Then the >>you know who<< arrived...

I managed to complete the full Warlord Games winged hussar box, eight metal figures in total. Most of the time was spent waiting for the paint and then the first layer of varnish to dry - I always do a double matt varnish on metal figures.

I think they are quite splendid, maybe a bit more for the 1683 and onwards campaigns, but I'll just use them for the earlier 17th century anyway. I'm not sure I could do the same with the TAG or Foundry hussars wearing chainmail (that is use them for the later periods).

The rank and file comrades are in two groups, one in yellow/buff and one in red garbs. I used the pennons sparingly, because the long lances should be broken to pieces on the target, so what's the point throwing those expensive cloths away?

A Frenchman, a Swiss and a Pole walk into a bar

And the bartender says, "Get lost..."

My French and allied armies are taking shape nicely - as explained before, visual variety means a lot when all of your footsoldiers basically wear blue. This is why I originally bought the Strelets Poles - and then there's enough German (and Swiss) troopers in the same model of uniform with different colors. I think you could have seen the Swiss in the previous battle report (where they got badly thrashed and then stood idly for the rest of the game).

General Ktoplowski's Polish Brigade

A rather tasteful array of Polish arms: a dozen Uhlans and two groups of infantry. The title of course refers to Polish players proudly declaring "KTO PL" in every online multiplayer game.

The muster contains the following:

• six Zvezda Polish Guard Lancers
• six Vistula Legion horse
• A 16-figure unit of GD of Warsaw infantry
• A unit of Vistula Legion foot

Proxy Armies

This is a Thirty Years War Spanish army made of wooden sticks. Four large infantry formations, eight groups of cavalry, two commanders and four cannon. It can be expanded later, and also used as a mercenary force in any theatre. 

The 'figures' are closest to 6mm. Infantry units have 75 sticks on five stands while cavalry 20 on two. The 'shot' stands have 12 sticks on them, the large pike blocks 24 pikemen plus command, including the regimental standard. Doing the maths, this means 300 infantry and 160 cavalry.

Pancerni conversions

Originally the Zvezda Russian Noble Cavalry, these were given shields and misiurka helmets to make Polish pancerni cossacks.

Anne's Double Triple Secret Giveaway + Inter Arma Playtest

1. Anne's Giveaway

Behold, by the powers of the Internet, here is shared the news of Anne's blog having a magnificent giveaway. Find it with the rules here. Mandatory info: This give away is being sponsored in part by author Patrick Hatt. You can find Mr. Hatt's Amazon Writers Page at http://www.amazon.com/Pat-Hatt/e/B00AGFMYVC.

2. Inter Arma 2x Level 2 Commanders Playtest. 
I've set up five different skirmish lists for playing Inter Arma and was trying to see the outcomes of putting up those against each other. The parties would have two level 2 commanders (35 points on an Infantry and 58 on a Cavalry commander). The starting lot was the Swedish cavalry patrol with commanded musketeers:

Inter Arma point system test game - Poles vs. Swedes

Initial setup: Swedes are defending earthworks around a lake. The terrain is quite rough with a lot of hills and wooded areas.

Commanders are level 3.

Mars TYW (early) Polish infantry & Big Lee's Miniature Adventures Giveaway

Before reading my insanely complex review of this set, have a visit at BigLee's place. His blog just reached a million hits (which mine will do in a good hundred years perhaps) and to celebrate he is giving away some books and lead (see the 2nd link in the paragraph). 

If you look at the pictures on PSR you wouldn't say these are nice figures. A few weeks back (just before my birthday) the owner of Drum&Flag (ebay miniatures retailer) shared some better photos on his facebook page and I became more convinced to grab a box of them. 

You get 48 figures on 4 sprues, that means there are 12 poses which is good. Five poses are armed with arquebus, another four sport polearms, namely halberds and spears and one is waving his sabre - apparently this is the figure featured on the box art. There are four commanders and four trumpeters (one on each sprue again) which I found quite unnecessary. The rules I worked out for the era allow three commanders per side anyway. The trumpeters would be good to forward orders though.

Zvezda Polish Winged Hussars

Post is picture heavy. 

I've been working on these for three days straight - the masterpiece of my armies. At some places the painting could have been better but I am extremely proud of the outcome.

Drawing

Related to this blog. Who doesn't like these? 

High-res here.