David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Tuesday 21 November 2017

‘Bloody Ban’ and George’s teeth...

A few years ago now Sue and I were staying with our friend Joe Moore in Woodbridge,Va, just outside Washington DC. As Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, was just up the road - in American terms that is - we decided we must visit it and see the iconic home of the First President of the independent USA. It was well worth the wait in the long queue to enter, not least because of the American families we were able to talk with as the queue slowly advanced. As you move through the various buildings and rooms guides are always on hand. For Brits reading this think National Trust room guides, only under 65 and much more friendly and helpful! The grounds themselves overlook the river and it was very peaceful sitting on the veranda/terrace and taking in the view. There’s also a museum and shop of course, and it was in the former that I saw one surviving set of the three sets of  George Washington’s false teeth!
Of course my American AWI army already has a Mounted George Washington from Front Rank but when Dan gave me the new Giants in Miniature which Matt had sculpted for Wargames Illustrated I knew I would have a second version in my collection. This is the result, a second Command base comprising the man himself and two figures, from Foundry, from the Commander in Chief’s Guard. I added a signpost from Warbases, opting to paint the bird perched on its top to represent a Cardinal, and make it seem more American I hoped!


The second addition to the AWI collection comes in the form of a Front Rank British Legion Cavalry officer which in our games will represent Tarleton himself. I have both Mounted and Infantry figures for Tarleton’s Legion, so ‘Bloody Ban’ himself was a natural addition when I decided on the expansion programme for the game.


While I was in the AWI groove I ordered some new flags from GMB Designs for my new units in the British and American armies. I plan to reflag the older units also using existing stock from GMB and the former free downloads from Clarence Harrison, now sold by Barry Hilton.

14 comments:

  1. Good work there old chum, great idea about the bird. Did you use spearshaft for the teeth? :~)

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Phil, if not the joke!

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  2. Love the first vignette, absolutly superb!

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    1. Thank you for the comment Phil, it’s always nice to get some feedback, especially when it’s fulsome.

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  3. The pub down the road has him in the same stance, but on a boat, crossing the Delaware? I shall check it out this afternoon having fought through the rain for 100 yards. Great vignette.

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    1. Did you make it through the rain? Were you sober enough to remember to check the pub sign?
      Glad you like the vignette though...

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    2. We have now had 18hrs of rain and it is still heavy. I mainly drink only 0% now for medical reasons, but I still like to pop in. He is in the boat.

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    3. Hope the rain has eased now.

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  4. Nice command stand and Tarleton is splendid!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, and for the Facebook comment too.

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  5. Very nicely done on the first President of the grand ole USA and Tarleton!

    Christopher

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement Christopher.

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  6. Nice job a suitable heroic pose....but isn’t he meant to be in a boat. This of course would limit his Wargame usage somewhat.

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    1. It’s a suitable pose for a General, somewhat like the pointing “Go over there and kill them.” pose I suppose.

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