It's been a while since we've had many previews as we've been trying to get all of the older projects ticked off and released, but it's finally time for some stuff!
Our existing Russo-Japanese range is both small and old, so not ideal for much of anything really. This new range is a complete overhaul with more troop types and more poses, opening up this conflict for some proper games as well as some useful proxy options too.
This whole range was actually commissioned by a customer of ours who was really wanting to game this period. He's certainly not held back and we'll have a pretty comprehensive range here once it's released. The only additional items planned currently are some extra guns I think.
So, we've got:
Russians
Early war infantry / Summer infantry:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52420907577_30885db856_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRvk)RJR1 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRvk) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Early war foot command / Summer foot command:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421419646_071ed031cb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSitJ7)RJR2 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSitJ7) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Captain / Dragoon escort / Priest / Mounted officers / Winter infantry:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421703259_eb1086201e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSjW2Z)RJR3 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSjW2Z) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Frontier guards / Sailors / Throwing grenade / Field telephone team:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421419616_d14bbd4069_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSitHA)RJR4 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSitHA) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Artillery crew in early war kit / M1900 field gun / Artillery crew in summer kit:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421866500_7f4f13d981_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLyu)RJR5 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLyu) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Artillery crew in winter kit / Winter foot command:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52420907542_fb7244b62b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRuJ)RJR6 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRuJ) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Dismounted cossacks / Dismounted cavalry / Horse holders and officer:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421866495_35401061e2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLyp)RJR7 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLyp) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Mounted lancer / Maxima machine gun and crew / Casualty:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421931648_96474ff0b1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSm6VJ)RJR8 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSm6VJ) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Japanese
Early war infantry with command / Mid-Late war infantry with command:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421866565_9e966381bb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzB)RJJ1 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzB) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Throwing grenade / Winter infantry with command:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52420907612_651bed76d2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRvW)RJJ2 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRvW) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Mounted and dismounted cavalry:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52420907492_aae2df104b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRtS)RJJ3 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSfRtS) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Artillery crews / Generals and staff:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421866550_db8d813f09_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzm)RJJ4 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzm) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Field telephone team / 75mm field gun / Hotchkiss team / Casualty:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421931708_f452ba79c8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSm6WL)RJJ5 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSm6WL) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
Chinese
Chinese civilians:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52421866570_b3f6d53474_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzG)RJC1 (https://flic.kr/p/2nSkLzG) by Leon Pengilley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156736924@N08/), on Flickr
One note for those who've noticed the flags here, the customer requested those for his own armies but we'll be removing them for our production versions, leaving just the bare pole as usual. We'll then get some flags designed to go with these ranges.
Timescales shouldn't be long on this lot as we'd like to have them done and released before the end of the year. The only stumbling block may be all of the shows coming up but I'm hopeful that we can work around those and get this range moulded up.
Wow, what a coup
Excellent
I have the following books on the history of the war if anyone is interested.
'Rising Sun, Tumbling Bear' and 'The Tide at Sunrise'
PM me if so
That is a nice surprise!
These make a big range - and I assume plenty of the figures work for WWI too?
:-bd =D> :-bd =D>
What a nice surprise and I can see these figures, especially the Russians, working well into WWI, the RCW abd beyond 8) .
Very nice. Since I saw the pic including the priest figure, I keep hearing the tune from Dr. Zhivago :o)
"We only came to see the Tsar"!
Before I send for my wallet to be released from the deep secure vault I banished it to, can the period experts suggest just how much uniforms/equipment did or didnt change 1904-1922? So is it feasible to produce a core Russian army to cover RJW, WW1 and RCW using the other existing ranges for any more specific types?
Not an interest but lovely figures
Oh, you tease, that's definitely one on the list! Glad I held off now.
Like Kermit, it isn't an interest.
I'd add that every complete range like this boosts Pendraken's credibility as a supplier who can get you "all the things".
Quote from: fred. on 12 October 2022, 07:28:33 AMThese make a big range - and I assume plenty of the figures work for WWI too?
Quote from: DecemDave on 12 October 2022, 08:16:56 AMSo is it feasible to produce a core Russian army to cover RJW, WW1 and RCW using the other existing ranges for any more specific types?
