John Hodgson Design Dark Ages/Early Medieval Background Experiments

Having purchased Jon Hodgson, Fantasy Ruins and Tunnels backdrop (A3) from the man himself at Carronade Wargame show 2025 I thought I'd have a go at attempting to take a few snaps of some old Dark Ages/Early Medieval miniatures against the  purchased  Sadly the battery on my camera died, following much use over last weekend and after taking a host of images of painted mini's. The battery strained then died whilst I attempted to use the last morsel of life leaving me with only two pictures. Well, it's a start!

The images have not been Photoshopped except in reducing the size of the files.

I think with a little with enough shuffling, wiggling and fiddling (ooh err!) with the juxtaposition of the miniatures and background there is great scope for bringing the miniatures alive! Now, all I need is a selection of arid and desert type backgrounds and I am going to be in the "zone" as they say. (Maybe I could paint them myself? I am trained in that manner, but I do know that in order to produce the quality Jon Hodgson's little masterpieces, it would take me an awfully long time!)

A couple of images for now:

Carronade Wargame Show, Falkirk, 2025- Part 2- Painting Comp

This is a mini article for Part 2 to the Carronade Wargames show, Falkirk, UK and really all a chance to bask in my own glory for a little while! 

I entered the painting competition run every year at Carronade, Falkirk and entered three entries (all below) which, in the end, all ended up in the same category (a bit weird given the variation in my entries). I can only assume that given to the preponderance of Sci-fi and Fantasy miniatures in the comp (90-95% Sci-fi and Fantasy) not much thought had been given to any potential historical categories. Or perhaps there simply was no need for such categories due to the relative lack of historical entries(?). Maybe this will change by next year. I'm certainly going to have a polite chat and make a few suggestions to the organisers. BTW, I love painting miniatures, and this is a subject is I would feel just as strong about had I come last. 

So, my unit of 12 Early Byzantine (Belisarius, Narses era) won first prize in the Group or Regiment category. at the time of painting I did in fact lavish some time on as, being the Boukellaroi, they were one of the centrepieces of the army. As it happens, they haven't seen the tabletop yet as the rules we play place unrealistic/ahistorical restrictions on the Early Byzantine Boukallaroi! 

Anyway, I was so I was more than happy to have won a prize at all, let alone first prize. 

Well, apart from the piccies, that's it for Carronade 2025. 

All images are "clickable". Just right click then click "Open Image in New Tab" and voilà.

The first three pictures are screenshot from the The Lead Pile YouTube channel. 

My Three Entries All in the Same Category:

Ta Da!The Winning Unit- Belisarius Boukallaroi:

Carronade Wargame Show, Falkirk, 2025- Part 1

It's been well over ten years since I last visited Carronade wargames show at Falkirk of which I have many fond memories including winning a painting comp or two. Or at least getting prizes, as I say, it's been a while. It was my mate who suggested that we go, make a weekend of it and see how things are nowadays- we were not to be disappointed.

In an era, post pandemic, it is seemingly the small and middle shows who seem to have suffered the most. People are less likely to make the trip to a show post SARS CoV 2, a fact we can't ignore, but I think there is more to it and I will touch on that in the following article/stream of wargaming consciousness! 

As a wee note, please forgive me but I cannot names all the games and clubs responsible for putting them on. This is just not as easy as it used to be back in the day when my energy levels were bursting through my skin! Where I could I have taken the time to take a picture of the name of the club so I could cross reference it with the list of games on the Carronade website. any mistakes or omissions are entirely my own fault and do not reflect on the clubs who put these great games together. Rather, look at it as the beginning of my dodderiness! 

NB. All the images are clickable, simply right click then "Open in New tab" and you will get them full file. They have been edited down, mostly to 1600 pixels wide or high, just to keep things from getting silly with loading times etc. 

Years ago I was lucky enough to witness Colin's highly creative "imaginations" wargames at SESWC (Edinburgh Wargames Club). Very "Boys Own" in style with the same fun ethos of the comics. Overall, quite quirky and "out there". This game was no different and was a real treat as well as a being wee burst of nostalgia. I believe Colin, Dave, Andrew and Bill (plus others) now game on their own away from SESWC under the banner of the Gothenburg Gamers. I'll leave out the part where my backpack took out the artists easel displaying the game info! Embarrassing, it was! 

Gothenburg Gamers:

Victorian Undersea Adventure 28mm PP Game

Tyneside Wargames Club:

1st Battle of Polotsk 1812, Russians v Franco Bavarian 15mm Demo Game.

Supreme Littleness Designs:

I did have a rather long conversation with Michael regarding his designs and business, bought  his Desert For Ruins kit for £15 which I am still waiting to appear in the hands of the postman. more on that when I get the model.

Claymore Castings:

Hands down the best Early Hundred Years War miniatures by a royal mile. David and co are also working on expanding their ranges which is fantastic news for me- for so many years I wrote letters, then emails begging my favourite sculptors to produce such and such a Late Medieval range, always to be disappointed. Not so now! I'm going to be working on some Italians or Poles (Bohemians) very soon- I cannot quite make up my mind as to what exactly as I feel spoiled for choice and that is quite rare in Late Medieval wargaming!

Battle of Tewkesbury, The Immortals:

As you might have gleaned form my last words this game was a huge hit for me. It was not just the size, (which was huge!) but the attention to detail, the scope of trying to define the battle etc and, of course, there is the fun of playing in such a beautiful game! One day! "A York! A York!"

Glasgow Games Group

Just seeing the banner let loose a lot of emotion on my part. My very sadly departed mate, Spencer, had a great influence on the G3 Group of gamers. He will always be missed and always in my heart. 

The Grumpy Goblin Wargames Club

What a Wastelander Post Apocolyptic PP Game

Aberdeen Wargames Club:

Sengoku Jidai! What is not to like. I feel Warlord's Hail Caesar's supplements are getting very popular. They stand a good chance of getting more folk into the hobby, so as much as I have a love/hate relationship with Warlord, it's great to see the company influencing folk to try new things. not that for one moment I'm saying Aberdeen Wargames Club are new to the hobby! Far from it!

The Alamo

Targe, Kirriemuie Wargames show, Saturday 1st November:

28mm Samurai Demo Game

When living in Edinburgh, I used to visit this show religiously. It was always great and always a very social event. Yep, I really miss this one too. 

Glasgow and District Wargames Society:

Russo Ottoman War 1768, 28mm PP Game

I did not have time to take pictures of all the games, sorry guys, it's hard to do so and catch up with folk after not seeing some for over a decade!

And finally, one humungous apology to my good friend Colin Spiers who I walked past a few times, didn't recognise him. In the words of Shakespeare, "Shame, shame, and unperdable shame!". I hope you can forgive me Colin, there is nothing i would have liked more than to catch up! If it ever happens again, please poke me in the ribs!