Considering a new 2017 Project – 15mm Pacific War 1879-1884
Leave a commentSeptember 19, 2017 by wargamerchris
This is admittedly one of my sadder, more telling posts. Two months ago, I started this post about how I was considering, but would reject the idea of entering a new gaming period. Then I updated it ten days later, with my sad inject about how I had rather predictably broken down…
Now the first units are done…
I’m working through the initial stages of analysis for the typical get myself into trouble by starting a new period process….
This time the subject is the Pacific War 1879-1884. Chile vs Peru and Bolivia. Why you ask, so here are my reasons – first and foremost a terribly inspiring series of project updates and battle reports from this site – Wargaming for Grown Ups… http://wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com/search/label/Pacific%20War%201879-1884
Nice exposition on sources, period outline and a general sense of the conflict.
The other reasons I’m pondering this:
- The number of forces is relatively low throughout – no 1000 figure collections for this one.
- The nature of the conflict was unsophisticated late 19thC application of weapons and tactics – the experience levels and the variety of units is appealing
- I think I have some suitable figures across the lead inventory – primarily considering ACW, Maximilian, MexAmWar 15mm piles. Most armies wore Kepis, some taller shakos like the French in Crimea, and Gatling guns.
- The terrain varies (Desert and jungle/ littoral?)
- Common terrain and some unit overlap with my Paraguayan Wars 15mm project (which is a fancy way of describing a pile of books and research and a big bag of suitable unapainted figures). Hmmmm – perhaps there is a lesson there about starting new projects…. oh never mind – it’s a hobby.
Update:
I resisted temptation successfully for one whole ten day period…. last night I posted a note to Outpost exploring an order and spent an hour digging through the storage room looking for ACW, MAW, Maximilian, and French FFL bins. You know you have a problem when…. I also ran across a very kind gentleman on TLP who was looking to unload his unpainted guilt as well.
First units came off the line then: Bolivian Infantry
Chilean line infantry:
The Chilean cavalry.
About 35 figures down perhaps 400 to go.
Do you think I could ever do the right thing.