The War of 1812 or Bogavanians.

 I have long admired the American uniforms from the War of 1812. Having read, in my early teens, a 1970s Airfix magazine, Gerry Embleton, article on Airfix Collectors series conversions of such figures inspired an early interest. For this reason, quite a few years ago I included some of them in an order from Armies in Plastic. However, I did not get around to painting them until today, when I undercoated 24 of them. My aim is to have them based and painted by Thursday, to use in a 'battle against dinosaurs! You heard that right, but if you are a regular reader of this blog nothing much should surprise you.

  The uniform of the American regular infantry looked a lot like a blue and white version of the British uniforms (except the British in America, at this time, generally wore soft peak-less caps. The leather shakoes worn by the Americans had the same shape as the British Napoleonic shakoes but the front section is slightly higher. (American regular riflemen and a number of militia had, instead, the more French style Bell-topped or cylindrical shakoes).

  Some variations of color included an all white fatigue uniform, a grey one and the dark blue tailed coat with white trousers. (Just as an aside, it occurs to me that white uniforms on campaign would appear filthy however, my troops will probably be spick and span). Anyway, I have enough AIP figures to do at least two units and my first one will have the blue coats. When I do a second I might decide to do the grey coats.

  Incidentally, the blue appears to be a very dark blue. Initially the troops had red cuffs and collars but these were abolished in favor of all blue. One reference I saw had them with bright green backpacks and another brown. 'US' was in the middle of the packs on a white oval. Unfortunately, the AIP figures don't have packs and I am not about to convert 24 figures to have them within two days.

  Now, why will they be fighting dinosaurs? Why not? No, 'seriously', they will double as Bogavanians. The Bogavanians have been doing some modernising of some troops to have rather neat and practical uniforms as well as flintlock muskets. (Other forces still include plate armored knights and there are heroes and generals who still insist on wearing armor, including plate or just breast plates and helmets. 

  The predominant color of Bogavanian uniforms is dark to medium blue currently with tailed coats. The current headwear style includes the the tricorne and the shako. For this reason I shall be using American Revolution troops as well as the War of 1812 ones (if I finish them in time).

A combined Fezian and Bogavanian force has just landed on the large, Dinosaur Island (also called Primordia). One unit of Fezian infantry and a group of sailors, involuntarily, 'landed' early, after their ship was sunk by a white whale. They are at half strength. The rest of the expedition landed at a quiet bay. They had seen one of the fleet, in the distance, sinking beneath the waves. Now they were searching for the survivors. Strange, bestial trumpetings could be heard in the dense forest. The men were now following very large animal tracks. Whatever it was it had barged aside trees and vegetation. The men studied the immense footprints and shuddered.

  However, they might be only in slight danger of direct attack as the large creatures in the immediate area are plant eaters. However, the behemoths could, inadvertently squash them, or they could be spooked or fearful of attack, especially if they have young, and charge the soldiers.

  RULES

 We shall use a combination of the 1980s 'Tusk' rules and Warhammer fantasy. The beasts will have tables for random reactions.

  OTHER THEATRES

  So far the Beersteiners on Skull Island have not encountered King Kong (one of a long line of gigantic apes all of that name. They are actually a specially alien bred mutation of Giganticus. The particular example made famous for his being brought captive to America was particularly large but the one the Beersteiners may meet is large enough). So far the Beersteiners have to contend with just a few Stone Age natives. Secretly, the men had hoped the natives would fall grovelling in the dust and calling them gods. The priest would have been shocked at such blasphemy. He would be just as upset to learn the natives called only Kong God.