Horse grenadiers of the Great Northern War - Russian

More information here Клуб ВИР "Лейб-гвардии Преображенский полк, 1709"
One of this year's best developments is this group from Russia.

Military book bargains

I have put some books on ebay if you would care to look - go here

WSS Austrians from ChrisFritz

 Dear Gentlemen (and Ladies, of course),

please allow me to contribute some pictures of Austrian musketeers like they have looked liked in the first years of the War of Spanish Succession.

It is the Regiment of "von Herberstein" in orange-red colors like they have fought in upper Italy.

The research work and manufacturing for those uniforms was exhausting (and sooo expensive...), as there are literally almost no informations.

The more I would like to thank the real experts of the Heeresgeschichtliche Museum in Vienna and private Experts.

I am proud to say that my comrade and me (the "blonde" guy😁) are for sure maybe the only one reeanactors to give you the accurate impression of this period.

.

More WSS greatness from Strelets-r

In shops soon. Lovely figures.

Merry Christmas

1653

New! The Saxon Mars and his force

More info here

1/32 Landsknechts

 If you like Landsknechts and the 1\32 scale then this release might be up your street. I like the look of them and they may make my Christmas list. Swiss to come also.

Cromwell's War Machine

I haven't read this but apparently it is good. Not too expensive. Pen and Sword books.

English Civil War Armies (1973)

Written by Brigadier Peter Young and illustrated by Michael Roffe.

 This was Osprey number 14. Interesting to see what was the norm for those days.

Roundheads at the gates by Ernest Crofts

Thought this looked seasonal.

Prince Rupert

400th birthday today. Wiki

Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV: Volume 2: The Imperial Army, 1660-1689

Written and illustrated by Bruno Mugnai. I have to admit to being in awe of Bruno: not only is he a talented artist he is also a very good researcher and author. I was highly impressed by Volume 1 on the United Provinces and this one is equally as good.
    The period under review saw the Imperial troops in constant warfare against most famously the Ottoman Empire but also Hungarian insurgents and the French. Also there were campaigns in Poland and Italy. No previous knowledge is required as the author takes the reader through the chronology  and explains all the loyalties and alliances of this era very well.
   The book is divided into parts. First chunk is an examination of whether the era was really one of limited warfare as is generally thought. Next section is entitled The Emperor's Army and covers the nature of  and organisation (funding etc) of the Habsburg forces. Next up is a section on the Reichsarmee. This is followed by a section on the Imperial army on campaign.  I particularly enjoyed reading about the manoeuvring of Turenne and Montecuccoli two giants of the age. Next is a section on uniforms, equipment and ensigns. This I found extremely useful, full of interesting details. I didn't think that such detailed information was possible but this charts the development of the uniforms admirably.
    Finally I have to say the illustrations are very striking and numerous. Both period depictions and the original art created for this work (including flags) are extremely well executed and very useful.

WSS French from Strelets-r

 1/72. Not released yet but looking very good to me. Website

Box art 

28mm Star fort kit

New product. Looks good.

Leuthen 1757

Today's anniversary

Wiki

Lund 1676

Today's anniversary is the bloody battle of the Scanian war. Wiki

Karl XI under slaget vid Lund  (“Charles XI of Sweden”) by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl (1682). Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden.

Out now from Helion

More here

Title coming out in 2020

Definitely getting this. The time of the Prayer book rebellion and Left's rebellion.

Khurasan 15mm

 Some excellent miniatures for the Scanian war. This is probably my favourite 15mm range around. Facebook page. Website

In praise of plastics

I have been quite excited by the Strelets-r WSS figures but then I am slightly biased when it comes to 1/72 plastics. As a child I went to Britain's then I went to Airfix (the above picture of me in about 72 shows me with some). So to me it's old school. Sure I went to Minifigs, and Essex, Dixon's and so on War games foundry but I have always liked 1/72 plastics. They are simple to convert with head swaps and the anatomical proportions are quite pleasing.  To conclude i don't look at 1/72 plastics as a cheap option but an aesthetic choice. Lovely slim bayonets. 

More WSS 1/72 news from Strelets-r

 Another teaser from the forum - this time looks like French due to the belly-box and the partisan. This is shaping up to be a great range.

Maxen 1759

Today's anniversary. Decisive Austrian victory.

Wiki and Kronoskaf

Sheriffmuir 1715

Today's anniversary. Wiki

WSS wargames rules

I have Facebook group called War of the Grand Alliance which covers the late 17th early 18th century and I asked them what rules would they use for the War of Spanish Succession?

Twilight of the Sun King
Beneath Lily banners
Basic Baroque
Black Powder
Might and Reason
The most popular were the top two on the list.

Size comparison Strelets-r WSS and Zvezda GNW

Some useful WSS books

It appears the WSS is becoming popular - going by the hits on this page. Here's a few books to get started on the period in the English language. Any other books you would recommend to start you off?

Russian soldiers of the Tobol Garrison

Here for more 
Tobolsk wiki

New on the Strelets-r forum

 Teasers for future releases on the forum. Standards are very high i would say but I am smitten. Not sure who these are but I am impressed.

Unboxing Strelets Set #230. British Infantry in Advance 1701-1714. War of Spanish Succession. 1/72.

Useful look at the new set from Drum and Flag. The only slight grumble I have is you get a hautbois and no drummer. I will be following this series closely.

White Mountain 1620

Today's anniversary White Mountain near Prague. See here for a book on the subject.
Article on the events here

Prussian Freikorps

"Ein Preuss(ische) Croat aufgericht 1761 von Gseschraiischen Corps"