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.