Friday, April 21, 2017

Annual Birthday Game Is Next


Date: May 6, 2017
Time Period: Seven Years' War
Location: INDIA
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime (1740-1763) BAR
Circumstances: Pre-Game Preparations


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"Tonight ladies and gentlemen we have a very special presentation for you coming all the way from India. Some know I am very interested in the Seven Years' War and...."

"Really Bill?"

"Hmm. --- And Colonials too."

"Yer kidd'n!"

"Hey --- cut out the jokes --- and don't interrupt the show! 
So we thought, why not combine the two in the 18th Century? --- That's just what we'll be doing on my belated Annual Birthday Game Day on May 6, 2017. --- Three new units will appear."

French Sepoy Battalion from the Nellore District 1750-1755 adapted from René Chartrand's description. See Osprey's MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES #313 LOUIS XV'S ARMY (5) COLONIAL AND NAVAL TROOPS, pages 19 and 47 plus Color Plate G.

Twelve 1750-1755 Nellore District companies were dressed this way:
Three companies above in yellow coats faced in red, green and blue.
Three companies in red coats faced in yellow, green and blue.
Three companies in green coats faced in red, yellow and blue.
Three companies in blue coats faced in red, green and yellow.
My drummer uniforms are totally fictional.

All are 28mm. Line soldiers are from Indus Miniatures, drummers are Crusader and most officers are Front Rank from their Seven Years' War European and North American French and Indian War lines.

I luckily had a colorful GMB flag from Regiment Aquitaine on hand and decided to use it --- just because.... it is colorfully busy. French officers wore their own regimentals from France. All but the drummers were expertly painted by John Preece.

So what's cook'n Bill?

"Whaaaat? Who let you in here anyway?"

"They're wearing chef's hats aren't they? 
We'll have curry chicken, samosa and chai tea."

"The very idea. --- Chef's hats!

"With basmati rice."

"Now cut that out!"

Here's some shocking 28mm firepower from Indus Miniatures. 

Do you think I painted the lion's head realistically? This model is terrific.

Indus Miniatures Hindu Archers. Every bowman has his own color scheme; all 72 of 'em! They were a lot of fun to paint. Fast too.

I have no idea if native forces formed units of bowmen. I simply reasoned, if the Romans, Carthaginians and Medieval armies had bow units, why can't there be some in India? My talented friend Juergen contends they should be broken apart and spread out in other units of mixed weapons. Gee, that makes sense to me. Maybe I am too taken with skirmisher screens of one kind or another. 

Depending on the two forces in the game, I told Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz) I could break this unit in half letting the British use one.

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There is little time left before the game to add more units. However, these thirty-five or a bunch of them are supposed to reinforce two units needing more numbers. Wish me luck won't you?

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"Thank you for watching the show tonight ladies and gentlemen. We'll....

"Bill! --- Bill?"

"Oh. It's you guys again. Well?"

"You'll never get those natives finished in time!"

"That's what you think, do you?"

"Never in a million years!"

"Hmm. --- Well, I 'll show you! 
Goodnight everybody. We'll be back in three weeks with our next show."


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CLOSING REMARKS

1) And I have to terra-form the table, figure orders of battle and design the scenario.

2) Do you think I can finish in time?

3) Your remarks are welcome below at Comments.

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6 comments:

  1. What a riot of colour.

    The lions head is particularly fine. Bravo! More please.

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  2. Agreed! Stirring and stunning stuff. Can you do it? I'll wager you can.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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  3. Fun stuff. Always a theatre of spectacular colors and variety.

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  4. Wow thanks for sharing. Glad you are enjoying the miniatures.

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  5. Wish I was going to be there Bill..they look great.

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