Landen 1693

 Today's anniversary. Here

Ebor Miniatures new release

 LOA/GNW dismounted dragoons with floppy hats. 

http://www.eborminiatures.com/products-page/saxon-army-of-the-gnw/dismounted-dragoons-in-floppy-hats-loagnwsdd01/

René Duguay-Trouin at Saint-Malo 1697

 Photo by https://www.facebook.com/JulienDanieloAuteurPhotographe

René Duguay-Trouin was born in Saint-Malo in 1673, he came from a family of Malouian shipmen. Earlier, at age 18, he takes command of a Corsair ship and rapidly rises into the maritime hierarchy. It was in 1697 that he became frigate captain on the king's ships during the War of the League of Augsburg whose main enemy was England. During his first 9 years at sea, he chains in the catch of enemy ships but is caught only once by the English. Plymouth prisoner escapes in rocky conditions.

In 1702, the conflict resumed with the Spanish Succession War. Until 1711, he made his greatest achievements including the famous expedition where he took Rio de Janeiro, earning him 92% profit and the congratulations of Louis XIV. It is estimated that Duguay-Trouin took part in the number of fights and approaches is a little more than ninety. He died in 1736 and his memory is still alive in his hometown of Saint-Malo.

Wiki on the famous Corsair.. Featuring Victor Leparc.

Lurkio Miniatures 15mm Grand Alliance/9 years war range

 This range is new to me. Look good. Any of you use these? Quite comprehensive.

Ebor Miniatures League of Augsburg - coming soon

 http://www.eborminiatures.com/

They already do WSS. Apparently these will have separate heads. October is the date I heard.

Steenkirk 1692

Today's anniversary. Wiki. 

Watercolour by Richard Simkin, 1900 (c).

Fought on 3 August 1692, Steenkirk was a French victory during the Nine Years War (1689-1697). This work depicts Colonel Sir Robert Douglas of the Royal Regiment (later the Royal Scots) running through a French officer with his sword.

The League of Augsburg

Excellent new web page for wargaming this period. Recommended.

An Interesting New Product Update

Just announced on The Miniatures Page (TMP) here, and on Prince August's own site here, is a potentially exciting new range of 54mm white metal figures for the Battle of the Boyne. These 4 figures, according to the announcement, were sculpted by Prince August's own in-house sculptor, Chris Tubb. The figures are sold as unpainted, but pre-cast, kits requiring minimal assembly and painting at €19.95; or as assembled and well pre-painted figures at a retail of €39.99 each.

Now, when I use the word "potentially", it is because I have a few issues with this release.

1) Why are these only being offered as pre-casts at a collector's price? The pictures of the un-assembled kit don't reveal and drastic undercuts, they are already in kit form, and the uniforms are somewhat "generic" for the period (although Chris has captured variations in the details that are reflected in period illustrations). These would seem to be ideal for drop-cast molds like PA's other 54mm offerings, and would certainly benefit the potential customers if they had the ability to cast up quantities of these with the final cost dependent on amortizing the mold cost and whatever source they use for metal.

2) Since assembly is already required, why fixed heads versus a plug-in separate head that would allow buyers to easily create variations?

3) If the sculptor is "in-house" as advertised, and presumably PA controls the casting process, why the higher price point? Admittedly, this price is not out of line with other collector's grade figures from sources like Dorset, Britains, or Traditions, but in my opinion is very much outside the range of typical wargamers, even for skirmish games not requiring many figures. Most gamers would probably turn towards Irregular's similar range, though actually for the Restoration period and Franco-Dutch Wars, since they are priced more in the range expected by gamers and quite as well done. Plus, Irregular's range is already larger with available command and cavalry. In fact, two of Irregular's cavalry castings will cost about the same as one of the new PA foot figures!

Obviously it is up to you, as both the reader and potential buyer, to determine the value of these figures. To me, this is a great effort that took a sadly mis-guided wrong turn. When I first saw the announcement, I was actually very excited at the thought that I might be able to cast my own LoA figures for some skirmish gaming or even for some old-school 54mm gaming in units of 16 or so figures. I'm not likely to do that at €19.95 each.

Regards;

Bill

WARFARE MINIATURES League of Augsburg 28mm metal figures

I am really impressed by these late 17th century figures. The poses are excellent and they ooze period feel. Check them out - list of available figures here

Clibinarium Has Been Busy!

Long time between posts; if only Life would stop interfering!

Our good friend "Clibinarium" has been busy plying his trade as a sculptor of late. Just announced on the Pendraken Forum are the 1st masters for their new 10mm pre-18th century range. While it will fall under the heading of League of Augsberg, it will also include several figures that will work for the earlier Franco-Dutch Wars as well (which these masters depict). This will be similar to the very inclusive and varied AWI range that Clibinarium did for Pendraken.
Pendraken Command Group - 10mm

Pendraken Assorted Musketeers - 10mm

Pendraken Assorted Pikemen - 10mm

And, in case you might have missed it, Clibinarium also did the recently released 28mm range for Barry Hilton's League of Augsberg, details of which can be found on Barry's site here, and very well-painted samples here.

All-in-all, a very good time for enthusiasts of the late 17th century and the wars of Louis Quatorze! Clibinarium is a die-hard fan of this period, does extensive research, and sculpts a pretty good figure (major understatement). So, in case you were considering getting your feet wet in this period, it might be time to start building, or raiding, that War Chest now.

Bill