Yes… The War of 1812…
Greetings…
“ How did this come about ?“ I hear you ask..
Well…
The war came about mostly because of American anger at the Royal Navy stopping and seizing ships on the open sea and impressing as British subjects captured crew, even if they personally had proof of their U.S. citizenship… combined with a long standing desire by War Hawks in the American House and Senate to try and conquer the whole of…
Oh!…
Of course what you meant is how did it come about that I have started a War of 1812 project…
Well…
I let my butterfly flutter free for a while…
First it settled on something small…6mm Napoleonics… It seemed like a good idea…you know the kind of thing… big battles in a small space…
But… It was… well… just a bit too small…
Next it landed on something just a little bit bigger…
10mm Seven Weeks War (1866)…
Nice uniforms and an interesting period…
But… yup… still a bit on the small side…
Ooo!…
54mm Britains style toy soldiers in a ‘what if’ 1890’s Anglo-American war…
Now I do like the idea of this…it ticks all of my boxes… but I’m not that sure about building large scale terrain at the moment…
Maybe when I’ve sorted my cellar out and have more room…
This was a bit of a surprise… The 30 years War…
I find this period really interesting… both militarily and politically….
The figures are lovely…
But… I find it really hard to get into pike and shot wargaming… I’m not sure why… maybe I have a phobia about long pointy sticks ( I’m not that keen on Macedonian armies either).
It’s an odd thing really as I always enjoy reading about other peoples adventures in this period…but when I start painting any myself it just leaves me a bit cold… I will try again another time.
Normans and Byzantines in Italy…
I think this will get done it’s a fascinating period full of really interesting characters… what stalled me here was not finding a set of rules that suited my needs… of course there is now a Lion Rampant supplement on the market… so yes… but not right now.
Looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteSo am I 😁
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Oh Ally, you and that ruddy butterfly! All of those projects look interesting but the 3D battle suit?! I would never have had you down for anything like that… interesting. Bet we never see it again. Lol.
ReplyDeleteMy butterfly is very strong….
DeleteThe Battle Suit came as a cover mount on a Japanese Sci-Fi magazine…
I found them interesting because part of my day job is designing push fit model kits…
I put them together and thought oooo! WW2 in space… then I thought…’ you damn fool… you only have two of them’
They are actually quite interesting… but only as a design solution.
I think this is as far as this one goes… 😁
All the best. Aly
Looks good Aly! What miniature figure company do you have in mind for this project? All the best for this project.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Helen
Hi Helen…
DeleteI’ve gone for Knuckleduster Miniatures…
They are not to everyone’s taste but I like them and I think that they have the most complete range out there…
All the best. Aly
An excellent choice! Small forces so one can easily refight historical actions as well as various scenarios. A broad range of uniforms rather than unit after unit all the same. Not many fancy ones but.....
ReplyDeleteA good selection of books. If you can get your hands on Professor George Stanley's (one of the profs at RMC back in the day) "War of 1812: Land Operations" it has the best coverage of the actual battles, sieges and skirmishes.
Ps. I meant Stanley has the best overall coverage of land operations over all. Some of the individual books like Donald Graves are more thorough on the individual battles.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you approve Ross…
DeleteI shall have a look for the Stanley book…I am always interested in reading more on this subject…
My favourite books on the subject are the Pierre Berton volumes they are very easy to read and very informative…
All the best. Aly
They are great books, but then all his books were and the man himself most entertaining as well as widely informed on tv. His were the first serious books on the war that I read (our school library had a children's book on Sir Isaac Brock ).
DeleteA splendid look into the way the brain of a genius works 😀 an interesting period but not one for me at the moment I think. Given the number of books you have on the period it seems a good choice. Your butterfly landed on some other interesting periods on the way. I do like the idea of the Normans in the south ?
ReplyDeleteMore like a look into the ramblings of a madman 😂
DeleteThe Normans in the South are indeed very interesting… I imagine all you would need for some games would be the Byzantines…
All the best. Aly
Some fine fluttering there Aly.
ReplyDeleteYou have to let the butterfly out for a run sometimes…
DeleteYou never know what it will find for you…
All the best. Aly
Lots of interesting projects you've considered Aly, a common trait to most wargamers I fear! You certainly have a great library on the conflict and interestingly at Partizan at the weekend I picked up Stuart Asquith's 'Scenarios for the War of 1812' as a treat (I also have his campaign guide). I too thought that R&P would be a good starting point for many of the battles, which in a sense are large skirmishes. For bigger battles, maybe BPII or Shadow of the Eagles.
ReplyDeleteThe unchained butterfly certainly lands on some interesting blooms…
DeleteStuart Asquith’s books are excellent… I highly recommend them.
Rebels and Patriots does seem to be a good fit for many of the actions in the war, I have played a couple of the bigger battles in the past using Black Powder and they worked very well…
All the best. Aly
I successfully predicted this a while back if you recall! Looking forward to seeing how you tackle the project and your choices of figures of course...😉
ReplyDeleteYou have clearly known me long enough to be able to see where my butterfly was headed…
DeleteGiven my interest in the subject it was indeed inevitable…
I have gone with Knuckleduster at the moment and have enough lead to give me game using Rebels and Patriots… once these are painted I may well start looking at other manufacturers…
All the best. Aly
And there was me, thinking my recent post of an 1812 unit had inspired you Aly - what a let down to read it was all a natural progression of linked ideas all of your very own (God knows what a SF 3D Battle Suit is though, or why you would need two!). Most of my "specialist" 1812 figures are Old Glory - a lot of the Brits are just standard Napoleonic and include quite a few plastics by your mates the Perrys. I do have a few Knuckleduster and always plan(ned) a few more units of the Brits in winter uniforms....but my butterfly fluttered off to explore other interesting flowers - perhaps one day it shall return?
