The Work Begins, Eureka Models Arrive

And so, after too much waiting and frustrations with the postal service, my models from Eureka Miniatures USA have finally arrived. I very big thank you again to Robert at Eureka, who tried to help track down the lost package and then went ahead and shipped me a full replacement order without charging me even though I offered to make a second payment (it wasn't Eureka's fault my mailman delivered the package to the wrong door). That is superb customer service and I would recommend Eureka to anybody.

I have spent much of today going through the models, trimming and filing where needed, washing them and then mounting them to temporary bases for painting (I use caps saved from drink bottles). The sculpts themselves look fabulous and I am very anxious to get to work applying some paint.

The models were all packaged very well from Eureka and were sorted nicely into small bags. After speaking to Robert at Eureka on the telephone, I know he hand picks each miniature to ensure that a customer gets as many of the different poses as possible. That was a nice touch and very appreciated. I did notice that the Eureka models seem to be made of a very soft metal compared to others I have worked with... I may need to be a bit careful handling them as much of my time today was spent making bendy things back into straight things. Overall I am very impressed with the detail of the Eureka models, which I decided to buy after seeing many great examples of them at Project Auldearn 1645.

The Eureka miniatures bagged and sorted

Trimming and filing

Miniatures mounted to temporary painting bases

The Size of Things

I am having issue with the relative sizes of two things: the size of the pikes included by Eureka with their pikemen models and the size of the miniatures relative to other models from different manufacturers. The first issue is something that Eureka can perhaps look at fixing, the second is a problem with the current hobby as a whole that we shouldn't have to deal with honestly.

The pikes that were shipped with my Eureka pikemen are far too short and I would also say too thick a diameter for the scale. Pikes of the English Civil War era were generally about sixteen feet, which would translate to approximately 80mm-90mm in length for these figures. As you can see in the photo below, the Eureka pikes are much shorter than that, measuring about 52mm in length. I could perhaps use them as short-pikes, but again, I feel the diameter is wrong. For comparison, the photo also shows a Northstar pike trimmed to 85mm. This is what I plan on using for my ECW armies as I think that will look much better on the game table and be a little more historically accurate.

Pike comparison. Northstar cut to 85mm (left) and the Eureka pike (right).

The second sizing issue I have has nothing to do with Eureka themselves but rather the differences in the absolute size of the models from the various manufacturers of miniatures. I ordered an ensign model from Warlord Games to carry the flag of my highland regiment, only to discover that there is no way the model will fit in with my new Eureka models. Both models are sold as "28mm" but the Warlord figure is much taller and the overall scale is much greater (look at the size of the head and feet) than the Eureka figure. It is extremely frustrating as a hobbyist to not have access to all of the wonderful ranges that are out there due to the size variations - I want to mix-and-match. Enough of this nonsense - it is time for standardization!

Eureka model on the left, Warlord model on the right. Not cool.

ECW Flag: Macpherson of Cluny Badenoch Forces

I love the spectacle of the flags carried by the various English Civil War forces. The many different colors, designs, slogans and iconography makes for a splendid battlefield and gaming table. In addition, the flags of the time had significant meaning to the regiments and were protected at all costs.

This is my first attempt at creating a flag to be used with my first ECW regiment - the Badenoch forces under Montrose that were led by Ewen Macpherson of Cluny. These forces were present at the Battle of Tippermuir and the Battle of Aberdeen.

There is no historical record of the banners that may have been proudly carried for Macpherson and his forces (at least that I have been able to locate), and so I have taken some liberty in designing a flag for wargaming that may be suitable. The flag is based on the Macpherson of Cluny coat of arms. The file was created using Adobe Photoshop at a suitable resolution for printing (300 ppi) and when printed each flag measures approximately 40mm x 40mm.

Please, if you like this flag, feel free to download the large version and use it in your own ECW royalist highland levies.

Macpherson of Cluny ECW flag. Click for printable version.

