Readers of this diary will be aware that there is a strict adherence to the 'one true scale' as revealed in Little Wars. A doctrinal deviation, however, is permissible in nautical matters, as 25/28mm models are deployed - and the 1/1200 scale is deployed for the campaign moves. This has been a feature of the series of FLW games called the 'Herrring Wars' which is an imaginary series of Baltic battles in the Oscarian period (pre-dreadnought) which runs and runs and runs...
The Gustavian campaign follows this pattern. The Skerries, coast and rivers are the backdrop to the Cabinet War, and therefore small squadrons are required. They will reappear in a 'War of 1812' game with a change of flags.
I was fortunate to find a couple of beautiful kits on the usual auction source, from the excellent Laser Dream Works. The completed models are here, which will be the Swedish and Russian flagships. The model has a foam hull and laser cut wooden parts. It was a real joy to build. It will be crewed by the Britannia range figures - which have a suitably robust feel about them. The Russian archipelago frigate St Nikolai is pictured below - an inspiration for the Russian ship. Note that the model and original can be powered by oars as well as sail.
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| Image from the Finland Maritime museum Svensksund exhibition |
For the 1/1200 ships there is the supremely lovely Langton range - and all the actual Gustavian Baltic ships are available. It is always a pleasure to receive these models - exquisite.
Each squadron will have a sailing ship and galleys - which form the coastal or Skerry fleet - under the command of the Swedish Army and the Russian Navy respectively. The Galleys will be the next task.
Of course, the really great international figure of this period is F.H. Af Chapman, the naval architect of Gustav III. This book has been a real inspiration.
There is a lot of model making and painting in the coming months to complete...