Attacked from the rear

After storm Eowyn visited us last Friday I found a few pieces of the Hinton Hut roofing-felt covering on the lawn but couldn't work out where they came from because by then the Hut roof was covered with snow. The Hut is a kit construction I built 5 years ago and the roof is covered with roofing-felt strips that overlap with a tile effect. Asthetically this is pleasing but the problem is that the wind can whip in behind the edges and blow them off.

I was finally able to get up on the roof today to investigate and make a temporary repair. Once the tiles rip off it is almost impossible to patch in without it looking a mess so I'm seeking a more long-term solution.

Normally when we get a gale it comes from the northeast and I've had to repair patches on that side of the roof several times but sneaky Eowyn came in from the southwest and attacked from behind taking me unawares. No problem, I have made a temporary repair whilst I plan a more permanent one for the Spring.

*  *  *

I'm still working away slowly at Austrians so I have nothing new to show you but I did come across some photos of a Waterloo game held at Roy's house just prior to Vintage Waterloo. Here are a few that I don't think ever made it onto the blog.

In this game the table was extended quite a bit past Hougoumont and the French cavalry seem to be attempting to exploit the additional space.

The Emperor and his staff at La Belle Alliance - these figures are from Roy's collection.

An impressive looking French attack on Hougoumont.

The British make ready behind La Haye Sainte. The Highlanders on the right are the 42nd from my own collection, all the other figures visible are Roy's.

Baring's men prepare for the coming onslaught at La Haye Sainte. These figures were on loan from Goya's collection.

Next time it will be Austrians - promise!

Austrian General Staff

I've just finished another two of the lovely Hinton Compatriots Austrian commander sculpts recently sent to me by Don. These have been such fun to paint.

ANC08 General holding telescope on Horse H01. This one will represent General Colloredo who commanded the 1st Division at Dresden.

ANC05 German Grenadier Colonel on Horse H01. This one will represent General Chasteler who commanded the Grenadier Division. I know he wouldn't have actually worn a Colonel's uniform! 

And finally Hinton Hunt RN.85 Russian General (in plumed cocked hat - mounted) looking through spyglass (horse attached). He will be Schwarzenberg's Chief of Staff General Radetzky.

This brings the staff for my Austrian army to a total of 10 figures.

Group photo of the whole gang. Back row L-R, Klenau, Gyulay, Mack, Chasteler, Crennville. Front Row L-R, Colloredo, Schwarzenberg, Radetzky, Emperor Francis, Archduke Charles.

In our last game back in the summer we reverted to my original idea of having a command figure to represent the colonel of each infantry regiment (we used counters for the cavalry as I don't have enough figures for that). This adds a little bit of extra fun as nobody wants to be the person that loses Marshal Ney in a melee (or do they Nigel?). This recent boost to the Austrian General Staff means I will have plenty of 'Colonels' for the Dresden game.

If you missed the recent post with photos of Roy's Hinton Hunts in action over on the Cirencester Wargames blog click here.

I beg your pardon I never promised you a Grosser-Garten

I've had this idea in the back of my mind to try a small refight of the Battle of Dresden 1813. This has niggled away because of fond memories of a multi-player game I took part in back in the 90s, I think I played the French Marshal Saint-Cyr. I can't remember which side won but I was always impressed by the model of the Grosser-Garten that my friend M made for the game.

This is how it looks now but the palace is not the original structure of 1813 and at the time of the battle the place was surrounded by high walls.

So, with a fair bit of help from Goya (who made the palace building) I have knocked up this interpretation of the Garden suitable for play with Muskets & Marshals. Mrs S was less than impressed that I had missed off the fountains and lake but my modelling skills are not quite up to that and anyway, I needed to leave enough space to fit in some figures.

My version is built on an MDF base 18" x 9". The walls are foamboard covered with model railway brick paper. The palace is constructed in reinforced card from a cut-out book in Goya's possession. There's enough room to deploy at least 4 battalions for defence. 

The rather nice garden gate also came from Goya. In the actual battle all the entrances to the garden had been barricaded on Napoleon's orders.

The Austrians prepare to 'have a go'.

Emperor Francis and Archduke Charles consider the options for assault.

Meanwhile, the French make ready to repel them...

I'm pretty pleased with the result which should make a nice centre-piece for the game. Next I need to work on some Dresden type buildings.