Current Stats for the O.W.A.N.K (Old World Averland Kup) league

 As you can see Sports fans that Both the Claws and Monarchs lead the way with 6 points a piece, the Claws of course being my team, and they are doing so well has nothing to do with the fact I know the rules better than anyone else, or that this is my league or that I bribed any refs, for the record that money was just resting in the refs account that's all !

The Oilers continue to scare everyone with there impressive casualty numbers, and are one of the teams to watch out for.

However dear friends Im affraid we had to say tutty by by to one of the O.W.A.N.K coaches, due to him playing with rules that he go out of the back of his horse and cart, Richardo the Ever Rightious has been fired from the Sylvania Carrion team an ... sorry this just in, he was not fired, but shot.

Well there you have it sports fans, the moral of this tale is dont cheat unless you have at least had to good decency to bribe the officials the refs and the league operators ..

Have a fun day and remember if at first you don't suc .. sced .. sccus ...

Just cheat OK !

Continue to paint up the excellent Gripping Beast plastic figures to ready my raiding party for a 'SAGA' outing.

Wandering around Hougoumont, Waterloo

As part of our 2011 tour we looked around the Waterloo battlefield, we were able to get into Hougoumont and took the following pictures...

Panoramic view of the South Gate and adjoining Orchard walls.

Interior  courtyard shot of farm buildings

Interior courtyard shot of farmhouse and outbuilding

Interior courtyard shot of  chateau entrance

Interior courtyard shot of remains of chapel entrance

Interior courtyard shot of memorial plaque

Battle of Arklow -9th June 1798

Arklow Battlefield, View One

Figures from Steve's collection

Arklow Battlefield, View Two

Figures from Steve's collection

The Battle of Arklow took place during the 1798 Irish Rebellion, when a force of United Irishmen from Wexford, estimated at some 10,000 strong, launched an assault into County Wicklow, targeting the British-held town of Arklow, in an attempt to spread the rebellion into Wicklow and to threaten the capital of Dublin.

The calm before the storm - Arklow bridge

Figures from Steve's collection

Government troops anxiously await the onslaught

Figures from Steve's collection

Heavy Dragoons and Yeomanry await their orders

Figures from Steve's collection

Government horse wait for the artillery to limber up

Figures from Steve's collection

Militia and Fencibles stand behind prepared positions

Figures from Steve's collection

Massed ranks of United Irish prepare to attack Pic 1

Figures from Steve's collection

Massed ranks of United Irish prepare to attack Pic 2

Figures from Steve's collection

Massed ranks of United Irish prepare to attack Pic 3

Figures from Steve's collection

Massed ranks of United Irish prepare to attack Pic 4

Figures from Steve's collection

The United Irish attack Government horse and artillery

Figures from Steve's collection

The United Irish attack the Government line

Figures from Steve's collection

The United Irish storm the outskirts of Arklow

Figures from Steve's collection

Kingmaker -The Wargame

Cornish Rebels: Unit of Cornish Levy Archers

Figures painted by Mike W

It had long been a thought of mine to run a wargames campaign based on a childhood favourite boardgame - Kingmaker. As everyone must know,Kingmaker is set in the Wars of the Roses and simulates the political and military shenanigans that were rife in the period as rival houses fought for control of the English throne.

The question was how to do it,what scale etc. Well I plumped for 28mm, using the classsic Citadel plastic archers set as a basis for raising the large numbers of figures needed. As I built the armies this expanded to metal figures form other manufacturers and then to include the Perry Miniatures 28mm WoR figures as these were released.

Lord Penzance: The leaser of the Cornish Revolt, Men-at-Arms 

in Full Harness and Tried in the ways of Battle

Figures painted by Mike W

For Campaign structure I used the boardgame as it as and converted the points values of teh forces into Army lists for the Perfect Captains excellent 'A crown of Paper' rules.

Business end of an Armoured Pike Unit

3 x Bases Armoured Pike makes up a Pike Unit, these guys would cost you at least 20 points!

From Mike W's collection, sourced form eBay!

The Neville Clan: 3 x Bases of Men at Arms. In Partial Harness and Tried, 

a unit like this would cost at least 25 Points to have in your array!

Horsham Boys: The Horsham Levy, this 3 base archer unit would normally cost 5 points per unit, 

but as they are top quality Horsham Boys these would cost you 10 points.

Retinue Billmen: 3 Bases of Retinue Billmen, 

this unit would cost you 10 Points. (painted by Steve Cast)

English Archers: Unit of 3 bases of Retinue Archers associated with a Government Office.

Figures painted by Mike W

Battle of Alma - 20th September 1854

The Battle of Alma was the first major engagement of the Crimean War (1853-1856). We re-created it it 6mm and the photos to prove it are here...

French and Turks attack Russian positions

Figures from Dave's collection

Russian Command Post

Figures from Dave's collection

Russian Artillery and Infantry

Figures from Dave's collection

Russians on the Hieghts

Figures from Dave's collection

British troop prepare to assault the Heights

Figures from Dave's collection

British Troops attack the Heights

Figures from Dave's collection

The French prepare to attack the Heights

Figures from Dave's collection

The Turks prepare to attack the Hieghts

Figures from Dave's collection

The Turks attack the Hieghts

Figures from Dave's collection