added a base to the cart from Plastikard, scored planks of wood, and added grain by firmly rubbing with coarse glass paper. Metal reinforcing strips were added with Plastikard embossed rivet sheet.

I’ll add tools and other items to the limber platform, and crew figures walking alongside. I have one more figure to add, probably carrying a bucket.

The limber ensemble begins to take shape, with the assembled cannons, Front Rank breech loaders on the left, and Copplestone muzzle loaders on the right.