18mm Napoleonics, the Revenge Of

As always with these blogs (it seems to me) I am inclined to open with an apology as to my absence due to real life etc etc… although that is again true.  However, I've had a week off to organise my life, and I've indulged myself in getting back to some serious painting.  Once again, it's been like re-learning the process, unearthing the knowledge and so on but it's been increasingly pleasurable to do so.  I know the last post was about 20mm Modern, but I've felt a pang to return to my first love, so here are some of the results of that.  A regiment of Legere and some chasseurs en tirailleur, plus some French and Saxon casualty/status markers.  As per normal, basing has been neglected in favour of getting the painting out of the way, and because basing is my least favourite activity.  Next on the table is a three battalion Ligne regiment, but don't bet on that actually being the next thing I paint. 

The latest Legere in their finished glory…maybe the 26e?  Why not.  I had fun doing some variations in epaulettes/plumes/distinctions on the elite companies, and made a conscious choice for the voltigeurs to have busbies as their regimental affectation, because why not?

More of the same.  I also gave each battalion's chasseurs different pom poms just for some variation, rather than doing individual company pom poms for each. 

Saxon casualty/status markers.  Those freshly based Austrian guns in the background will perhaps be the cause of these being employed on the tabletop one day! 

French version of the same.  I didn't do cheesy blood on many of the figures, although the chap in the brown trousers on the right I did take the time to do some splatter for; not that it can be discerned very well here.

The final French casualty markers (for now as there are others including cavalry versions).  A mixture of modern AFVs in the background - perhaps the fusilier on his knees is clapping his hand to his head in astonishment!

Iraqi Republican Guard - 20mm Modern

More progress, all still from Elheim.  I have actually finished the 2003 US Infantry Platoon in desert fatigues, but packed them away without photographing them (d'oh) as they're being moved to a new location.  I threw in a bit of variation in terms of the odd figure having DPM helmet covers or pieces of clothing.  As soon as I can I'll put the US infantry up, including the HUMINT team in post 2003 ACU uniforms.  In the meantime, here are some of the Republican Guard figures I completed, along with helicopter pilots/crew in ACU.

Republican Guard commander plus bodyguards escorting a Baath party member.  

Command team including a marksman armed with Dragunov SVD.

US helicopter pilots and crew chief in ACU. 

New Year, New Project

Naturally at the end of 2014 I was seduced by a brand new project.  I am still a massive fan of Empress Miniatures' 28mm Modern figures having purchased the entire British range, however I came across Elheim's 20mm Modern range and new I had to have some…  In addition to which I acquired a wealth of 1/72 vehicles and helos from a variety of manufacturers to support this latest rush of blood to the head.  At the moment I am putting together 2003 era US Army with Bradley IFV, M113 APC and M1A1 Abrams to support.  Ranged against them are Iraqi regulars/RG and Fedayeen backed by BMP-1, T-55, and T-72 AFVs.  I'm also working on 2003 USMC and SF groups.  In the pipeline I have a load of insurgent figures for post 2003 IZ and AFPAK, and US Army and USMC in 2004 - 2011 uniforms.  There are also quite a few CH-47, CH-46, and UH variant kits knocking about the place.  For now, here are my initial attempts at different camouflage, as I'm learning by doing on this era.  My 18mm Napoleonics have not been forgotten, and will be getting some love in 2015. 

Elheim US Army in IBA, with undercoated AFVs in the background.  This shows the stages that they go through to become the finished product.  In order to facilitate that, I am also not, repeat not, doing laters of highlights, on the camouflage and equipment, it's mostly one tone stuff.

And here is the more or less finished product, but not based.  I was reasonably pleased with the results!

USN DEVGRU Operators in the initial stage of me doing an attempt at some kind of MARPAT digicam impression.

And later on after I'd chocolate chipped my way through the other colours.  Important lessons were learned from doing this team, which will hopefully assist me in completing the others.

Back to Black

After a six month absence, I'm finally back in the UK.  I look forward to getting my hands on my paintbrushes once again!

A Little 1809 Affair - Empire V

I was fortunate enough to find the time to have quick game of Empire V before I depart.  Unfortunately none of the miniatures are based, and I had to use some that were only undercoated or even bare metal, but it was still a good time.  In a relatively restricted space, we played out two hours of fighting, which was enough to reach a reasonable conclusion after the French cleared the orchard and captured the farm.  Casualties were relatively even until the closing stages when a desperate Austrian cavalry attack overran multiple French guns and a line infantry battalion only to be crushed by the countercharges. 

56e Ligne captures the farm and tries to drive the 2nd Bn/Nr. 13 Wallachich Illyrian Grenz back in a firefight that went on for over an hour. 

The Young Guard stands ready in reserve in the centre.  They did nothing, but they did form squares when the distant Nr.3 Erzherzog Ferdinand Hussars grew tired of being bombarded and overran 4th Division's artillery despite heavy casualties. 

General de Division Boudet directs the movement of his infantry as the supporting brigades move up towards the orchard/wood.  The blurry 3e Legere on the right suffered heavily in multiple attacks on a determined Nr. 1 Jaeger Battalion lining the edge of the trees.  The supporting 2e Ligne outflanked the position, its 1er Bn covering itself in glory, routing Jaegers, Landwehr and then clearing the wood by driving out some Grenz in a firefight.  General de Brigade Fririon certainly earned some laurels at the head of the battalion, and suffered a minor wound in the closing stages.  

18mm Napoleonic Update - 1809 Project

So it's been some time etc etc. But seriously, 2014 has just been flying by, and real life has conspired to rob me of time for my wargaming/painting pursuits.  The worst is that I'm about to go away for six months, and will have no access to my many miniatures staunchly awaiting their uniforms and grassy pedestals.  I'll have to re-learn how to paint all over again! Still, I did manage a little burst early in the year, so here's a little evidence of that, which I hope you enjoy.  All figures by AB miniatures.

Austrians en masse.  

 Franco-Allied contingent. 

Two of what will be eight Grenadier Battalions.  They are specific, I just can't remember which! Let's say Scovaud and Puteani from Merville's Brigade, why not.  Nr .3 Erzherzog Ferrdinand Hussars to the rear. 

 Nr. 13 Wallach-Illyrian Grenz, Nr. 2 Mahr Freiwilliger Battalion (in a Vienna Woods scheme, because I preferred a bit of brown and red to more white and grey), Nr. 4 Vincent Chevaulegers, Nr. 1 Kaiser and Nr. 6 Liechtenstein Kurassiers. 

 One of the MANY Austrian artillery batteries, in this case a 6pdr Brigade Battery. 

 IR Nr. 22 'Koburg', screened by Jaegers.  

 The same Regiment, with IR Nr. 44 'Bellegarde' to the rear.

Infantry in greatcoats. They could be any unit, but I think I had it in mind for them to represent  26e Legere.  18e Ligne to the rear, with some sappers.  

 One 12pdr and one 6pdr Foot Artillery Battery. 

 26e Legere again. 

The Young Guard Tirailleur-Grenadiers and Tirailleur-Voltigeurs with skirmishers to the fore, commanders swirling around, and the IV Corps Cavalry to the rear.  

I've got many, many more that are waiting to be based or are undercoated and waiting for attention.  Real life has a way of getting involved all too often sadly.  I also recently bought a load of miniatures to represent one of the Saxon divisions with attached cavalry, but who wants to see a load of bare metal affixed to bases? I hope to get one more post in before I go away, so until then. 

Progress update on the way.

Between a busy time at work and the festive season I haven't had it in the forefront of my mind to post any updates on here, but I'll be taking some photos of the painting that I have managed to get done in the next week or so.