I'd think so yes, we'll be pulling some of the WWI Russian cavalry straight over to this range and the peaked caps will cover those periods too.
Quote from: steve_holmes_11 on 12 October 2022, 10:09:43 AMI'd add that every complete range like this boosts Pendraken's credibility as a supplier who can get you "all the things".
Thanks Steve, that's the aim these days wherever possible as it just makes more sense from both a gaming and sales perspective.
That's another hole for me to go down...
Ah! OK. I can see Tannenberg in my future.
Those Chinese civvies also have many uses.
And I don't have a Winter campaign ... so Russo-Japanese winter, some scenery, then I could branch out and finally get some T34s ... ooh and the Bulge becomes do-able ... and are some of those TB Line ranges suitable for the Battle on the Ice?
Actually the Russo-Japanese war gives me an excuse for pre-Dreadnaughts in 1:3000, just need to re-watch Dracinifel's excellent YouTube videos on the 2nd Pacific Squadron - which would have to include the Kamchatka!
This could be expensive ,,, and I love it!
Point of order: I reserve the right to paint winter grenade throwers as being in a snowball fight.
Great stuff! Not my period of interest, however full army lists are available in the MicroMark collection over on the Wargames Vault, cheaper than ever now the pound has been shortened.
The sailors look like they may be useful for multiple era/armies.
Hmmmm, am wondering if those Japanese cavalry can be used for WW2 Thai/Siam cavalry..
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHTBnhZf/thai-cavalry.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Existing WW2 French infantry will do for Thai infantry.
QuoteHmmmm, am wondering if those Japanese cavalry can be used for WW2 Thai/Siam cavalry..
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHTBnhZf/thai-cavalry.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Existing WW2 French infantry will do for Thai infantry.
Hello sultanbev
You could always use the WW1 British cavalry in cap with sword BP53 if they're not right -
(https://39.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/89204c/images/-n-bp53-n-cavalry-in-cap-with-sword-2927-p.jpg)
Nevertheless a very handy range and I can see RCW, Chinese warlords, etc getting some new recruits from all these additions.
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
QuotePoint of order: I reserve the right to paint winter grenade throwers as being in a snowball fight.
Just hurry up and paint "Oh, my God, it's uncle Richard !"..and send me a piccy. :P
Baldrick is underway. ;)
Righty-o Captain!
Morning Forum!
First off-loved the snowball quip!
I am the mad ( or sad) man who commissioned this range. It reflects years of interest in this war which some historians are now calling World War Zero. Lots of hints in the conflict of what was to come and it of course laid the way for Pearl Harbour in more ways than one.
It has great scope as a period and when combined with some of the lovely ship models out there from 1/600 Old Glory to 1/6000 Hallmark, and perhaps some of the boardgames out there, you have the makings of great combined arms miniatures campaigns. I favour 1/2400 War Times Journal models. For land battles I have used Bloody Big Battles inspired by the Two Marshals Blog. Bloody Picnic works and am also looking at WW1 Spearhead.
I am really excited and really grateful to Techno for sculpting and to Leon for agreeing to this one.
Ok, some more thoughts.
Can the figures be used for other periods? Definite use for WW1, not least the Russians-and also for RCW. Effectively the same kit and even some of the heavy weapons have later use. For example the M1900 field gun was a reserve weapon in WW1.
Japanese and Russians could see service in the Boxer Rebellion ( and I think that period is on a to do list for Leon somewhere). Japanese could fight Chinese in 1894/95. Russians in what if encounters with Boer War British on the NWF.
And can you use WW1 and other codes to supplement? Yes. The 76.2mm field gun from the Russian WW1 range was the gun which became the main field gun weapon in the RJW and saw a lot of service with the Russians and also, when captured, by the Japanese. So that code can be used with the new range. In addition most of the WW1 and RCW codes are of use. Not least cavalry and cossacks.
As for extras-well-I am a bit of a sad completist.
Techno is now doing-
1. Russian Frontier Guard gunners and mounted.
2. Russian improvised trench mortar and crew.
3. Japanese improvised trench mortar and crew.
4. Japanese assault engineers ( for those Port Arthur moments).
5. Dismounted cossack Madsen LMG and crew (a Danish weapon and the first LMG to see action ever-and still in use by the Brazilian police on drug cartel raids).
