RUSSIAN LOG BUILDING

I'm spending most of my hobby time these days working on my 54mm toy soldier collection. However, with this hot spell, I decided it would be a nice change to use up some spare card and wood dowel constructing a large log building, something to sit behind similar fortifications. MGB

Muscovite Commander's Coach, Cossack and Tartar artillery

In an attempt to clear my store of spare wheels decided to construct a few wagons and guns for my Renaissance armies. I can't confirm the authenticity to this model but the idea that the Muscovite Command might have had a campaign coach seems plausible. The war-wagon is based on some late medieval ideas and can serve with either the Muscovites or the Ottomans. I'm satisfied with the Cossack light guns but the Tartar artillery is a bit boring, perhaps they need more interesting bases. MGB

Those Cuman Warriors become Boyar Cavalry

As a follow on to the last post, I have now painted up those Cuman tribal warriors that formed a large part of the successful Ebay bid. With appropriate shields and a new green banner, they now form a sixteen figure strong unit of Lesser Boyars, or possibly Druzhina. For war-game purposes, I will classify this unit as less armoured when compared to the higher class Boyars (nobles). I include a photo of the latter as they too have gained a new orange coloured banner. The Cumans are Essex Miniatures, and I'm pleased with the castings, they mix perfectly with my Hinchcliffe Muscovites. MGB (ps. its a bit difficult to take photos presently as the table is covered in an on-going AWI war-game with a member of my family.)

More Muscovite/Cossack Cavalry completed

A recent Ebay purchase furnished me with 37 Essex-made Cuman, Pecheneg, Byzantine, and other tribal figures, supplied with 28 suitable horses. The whole lot delivered came to £35, a real bargain. Only one mounted figure turned out to be a lost cause, and two horses needed paint stripping. Most of the others were bare metal, and in excellent condition. The Pechenegs have now been painted up and based, and have received a Cossack banner with an appropriate design of a composite bow. These figures are really quite useful, they can serve as Balkan tribes, Byzantine allies, early Cossacks, medieval Hungarians, the list goes on. Several more Byzantine and armoured Arabs have been drafted into the Muscovite Boyar horse archers, and they now muster two units of eight. All these figures are based as skirmishers. MGB

Eastern European retinue/civic militia 14-15th Century

I had six Wargame Foundry mounted crossbowmen in my collection which were somewhat surplus to my Iberian medieval armies. Thought they might serve as Eastern European sergeants if integrated with other castings. Hinchcliffe produce a similar figure described as 'Polish retinue', so I decided to purchase ten figures and increase this unit to sixteen. Here are a few photos showing the end result, I note that Gripping Beast also list several Russian crossbowmen styled 'city militia', might like to get a few. MGB

More Muscovite flags, and Clergy

Quite a lot of work on my collections but surprisingly little in a finished state to upload. However, have completed two flags for my Muscovite 'German' mercenary regiments. A suitable 'imaginary' banner for my Khazar heavy cavalry. The Czar's banner is now carried by the Guard cavalry. And I had some fun casting and converting this Orthodox priest, and mounting it on a spare horse from that batch of second-hand figures recently purchased. Expect some campaign news very shortly. MGB

Muscovite Boyar Commander and Musician

Among the twenty-six second-hand 'Asiatic' castings recently purchased was a strange looking figure, possibly an Essex miniature, representing a Mamluk cavalryman? At a loss how to utilise it, I realised a need for an additional Boyar to complete a unit to sixteen, and a musician would look particularly good. A quick swap of heads with an Ottoman Azab (secured with metal pins and superglue), the filing away of the baggy trousers to imply riding boots, then drill and fix a trumpet, and the result is quite fair. There was also another rather poorly painted warrior, which offered a potential commander for my early boyar cavalry, if completely repainted. Here is a few photos. I enjoyed these restorations. MGB

Completed Khazars, Muscovites, and Tartars (Asiatic conversions no.4)

Here are s few photos of the Asiatic figures restored and integrated. My Muscovite Boyar horse archers have gained four recruits, and two more added to my Tartar horde. Rather pleased with my new Khazar heavy cavalry unit. Still to design their banner, something suitably Jewish such as a Hanukkah Menorah, an emblem which has been found on some relics from the Khazarian period. This unit will also serve as Tartar nobles. Finally, an ornamental bannerman for my Medieval Muscovites. Well thats twelve completed, six more are being exchanged for others, leaving eight more to be restored. MGB

Wallachians or Dismounted Boyars

Among the newly painted castings is this unit of Wallachian warriors armed with halberds. These can serve as allies or enemies of the Ottomans, but I think they can also represent dismounted Boyars in any siege games involving the Muscovites, something different from the Streltsy. MGB

The Battle of Vozha River, 1378 (Muscovite)

Yesterday we fought a war-game based on the Battle of Vozha River. This action took place in 1378 between the Russian principalities (under George) versus the western branch of the Mongol Golden Horde (under Chris). Typically, detailed information on these period battles are slight at best. We do know that the Muscovite army, forming the bulk of the opposition to the Mongols, had found a system to hinder the local fording place, so it was now a difficult and potentially dangerous obstacle. It also appears, they did not seek to physically oppose the Mongols crossing the river, but chose to form up on some nearby high ground. And they won a great victory. Under our rules it took two full moves to cross the river, or one full move if routing or charging, but with the penalty of 50% casualties. We also obliged the Muscovite army to only activate when the Mongols had either charged or loosed off their arrows, this worked to encourage the period correct movements, but not the outcome. Here are some photos from the game. The Mongol horse archers were fast and effective, but the Russian foot on the hill, comprising spear and bow, were resolute. The Boyar cavalry acted on occasions with great bravery but losses eventually saw them rout. One success, however, was the Boyars on the flank destroying the Mongol baggage train, and this was recognised as important. And near twenty Mongols drowned when some units routed. The game concluded with surprising generosity, for the Mongols, some 23 Russians were allowed to vacate the field, the 34 Mongols having decided not to pursue. Lasting just over two hours, all agreed this was a fast play, enjoyable and exciting game, excepting my secret hope that the Muscovites would win! MGB