Monday 12 October 2020

Slowly but Surely....


U.S.S. New Ironsides. Not in my original building plan but would be straightforward enough to cobble together. She would certainly give the Confederates something to think about!

A combination of domestic circumstances and travelling kept me away from the man cave for a lot of the weekend so my ship building plans were delayed somewhat. All is well now though, and I am back at the ‘sealing’ stage of the two Confederate ironclads.I hope to have these two undercoated first hing in the morning so that the painting can commence. Whilst that is underway I will get the three Union Monitors built. Assuming all goes to plan I hope to be getting them on the tabletop by the end of the week.

I probably mentioned that Warbases are currently working on my second batch of ship jumble and whilst the main bulk of this will be for the post ACW ironclads I do have a hankering for adding a couple of ships to the ACW - for some reason I have been looking long and hard at USS New Ironsides.

Down the line at some point I shall be tackling some pre dreadnoughts and the associated escorts but for now I want to focus on the ACW and the follow on Ironclads. There is no rush, I want to enjoy the process.

The great disposal is underway and so I am happy to report that some positive progress has been made. Gone are the 3mm bits and pieces, the Napoleonic naval stuff and the Risk figures - both lots - are currently being discussed. This will enable me to add to the WoFun 28mm ECW collection and assuming all goes to plan I may even be able to complete it. I say complete because at this sage I am only looking at the English part of the Civil War. Whether or not I venture not Scotland is a moot point - at this stage I am inclined not to as I rather fancy one of the Jacobite rebellions next. WoFun cover the ‘45 and also produce a range for the War of the Spanish Succession. It would not take too much effort to combine the two but this idea is neither fully formed, financed or likely to happy for a while. It is also for this reason i want to complete the ECW set up rather than diluting my efforts.

Finally, I would like to ask a question of the hive mind in general. I am looking for a good single volume overall history of the English Civil War so does anyone have any recommendations? I already have Lipscombe and Haythornthwaites classic title so any pointer s would be appreciated as the last time I read anything for the period it was by C.V. Wedgwood!

Many thanks in advance.


 

7 comments:

Jonathan Freitag said...

For a single volume military history of the ECW, my favorite is Reid's "All the King's Armies."
https://www.amazon.com/All-Kings-Armies-Military-1642-1651/dp/1862273804

David Crook said...

Hi Jonathan,

This is one that is certainly on my radar - I have certainly enjoyed many of his other works - so a swift email to a couple of my usual dealers may well be in order!

All the best,

DC

Jonathan Freitag said...

If no luck in your search at a reasonable price, I have a second copy.

David Crook said...

Hi Jonathan,

Many thanks old chap - could you drop me a line - roguejedi@btinernet.com

Many thanks,

DC

Steve J. said...

"There is no rush, I want to enjoy the process."

A truism I think we should all bear in mind for our wargames projects and life in general!

David Crook said...

Hello there Steve J,

The funny thing is I am a great one for saying ‘ I will have x ready for y date’ and then being surprised when that does nt come to pass! I used to get really stressed about such things but you know what? It is only a game and I should be enjoying it and not agonising over every missed self imposed deadline!

I am enjoying this build - the monitors are pretty much done - and so will probably opt y do the great unveiling when all are ready and in a game setting.

All the best,

DC

Archduke Piccolo said...

Hi David,
I quite like the Peter Young account of the Civil War. I have read a biography of Prince Rupert, but I can't recall the author. I also have a copy of a fine biography of the Marquis of Montrose, Ronald Williams, 'Montrose: Cavalier in Mourning'.

I have an idea I must have read something from Cicely Wedgwood about the ECW - possibly 'The King's War'. Certainly I've read her account of the 30YW. There's quite a good biography - perhaps a little hagiographical - of Albrecht Eusebius von Wallenstein. I think it's the Golo Mann book.
Cheers,
Ion