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Thursday 13 December 2018

Murdoch: Last Of The Summer Wine (A ripping yarn of sharp practice in Upper Canada) Episode 3 [Back after the now customary annoying "mid season" break]

James Pendrick peered out from the hedge line where he had posted his small band of local woodsmen, just as Major Brackenreid had ordered. He thought he saw movement amongst a small clump of trees but could not be sure until there was the distinct glint of sunlight on metal at the edge of the tree line. "There they are lads," he shouted. "Take them down!" His men obliged, and the American riflemen who had been making their way through the wood  (as sneakily as only Americans can) suddenly found themselves on the wrong end of some extremely accurate musket fire. 


But the riflemen in the woods were only part of a larger problem for Pendrick's men. Further to the right, some militia were trying to make their way around the flank. They were crossing the creek covered by two parties of flank company men from Major Magnum's regiment.


As the sound of musketry broke out to his right, Major Brackenreid was still considering what to do about the force of regulars to his front. They moved across the lake road in open column and just kept going, much to the Major's consternation: "Bloody hell, Higgins," he shouted to an equally perplexed sergeant. "Where are they going?"

In truth, Major Thomas Magnum was embarking upon an attempt to outflank the British left, but he had been temporarily overcome by a recurring reverie which had plagued him since his youth. His mind drifted off into a dream of high waves, crashing surf and natives garlanded in flowers and playing small stringed instruments. The column kept marching dutifully behind him.


                  

As the first of Pendrick's men fell to the rifles an exhausted George Crabtree finally arrived with his voltigeurs . "Take position here lads, and don't move any further forward or we'll go out of shot." he called to his men as they reached the right of Pendrick's position. "Let's make those bluecoats think again"


Meanwhile, Captain Rockford was of the opinion that this was going to be easy. Leaving the small body of militia behind him, he led his flankers towards what he thought was the open flank of the Canadian position. 

George Crabtree had other ideas! An exchange of musketry saw Captain Jim and his fellow Americans advancing back to the woods just as the amazingly similar-looking Brett Maverick caught up with his militiamen.


"Good grief," thought sergeant Crabtree." From a distance, those two American officers could almost be the same person duplicated. Sometime in the future, I bet we'll be able to do that, sort of copy people like cuttings from a twig". He could imagine Captain Murdoch slowly shaking his head, smiling kindly and giving his usual unsupportive response: "Really George, I don't think that will ever be possible. By the way, did you know the Greek word for twig is κλών, so if it were ever done it should probably be called clonify rather than copy, but honestly George.......". Sergeant Crabtree thought as brilliant as Captain Murdoch was, he could be somewhat lacking in imagination as far as the future of mankind was concerned.








Back at the hedge line James Pendrick was pleased with his men's performance. It was as if some omnipotent being had thrown some amazing dice, possibly coupled with an inability to read it's own rules properly - the American rifles had been silenced, reduced to two men skulking in the pine clump. "I am pleased with your performance men," he said.


But there is no ying without a yang, as sergeant Crabtree was about to find out. Just as he was starting to compliment his men on driving back the Americans, a stray bullet from the retreating flankers glanced off the side of his head. As he fell into unconsciousness, all he could think was "This is becoming a a bit of a habit!" 






At the lake road Major Magnum snapped out of his reverie and ordered his column to form line to the left and advanced towards the junction................


Thursday 13 September 2018

Murdoch: Last Of The Summer Wine (A ripping yarn of sharp practice in Upper Canada) - Episode 2

As the sun rose higher over the green fleece-like landscape, the brave garrison of Blockhouse Number Four marched out to defend the warehouse of Don Jose's winery.



 "Murdoch, keep your lads in front of the warehouse and don't budge a bloody inch," ordered Major Brackenreid. "Pendrick, you line the hedge to the right and keep your eye on that wooded hill. When Crabtree finally gets his lazy buggers here I'll get the voltigeurs out on the right flank to see if they can spot any movement in the woods by the creek. I'm heading forward with the regulars to block the lake road."

"Yes, sir" replied Murdoch and Pendrick almost, but not quite, in unison. Sergeant Crabtree and the Voltigeurs Canadiens were nowhere to be seen.





Meanwhile, Major Thomas Magnum (for it actually was he who was in charge of the American force) had not bee idle. Deploying near the lake road he saw Brackenreid's regulars to his front. Sending his flank companies and militia to the left, he ordered them to try and outflank Brackenreid's men by crossing the creek. He then threw his own force of regulars into open column and headed off towards the lake road,  and further into a dark, mysterious land where the healthcare system actually worked.  




Sergeant George Crabtree was now regretting last night's "one for the road" in Murphy's pub. Belatedly, he rounded up his small band of voltigeurs and, adjusting the strap of his bearskin cap, he ordered "Forward!" To the rhythm of the pulse throbbing in his temples, he marched his men out to catch up with Brackenreid.

Tuesday 11 September 2018

Murdoch: Last Of The Summer Wine (A ripping yarn of sharp practice in Upper Canada) - Episode 1




Major Brackenreid gazed out of one of the upper windows of Blockhouse Number Four. "Bloody  hell Murdoch, the world is looking very green this morning!" he quipped. "Indeed it is sir." replied Captain Murdoch. "It's almost as if some all powerful being has thrown a bright green fleece blanket over the entire landscape."

Their contemplation was interrupted by a very flustered sergeant Crabtree running up the stairs accompanied by one of the locals. "Begging you pardon sirs," he said, "but Mr Pendrick here has some some important news."

