Photos of my latest ACW game; Casey’s Redoubt/ The Battle of Seven Pines

Below are a few photos from my latest American Civil War game. For this game, I used the Casey’s Redoubt scenario from the Regimental Fire and Fury rule book. The photos are of the initial setup of the game. Unfortunately, these are the only photos that I took of this game. I was hoping to set it up again and have a proper photo shoot, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.

This game marks my first use of fortification. To representation the Abates, I used Woodland Scenic tree armatures. The breastworks that I used in this game were hand made by myself. I built them to be used with my 15mm WWII figures, but it turns out that they work really well with my 10mm figures.

 

 

 

Painted 10mm Union Iron Brigade figures from Pendraken

Below are a few photos of my newly painted 10mm Iron Brigade figures from Pendraken’s new American Civil War range. I believe that the detail on these figures is just as good as any 15mm figures around.  See for yourself.















 

The Battle of Queenston Heights 200th Reenactment Photos.

Hello all,
I have just finished uploading my photos from the 200th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights. This reenactment featured nearly 1000 reenactors and was held on the actual battleground. This was by far the largest War of 1812 reenactment that I have ever witnessed! Around 15,000 spectators came out to see this reenactment. Taking these numbers into account, I think it’s safe to say that this event was very successful.  Personally, I’m looking forward to attending a lot more War of 1812 reenactments over the next couple of years.  Thanks to all the volunteers and reenactors who made this event possible. Here's the Gallery: Link

 

General Brock leads his troops just before being fatally wounded

See my full gallery here: Queenston Heights 200^th Reenactment Gallery

.

The Dunker Church, 10mm building by Time Cast

Work continues on my upcoming Antietam game. Today, I just finished up painting the Dunker Church. This model was produced by Time Cast. Below are a few photos.

For reference, here’s a photo of the real thing.

My game for Fall-In 2012, The Bloody Cornfield –Antietam 1862

At Fall-In this year, I will be running the game, The Bloody Cornfield –Antietam 1862. Due to some technical difficulties my game has just been listed on the PEL. So, all six game slots are still available. In order to run the game, I will need a minimum of three people to sign up for it. To date this is by far my most ambitious game. I have spent the past few months preparing terrain for this game, Including building 50’ of rail fence and a couple of square feet of corn. If you’re interested in joining me, you can register for my game over on the Fall-In website or you can wait to sign up at the convention if any slots are still open. I hope to see you there.

S-333 - The Bloody Cornfield-Antietam 1862

Sat. 5:00:00 PM, 5 hrs, 6 players
GM: Bryan Olson
American Civil War 10mm, Rules:
Rally Round the Flag (Modified)

The scenario that I will be using for this game was published in the December 1990 issue of Miniature Wargamers and is based on Hooker's opening attack on the Confederate position in and around the Cornfield. You don't want to miss this one.

Ages 16 and up, Rules are quick/easy to learn

10mm American Civil War Miniatures Comparison 3.0

Here’s my newest 10mm American Civil War manufactures comparison photo. New to this comparison are figures from Pendrakens new range and the Cracker Line. From comments that I’ve been reading on The Miniatures Page, I thought that it might be useful to have a mounted figures and artillery comparison. So I also added these as well. As always these photos will be revised as I receive new figures. I hope they prove to be useful.

-Bryan

Key Words: ACW 10mm, American Civil War 10mm, Wargaming Miniatures, Kallistra, Minifigs, Pendraken, GHQ, Old Glory, Perrin, Magister Militum, Starfort, The Baggage Train, Blaze Away Miniatures, the Cracker Line

Battle of Antietam 150th Reenactment Photos

Below are links to the photos that I took a few weeks ago at the 150^th Battle of Antietam commemorative reenactment. Unlike, the Second Manassas reenactment that I attended last month this event was well worth the trip down from New York State. The reenactment was run by the same origination that puts on the annual Gettysburg reenactment. Like the annual Gettysburg event, the Antietam reenactment was very well organized. I estimate that there were between 6000 and 7000 reenactors and 65 artillery pieces. The reenactors were kept to historical proportions so there were approximately twice as many Union troops on the field. Several props were built, like The Dunker Church, and Burnsides Bridge to help enhance the reenactment. Also, Light pyrotechnics were used to simulate Artillery fire. There was also more Suttlers than I’ve seen at any other event (except for possibly Gettysburg). Many of whom were selling quality items.

From what I heard there seems to be plans to run this reenactment again next year. If this is the case I’m somewhat skeptical that the event will get the same reenactor and spectator turnout as this year’s event. I for one will be on the road heading to Chickamauga.

I want to thank all the reenactors and volunteers who made this event possible.

Now on to the photos:

 

                      The Dunker Church

The Bloody Lane

Burnsides Bridge & the Final Attack

Painted 10mm American Civil War Union Infantry Advancing

Below are some photos of my latest batch of completed 10mm American Civil War Union Infantry advancing. If you’re wondering these figures are from Pendrakens old range of figures. This batch consists of 432 figures on 54 bases. Hopefully, in the next few months, I will have a lot more photos of painted figures to show off.

-Bryan

A new source for 10mm buildings

Up to this point I have been primarily using building from Jerry’s Hobby Junction for my 10mm wargaming needs. I feel that Jerry’s range of buildings does a great job covering single story structures, but when it comes to two story structures the range comes up a bit short. To resolve this shortage, I decided to give plastic N scale model railroad buildings a try.


As a result of model railroading being a much more popular hobby, there is a very large assortment of buildings available. Unfortunately, most of these are not suitable for the 19th century. After doing some browsing on e-bay, I found several models that would meet my needs. As usual the first thing I did after my first building arrived in the mail was to compare it to my Jerry’s Hobby Junction buildings. As I was hoping they matched up perfectly. Since then I have purchased several more building and I’m very satisfied with them.

