"Getting started with AWI with Black Powder" Topic

Evening all!

So I've had a copy of the tremendous-looking Black Powder rules sat on my shelf for months and months now, and I think I've finally found my inspiration to get cracking with them. You see, I've developed a passing interest in the American War of Independence (I know little about the details of it apart from a few names and places and that we lost!) and picked up a copy of Bernard Cornwell's 'The Fort', and found it to be a phenomenal read! The author's blending of historical fact with fiction and speculation has inspired me to look deeper into this period, and about the formation of the United States.

I figured that the relatively small forces involved in the Penebscot Expedition would be eminently manageable; essentially two short British battalions with a sprinkling of guns and Marines, facing off against a mishmash of rebellious Militia and the formidable Continental Marines, with Paul Revere's guns for some (hopefully ineffective!) artillery support. I'd like to probe the knowledge of some of the grognards here on miniatures and force organisation for these small starting forces, which I can then expand to cover larger battles and more of the conflict.

For cost and space issues I'm going with 10mm figures and converting inches to centimetres to make the most of my table space. I've had Pendraken WW2 miniatures before and been impressed with the quality, value and service, but I notice that Kallistra have a AWI range that is very conveniently packaged as complete units. Can anyone comment on the variety and quality of these companies' AWI ranges?

Both companies offer both regular British and Continental infantry, along with militia and guns. Would regulars be suitably attired in 10mm to serve as Marines for both sides? Also, would Caffrae's detached light company from the novel be uniformed as regular line infantry, or light infantry?

Thank you for your illumination on these matters :)

Regards,

Fletch

Can't help you with the figures (mine are 15mm & 28mm) but I can recommend picking up the book Revolution Downeast by James S. Leamon. As the name implies, it deals with the AWI in what is now the state of Maine, and has a lot of info on the Penobscot Expedition.

The Black Powder AWI supplement is out soon. Check Warlord games site.

Excellent recommendation hughlandcatfrog! I shall peruse the local book shops tomorrow to celebrate payday ;)

I thought "the fort" would make several interesting skirmish games.

For 10mm, IMHO, there is not other choice than Pendraken.

Below is a link to the results of Pendraken's painting competition this year.

link

(I do not think it is coincidence 1st and 2nd place were both sculpts from Clibinarium.)

More photos here.

link

And their range in general.

link

Believe it or not, the figures are easy to paint, as you can choose the level of detail you wish to paint. Little things like showing buttons as indentations, rather than reliefs are a nice touch to the sculpts at this scale.

ilodic.

Old Glory makes a good 10mm range too. I'm a big fan of their 10mm figs. The price is right too!

Thanks,

John

Ilodic, those figures look familiar

To be honest I think the range of AWI by Pendraken is good, and we just need to nudge Clibinarium a little bit to enhance it further. It may be the next Black Powder release that does it.

Awesome little figures (10mm) subheadingGnu2000

When the Black Powder AWI supplement "Rebellion!" comes out, and if you but it, take a look at the "Hanging Rock" scenario. It is a similarly small battle to Penobscot but shows how you can make a very workable BP scenario out of such situations.

You could also take a look at the Battle of Blackstocks article I wrote for Wargames Soldiers & Strategy for a similar approach.

cheers
Steve