"Spit it out then lad." said the Major to Pendrick, "What's it all about?". 

"There are Americans in the area," Pendrick replied, "and they seem to be heading directly to Don Jose de Battista's winery. If they manage to get there they will be able to run off with all of the last of this year's vintage!"

"Bloody hell Pendrick!" exclaimed Brackenreid, "Has the Don turned out his militia lads?"

 "No," replied Pendrick, "He's had the call to hunt beaver again and has been nowhere to be found for months. He may be in Miami or New York - who can say? He's a bit of a free agent these days."

"Well this is no damned good!" exclaimed Brackenreid in his gruff Yorkshire voice. "Murdoch, get the militia. Crabtree, get Higgins out of bed and move the rest of the lads and the Voltigeurs out. Pendrick, get your local lads ready."

"But sir," interjected Murdoch, "that will leave the Blockhouse ungarrisoned.  The Americans could march straight in."

"I've thought of that," replied Brackenreid, "we'll just declare it to be impassable terrain."

"Brilliant!" replied Captain Murdoch.

"Now then Pendrick before you all go." said Brackenreid, "Do your lads have any idea who's in charge of these Americans? Do you think they know about the wine?"

"We believe it's a certain Major Thomas Magnum." replied Pendrick. "There hasn't been any overt American reconnaissance, but he may have investigated privately."

"True,"replied Brackenreid, "we can't take any chances. Okay lads, we'll meet up at a randomly generated deployment point as soon as possible - let's go!"







Saturday 17 March 2018

Block House Number 4 - Finished, but....

There's something about the flock that's annoying me, but it can wait for a while.










Thursday 15 March 2018

Block House Number 4 - WIP (4) (Sort of)

I've just put the first layer of flock on the base so I might have some pictures tonight, but in the mean time I am trying to think of wording for a flag that the gallant garrison might fly.

I want something suitably Canadian so my first thoughts are along the lines of

"Sorry to our American neighbours for our stubborn defence against your blatant aggression"

but that seems a bit long so I'll try and precis it.

So perhaps just:





Wednesday 28 February 2018

Blockhouse Number 4 - WIP (3) and a (rather good) new War of 1812 18mm figure range


The palisade is now more or less finished - just the  earthy/banky thing at the bottom to paint.  I was going to paint it to look grassy, but decided to leave it as earth instead.

I've painted the areas to be flocked green, and the entrance and area round the blockhouse that is going to be muddy / earthy  brown.




New 18mm War of 1812 Range

Today I received some packs of of the new War of 1812 American range by Capitan Games from Stonewall Figures. If the rest of the range is like these they will be my new go to figures for 1812. Apparently when Stonewall took on production they found moulds for a load of figures that had never been produced before and these are some of them so the moulds are brand new.

The  figures are crisp with no flash which immediately puts them ahead of the equivalent Blue Moon  figures (see previous posts for flash report!!). In addition they actually have firing / loading line infantry figures, and a broader range of infantry and artillery figures for the yanks in general. Their British / Canadian range has Highlanders in trousers and marines of all nations can be found in their 18mm naval crew ranges.




Saturday 24 February 2018

Small Rant

I am getting really, really, really fed up with the wargames myth that Thebans had white shields!!!!!!
The latest version of this fantasy is Warlord Games "Sacred Band" advert. I really dont know where this idea comes from.
https://store.warlordgames.com/products/theban-sacred-band

Tuesday 20 February 2018

Thursday 15 February 2018

Blockhouse Number 4 WIP

So this is this blockhouse at Gananoque that I'm basing the model on:


And this is what we've got so far:


It's sitting on the upside down base of a walled 150mm x 150mm field at the moment, but there is an extra section to go in each side that will take it up to 200mm square

The shingles are 00 gauge self adhesive jobs from
They are listed in the TT gauge section too.


Sunday 11 February 2018

Sharp Practice - War of 1812

I've been wondering whether it's worth continuing with this blog, I can't really be bothered with it and had considered taking it down. After a bit more thought I've decided to keep it and use it solely for  recording  the progress of my 1812 Sharp Practice project.

The project is centred on a sleepy little town in His Majesty's Loyal Colony of Upper Canada. The town is located at the point where the Eleven and Three Fifths Mile Creek enters Lake Ontario and is called "Viagara On The Lake".

It has a garrison located in Blockhouse Number 4 commanded by Major Brackenried, a Yorkshireman , assisted by Captain Murdoch and Sergeants Crabtree and Higgins. (see previous posts for the inspiration).

Another character who will soon make an appearance is Don Jose de Battista, a Spaniard,who as a young man left his ancestral home when the French invaded. Like many young men he developed an urge to hunt beaver, and having spent several years trapping in Lower Canada, caught a marvellous specimen that he felt could never be surpassed. He decided to settle down in the Niagara Peninsula with the ridiculous idea that he could restart the family business of wine growing - vines, in Upper Canada, crazy!
Don Jose took possession of Plot 19 in Viagara On The Lake and now commands the local militia. His favoured method of hand to hand fighting is swinging a large club and he will be classed as having an "Impressive Weapon" in Sharp Practice.

Back in the real world I'm currently sticking tiles on the god-awful roof of 4Ground's 15mm blockhouse. The 4 segments of the pyramid have  huge gaps between them as they are not mitred - I suppose you would need a tilting table for the laser to achieve that - and the whole roof needs covering to hide them.

I have also got some palisade from Museum Miniatures (cheap in their January Sale) to surround the blockhouse with. Hopefully I'll soon have a picture up of the completed model.