Monday 16 February 2015

ClintB (Paint Monkey) - 15mm ACW (87 Points)

Well painting on behalf of a friend hence the "Paint Monkey" name tag. This day some 15mm American Civil War figures.


This time out some Berdan's Sharpshooters. Berdan's was a famous Union Regiment which served at Gettysburg as well as other battles. They wore a distinctive green uniform as opposed to the normal Union dark blue. All the bases are 30mm square (the 1/2 base is 30mm x15mm) and I have had to match my pals existing bases, which has not been as easy as doing my own thing. But his choice so what can you do. It is after all better to have an army that looks similar than one that has  come from several sources.


Here is a group of re-enactors portraying the unit. (No Curt I am not claiming points for the re-enactors). Just so you know they should be green and not blue and not that I have been taking EXTRA non prescribed medications!

Using the Peter Pig "Civil War Battles" rules we have 8.5 bases (yes the rules have 1/2 bases) for a total of 26 figures (one of which is laying down.) Including command stand with a paper flag attached. 


Additionally the rules require casualty markers, so here are 5 of those as well, including another laying down. The Casualty markers are "Peter Pig". and the troops on fighting stands are "Blue Moon". Just to make it more confusing the mounted figures are all Frei Korps .

Mounted we have a command stand for Hooker. One General, one Standard with paper flag again and one aide de camp.


And Lastly. a command stand for General McClellen. Again General, standard and aide de camp make up the command stand.


From Curt:

Very nice work Clint. I smiled when I first saw these. It reminded me of when I was doing ACW re-enacting there would often be a preponderance of Berdan Sharpshooters and Iron Brigade showing up at Eastern events, then followed by a smattering of 'meat and potato' line troops. It always made me laugh. It's like after the popularity of the Sharpe series you'd think the entire Napoleonic British Army was made up of nothing but Rifles and Highlanders. I guess that deep down, everyone just wants to be a special snowflake.  ;p

Clint, is this going to be a big project for you, or are you just adding a few units to your friend's collection? Nevertheless, he's a very lucky fellow to have these new additions to his force. Well done!

23 comments:

  1. 15mm ACW is not a new project for many of us so just adding a few stands.

    I know what you mean about re-enactors all wanting to stand out and be different. I can't say I am all that different from other re-enactors (in my dark age youth). WE were all individuals in a niche hobby so a cookie cutter uniform is not a good fit.

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    1. But surely the ones who stand out and are different would be the ones who aren't dressed as Berdan's, Iron Brigade etc? :)

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  2. Love these guys, showing my very poor knowledge of the war I was not aware that a unit wore green!

    Ian

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    1. Thanks Ian. I think there were a variety of colours at the beginning of the war with dark blue being used by both sides at the 1st Manassas battle!

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  3. Nicely painted Clint. Although with the green uniforms they would have to be for the very early phases of the war - later they switched to blues, but with green kepi and piping.

    * I'm happy to be corrected on this

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    1. I will bow to your better knowledge as I only know what I am told or see in books/internet. I think they would look good with green piping and forage hat/kepi.
      Thanks Tamsin.

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    2. I think there's a plate showing them in blues in one of the Osprey MAA books. I'll check when I get home.

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    3. No worries mate. The guy I was painting for wanted them green so I was happy to oblige.

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  4. Nice painting Clint

    I think it would be fun to take one of the Perry plastics and make him a re-enactor (maybe add some weight and have him talking on a cell phone) - then hide him in a unit and see if anybody notices during a game.

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    1. Thanks Miles. I did fall about laughing at that. Let us both hope some talented person will do one, maybe for next years challenge!

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    2. THAT would be hilarious. The base-work would need to have a crumpled bag of McDonald's at his feet. This reminds me: There was this grossly overweight Confederate 'officer' that would often be at events (always mounted). Being the cruel young wags we were, we called him 'Captain Groceries'.

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    3. There is an entry for the next challenge round! I'd also suggest that instead of a canteen, he could carry a two litre bottle of Diet Coke!

      Cheers, PD

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    4. We had a chain smoking Viking when I was a re-enactor. We called him "Idris the Dragon"

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  5. They look great, Clint! Tamsin is correct in the uniform change, but the regiment went to blues because they were easier to supply. They were often parted out to skirmish and scout for other regiments as well.
    The regiment stands are nicely animated!

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    1. Thanks David. ACW is not a special interest for me although I do like wargaming it. Additional knowledge is always treasured.

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  6. Hi Clint, nice unit.

    If. Your buddy wants to do some morphing, the green us pretty close to the uniform used by the Fenians when they invaded Canada after the ACW!
    Cheers, PD

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    1. Thanks Peter. Back to more familiar figures for me next time.

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  7. Nice work again Paint Monkey! The Command stands are really very nice. I know you had to stick with someone elses style of basing, but let me say this-you're style of basing is much better than this.

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    1. Thank you Anne. I am basing up troops for myself as you read this.

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  8. Great Stuff, its really not a surprise the more colorful and "elite" units are over represented at reenactments and on gaming tables we all want the best men fighting for us right?

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    1. Cheers Adam. I am pondering your words. On the gaming table I quite like having militia and poorly trained troops. If in the unlikely event that you do win you do have better bragging rights. While In re-enactment you don't want to look like a plonker!

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  9. Replies
    1. Thank you Chasseur. You comment is very much appreciated.

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