I Should Open A Library!

 3 publications arrived on my 'to read' shelf this week - 2 from Osprey and one from WI.

MAA180 - Published 1986 - Martinez & McBride

I wanted some better illustrations of the ancient Spanish so I risked getting this, somewhat, venerable booklet.  The colour plates look like someone threw sand over them - a heavy greenish-yellow dusting.  Plate G shows a dead elephant - was this just a baby?  Cannot believe that African bush elephants were so small!

 

MAA475 - Published 2011 - Chartrand & Rickman

This fills out my knowledge of the Spanish forces in America during the Revolution.  Always fancied building a 20mm army for this period.  Most soldiers can be formed by re-painting existing Airfix (and other) figures.  

The only exception are the Cuera cavalry. Given the low numbers required I may end up doing some conversions.

I happened to be in Pontefract on Wednesday and thought to go look in W.H.Smiths.  The latest edition of Wargames Illustrated had a 'free' gift in the pouch entitled 'Never Mind the Matchlocks'.  Obviously related to the popular 'Never Mind the Billhooks' rules by Andy Callan.  Matchlocks concentrates on the ECW rather than the Wars of the Roses (see 'Billhooks).

I had been avoided building any DBA-RRR armies based on the ECW but many of them have figures that could be seconded.  Perhaps Jim will put on a battle at the WDW club!  

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Meanwhile back on the DBA front:

Saturday 23rd November - Gt.Houghton

2.80b   Hunnic      v  2.83b   Later Visigothic    5:0 loss
2.53      Ancient Brits    v  2.54a   Scots-Irish        5:1 loss
2.40      Numidian    v  2.32a   Later Carthaginian    5:2 win
2.39b   Ancient Spanish v  2.47a   Early German        4:1 loss

I was expecting game three to be a 5:2 result but a loss.  Still...can't complain I broke my losing streak.  Just remains to see how Sat 30th goes!

Out with the Old, In with the New

 

                                                Jewish Revolt Aux - painted by Paul Johnston

Looking into my Carthaginians box I realised that most of the painted figures are (very) old Minifigs whereas the bare metal is mainly Magister Militum.  So, if I painted up the new recruits I should be able to retire the 'veterans'.   

Firstly I will concentrate on the Spanish.  I have plenty of new foot (helped by some donations from Ian) but little in the way of mounted.  Secondly my attention will go to the Numidians/Moorish.

So what to do with all those old Spanish LMI! Well....oval shield, bare heads, cloak & spear.  I consulted the Armies & Enemies books.  What popped out at me were the 3 'Jewish' armies.

2.43       Maccabean Jewish   168-104 bc
2.50       Hasmonean Jewish   103-63 bc
2.51       Late Judaean             63 bc – 6 ad

SUMMARY (maxima)

3Kn(g)        1            3Cv         1        
2Lh(g)        1            2Lh          3    
4Pk             4            4Bd          2    
4Ax             6            3Ax          2    
5Hd             2            7Hd          2            
2Ps (bow)    3            2Ps (jav)    2
2Ps (sling)    3                
    
32 elements

Most of these can come out  of my 'Hellenistic' tins but I could also re-paint some of the old LMI as genuine Jews. The tunic needs work including some stripes.  I should be able to manage that (weather permitting of course).  

Not a killer army amongst them but a chance to mark off 3 more from the book 2 spreadsheet.

So what to do with the rest!  Maybe later!

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On a losing streak - two recent DBA sessions have been an unmitigated disaster - 7 games, 7 losses:

Saturday 2nd November - Gt.Houghton

2.3b   Classical Indian    v 2.46b    Kushan             4:1 loss
3.10c  Hindu Indian        v 2.80c    Chionite Huns  5:4 loss  (The last time I tried to win)
3.23a  Khmer                  v 3.23b    Cham               4:0 loss
2.36a  Graeco-Bactrian   v 2.37     Parthian            4:0 loss

Saturday 9th November - Gt.Houghton

3.78  Scots Isles           v 4.58  Medieval Irish    8.3 loss [Double DBA]
2.11  Gallic                   v 2.13  Samnite             4:2 loss (lots of terrain in the centre)
4.47  Golden Horde      v 4.65  Wallachian         4:0 loss (tried out the Italian 1 4Xb)

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Nothing on my paint table - too cold.  Of course I had a hospital appointment yesterday - so it snowed!

Awaiting 2 books from Osprey (still on the 'Spanish' theme).  More news next time - I hope!