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

MY RUSSIAN SUBMARINE c.1721

Some time last year I picked up a small treen pot for 50p in a charity shop. Thought I might be able to make something interesting out of it. Today I have de facto completed my Efim Nikonov submarine, originally designed in 1721. I point out it was only designed that year as it failed all its testing, and the Russian government scrapped its funding for this project. Hope you agree, however, if it had worked, it would have been a useful weapon against the Ottoman fleet operating in the Black Sea....... hope to find out soon! 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

Asquith's Cuirassiers

My latest acquisition is somewhat distinct from previous purchases. Costing £23.00 from a seller on Ebay, I have just picked up this small unit of 17th century cuirassiers. These will now serve as Swedish or Muscovite cavalry, as required. Now I have no intention of repainting or altering these 'Warrior?'castings as they were previously part of Stuart Asquith's collection. I've been inspired since the 1970s by this gentleman's wargaming books and articles, I even briefly corresponded with him in the 1980s, so I am VERY pleased to now have this unit of cavalry in my collection. MGB

The Preobrazhenski Guards, 1st Moscow, and Novgorod Streltsy

Some new recruits for the Tsar are now ready for service. In their green coats are the Preobrazhenski Guards c.1700, still wearing streltsy type uniforms. The 1st Moscow Streltsy have gained an additional twelve figures, making a total of thirty (1,500 men). Some spare figures have been formed into a small garrison unit and given light-red coats, they carry a Novgorod flag. While the blue streltsy unit continues as a baggage guard, they have now received a Pskov flag. This makes seven streltsy regiments for the field army with a further two smaller units serving in a reserve capacity. Surely now there is enough to take on the Tartar-Ottoman alliance. MGB

Field Day for My Muscovite Mercenaries (or Swedish?)

Although a fair number of figures have been recently completed I will only post them up when their flags have been issued. Pleased to have completed eighteen musketeers for my second 'German' regiment serving the Muscovite State. Being mercenaries, however, you will not be surprised to know I have some alternative command bases (just waiting for their flags), so these two regiments might just find themselves serving the King of Sweden. What do you expect, they are mercenaries! Also, my Muscovite baggage train has gained an artillery limber, and several civilian drivers have been newly employed. 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

Russian Jiltsi Guard Cavalry c.1500

My Muscovite army has just gained a unit of guard cavalry. Called Jiltsi, they resemble the winged hussars of the Polish renaissance armies. Had to fiddle with some bits of spare tin and my hand drill to construct something strong enough to represent the ornamental dragons fixed to their lances. The banner is only temporary, it will be moving on to the Boyar cavalry, to be replaced with the Czar's personal standard. This was a fun project. MGB