The Spanish Army Receives Artillery Support - Well, Kinda

The Spanish artillery train is done.  If only there were some gunners to fire the cannons!

I decided to break up the Spanish artillery set into the train, and the gunners, as the whole unit just looked a little daunting.  So finally, step 1 is complete, and on to the gunners.

As noted in a previous post, the train is a mish mash of manufacturers with some conversions and custom builds.

The traces fit beautifully into the eyelets on the singletrees attached to the limber making for one of the most securely constructed teams I have built.

When the gunners are painted, they will work the spare cannon.  I'm painting the base for the cannon at present, which is a challenge given my painting desk is in an unheated garage! 

Der Kriegspieler horses with converted riders.

The riders are in French style uniforms with British helmets, so some lopping off of heads was required.

Here is a close up of the singletrees.  In this case they were cast Franzknap traces with the singletree attached which were leftover from another project.  The crossbar on the limber yoke and the eyelets into which the singletrees are attached were custom made. 

A side view showing how well the two pieces fit together.

The back traces were made from twisted wire which was bent and inserted into tiny holes drilled into the singletrees of the SHQ manufactured limber.

Recently I've actually been getting in a few wargames for a change thanks to a good bud in Nashville as well as an overseas game via ZOOM.

In no particular order, here are some shots of a game I hosted using a Napoleonic variant of DBA called DBN.

The French hopes were pinned on the success of their massive column.

A blimp's view of the column about to crash home.

The first assault was repulsed by the British line but the French are far from done.

The final assault, but it was not to be, the French were repulsed again and losses on other parts of the field compelled them to retreat.

Some oldies but goodies; Minifig highlanders.

This column of British infantry actually decided the day.  They broke off from the main defensive line and were able to decisively defeat a brigade of light infantry approaching on the French Right.

In addition to DBN, I have also been very fortunate enough to learn and get in a few games of Never Mind the Billhooks.  This is a fantastic easy to learn game and when your friend provides all of the beautiful troops and terrain, it's hard not to have a great time!  These photos are blatantly stolen from one of his facebook posts.

My Lancastrian line approaches his Yorkists (Booo) menacingly.

My favorite shot of the game - My cavalry smash into the rear of a routing Yorkist unit of billmen.

The ultimate decision of the game was down to young Prince Edward who defeated the King, who was already sporting a wound from his combat with the retainers of Lord Percy.

The fun continued across the pond with a hex-based Command and Colours type game, but with a little more interest and complexity along with beautifully painted soldiers and terrain.  I shamelessly stole this image from Tony's blog, so for a full write up, head on over to: https://prometheusinaspic.blogspot.com/2026/01/wss-action-at-la-jongleuse-wallonia-1703.html

We are due for a good snowfall and there is a threat of ice which can knock out the power lines.  I have a goodly stash of firewood just in case, but am hoping either the weather won't be too bad, or that the power lines survive the storm.  In the meantime, this morning at a balmy 19 degrees Fahrenheit, will likely be the warmest we will have for a full week or more, so got out while we could in a light snow with Nyra or sweet old pooch.

Loving the snow!

The long walk back up the hill to home.  At least we weren't having to dodge traffic!

Next up, French light infantry Grenadiers in colpacks.  The first twelve are on the cusp of being complete!