ReplyDeleteClearly your post reassured me that I was going down the right path…
DeleteIf you would like to know more about SF3D have a look here…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maschinen_Krieger_ZbV_3000
I won’t mind if you give it a miss 😁.
There is a fair amount of Napoleonic figures that can be used for the War of 1812 so I can see myself having good old rummage as things move forward.
As I have said I do like the knuckleduster Range and it is very complete.
All the best. Aly
Butterfly is good. I use it all the time. It also gives you something to go back to ten years later when current interests flag...
ReplyDeleteYes the butterfly has found some lovely toys to play with over the years…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Looking forward to seeing the new project :)
ReplyDeleteSo am I 😁
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Looking forward to see how you tackle this, especially for rebels and patriots.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s going to be fun Stuart…
DeleteI think Rebels and Patriots is the right scale for the kind of games I would like to play…
All the best. Aly
As Buzz Aldrin almost said... The Butterfly Has Landed.
ReplyDeleteI think Buzz Lightyear may have actually said that…😂
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Excellent post nice to see those healthy butterflies, don’t tell anyone but I’m secretly doing this in 18mm - really looking forward to see how this develops
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham…
DeleteWhat figures are you using?…
All the best. Aly
Aly
DeleteBlue Moon quite like them 😁
Having just trimmed my own bookshelf, and posted about my remaining library, I was interested to see shots of your books--very impressive set on 1812: given that, I'm surprised that it has not progressed to figures manifesting themselves sooner.
ReplyDeleteYes I saw your book trimming… if only I lived near you 😁
DeleteI’ve been interested in the War of 1812 since I saw a couple of illustrations of American infantry in Blandford’s Military Uniforms of the World in Colour in the early 1970’s…
I did actually make a range of miniatures for Wargames Foundry… in the late 1980’s ish… Gosh!… it’s so long ago…even before my daughter was born…😳
So not my first shot at this splendid period…
All the best. Aly
Interesting one Aly!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a very interesting period Nick…
DeleteI am looking forward to diving into it…
All the best. Aly
Interesting choice, not for me no French or Austrians! Entertaining journey on how you got there, Byzantines and the 30 years war standing out particularly ,lovely collection of books and nice pair of commanders!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
The war in America is an interesting subject Iain…
DeleteThere was one US volunteer unit that wore French Imperial Guard style uniforms… but no Austrians.
I’ve been interested in the Byzantines and 30 Years War for quite some time… I’ve just never managed to do the toy soldiers… I have a feeling I will… eventually.
I have to admit that I find it very difficult to walk past a decent book on the War of 1812..😁
All the best. Aly
Congratulations! A most excellent but very under appreciated period. Interesting uniforms and troop types and perfect, for the table sized battles. You can actually paint up the entire armies for a campaign and not break the bank. And Knuckleduster miniatures are the best for this. They cover all the yearsof the war and all the variations. The regimental economy packs are a inexpensive way to buy your regiments.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to following this project with great interest.
It is indeed an excellent period Mark and given my long term Interest it is about time I got back into it…
DeleteAs you say the actions are relatively small in size but not in interest.
Knuckle Duster are certainly the most complete range I have seen…
All the best. Aly
Wow! So many different ideas and books to bring even more ideas!
ReplyDeleteI must say I know almost nothing about the 1812 war, so I'm looking forward to follow on that project!
Best wishes,
Jan
By butterfly may flutter around for a while but it always lands on something interesting…
DeleteThe War of 1812 is a fascinating period Jan… very suitable for skirmish games… and some larger scale actions.
All the best. Aly
Yes... in my case all those little skirmish projects usually rise to Black Powder armies, so I would have to double think ;-)
DeleteAlready have some French Indian War in the plans and AWI.
As I soon want to finish with the Afghan project I already think what to do next. I think I will go back in time and change continent and do the feudal Japan.
Best wishes,
Jan
Is your Lossing book the complete set?
ReplyDeleteThe reprints I’ve found on EBay seem to come as two volumes at around £30 each.
Hi David…
DeleteYes mine’s is a complete set … it’s a 1970’s reprint…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen an original… that would probably cost a pretty penny.
All the best. Aly
I’ve read an original which I got through the inter library lending service from George IV Bridge.
DeleteWas that just after it was published?😁
DeleteThat is a might impressive library on the War of 1812 Aly. And what a wonderful butterfly period, with the ability to flutter between regulars, militia, marines or Indians.
ReplyDeleteSince I took these pictures Mark I have realised I actually have more 😁…
DeleteIt does indeed suit my butterfly tendencies…
All the best. Aly
I suppose you're aware of this site?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.warof1812.ca/index.html
I am indeed Rob…
DeleteThere are some very interesting articles on there…
All the best. Aly
A great choice Aly. So many interesting actions. Will you restrict yourself to land or also venture to the lakes and combined actions (and perhaps even the open seas)?
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
I am going to stick to the land at the moment James…
DeleteBut I am very tempted by naval actions on the lakes although I am not so sure about rigging the ships 😁
All the best. Aly
great idea - wish you all the best
ReplyDeleteThank you…
DeleteI think it’s going to be fun…
All the best. Aly
I really don't know what just happened, but the little red robot with the green face is way cool. Can't wait to see an army of those...
ReplyDeleteI wild wargames butterfly flight just happened 😁
DeleteThe SF3D battle suite is rather cute… unfortunately I only have two of them and I have never seen any others… there are 1/35 scale versions available… but that would be madness… very expensive madness 😂
All the best. Aly