Some minor progress made

 23 December 2023

FINALLY we have had a break in the summer heat that has allowed me a couple of sessions to progress the Bavarian hussars. When I say 'break' I mean it has been below the mid 30'sC in my garage so with a little fortitude some painting time was possible.

This has been the hottest beginning to a summer on record in Brisbane and add the high humidity and regular thunderstorms it has been necessary to spend time in the air-con watching movies rather than painting (or fishing). The swiming pool got to 34C at one stage so it was more like a hot tub!

Anyway here are a couple of pics I have just taken. Other than the heat, the main annoyance and impediment to painting is how quickly the paint dries on the brush. Yes I use a wet pallette and regularly wet the painbrush but the tip still gets clogged with dry paint in about ten minutes. It also makes dry brushing hard because the paint dries so quickly there is none left to brush on the figure - cue much gnashing of teeth! Hence, the white on the figures (not the pelisse which was done weeks ago) takes me over twenty minutes per figure. I have nothing but admiration for those of you who can paint a battalion or a squadron in one sitting. 

Part of my workspace, the brushes have just been washed with soap.

A long way to go yet.

I am so over Google

 I have to give this rant as I have been trying to make blog comments here and on others for nearly two weeks without success. Thank you to those who have commented on my blog and I have enjoyed viewing other gamers blogs BUT for some reason known only to Google, I cannot make any comments other than as 'anonymous'. I can sign into gmail no problems but I cannot 'sign in' to my blog, It is driving me nuts!

I had this problem a while back and fixed it by changing from Firefox to Opera browsers but now the Google gremlins have struck again. As I do not wish to be spied upon by Google I will not use their browser nor that of Microsoft. My normal browser is DuckDuckGo which is fantastic for privacy.

Fortunately, I can still make posts such as this so I am still here and I do read every comment made on my blog - thank you so much for them (especially re the Bavarian Hussars).

There is unlikely to be any more photo updates on my blog until summer is over. As readers know, I paint in my garage for domestic peace and so far this Brisbane summer has been so HOT. Who can paint in 32 degrees C and 80% humidity with sweat dripping into their eyes? Even a fan just moves the heat around (yes that has been the conditions in my garage and no I cannot afford to air condition it). So my Bavarians and French are boxed up, partly painted awaiting autumn (fall for my US/Canadian friends) to be recommenced.

Thanks again for all your helpful comments.

Chris

Vive L'Empreur!

 A quick post to ponder on how many of us would love to have Napoleon's hat added to our games space? I also wonder what other memorabilia (practical - not a canon!) we migh dream of having. 

I do note the nice collection the Perry's have in this Valour and Fortitude video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDg5EuZ6FrU

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/11/20/napolean-hat-auction

Bavarian Hussar horses finally completed

 4 November 2023

It has taken me three weeks but the troopers horses for my Bavarian (actually Perry's French but I am taking some liberties with historical accuracy) Hussars are done. I will be assembling/painting the troopers next and finally, the command base. It has been a while since I have painted this number of cavalry and I was amazed at the time the horses took me and looking at the photo I can't see where all the time went. I so admire you guys out there that can paint like lightening compared to me.

I am on holiday/vacation for a while so the troopers will sit in their box on their sprues until I get back.

4th French line infantry finally completed!

 Hi, 

Another Blogger complaint... for some reason, Google will NOT let me leave comments on other blogs for the past week. I have no idea why, I haven't changed anything but the interwebby gremlins seem to love to stress me out. So to those whom I follow, there have been some great additions - sadly not Napoleonic but some especially great looking artillery. Thanks guys for your inspiration to improve what I do 👍.

I know this has taken me weeks (see previous post) but there has been a lot of other things going on that have detracted from my hobby time. Anyway, I have finally finished my 4th French line infantry figures. Those who are observant (and old like me) may query the grenadiers... well they are 25mm Minifig figures that I painted in the 1970's and were 'orphans' in my collection (I know the uniform may not be 100% time accurate) so I attached them to the 4th to give them a 'home'. I had to double base the 25mm Minifigs to make them look OK with the Perry's 28mm. As I was adding two bases of  grenadiers I took the liberty of not having a base of voltigeurs... they are apparently off sampling the local wines for the regiment.

