Well well well, here we go again, another new project..............The Retreat From Moscow. But this time I'm doing it as a joint project with BigLee, he's doing the Russians and I'm doing the French.
But what rules will you be using?
Sharpe Practice 2 is the answer. I bought the first version a long time ago and could never really understand them. So I bought the revised 2nd version again a number of years ago, wishing to use them for my Haitian Revolution figures, but again found them a difficult read. I seem to learn rules better if I'm playing them, rather than trying to read them and take in what I'm reading???
Is anyone else like this?
Anyway, BigLee went to a Lardy Day earlier in the year and played a few games of Sharpe Practice, then in passing said he enjoyed the rules and will be buying a copy.
That was my lightbulb moment!
So I said, do you fancy doing a joint project using Sharpe Practise for the Painting Challenge?
I felt Lee's eyes light up through the phone, I suggested the Retreat From Moscow as its different from anything I've painted before because of all the snow.
I wanted to paint up the Russians, as I've just done loads of French for the Haitian Revolution, but Lee wanted them as well. So for some reason unknown to me he ended up with the easy to pant Russians.
As we were talking Lee, being the weak willed chap he is had already ordered some figures, although I must admit I followed suite soon after.
So the first figures we both bought were a French and Russian army from Muskets and Tomahawks bought from North Star.
Very sensibly for me and Lee, were both known for getting carried away buying stuff at Rejects HQ, we decided on a small army of 8 units each.
Unfortunately we both ignored the original plan after seeing the Perry's luvvly figures......
It only took a few days...
My 8 unit army is now upto 15 units.
Yes I know, I just can't help myself!!
So look out for some Retreat from Moscow figures from both Lee and myself starting from the 21st December when the Challenge starts.
“Vive la France!”
To learn rules, they must be played! I look forward to watching your project develop.
ReplyDeleteMe too, thanks Jon.
DeleteI should feel guilty having got in quick and bagsied the Russians, but I don't. I haven't painted large bodies of 28mm figures in nearly three decades, and I've never done Napoleonics, so this is going to be a challenge for me. One I am looking forward to getting started though. Long live the Tsar!
ReplyDeleteShould be fun!
DeleteAwesome! I have a few post waiting for a share with North Star 's French and Perry's command ;)
ReplyDeleteI'll look forward to seeing them, Michal.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing your project unfold. As for rules I definitely learn more by actually playing the game
ReplyDeleteGood to hear, I'm not alone!
DeleteWell even though not my period at all, I look forward to seeing how this develops:). I tried SP2, but I found them too detailed for the limited amount of games I would play, so ditched them. The play best as part of a campaign, given all the add ons etc that can be used, which is part and parcel of the fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to giving them a go. At least Me and Lee can now bash heads when deciding how we mucked up the rules!
DeleteNice new project. I am sure that you and Lee will have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan, Mike!
DeleteI read Sharp Practice earlier in the year and can barely remember a thing, not having played them yet, so know exactly what you mean. The Perry range is great for this and I still have the same idea in mind as another project. Marbot's sledge brigade are lovely little models.
ReplyDeleteThe sledges do look great. I'll definitely get some of those.
DeleteEureka Miniatures have a 28mm Marshal Ney on foot during the retreat from Moscow. Inspired by the painting of Yvon
ReplyDeleteOoo I'll have a look, thanks!
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ReplyDeleteTogether is always better. Cool you have a project together.
ReplyDeleteIt should be fun.
DeleteSharp Practice can be a lot of fun, plenty of character. There was an interesting campaign of the retreat to Corunna in one of the Lardies magazines which could probably be reworked to provide a structure for the retreat from Moscow. You should have fun with this project
ReplyDeleteOh cool. I'll see if I can find it. Thanks Dave.
DeleteGood luck on the new project Ray.
ReplyDeleteCheers George!
DeleteThis should be good!
ReplyDeleteI will have some Hob Nobs and a mug of tea ready for the 21st! (I read better when I am eating biscuits).
Haha!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing how this progresses, and to you umpiring a game with these next year.
ReplyDeleteThe plans to buy you a set of rules too Rich. You're good at reading rules?
DeleteWhat's that! You two paint and I umpire?
DeleteSounds good to me???
DeleteInteresting project Ray, looking forward to seeing both You and Lee's progress on this one, and rules are easier understood when playing in my opinion, never understand them by just reading, need to work it out on the table, seems to work for me.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that Donnie!