Building Comparison Photo: on the left is an N scale plastic model railroad building, and on the right is a resin building from Jerry’s Hobby Junction

The downside to using model railroading buildings is, 1) most of the time, the models need to be assembled, 2) they retail for about twice as much as resin buildings. However, if your patient these buildings commonly come up on e-bay for much less than the retail price.

Model Power, Bella's Farm House

Looking forward, I can see myself adding more N scale model railroading buildings to my terrain arsenal as I need them.

Model Power, The Sullivan's

A.H.M., American Farm House

Model Power, Farm House

10mm American Civil War Miniatures from Cracker Line Miniatures

A few weeks ago after posting my latest 10mm American Civil War comparison photo on The Miniatures Page, I was contacted by ACWBill who wanted to let me know that he was also working on producing a range of 10mm ACW figures. He kindly sent me a sample of his figures for me to add to my comparison photo. The name of Bill’s figure range is The Cracker Line. The range is focused on the Western Theater of the war with a particular emphasis on the 1863 campaign. The figures fall into the smaller end of the 10mm scale. They best match up well with figures from Starfort and the Baggage Train. The following packs are currently available:

US in Great Coats
Marching w/ Command
Marching, No Command
Firing w/ Command
Firing, No Command
US Officer mounted

CSA in Shell Jackets
Marching w/ Command
Marching, No Command
Firing w/ Command
Firing, No Command

By the end of the summer Yankees in Sack Coats will also be available. Also, in the pipeline are Western personalities such as Cleburne, Thomas, Bragg and Schofield. All packs are $5.50 for 12 figures, and the mounted officer is $3.00. I will post the contact info below if you’re interested in ordering some of these figures.

Confederates in Shell Jackets Marching with Command

Union in Great Coats Firing with Command

Union in Great Coats Marching with Command

Confederates in Shell Jackets Firing

Mounted Officer

Website Link: http://www.crackerlineminis.com/cracker-line-miniatures.html

Contact Info

150th Battle of 2nd Manassas/ Bull Run Reenactment Photo Gallery

Over the weekend, I traveled down to Cedar Creek Battlefield in Middletown, Virginia for the 150th commemorative Reenactment of the Battle of 2nd Manassas/ Bull Run. For me, the highlight of this event was the Friday evening recreation of the Battle of Brawner’s Farm. The setting sun with the Blue Ridge Mountains made a great background for the reenactment. Saturday’s reenactment was a recreation of the Union’s assault on the unfinished railroad. The reenactors seem to be really having a lot of fun during the battle recreations, and the commanders did a very good job to make sure that the battles did not stray too far from the spectators. However, I do feel that the reenactor turnout was on the low side. I was expecting to see about the same numbers that attended the 145th 1st Bull Run reenactment held at Cedar Creek in 2006. I estimate that there were between 1,000 and 2,000 total reenactors present. Unfortunately, I feel that the low reenactor turnout did not make the 6 hour drive to Virginia worthwhile. I have my fingers crossed that next month’s Antietam reenactment will be larger. We will see.

Thanks to all the reenactors and the Cedar Creek staff who made this event possible.

Galleries

The Battle of Brawner’s Farm

 

Attack on the Railroad Cut

.

A game of Aerodrome with the FLAGS (Finger Lakes Area Gamers)

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet up and play a game of Aerodrome with the Finger Lakes Area Gamers (FLAGS). The scenario was based on Operation Judgment the 1940 allied air raid on Taranto Italy. The game featured a squadron of British swordfish bombers charged with the task of sinking the Italian navy. The game was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again sometime. Below are a few images from the game. If you’re in the Finger Lakes /Central New York area and are interested in joining FLAGS for a game, send me an e-mail at General_Btsherman1864@yahoo.com or add a comment below, and I will get you in touch with them.

10mm American Civil War Miniatures Comparison 2.0

My first order of 10mm American Civil War figures from Blaze Away Miniatures arrived Friday afternoon. I must say the quality of these figures is excellent, and they match up very well to Pendraken. With the arrival of these figures, I decided that it was a very good time to update my 10mm ACW comparison photo. Along With Blaze Away Miniatures, I also added figures from Starfort and the Baggage Train to the comparison photo. I hope this new photo proves to be useful.

The following Manufactures are included in this comparison:

• Kallistra
   
• Blaze Away Miniatures
   
• Minifigs (US) AIM (UK)
   
• Pendraken
   
• GHQ
   
• Old Glory
   
• Perrin (US) Magister Militum (UK)
   
• Starfort
   
• The Baggage Train

Note 1: To my Knowledge the only Manufacture missing from this comparison is Pithead.

Note 2: All Old Glory infantry comes in strips of five. For this comparison I cut one figure from the strip.

Key Words: ACW 10mm, American Civil War 10mm, Wargaming Miniatures, Kallistra, Minifigs, Pendraken, GHQ, Old Glory, Perrin, Magister Militum, Starfort, The Baggage Train, Blaze Away Miniatures

Painted 10mm American Civil War Confederate Infantry Firing

This week I started to base some of the troops that I painted earlier in the year. First up was my Firing/loading Confederate infantry (manufactured by Pendraken). This batch consisted of 224 figures. As I mentioned in a previous post, I really like all the various poses that these figures come in.  I think they will make a great addition to my Confederate army. Next up I will be basing my Union advancing infantry.











Keywords: Pendraken Miniatures, ACW 10mm, American Civil War 10mm, Wargaming