English Civil War Rules

I love rule books. I love studying them, I love carrying them around town in my bag and I love looking at the charts and photographs in them while I drink my coffee. Knowing that I was embarking on an English Civil War (ECW) project, I immediately began researching all of the various rule-sets (and there are lots of them) available for this historical time period.

What do I want in a rule-set? 

1. It must be historically accurate. I understand that we are playing games, but the rules needs to reflect (not replicate) the historical context of the era and translate that into enjoyable game play somehow.
2. It cannot rely too heavily on complicated charts and tables. I don't mind a reference sheet and the need to look something up from time to time, but when I am playing a game my attention should be on the game table and not the inside of a book.
3. The games must be able to be played in a reasonable evening. I enjoy games that can be played in three hours or less with the occasional longer game when I am feeling sassy.

After browsing messaging boards, reading blogs and asking some questions I have whittled the rule choice down to two candidates: Pike & Shotte, by Warlord Games and For Parliament, King or Glory, by David Marks.

Two ECW Rules Finalists

Pike & Shotte is a very slick, nicely designed hard-cover rule book that is gorgeous. The diagram and charts are easy to follow and the photographs of the models are exquisite. I have only begun reading through these rules, but it is a pleasurable experience. I will withhold judgement of the rules themselves for another post.

The beauty of For Parliament, King or Glory is that these rules are free. I always marvel at the dedication, commitment and generosity of individuals in this hobby like David Marks who produce rule-sets for the public without asking for anything in return. A big thank-you and applause for Mr. Marks. I have printed the rules and placed them in a suitable binder for reading. At first glance I am very impressed with the layout and some of the rule mechanics and I am certainly looking forward to digging into these further.

I will provide some deeper analysis and comparisons of these two systems in a future post after I have had sufficient time to read and study them both.

In other news, the Scots I had recruited for my first regiment under Montrose have fled back to the highlands and are considered lost. With the kindly assistance of Robert Walter at Eureka Miniatures, a new batch of recruits are on their way!

Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove! The Royalist Macphersons

I mentioned in an earlier post that my family is of Clan Macpherson. This is very proud clan with a rich tradition of active participation and success in the various conflicts of Scotland and England.

"In the civil war of Charles I.’s time the Macphersons played a gallant part on the side of the King. From the register of the provincial synod of Moray it appears that Dougal Macpherson acted as Captain of Ruthven Castle, and that Ewen Macpherson of Cluny had joined with Alastair Macdonald, the Marquess of Huntly, and the Great Marquess of Montrose in their daring military enterprise; that he had been present at the battles of Tibbermuir and Aberdeen, in which he had been in command of all the loyal forces of Badenoch.

It was during one of the headlong attacks of this campaign, when the little Royalist forces were about to engage a party of the Covenanting Horse, that an incident occurred which is related effectively by Sir Walter Scott. A gentlemen of Clan Macpherson was noticed to be crouching somewhat in the rear, and Macpherson of Nuid, taking the action to be one of cowardice, ran up to him and indignantly upbraided him with setting so bad an example. The clansman, however, answered, "I have only been fastening a spur to the heel of my brogue, for I mean in a few minutes to be mounted on one of these horses." And in a few minutes, sure enough, he had fulfilled his intention."

Macpherson

The first contingent that I intend to model and paint for my English Civil War army will be this royalist Badenoch levy mentioned in the quote above and led by Ewen Macpherson. There is not very much detailed information about them specifically that I have been able to locate - however, there are enough tidbits and hints that I should be able to manage while having a ton of fun. This image is titled "Macpherson" and is a plate illustrated by R. R. McIan, from James Logan's The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845. It is a great example of what Ewen Macpherson of Cluny himself may have worn at times. Fabulous tartan, green jacket and blue bonnet. He is carrying a dirk, a traditional basket-sword and two pistols. That is bad-ass.


Creag Dhu!

