War of 1812 Research

I figured I'd pass along news of what I've been up to wargaming wise.  I've been researching like no tomorrow for a historical War of 1812 (North America) skirmish battle hopefully using at least some of my painted 28mm figures.

I have this love-hate relationship with the War of 1812.  The love part is this was a war that took place close to where I grew up, interesting history, and I've visited a number of the forts.  I have enjoyed painting up the figures whether 15mm or 28mm.  The hate part is I can't figure out the rules to use and a historical battle that fits that does not need lots of 15mm or 28mm figures.  I have painted up the 15mm figures for the Battle of Crysler's Farm using the Generale de Brigade ruleset.  It worked okay, but I think I lost interest in the ruleset.  After that I researched similar sized battles  to Cryslter's Farm and could not find the right ruleset to work on a 6'x4' table.  I gave up.  Then I discovered that probably the best approach was just paint up 28mm for skirmish battles.  This works just fine for hypethetical battles, but doing hypethetical battles really isn't my thing.  I prefer historical battles which have the correct terrain and units in the battle.  I went ahead and tried my hand at 28mm painting and succeeded to my liking.  I discovered there are napoleonic rulesets that have figures representing less than 1:50 and that peaked my interest again in War of 1812.  I had forgotten that The Sword and the Flame ruleset is actually 1:10.  Not saying I will use the ruleset, just noticing that there are rulesets out there that may work out for a historical battle with a low ratio.  I'm looking at trying to keep the number of figures that I have to paint up low, but still have a good 6'x4' table battle.  The latest two battles I've been looking at are the Raid on Black Rock and the Battle of Ogdensburg.  Ogdensburg, NY is only a one hour drive from where I grew up (Ottawa, Canada).  I think both battles would use some of my painted figures.

So hopefully soon I will have a battle and ruleset picked out for my War of 1812 figures.  I will be buying Americans and more British/Canadians/Native tribes.  I don't mind painting up more 28mm figures, now that I know I can do it and I like the uniforms.  Iroquois Warriors have been ordered from Conquest Miniatures.

There has been discussion that 25/28mm buildings are too big on the wargaming table.  I somewhat agree.  The concept would be to use 15mm buildings with 28mm figures.  I'm going to have to look more into this if I use the 1 figure represents 10, 15, 20, or 30 soldiers.


Rules I'm leaning towards:

• modified The Sword and the Flames by Bill Molyneaux
• Rocket's Red Glare

Battle of Flodden Video

I made my first video and posted it to YouTube.  This video focuses on the historical situation of the Battle of Flodden mid way through the battle, from the perspective of the Scottish Army.

Imperial Hobbies Store

Last month I was vacationing in Vancouver, Canada with my wife and I decided to check out a local gaming store.  I researched on The Miniatures Page (TMP) website for a good gaming store in Vancouver and Imperial Hobbies was mentioned.  Having lost a number of good brick and mortar gaming stores in Colorado, it was fun to get in a new one I've never been to.  It turned out to be the best gaming store I've ever been in.  I haven't been in lots of gaming stores in Canada and the U.S., but this one is impressive.  The staff were very friendly. 

Imperial Hobbies store has a large stock of all things gaming/modeling related. Historical wise it had no shortage of wargame rules,  miniatures (mainly 25mm), plastic model kits, books, all the Ospreys, all the JR Miniatures terrain, shelves of the Hotz Mats, board games, dice and paint (amazingly they had Humbrol).  They also had comics, non-historical rules/miniatures, slot cars, books, and Euro board games.  I'm sure I'm missing something.  I ended up visiting twice and probably spent two hours browsing and buying stuff.

If ever in Vancouver, you must visit this store.  It is easy to get to with a car and is close to the Vancouver International Airport.

Imperial Hobbies Website

Photos inside store (unfortunately lacking photos of historical wargaming stock photos)

I read on another blog that referred to this store as small.  Well I'd like to see what a big gaming store is that has as much historical wargaming content. True, I guess I still have to check out Brookhurst Hobbies in California. I'd be interested to hear of other gamers picks for gaming stores that have lots of historical wargaming content.