6. Japanese with captured Madsen LMG.
7. Mounted and dismounted Chunchu irregulars.
I am also really stunned at the lovely comments from the Forum for a topic that is so off beat but has such great potential. As ever thanks!
No doubt I will ramble on more in due course.....
Scott
Hi Scott. Looks like you got a good one, enjoy em. like I said earlier not my period.
QuoteI am the mad ( or sad) man who commissioned this range.
Well thank you for adding this to our ever-growing options :-bd
Lord Kermit, December Dave! Much appreciated there all round.
I am also getting some more AWI sculpts done by Clibanarium so maybe temptation lies there....
Cheers
Scott
Many thanks Scott
Hi Scott - thanks for funding the sculpting of this range =D>
Not sure Russo-Japanese war is for me, but WWI Russians might be a possibility - especially as a mate said he already has Austrians (and Germans).
Cheers Fred, my pleasure.
I have WW1 Turks and can see me doing a Caucasus set up with the Russians. With the RJW and WW1 ranges you can do so much.
Scott
Turks, hmm
We have talked about doing that theatre as well. Frankly we've probably talked about doing most of them!
But hadn't thought of Turks vs Russians
Hi Fred,
Turks would be an interesting opponent for the Russians in Black Sea and Caucasus theatres. You could even involve the British. Dunsterforce is of course post 1917 but no reason why you could not do hypothetical British involvement pre-Revolution.
I am looking to paint up my own Pendraken Turks to oppose the Russians.
As I said, the new RJW releases have great potential.
Scott
Lots of options then! Which doesn't help
Probably need to finish my 4 in-progress WWI armies first. Although 3 of them are very much at the playable stage, and the 4th the early-war British has been on the table too.
Scott, thanks for funding the new range. I anticipate I will be one of the beneficiaries of you spearheading this.
This is an absolute stunning range. Many years ago (maybe 20?), I purchased quite a few of the older range and painted up a portion of them. The limits of the range helped influence my abandonment of the project.
I can already see the sweeping miniature battlefields with these miniatures in my imagination.
Hi Street Gang!
My pleasure, same story here, started with the old RJW range and supplemented with some WW1 and other proxies but decided to go large. I think you will really enjoy this lot when they emerge. Truly comprehensive range and well researched. I think you will find all of the major troop and gun types here as well as some interesting extras.
Out of interest do you plan on using a particular set of rules? I have used Bloody Big Battles with success.
Scott
Scott, many thanks for this. Definitely one high on my to-do list.
I've never been quite able to settle though on whether it would be better suited to skirmish level actions or bigger battles, there's scope for both! Would be interesting to do a linked series of the smaller battles through Liaodong, or a huge Mukden game.
Rule wise, for really low level skirmish stuff the lardies rules Through the Mud and Blood (and their Chain of Command variant of it) could work quite well. For the larger battles BBB as you say has some interesting scenarios, and Great War Spearhead II could potentially work too.
Definitely one for the future :-\
The priest in this range looks useable in any Russian army from the 16th century through to the First World War! Great figure for a command group - just needs another carrying an icon!
Now that we know that Vapnartak is definitely on do you think the new RJW range will be available by then or not ?
No, I'm not starting a new period, just wanting a few packs to add to my RCW units.
While I'm at that subject, can anyone suggest figures to represent the tribal troops that both sides stirred up over in the East ? Usbeks would be one lot but not sure about others until I get back to my references.
Quote from: tony of TTT on 17 November 2022, 07:25:33 PMNow that we know that Vapnartak is definitely on do you think the new RJW range will be available by then or not ?
I'd hope so, once we get past Battleground next week I can focus on getting the production moulds sorted out. There's about 40 moulds needed I think so it's a few weeks worth of moulding.
Hi Leon
Sounds brilliant. I'm not exactly short of stuff to paint but I'm still slowly working my way through stuff I bought when we were last in York. For me, that's almost up to date.
Tony
Hello ToTTT
QuoteWhile I'm at that subject, can anyone suggest figures to represent the tribal troops that both sides stirred up over in the East ? Usbeks would be one lot but not sure about others until I get back to my references.
