Beer & Pretzels Ironclads flashback

Back in 2011 I had the privilege of visiting Historicon, held at that time in Philadelphia. I was hosted by a gentleman called Eric whom I had met on US Army exchange and found we had kindred spirits in terms of sense of humor and hobby! Eric kindly put me up for the week and we went to the worlds largest wargames show, Historicon. We spent  four days with the Philadelphia Rogues wargames group hosting a number of games. Eric and myself hosted four games of Beer and Pretzels Ironclads by Buck Surdu. The rules are for 1/600 scale boats, is simple, fast play and enormous fun. As the name suggests that beer is a suitable accompaniment to the game! Eric provided the scenery and his vast collection of Thoroughbred Figures Ironclads. These ships are pewter and are of exquisite quality and detail.

Beer and Pretzels Ironclads by Buck Surdu, available from Old Glory

One of the games is recorded by a fellow blogger whom I remember as being a really good sport, his review can be found as this link. https://misternizz.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/historicon-2011-first-day-second-day/

One of the 2011 Historicon Games, probably up the Yazoo river.

The game scales up well with other scales, in fact on the closing night of Historicon the Philadelphia Rogues held a very large and spectacular drunken ACW battle (shows are way more fun in the USA!) in 15mm using Fire and Fury rules for the ground element and 15mm scale Ironclads by Old Glory using Beer and Pretzels Ironclads. As the confederate Admiral I was soundly whipped by the Union.

15mm drunken Fire & Fury with Beer and Pretzels Ironclads is not for the feint hearted.


Following Historicon I had acquired by own fleet of 1/600 scale Ironclads by Mr Peter Pig and spend most of my emergency on call shifts during the 2012 London Olympic games painting them in the office. Peter Pigs range is excellent value for money and covers the whole variety of the ships from that period, they scale well with Thoroughbred's offerings. I also stumbled upon Terrain Mat  (  http://www.terrainmat.com/ )who make excellent coastal mats and terrain. This game took a hammering over 2012 and 2013, looking back they really were fun games to play so I may dig the collection out again for a long overdue airing.

Armies on Parade 2 - The Continental Army

Part 2 of Armies on Parade is the other major protagonist of the American War of Independence, the Continental Army and Militia.

The collection as with the British/Loyalist force was started on the release of the Perry Twins AWI range whilst at the Foundry. These figures offered a respite from the endless regiments of scarlet being churned out with a proliferation of many uniform styles and color combinations. As you can see from the photo above, the army is much smaller that the British collection, this is now a focus to build up line Regiments as well as skirmishers to match.

The Spirit of '76 by Fife & Drum miniatures

Philadelphia Light horseman vignette converted from Eureka Miniatures French Revolutionary Range.

Continental Artillery, a mixture of Perry and Foundry miniatures.

24 Pdr Cannon siege train by Perry Miniatures. These can also be used with the British forces dependent on the scenario thankfully as the uniforms are 'undress' and generic. 

The Philadelphia Light Horse, possibly my most favorite unit for a number of reasons; chiefly due to ancestral founder member of the unit who served in the AWI and the fact the unit still survives and maintains its elite qualities and traditions to this present day as part of the National Guard. Figures by Foundry.

George Washington himself, alongside the Colours of the Continental Army. Figures by Foundry and Wargames Illustrated from the 'Moments in History' range. The beagles are based on a pair that a good friend of mine maintains!

New York Regiment, figures by Foundry.

The Pennsylvania Line.

 Webbs Additional Regiment. Built from a chance find from the flea market at Historicon in 2011. Figures by Old Glory and Foundry.

Militia Minutemen, by Foundry.