"Six ACW AAR's (10mm RF&F)" Topic

Hi,

I don't think I've posted these before, but my intrepid gaming club in Helsinki have been putting together some AAR's of our early war ACW games over the past year. Mostly GHQ and Starfort figures, using Regimental Fire & Fury.

Cheers,

Christopher

Battle of Boonville
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Battle of Misty Creek (hypothetical)
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Battle of Hanover Court House
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Battle of Logan's Crossroads
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Battle of Belmont
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Battle of Lexington
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They look great to me. I really like the overall aesthetic you've achieved and particularly your single rank basing to give a very linear effect.

Thanks! The linear look is something I really wanted to get, and the workaround for RF&F's double basing was easy in 10mm. I worked hard to get this project looking right from the beginning, rather than my usual practice of staggering though the terrain as I go … But, it's a process. I have more "ACW looking" earthworks in mind, for instance.

I did finally give in and start using movement trays towards the end, which were great for play, but I think I have a way to make them less obtrusive. The new running/surrendering/wounded/stretcher figures from Blaze Away will feature in a new round of markers as well.

Cheers,

Christopher

Nice looking table tops. They look very efficient. Don't see many AAR's with 6 in a row. Thanks for posting. I look forward to trying RF&F.

The work around presumably going from 4 figures 2 x 2 to 3 figures in tighter formation in one rank but on the same size base?

How did you find painting the GHQ figures? Quick / fiddly?

All I did was base 3x infantry in a single rank per 15x15mm base, which provides a nice tight look to the line and also makes it possible to simply use 2x 15mm frontage bases in place of two 25mm (1 inch) bases one behind the other as recommended by the rules.

I also base dismounted cavalry on double-width bases (30x15mm), since they operate in extended line anyway and it looks better than spacing tighter bases.

The GHQ figures paint up rather quickly, especially as they require almost no prep. If I have a relatively free week (not so common), I can paint up about 100 infantry. The details are usually softly elevated, the only bothersome bit being the white Union canteen straps … actually, you can see where I left them off at first, and then added them in the last battle or two. I was the only one who noticed! ;)

One painting tip is to use blue and gray spray primer! It saves enormous amounts of time, especially if you have a "system" for randomizing the look of the Confederates. I also use GW washes as a finish, although the sculpting of the GHQ figures is a bit too soft to really bring it out – however, it has a good effect on blending the colors.

Cheers,

Christopher

Thank you. I've gone for single rank basing for a couple of my projects as I feel it's more suggestive of the real formations used.

Awesome blog. I love the battle reports. The pictures are good and the details are spelled out enough to be readily understood.

Great stuff Christopher!

Hi Christopher,

Great job! (I continue to press Rich that 10mm is the only way to go with his rules.)

Cheers,
Joel in Northern Virginia

Great reviews Christopher. I have always used 10mm for Fire & Fury of both types. I never use smaller bases or battlefield terrain, I just like the esthetics of the 10mm figures on the board. It has a very pleasing and realisitic visual appear. The spatial relationships require far less suspension of disbelief in my opinion. Thanks for posting the AARs Chris.

Glad you guys enjoyed them! I have Wilson's Creek, Leetown, Elkhorn Tavern, and lats but least First Bull Run planned for the Autumn. From there we'll probably move into 1862 with the Valley battles.

Cheers,

Christopher