DeleteYou will love working on those Perry figures Ray...reminds me I must get my Retreat from Moscow lads out again.
ReplyDeleteI've already studied your blog Mark and taken note of your paintjob.
DeleteHa-ha! I mean, how can you possibly do the Retreat from Moscow with FEWER than 15 units!?
ReplyDeleteWe've all been there, Ray!
Very excited to see how these all turn out!
Tell me about it Tim. It'd just be rude, wouldn't it?
DeleteThe ranges do entice you in. I have a small set of Russian peasants and Cossacks in the wip area. Do you know of the lead adventure versions of the retreat?
ReplyDeleteI did find a version from a German site. Is that the one?
DeleteThe Lead Adventure forum has a sub forum called 'Big Battalions , ' if you do a search for 1812 retreat you'll get links to two very impressive threads on collecting and modeling the Retreat, especially using Perry 25mm.
Deleteoh cool, I'll go look now, thanks Joe!
DeleteI'll be following this with great interest, Ray. Really looking forward to seeing how it comes along.
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon. I'm looking forward to starting the painting too.
DeleteSharp Practice2 is a great game, but it does have a bit of a learning curve so does need to be played to really get what the rules are saying. I have collected both French and Russians(not painted yet of course) so may do some in the challenge(undecided) although not for retreat from Moscow. I'll probably multi base rather then sabot with a mind to collecting initially for Sharp Practice then maybe expanding for larger rule sets if it takes off....
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing what you and Big Lee do with both the figures and the banter and even more the games you two will have!
Christopher
I'm really looking forward tobthe Challenge to start. I'm itching to start with the brush!
DeleteI liked the demo game Stew ran for me of the original Sharp's Practice, but that was yonks ago so I don't recall it at all. Like you, were I to try learning the new version I'd need another demo game as I too learn WAY better actually playing than I do by just picking up a rules manual and trying from there.
ReplyDeleteRetreat from Moscow is about the only Nap's that seems interesting to me and the fig ranges you've shown here are why. I think the lack of uniformity compared to standard games of napoleonic setups is what appeals most?
Looking forward to seeing what you and Lee get up to tho.
The figures are pretty awesome. Can't wait to start painting them.
DeleteAs I wrote on Lee's Blog: there's nothing better hobby wise, than a collaborative project with your mate!
ReplyDeleteIt should be great fun!
DeleteAh, a marvelous project, Ray! I'm sure it'll be awesome - it's a great skirmish scenario.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to getting the paints out tbh.
DeleteA new project on interesting subject matter, but a road to (further ?) madness this way leads..............
ReplyDeleteWe're both already there, I'm afraid!
DeleteVive le France!
ReplyDeleteMerci!
DeleteSounds like a great project, eight units sound small ,fifteen is better but I'm sure you'll both end up with more! Reading rules doesn't work for me I have to play it badly repeatedly until I'm a bit less bad?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
20 each sounds good?
DeleteYes much better!
DeleteBest Iain
Lol
DeleteExcellent .. have fun creating it!
ReplyDeleteIt should be fun!
DeleteWow, you have obviously touched a nerve (in a good way!) in a lot of readers with this post Ray....huge response by way of comments! You should be able to have a lot of fun running a campaign using SP and the figures look very cool, can't wait to see the first batch painted 😊
ReplyDeleteYeh, it like the good old days.....loads of comments! I'm itching to get started!
DeleteMichal at Dwarf Crypt is painting figures for this period too
DeleteYeh, they're really nice. He is a fantastic painter.
DeleteA grand choice for a project! Lots of greatcoats should ease the painting trauma of the French!
ReplyDeleteYep, lots of greatcoats. Hopefully a quick paint job?
DeleteLooking forward to watching this project progress for both of you!
ReplyDeleteMe too Bill.
DeleteSharp Practice 2 is my favourite set of rules for large skirmishes with a strong narrative focus; a huge improvement on the first edition and well worth taking the time to learn. I recommend the Too Fat Lardies and Beasts of War videos.
ReplyDeleteMost important to remember is that it needs to be scenario-driven. You won't get the best out of the rules by just lining up forces to fight an encounter battle.
I'll bear all that in mind, thanks!
DeleteVery nice project and I'm looking forward to see the painted figures!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Peter
Thanks Peter!
DeleteI'll be interested to see how you get on with this one Ray. Meantim,e Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks OB. The same to you and yours.
Delete