As I am limited to a 6' x 4' gaming table, I work to a scale where a regiment is represented by 24 - 36 figures.

I am also working on my storage and movement trays. I am making them more appealing by 'landscaping' them rather than just being painted MDF. I will post a picture of my first effort (for this unit) when it is finished in a day or so for feedback.

The following regimental history comes from: https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/c_frenchinf1.html

Regimental war record

1791: Expedition to Saint-Dominique
1795: Mannheim
1796: Mantoue, Castiglione, Verone, Primolano, La Brenta, Caldiero, Arcole, Tagliemento
1798: Expedition to the Iles Saint-Marcouf
1800: Engen, Moeskirch, Memmingen and Hohenlinden
1805: Ulm and Austerlitz
1806: Jena
1807: Eylau, Heilsberg and the capture of Koenigsberg
1809: Eckmuhl, Aspern, Essling and Wagram
1812: Smolensk, Valoutina, La Moskowa and Krasnoe
1813: Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau
1814: Brienne, La Rothiere, Monterau and Troyes
1815: Ligny

Battle Honours

Arcole 1796, Hohenlinden 1800, Jena 1806 and Wagram 1809

As you can see, the regiment served in most of the French Napoleonic campaigns with distinction.

Next Project - Bavarian hussars.

Movement/storage tray

As mentioned above, this is my first effort at a 'landscaped' movement trray. I rather like it.

First company of French Perry's fusiliers (almost) done

 12 September 2023

Seems like ages but the first company of the 'in the pipeline' pile of plastic figures is done except for finalising the base which I will do when the regiment is finished. They are (obviously) French line fusiliers on campaign. 

One of the things that distresses me when I take the photos is that the figures can be enlarged and I see every fault and lack of skill which drives me nuts!! I am sure everyone else can relate to that.

That said, on the wargames table they look adequate (I hope).

In the pipeline August 2023

I thought I might indulge myself and post here what I have planned between now and the end of the year (hopefully). By others standards this will seem minute but this old pensioner has a lot going on and I am lucky if I get an hour a day to model, let alone a day to play a game!

So here goes and yes, these are all plastic. The cost of getting metal figures in bulk to Australia is beyond me sadly.

1 Box of Perry's French infantry

To be painted as French for a change. I have 'orphan' Hinchliffe Chausseurs and Grenadiers that need line companies to make up the regiment.

1Box of Perry's French Hussars 

To be painted as Bavarian hussars. One good thing about 1812 on hussars from all nation is that their dress was basically similar.

1 Box Victrix French foot artillery

I will paint one of the gun and crew as Bavarian (using a head swap) and the other two guns as French. I cannot identify if the Irish legion, Nassau or the Swiss had artillery in their units.

1 Packet Victrix Bavarian infantry

I will paint some as a line battalion and some as light to go with my HaT Bavarians.

I will update the blog as I go along.

29 August

French infantry ready for undercoating. I have been comparing Vallejo filler with liquid green stuff. Green stuff shrinks a lot more but is easier to apply so I will use a mixture of both in future depending on the figure. I will also be using Army Painter light grey primer.

Yes, those are wine bottle caps, have to look after the local industry - or that is my excuse!

Close up

Perry's French Heavy Cavalry Generals

 14 August 2023

I have just finished these lovely figures from Perry's 28mm metal range. I have been inspired by my fellow bloggers who have done some lovely command vignettes to do something with my French cavalry command. On reflection, I would have painted one as a Carabinier general but that is hindsight. I am looking forward to having them 'on the table'.

I know there are 'faults' in the paining but every time I try to fix one I create another. It is so frustrating not having the best eyesight and steady hands. How surgeons do micro surgery is amazing to me.

French line foot artillery

 21 July 2023

Finished my Perry's French 28mm line foot artillery. I have tried to make them look a bit worn from campaigning. I can't wait to get them on the tabletop!

