Bring in the Artillery

First up are 2 more Batrachian Artillery crews. (Currently sharing the same cannon - I need to acquire another one)

This gentleman is the Batrachian Royal Coatman. The queen had heard the story about the Englishman who laid his coat down to cover a puddle so his love could walk across. The queen thought that was very romantic. So the king decided to employ a servant to carry around a coat (a genuine English red coat) in case the royal couple ever encountered a puddle when out and about.

Some scenic bits that come with Foundry sets. I'm thinking these bits like these can be used as battlefield markers of some sort.

Odds and Ends

Finished off a few odds and ends this week.

First up, the Saxe-Goldberg grenade launcher crew, lead by Captain Werner von Braunstein.
Some of you may recall maps of the various states of the League posted previously. This is the cartographer at work making field notes, Gerardus Ortelius Malarkey of the Ballyfoole Ordnance Survey (one might say he IS the Ballyfoole Ordnance Survey!). (not looking entirely unlike yours truly)

General Louis-Louis de Milieu, of Mayeux.

A couple of the Cardinal's Guard on horseback. Sometimes mounted troops are useful for such things as crowd control and as guards while travelling.

Pack train of miscellaneous equines.

All of the above miniatures are from Wargames Foundry. The pack train animals are ones I've had for quite some time, just finally got around to finishing them off.

Spring comes a little early

On this balmy day in the League the Ballyfoole Light Artillery prepares for the Springtime festivities when Ballyfoole and the rest of the Soweiter League celebrate the Vernal Equinox, St. Patrick's Day and Easter.

The artillery officer commanding the battery is Captain Denis Finn McCool O'Leary.

Cannons are one of my least favorite things to paint. Lots of fiddly bits between and around the wheel spokes, separating out metal bits from wood bits, and it's rather mechanical, not much character.

Herd of Horses?

Mounts waiting for riders... Hopefully the riders will make their appearance by next weekend.

Completed Batrachian artillery crew. The package did not include a "swab" so I made one from a bit of brass rod and some greenstuff.

Horse and limber. From Front Rank minis. It also came with an alternative wickerwork top.

After a swarthy character in black and yellow absconded from an inn somewhere in the Soweiter League the innkeeper was heard to say "Get out and never darken my towels again!" (with apologies to Groucho Marx)

I also spent some time today rewatching "The Great Race". Excellent movie, with plenty of humor (slapstick as well as word-play), adventure, great characters, imaginary places like Carpania and Potsdorf, Natalie Wood - often scantily clad, scenery, cool cars and other vehicles, etc. Jack Lemmon is great in a dual role as Professor Fate and Prince Hapnik, with Peter Falk as his minion, Max. Tony Curtis plays the Great Leslie and Keenan Wynn is his side-kick. This movie still makes me laugh. One of Blake Edwards' best, imho. Also has some possible inspiration for uniforms (even though the period is a bit late - the colors for some of the Potsdorf/Carpanian uniforms wouldn't be out of place in the 18th century).

Troops Begin to Return after Holidays

The full crew of the Offenbach gun have returned from their Winter holidays.

And the first crew member of the Batrachian gun preps the gun in anticipation of the crew's return.

And finally, a couple of grenadiers from Ober-Umlaut.