The only ones I can think of for the Uzbeks would be the WW1 Polish with czapka which sort of looks like the Uzbek cap :-\ .
(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-pp1-n-infantry-in-czapka-advancing-3116-p.jpg)
Otherwise you could go with the fur hatted dismounted cossacks as generic tribals. :) Or use some of the Afghan figures from the Colonial range
(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-nw5-n-afghan-tribesmen-pose-2-2779-p.jpg)
(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-nw4-n-afghan-tribesmen-2778-p.jpg)
(https://files.ekmcdn.com/89204c/images/-n-nw6-n-afghan-tribesmen-command-2780-p.jpg)
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Thanks for that GOM. I'm using some of the Afghan troops in woolly hats already and have some of these sets for another project. They may be a bit archaic though - need to dig out some pictorial references again.
Tony of TTT
That priest will do nicely in my Byzantine baggage.
Delighted to help here! Like you I debate scale for this one. I have collected 28 mm Tsuba for skirmish but this was a war of big battles in the main. Ideally fight as a linked campaign and even bring in naval elements given the nice micro ships out there.
I have toyed with Mud and Blood and can see that working quite well. There is a set of battalion /company level called Ikonki as well via Wargames Vault.
I did a brigade level action a few months back using Bloody Picnic. Worked quite well. Russian victory secured by a dragoon counterattack on a faltering Japanese .
Be keen to see how your project goes!
Scott
quote author=mmcv link=msg=349499 date=1668112317]
Scott, many thanks for this. Definitely one high on my to-do list.
I've never been quite able to settle though on whether it would be better suited to skirmish level actions or bigger battles, there's scope for both! Would be interesting to do a linked series of the smaller battles through Liaodong, or a huge Mukden game.
Rule wise, for really low level skirmish stuff the lardies rules Through the Mud and Blood (and their Chain of Command variant of it) could work quite well. For the larger battles BBB as you say has some interesting scenarios, and Great War Spearhead II could potentially work too.
Definitely one for the future :-\
[/quote]
Tony! Scott here. Phil is working on Chinese ie Chunchu Bandits, foot and mounted. These might afford some additional options for you.
Catch up soon,
Scott
QuoteThanks for that GOM. I'm using some of the Afghan troops in woolly hats already and have some of these sets for another project. They may be a bit archaic though - need to dig out some pictorial references again.
Tony of TTT
We've used If the Lord Spares Us for a lot of WWI gaming for both western front 1914 and 1917/18. It takes a little while to understand the rules, but overall gives a good game, and seems to have that WWI feel.
I'd certainly think it would work for Eastern Front, and probably RCW.
I think it would do reasonably well for the Russo-Japanese War as well
WOW. These are perfect to plug gaps in the WW1 codes I have needed for russian forces and back of beyond gaming... Even if current world events have somewhat curved my interest. These still look excellent!
Not that I need anything else to add to the leadpile of shame...
Quote from: Scott Blair on 30 October 2022, 05:50:56 PM...Out of interest do you plan on using a particular set of rules? I have used Bloody Big Battles with success.
Scott
Scott: I plan to use a non-commercial set I played at a convention called Take Action. They are a one page (front and back) quickplay set intended for WW1. The basic maneuver group is a 4 base battalion with separate command base. I typically play with a couple brigades per side.
I own BBB but never played them, will have to give them a try.
Quote from: streetgang on 27 November 2022, 02:02:19 AMI plan to use a non-commercial set I played at a convention called Take Action.
Quickplay is always alluring. You wouldn't happen to have a copy of those rules you'd care to share, would you?
Hi StreetGang!
Intrigued by the idea of a one page set of rules. Not least for a modern period. If you could share them I suspect that would be much appreciated here.
BBB gives a good game. Gets you to think about how to rate troops. For example do RJW Russians get ragged volley? Should Japanese automatically charge on a roll of double six? BBB also works for early WW1.
Scott
I will reach out to the author and ask if he minds me posting the rules.
Quote from: streetgang on 06 January 2023, 04:29:13 AMI will reach out to the author and ask if he minds me posting the rules.
Thanks!
When is that priest likely to become available? I have a job for him.
QuoteWhen is that priest likely to become available? I have a job for him.
