White Bear (1564)

Julián Fernández de Sevilla Campos of Model J Ship's has completed the next English ship to face the Armada: White Bear. She was built at Woolwich dockyard in 1564 and classified as a first rate galleon of 729 tons BM burthen.

In 1588 the captain of White Bear was Lord Edmund Sheffield, serving with the Western Squadron. White Bear had a crew of 300 mariners, 40 gunners and 150 soldiers. She carried the following armament:

Gun Deck-

     3 British Cannon of 7

   11 British Demi-Cannon

     7 British Culverin

   10 British Demi-Culverin

     9 British Light Guns

The model was built using Zvezda's "San Martin" which Julián converted in a very creative way. The inspiration for this conversion was the beautiful illustration by Joseph Wheatley in "Historic Sail" which I strongly recommend.

HMS Victory: the Master Modeler's Art

Julián Fernández de Sevilla Campos of ModelJShip has just shared with me his conversion of the new HMS Victory by Ares Games. This particular model was not built for me, regrettably, but for Julián's personal collection. However I think the craftsmanship is outstanding and he has given permission for me to feature the finished conversion on my Blog.

First, the out-of -the-box model:

And now, the definitive HMS Victory in 1:1000 scale.

The Battle of Morat, 1476

Many years ago, on a business trip to Zurich, I visited the Schweiz Landesmuseum near the Bahnhof. There is a very large model in the museum of the Battle of Morat, often also called Murten, in traditional Zinnfiguren or "flats". The battle was fought on June 22, 1476, between Charles Duke of Burgundy and a Swiss confederate army trying to relieve the Burgundian siege of Murten, 30 km. from Bern. The Swiss army launched a surprise attack which overwhelmed the Burgundian besiegers.

These scans are from postcards purchased by me at the museum.

I have recently been playing a Morat scenario in the STEAM computer game "Pike & Shot" by Slitherine. The game does a good job of showing the siege lines and capturing the feel of a surprise attack. I recommend it highly. 

Prelude to Naseby, 1645

4 June 1645 - After a number of feints towards the north, King Charles and the whole Royalist Army gathers at Newton Harcourt and marches towards Market Harborough. They set up their HQ at Great Glen. Fairfax is given orders to raise the siege of Oxford and march north to join Cromwell and Vermuyden, who were in the Peterborough/Huntingdon area and to "attend the King's motions in such a way as, being at the place, you may judge to be best".

Graham's First Brigade, Birney's First Division, III Corps, 1863

The following figures of Graham's Brigade were also part of Martin Robson's private collection which I was fortunate to acquire in 2014. The 114th, as noted, was added later with figures painted for me by Leuthen Studios. All figures are by Perry.

Brigadier General Charles Kinnaird Graham

57th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 57th was commanded by Colonel Peter Sides who was wounded on July 2nd. Captain Alanson H. Nelson took over command. The 57th had 207 effectives at Gettysburg, losing 11 killed, 46 wounded and 58 reported as missing.

63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 63rd was commanded by Colonel John A. Danks. The Regiment fielded 296 men at Gettysburg. The 63rd was engaged in fighting north of the Peach Orchard on July 2nd. In this fighting, 1 man was killed, 29 men were wounded and 4 men were reported missing. 

68th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment "Scott Legion"

The 68th was commanded by Colonel Andrew H. Tippin. During the fighting, the Colonel took command of the First Brigade, at which time Captain Milton S. Davis took over the regiment. The 68th had 383 effectives at Gettysburg of whom 3 officers and 10 men were killed, 5 officers and 117 men were wounded and 13 men were reported captured or missing.

105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The 105th was commanded by Colonel Calvin A. Craig. The Colonel was wounded on July 2nd. The 105th fielded 17 officers 257 men at Gettysburg. 2 officers and 18 men were killed or died of wounds, 13 officers and 95 men were wounded and 9 men were reported as missing. Total losses were 132.

114th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment "Collis' Zouaves"

The 114th was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick F. Cavada. The Colonel was captured during the fighting on July 2nd. after which Captain Edward R. Bowen took command. The 114th had 312 effectives at Gettysburg of whom 9 were killed, 86 wounded and 60 reported missing.

This Regiment was painted for me by Leuthen Studios. The figures are Perry 28mm metal Zouaves.