Give away

 GIVE AWAY

These plastic HO figures were purchased in England in the mid 1970's. I no longer have any use for them and, as EBay now has very intrusive requirements to sell products I am happy to give these away to a good home. Please note, it is all to one person as I am paying the freight.

If you would like to add these to your collection (I am not into ancients, I thought I might but then life took over and I barely have enough time for Napoleonics) please email me your address - aussiechris1952@gmail.com. I also have some sprues that came with Wargames Illustrated that I will add.

29 July 2023

Well I am amazed, not one taker as of today, amazing.

Chris

Berg Lancer finished

 14 July 2023

Finished my Berg lancer, I am quite happy with it and the casting was excellent from Tradition.

The French line artillery piece is nearly finished, waiting on nuln oil to arrive for the metal parts. The crew have had a basic coating but a lot of detail work to be done then its on to another box of Perry's French infantry and a metal command piece.

Berg Lacer 1812

 Begun my next project - a Berg Lancer of the Guard. As followers know, I like the more obscure units of the Grande Armee and I have been wanting to paint one of these for a while. The basis is a Polish Lancer figure from Tradition who's uniform is essentially identical (except for colours) as the Berg Lancer. I did consider the more colourful Chevau-Legers but all that pink and white was a bit much. One has to wonder what Murat was thinking of when he chose the colours!

This is a good history of the units early period: https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/Berg/c_BergLancer.html

Later info is available here: https://www.goonhammer.com/goonhammer-historicals-unit-focus-berg-lancers/

Image from the web

Basic painting stage - about 1 hours work.

 

About half way there, the black wash needs toning down. The sabre and lance will be added last.

Rear view

As a side job while painting the lancer, I have this 28mm Perry's French 6lb cannon and crew primed.

HaT Bavarians finally completed

19 June 2023

My HaT Bavarians are finally finished as the 6th line infantry regiment Herzog-Wilhelm. There has been so much else going on in my life for the past few months, getting these finished seems like an achievement. I think you will agree that they are quite acceptable en masse. As getting flags from GMB can take time and is expensive for just one flag set with postage, the flags here were printed on photo paper from a download.

I always find other hobbyists workplace interesting so I have added mine, nicely cleaned up for the next project. It is in my garage and competes with garden and car stuff for space.

Capture the farmhouse wargame

Trying out Perry's Fortitude and Valour rules in a solo game.

 

I finally got some time to have a game and try out the Fortitude and Valour rules which are freely available from the Perry Miniatures website (highly recommended) https://www.perry-miniatures.com/?v=6cc98ba2045f

Given I only have a 6x4' game mat and playing with 28mm figures I viewed the game as a part of a larger campaign where the Austrians were attacking and had to capture the two river crossings (bridge and ford) as well as the farmhouse.

Initial positions

The Austrians concentrated their cavalry with infantry support on the ford while their main infantry column attempted to seize the bridge and then the (Sarissa) farmhouse. I found the fate cared system in the rules ideal for solo gaming as it throws in the element of 'unknown'.  The Austrians commenced with their artillery firing on the Swiss regiment moving to defend the bridge. If I have one minor 'gripe' with the rules is that artillery fire is not covered in any detail. As you can see, the French have two howitzers but I had to make up the rules for howitzer shells. The French artillery responded as soon as the Austrians came into range.

The Austrians advance

The Austrian advance went very well aided by good dice throws and fate card draws

The Austrians capture the bridge under heavy fire

 

 

 

 

 

The French and Swiss rake the Austrians with skirmisher fire.

Meanwhile, Austrian grenadiers attempt to seize the river ford opposed by French infantry and lancers

The battle rages with reinforcements coming .

The battle at the bridge intensifies with a powerful Austrian infantry column

Austrian cavalry support the grenadiers, will the French hold?

The Austrians break through at the bridge

The fighting is intense BUT the dice were not on the French side this day. Under artillery fire from the Austrians, the French broke at the ford enabling the Austrian heavy cavalry to outflank the farmhouse and the day belonged to them.