The arrival of the artillerymen saw the overall project reach a milestone much faster than I anticipated. The line infantry are now complete and the artillery crews have filled a much needed slot in the overall army composition. I would not be at this stage now if it had not been for your enthusiasm, encouragement and of course your purchases, so for Minden, 2008 has been a very good progressive year.
I anticipated having Prussian and Austrian Curassiers by the end of this month for the start of the cavalry arm, but silly Richard fell over and hurt his arm last month, which derailed the whole timetable, as he couldn't hold a figure, never mind sculpt one. The knock on effect is that my figures have now encroached on the December work he had for a commercial business, which means that they have priority and mine are being fitted in where he can, but he assures me that by the end of this month or the start of January, I will have cavalry greens and thats good enough for me. I am so happy to have Richard doing the sculpting, that he can take as long as he likes, so long as he keeps making pretty toys for me.
I haven't done much painting lately and my own Prussian artillerymen are only undercoated so far, although I have been rebasing like a maniac, as I have had a surge of enthusiasm for a "Charles Grant Setup" and have been reorganising my 30 man battalions into 48, with each figure now having a 15mm frontage and 20mm depth. This is slighly more open than I had the 30 man battalions, but still nice close order. I have mixed the basing up to include multiples of 4 and 2, with a certain amount on single bases too for casualty removal in the Grant way.
The Wargames Companion and the Wargame have been read and re-read lately and while it is totally impractical for me to have these sized units, it's the way I am going. My pal Paul who paints for me has just completed a 48 man battalion of Austrians inc mounted Colonel and they look fantastic. I haven't based them yet, but will stick up some photos of them when I do.
I have been chewing the fat of late with Ioannis of Leuthen Journal (there can't be a wargamer who plays SYW who hasn't visited his website) and we got round to the time he said he liked the figures but could never paint them. remember that post on TMP?
Anyway a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then and Ioannis ordered a Prussian Artillery Crew and a mounted colonel to have a proper go at them. He told me he would have to refine his style a bit because of the fine detail on the Mindens, so I sent the figures and he set about the Colonel . . . . . I am not going to say anything about the paintjob, but YOU decide if he can paint these figures or not folks . . . .. I give you Ioannis's Minden Colonel . . .. .
I think it's safe to say that he vastly underestimated and understated his ability with that post on TMP and I am delighted to produce this evidence to that effect now. He is still not happy with it in parts, but I am delighted with it, particularly as it is winging its way in the post to me, as a Crimbo pressie from him to me. What a star!!! Thank you Ioannis.
Right, that's about it from me for now, but I can promise you more goodies in 2009 and we may just about see the armies taking final shape, with all components available and some nice extras to round things off. The cavalry and light infantry will take priority next year and I want more command figures on horses, with personalities and generals etc, oh and perhaps a proper officer figure for each gun crew, just standing there looking like . . . well, that he's in charge :-)
Finally, I would just like to say a huge thank you to those of you who have bought figures throughout 2008 and those who have orders pending right now. Your support is heart warming and genuinely appreciated. It is because of you that I have been able to get so much done this year. I also want to sincerely thank Richard for the sculpting work and his patience with me during the design process and also Stewart, Phil and Rob at Griffin Moulds, whos skill has ensured that the sculpts have been faithfully reproduced without blemish since the very start.
Happy Xmas and a happy, healthy New Year to you all.
Frank.