On Basing and Regiment Layout

As one is waiting for the ever-important models for a new project to arrive in the post, one has increasing amounts of time to sit and think of other esoteric project related details. Currently for me, this has taken shape with thoughts on basing and regiment layout.

Most recently, I have been playing skirmish style games in which all models are based as individuals. I like this for the flexibility and the importance it gives to each individual character, but I dislike it for movement of formations and playing grand-scale battles. So, with this new English Civil War project that I have undertaken, I have decided to base my army in a more large-scale group method. I am working with 28mm models and the sketch below shows how I am thinking of basing these and how I will organize them into basic regiments.

Individual square bases of 40mm that will contain four models. This regiment formation will give me a frontage of 320mm with two rows of muskets and four rows of pikemen with some room in the front and center for the command figures, ensigns and musicians. I don't want to base my army for any particular rule set (although I do have a copy of Pike & Shotte on the way) and I hope this will be a nice compromise that will allow me to play any number of different rule sets. The musket to pike ratio and exact numbers may change based on specific regiments (throw in some longbows, swords and axes for some of the Royalist northern clan levies for example).

More Books & Learning

As I am anxiously waiting for my first English Civil War models to arrive, I have plenty of time to read and research the topic. I have a university history degree, and so this is an important part of the wargaming hobby for me. I don't game simply for the sake of gaming, I endeavor to become learned and, while maybe not an expert, a person that can intelligently discuss the topic. Besides, the games themselves become richer and deeper if the historical context is appreciated and respected.

I recently received three books on the English Civil War from Osprey Publishing:
Scots Armies of the English Civil Wars
Soldiers of the English Civil War (1)
Pike and Shot Tactics, 1590-1660

While these are not serious history texts, they do give a very nice overview of the topics as well as providing the valuable and much needed illustrations of equipment, uniforms, heralds, flags and other topics important to a wargamer trying to paint armies in a way that (tries) to reflect historical accuracy. Plus, they are gorgeous books...

Moss Troopers, 1650-51

Strathbogie Regiment, Aberdeen, 1644

Irish Brigade, 1644-45

The Scots are Lost

Eureka Miniatures 17th century Scottish Laird model

I wrote in my last post that I had ordered my first batch of models from Eureka Minatures. Well, they would have been here by now if not for some shameful shannanigans and incompetence from my local postal service. It seems my northern lads have got themselves lost. Anyway, the customer service at Eureka is top-shelf and so it will all work out the eventually.

Here is what I have coming:
14x Scottish Musketeer
10x Scottish Musketeer (many with bow)
4x Scottish with traditional clan weapons
4x Scottish with swords
1x Scottish Laird
1x Scottish piper

It is probably obvious that my first regiment will be a Royalist Highlander levy that fought under the Marquis of Montrose. I do have a very specific contingent in mind for these troops, but that will have to wait for a post of its own...

A New Project: The English Civil War

My Punic Wars project has stalled.... while waiting for an order of spears that would have allowed me to assemble and base-coat the army, I found that I wasn't overly thrilled or motivated. I have three bags of metal Carthaginian miniatures from Gripping Beast on my workbench. They are all great sculpts of infantry and heavy cavalry and I'm sure that I will get back to them eventually.

But, my academic and gaming interests have turned elsewhere for the time being -- Scotland. My family heritage is strongly Scottish - family Archibald of the proud clan Macpherson. Discovering personal family history is a strong motivator for me, and so I turn my attention to the grand spectacle of the English Cvil War (which I have been wanting to do for some time) and specifically to the Scots.

As with any wargaming project that I undertake, I have begun with researching the topic. I am currently reading the following books:

• The Marquis of Montrose, by John Buchan
• The English Civil War, by Diane Purkiss
• The Highland Clans, by Alistair Moffat

Now, all work and no play makes for a dull war gamer... and so I have also ordered a good amount of 17th century Scottish miniatures from Eureka. Twenty-four muskets, twelve pikes, a fancy Laird, a piper, and various other models swinging traditional clan weapons. Lets hope they arrive soon!