Of pdf’s and plastic

With the home front forges continuing at a low ebb von Peter himself presents some information on a couple of worthy pdf’s received and some information on a couple of plastic castles.

The Royal Saxon Army 1792-1814

Some of the more astute of The dear readers may have noticed that von Peter himself has had a long  l-o-n-g  association with the Saxon Army of the later Napoleonic Wars. The first Saxon figures von Peter himself ever painted were while he was at university … and that is a long  l-o-n-g  time ago. For the historical record the figures were Saxon …

• line infantry from the regiment König using Minifigs French fusiliers with a modified pompom
• a squadron of Leib Kürassier Garde also from Minifigs through the donor figure type has long since slipped the memory.

The History Book Man has released their latest army and uniform guide e-book and what do you know … it’s The Royal Saxon Army 1792-1814. Historic, organisational, uniform and flag information on the army is presented with many colour illustrations contained in 311 pages including information on the less well known units. And all for the princely sum of £3.99. What the much m-u-c-h younger von Peter himself would have given for such a guide all those decades ago!  😀

 

Sharp Practice 2 pdf arrives

Bang on time the pdf for Sharp Practice 2 from the TheTooFatLardies arrived in the electronic Inbox of von Peter himself. A quick scan has revealed what appears to be an easy on the eye and well laid out rulebook. Not that von Peter himself intends to learn the rules via the pdf as the physical printed rule book and a bunch of gaming paraphernalia should be on their way from the top of the world – the UK – to the bottom of the world – NZ – and are expected any day.

Without hunting down a count von Peter himself is aware of four other gamers locally who have ordered the rules. This bodes well for future gaming especially given the truncated time requirement for the setup, playing and packing away of a Sharp Practice game. Real world ‘stuff’ needs to take a back seat for a little more gaming.

Two minor soon to be remedied disappointments so far …

• There is no Quick Reference Sheet with the rules. This is expected to be remedied with versions on the ‘net … perhaps even from the Lardies themselves.
• With the possible exception of the listing for the American Civil War the Army Lists in the the book are of no interest to von Peter himself. It is the understanding of von Peter himself that this will be rectified in May via the ‘net on the TheTooFatLardies site where many more Army Lists are expected to be published … for free! In particular von Peter himself is after central Europe Napoleonic lists suitable for around 1813 and Seven Years war lists for his Prussians and Austrians.

There is also talk of more scenarios becoming available which would be a bonus.

Castle Wars

Contender 1 – Renedra Limited

Once upon a medieval time castles tended to be built of stone – at least the ones in Western Europe were. How times have changed as they can now be procured in plastic. Both Renedra Limited and Warlord Games have seen fit to release their medieval – or if it suits The dear reader better fantasy – castles. And just like their real life 1:1 scale forbears they are not for the peasantry. One needs to be prepared to hand over a fair chunk of wealth if one is sit safely behind ones own stone … err, plastic walls.

As pictured below the Renedra Castle (standard) costs £250.00. The Castle (standard) …

• has a frontage of 86cm and sides of 65.5cm
• 5 towers
• 1 gatehouse
• 8 wall sections

If this too much castle for The dear reader then one’s sights could be lowered as there is a Castle (small) available. Alternatively if The dear reader would not be seen dead in a mere Castle (standard) there is of course the option of the Castle (large). One can purchase the individual components if one would prefer to custom design one’s castle and having just started to listen to Meeples and Miniatures episode 130 – Salute 2016 – there is a breached wall section on the way.

To the eyes of von Peter himself the windows on the sides of the towers seem a little less than desirable security features though wonderful creations for cloisters etc – see what Alan Perry is kit bashing with the sprues from the Renedra Castle here.

Contender 2 – Warlord Games

Meanwhile Warlord Games have their ‘The Citadel’ Plastic Castle as pictured below. It can be yours for £175.00. While a simpler creation than the Renedra Castle (standard) it is more technologically advanced having round towers as opposed to square. Once again individual sections of the Warlord castle are available to purchase individually.

Fortunately von Peter himself is immune to any temptations from this latest crop of plastic castles because he already has one in stock – the Warhammer Fortress (see below) as produced by Games Workshop many moons ago. Obtained on the cheap it waits largely unbothered by a painter’s brush for its time of glory. Sound familiar?!  😀

Until we meet again …

Salute
von Peter himself