Cat's still think of themselves as gods ;) ;D
Quote from: FierceKitty on 27 January 2023, 05:53:27 AMWhen is that priest likely to become available? I have a job for him.
Should be end of Feb/early March I'd think.
:o I've only just retrieved a bag of Russo Japanese figures and proxies (I bought years ago)from the pile of shame with a view to getting them painted.
Now I find that you're revamping the range which leaves me very conflicted as I'm sad (the older figures are much smaller), happy (because the new figures look to be aiming for a more complete range) and scared (Because I might have to choose between clothes or shiny new toys!).
Quote from: The Baron on 01 March 2023, 10:44:11 PM.....scared (Because I might have to choose between clothes or shiny new toys!).
Don't worry about it, naked wargaming can be fun :D
Quote from: John Cook on 01 March 2023, 11:24:02 PMDon't worry about it, naked wargaming can be fun :D
So long as I have my ornamental codpiece to protect against superglue accidents I should be fine :D
It has also occurred to me that the Japanese infantry could also be used for the Satsuma Rebellion and the "History and Games Lab" have recently published a book on that conflict using "The Men Who Would be Kings" as a basis for gaming.
Quote from: Scott Blair on 14 October 2022, 10:32:16 AMMorning Forum!
First off-loved the snowball quip!
I am the mad ( or sad) man who commissioned this range. It reflects years of interest in this war which some historians are now calling World War Zero. Lots of hints in the conflict of what was to come and it of course laid the way for Pearl Harbour in more ways than one.
It has great scope as a period and when combined with some of the lovely ship models out there from 1/600 Old Glory to 1/6000 Hallmark, and perhaps some of the boardgames out there, you have the makings of great combined arms miniatures campaigns. I favour 1/2400 War Times Journal models. For land battles I have used Bloody Big Battles inspired by the Two Marshals Blog. Bloody Picnic works and am also looking at WW1 Spearhead.
I am really excited and really grateful to Techno for sculpting and to Leon for agreeing to this one.
Ok, some more thoughts.
Can the figures be used for other periods? Definite use for WW1, not least the Russians-and also for RCW. Effectively the same kit and even some of the heavy weapons have later use. For example the M1900 field gun was a reserve weapon in WW1.
Japanese and Russians could see service in the Boxer Rebellion ( and I think that period is on a to do list for Leon somewhere). Japanese could fight Chinese in 1894/95. Russians in what if encounters with Boer War British on the NWF.
And can you use WW1 and other codes to supplement? Yes. The 76.2mm field gun from the Russian WW1 range was the gun which became the main field gun weapon in the RJW and saw a lot of service with the Russians and also, when captured, by the Japanese. So that code can be used with the new range. In addition most of the WW1 and RCW codes are of use. Not least cavalry and cossacks.
As for extras-well-I am a bit of a sad completist.
Techno is now doing-
1. Russian Frontier Guard gunners and mounted.
2. Russian improvised trench mortar and crew.
3. Japanese improvised trench mortar and crew.
4. Japanese assault engineers ( for those Port Arthur moments).
5. Dismounted cossack Madsen LMG and crew (a Danish weapon and the first LMG to see action ever-and still in use by the Brazilian police on drug cartel raids).
6. Japanese with captured Madsen LMG.
7. Mounted and dismounted Chunchu irregulars.
I am also really stunned at the lovely comments from the Forum for a topic that is so off beat but has such great potential. As ever thanks!
No doubt I will ramble on more in due course.....
Scott
Would be great for Back of Beyond scenarios
"Timescales shouldn't be long on this lot as we'd like to have them done and released before the end of the year."
So.....as it's now 6 months later....Hows it going?
Quote from: jaztez on 07 May 2023, 07:12:42 PM"Timescales shouldn't be long on this lot as we'd like to have them done and released before the end of the year."
So.....as it's now 6 months later....Hows it going?
Getting there, the additions to the range added more moulds to the process and then Covid at Christmas and other projects with urgent deadlines got in the way of this range. There's about 10 moulds left to be made, 5 of which are in the moulding room waiting to be done this coming week. I should have another 3 moulds cleaned up on Monday so we'll be almost there by the end of this week.
They'll need spinning / blackwashing / photoing for release, so with two shows over the next two weekends I'll probably have to wait until after Partizan for that.