Wednesday 22 October 2014

Off to Copenhagen & DffCon 2014

My latest in a series of Command stands for the collection.
This time Swedish General Simon Helmfelt.

After months of preparations, nibbling away at a huge lead pile and subsequent numerous play tests of our different “Lund 1676” scenarios, it’s finally time.
The bags are packed, tickets ready and Friday we’re off to Copenhagen and DffCon 2014.

I want to thank all the readers from around the World, who have been following this project as it grew. What started as a small skirmish game venture between fellow blogger and wargamer Michael and myself, later morphed into the largest battalion based miniatures project I’ve ever painted. 

The battle of Lund took place north of the city,
where a few small hills command the field. One of them
is the "Gallow Hill". So, of course I had to paint these two unfortunates.
Notice the magistrate's death sentence nailed to the beam on the right.

A big thanks also goes out to fellow project painters: Thomas from Denmark, Jesper from our club in Stockholm and of course Michael for getting me into this period. We’ve all pitched in to build what is an amazing looking collection in 28mm, with great labour and attention paid to historical correctness of uniforms and flags.

This brings me to the Danish flags. A special thanks goes out to Peter Smith, for taking on the work of making us a historically researched and immensely beautiful Scanian War flag sheet. These flags are the icing on the cake. 

What is a battlefield with out debris - human debris.
Gave these a thick brush of earth pigment as a finish.
Wanted them to look like trampled infantry or crashed cavalry.

When I started my Scanian War collection I decided to go almost completely with the range from Warfare Miniatures. It was the largest on the market, and had all the diversity and animation I was looking for. What I didn’t know at the time was that Warfare Miniatures’ owner, Barry Hilton, also had a huge interest in Scandinavia history with predominance on the Great Northern War. This common interest and Michael’s and my Scanian War project, quickly turned into a collaboration and friendship.

A model of the shipbuilding district "Holmen", 
Copenhagen harbor 18th century. The model can be seen at 
the Royal Danish Navy Museum.

So I’m very proud to announce that we will be carrying Warfare Miniatures, flags and even some of the acclaimed Donnybrook rulebooks with us to Copenhagen for sale at the DffCon show. Anyone attending the show can drop by our table for a look at our painted collection battling it out for the fate of Scandinavia, and if inspired buy their own miniatures and get started on their Scanian War or Great Northern War collection.

Copenhagen at its finest. Nyhavn - first build by Christian V, 
the ruling Danish king during the Scanian War.

The venue for DffCon is the old Royal Danish Armory building inside the old city centre of Copenhagen. With such a central located site, the weekend will also offer us opportunities to drop by the Royal Danish Navy Museum and Rosenborg Castle. 

Classic Danish Smørrebrød. 
Bon appetit!

After sights seeing, visiting museums and a day throwing dice at the wargaming table, I hope to offer my Swedish travel companions a first rate gourmet experience in Danish food culture – a dish of the traditional “Smørrebrød” (Open Sandwiches).

Perhaps lesser known to the World than Danish pastry, but oh so good and best-enjoyed when washed down with plenty of Danish pilsner beer and perhaps even one or two schnaps! 

Thank you very much for reading!

26 comments:

  1. Yet another wonderful commander for this project. The gallow and casualties are superb as well.

    Have a great time in Copenhagen, and remember to take lots of pictures of your game and all the others. I wish I could join you but alas ...

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    1. Thanks Jonas! We had a very nice weekend, took a heap of pictures, ate plenty of smørrebrød and even visited Christiania for a quick peak at the local culture.
      All will be posted and accounted soon, that's a promise.

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  2. Its been a interesting project to follow and hope the games goes well.
    And remember to take pictures...

    Cheers/ Jonas

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    1. Thanks Jonas, it has been very encouraging to see the interest not only at the show in Copenhagen, but also here on the blog. Thanks for your support!

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  3. Another great job on the Swedish commander. Seeing the gallows set brings back memories ,I remember painting that gallows set for a chap many years ago, for an ECW collection, yours looks great. Interesting topic all round and enjoy your time at Copenhagen

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    1. Thanks Chris! yeah, of course we needed a Gallow hill, and I've had this blister laying around for ages. Lund was a perfect excuse to get it on the painting table! More on Copenhagen soon.

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  4. Absolutely beautiful work on that command stand and I love the detail on the gallows - great stuff.

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    1. Cheers Michael, and thanks for your continued support while this project have been under way.

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  5. Excellent work once again! Love the gallows...so realistic! Great looking command stand...

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    1. Phil, I sincerely thank you for your adamant support here on the blog, it has been a source of motivation to keep the project going to the finish line!

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  6. Once more, you have created another striking command stand. What an interesting project on a conflict I knew nothing about until following your project.

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    1. Well Jonathan, I'm happy to have introduced you to this key conflict in Scandinavia, and further very thankful for your support while the project have been going forward. Thanks for all the reads and comments!

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  7. Yet another beautiful looking stand! Enjoy the event I'm sure it will be great!

    Christopher

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    1. Hi Chris, it was very cool to game in the same armory room where many of the units we painted were actually equipped before going to war. I'll be back soon with pics and a short account on our weekend in Copenhagen. Thanks for the interest!

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  8. Have a great time and we look forward to hearing about it...
    Cheers
    Alan

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    1. Thanks Alan - Like I said to Christopher it was an amazing feeling to game in those historic halls. Pics on the way!

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  9. Excellent additions again to your ever growing collection. Enjoy the show!

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    1. Thanks M! After a real sprint before Copenhagen it will be nice to paint something else for a change, but I'm probably going to keep the collection growing after a little break. The great gaming we had in Copenhagen have spurred further motivation for sure.

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  10. Great post!! I love the wounded and the figures that are being hung. Did they not pay there taxes?? lol!!! Have a great weekend and take plenty of pictures!!! See you after my trip to Turkey!

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    1. Cheers Mark, it was a shame that you were not able to come along, but we'll be sure to arrange a Scanian War game at the club sometime soon. With all the minis Michael, Jesper, Thomas and I managed to finished it made quite an impression in 28 mm.

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  11. Greate paint work Sören!

    1:st day in copenhagen was indeedvery nice, smorebrod, beer, and much walking and some realy nice museums. Today we are of for the DFFCON it Will be realy nice!

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    1. Thank buddy - I'm just happy that you, a first class gentleman and natural Dalecarlian, survived the outlandish conditions in Denmark, the local food and the visit to Christiania ;0) Now we look forward to some great Lion Rampant games!

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  12. Great looking command stand and casualties (as well as gallows). I love seeing historical museum displays - and that one is exceptional. BTW, I had to look up that dish on Google - buttered bread? tasty looking. Best, Dean

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    1. You'd love it Dean - its a all year classic. I even managed to get two Swedes to eat it, and that is a real seal of quality! Thanks for your support during this painting project!

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  13. Thankyou for writing this interessting summary Sören and great paintwork.I wish I wouldn´t got the fever because I was really looking forward visiting the DFFCON. Perhaps I can visit this inspirational convent next year!!!

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    1. Peter, we were all sorry you missed the show, it would have been great to see you there for a game. There will be another convention in March, and I think we will also be going to Lincon in Sweden. So, plenty of future chances for a game :0)

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