Ancient Hawaiians

Chugging along into summer and still battling away at my endless horde of projects yet realized. While I'm finishing off colonial Italians/Ethiopians, I finally got around to basing these Bloodaxe miniatures ancient Hawaiians. 

I've started a few projects originally as DBA armies but always seem to chicken out and base them however I see fit. I did purchase the DBA 3.3 rulebook and it's quite a useful and informative resource. Finally had a chance to put out this amazing volcano piece which I purchased second hand from Noble Knight. Very cool piece, which came in a set of two, tip of the Mahiole (Hawaiian feather helmet) to the original artist.

One historical quibble I had was with another painter who named there DBA Eureka army as King Kamehameha's army (the army was painted very well-better than these!). Historically this does not jive with the period which DBA covers as Kamehameha was active in late 1700's to early 1800's. According to author Neil Dukas, a DBA army might be better modeled around a chief from Kalaunuiohuas War of c.1480-1500. Useless historical note, but now you know! The Eureka miniatures are very sharp looking but none were available for purchase in the States at the time of this post.

I'd like to eventually make or source some rules to play a skirmish battle with these ancient Hawaiians. If you made rules, mana, not the wizardy kind, and battlefield sacrifices, would definitely have to play a part. I based four nobles per base, these were elite troops who used long spears like pikes and wore brightly colored feather capes. Command bases feature a chief, retainer, and priest with the stone idols lofted overhead. Troops consist of mostly club wielders, but I figured in-game rules these units would throw spears as well.

Keep rolling 
-15mm Dieter

Moro Patrol

Going back to the jungle again for a different American counterinsurgency campaign, Philippines 1902-1913. In the aftermath of total victory in the Spanish-American War, US forces fight a low intensity war with the native Moro people of the southern Philippines, attempting to impose tax regulations and to disarm the warlike Moros. At first glance, this campaign pitting pre-doughboy US troops against brave Muslim warriors fighting with swords and spears might seem like the typical colonial wargame, and well, maybe it is, but it's at least unique.

Miniatures by Bloodaxe (Historifigs), who offer several different made to order 15mm lines in a few unique periods/settings. These miniatures are lead free pewter, a fact I appreciate now that my eldest little rascal has taken an interest in my tabletop happenings. These specific miniatures are chunky but seem to scale well with other 15mm. We'll take a look at the U.S. troops, Filipino constabularies, and Moro warriors below.

I started this project with ten stands per side but have enjoyed them so much that it's expanding. As usual, these projects tend to grow during the process. In regards to terrain & scenics, I was able to make a smooth transition carrying over from my last project in the jungles of Vietnam 1968 to Progression era Philippines, saving myself a little time/effort/money. The part that is most exciting is the ruleset, Moro Patrol, that I'm currently working on. I may post these rules in the near future as a file share if anyone might be interested.

My favorite subset from this series is definitely the Philippine Constabulary, sporting loin cloths and slouch hats. They are molded with rifles sans bayonets which look better than the US troop offerings. I based one US army officer with the constabularies, the rank and file representing the stalwart non-Moro Filipinos who enlisted in the American officered Constabulary, whilst the officer represents a Yank officer employed by the constabularies.

The regular US army troops are standard fare, bedrolls, rifles with bayonets, and campaign hats. These guys are rather dull save for the officer with pistol but I do appreciate that they have sculpted period burly moustaches! I cut down a few of the rifles to make them shotguns, which were popular with US army troopers in the Moro conflict. Added bonus with these miniatures is they could conceivably be used for a Spanish-American War scenario as well. The Moro are fairly standard as well, spears, rifles, or old muskets, close combat machetes (barong), and a ululating chief. A few Kris wielding swordsmen would have been a nice addition. The machete troops can be upgraded in Moro Patrol to Juramentado, jihadist die-hards who gain a significant melee bonus and who will charge enemy stands whilst braving withering gunfire.

Philippine Constabulary

U.S. Army Regulars

Moro warband

The combat system for this game is predicated on jungle fighting and siege combat. The Moros held Cotta forts, well defended clay mud citadels often dotted with trenches, where the Moro Datu (chiefs) usually made a last stand. I've yet to 3D print an appropriate fort but that will certainly feature in a upcoming battle report. US forces have an MG and mountain cannon at their disposal, firing more accurately & frequently. The Moro have better melee attacks with spears which can be thrown a short distance or used in close combat.

Juramentados on the attack

Keep Rolling those Crits...

-15mm Dieter