New project

Given that I already have a 1812-1814 French infantry brigade (see here), I have decided to paint another one. This is the quickest route towards mustering a division I could wargame with.

The first brigade was using the Calpe miniatures 'route marche' range. Out of the 96 miniatures I painted, there were over 50 different poses. Such a wide range of miniatures... call if Calpe madness, I think this is amazing :)

Since then, the 'march attack' range has been added. And it got even more crazy. I will have 96 different miniatures in my 96-strong brigade! There are even more available, but I'll stick with four 24-men battalions. And if I still have energy in the end, I will add the 'tete de colonne' vignettes.

I've ordered the first 24 fusiliers. As usual, little flash and strong bayonets. I only spotted one moulding issue: a half missing pompom, which will easily get fixed using green stuff.

I've decided to compare Perry vs Calpe size, in case it interests anyone. I had a Perry NCO in greatcoat in hand and used it in the comparison. See for yourself:

Calpe left, Perry right

Calpe left, Perry right

Calpe left, Perry right

Height is similar. Maybe an extra mm for the Calpe. But Calpe is definitely thicker - I find the Perry more realistic, but the details are crispier on the Calpe. Also, I think the Calpe rifles look great!

This may well keep me busy for the rest of 2016. Oh and yes, I still have my four Cuirassiers regiments to base! (see here)

Horse artillery battery, 1815

Here is a horse artillery battery to complement the 13th Cavalry division. In 1815 it was four 6-pounders and two howitzers strong. At the 1:2 ratio (General de Brigade rules) this makes 3 guns. I have added a limber.

All miniatures are Perry. Bases by Warbases. Guns are based on 60x80mm bases, the limber on a 50x180mm base: this looks right, plus it allows the limber to be right behind the battery! This was prime, painted and based between late January and mid April.

In theory there should been 6 horse for a horse artillery limber, but the Perry Miniatures set comes with 4. Oh well, that saved some time!

13th Cavalry Division (completed)

Having the command stands done, it is time for a few group photos. In advance, I apologise for the poor light and backdrop - it is not easy to picture a large formation!

The first Brigade (to the left) consists of the 1st and 4th Cuirassier regiments, and the second Brigade (to the right) of the 7th and 12th cuirassiers. Each are commanded by a General de Brigade.

In the front left is the Division commander; and marshal Ney leads the charge (as he did on the 18th of June 1815!).

These were painted between September 2014 and December 2015... not as fast as hoped, but I did not give up! In the next months I should work on a horse artillery to attach to the Division.

Happy new year 2016 to all readers (as rare as they may be :-p)

 

Heavy Division command

Here is the commander of the 13th (heavy) cavalry division, lieutenant-general Pierre Watier. I attached him an Aide-de-Camp and a trumpeter from the 12th Cuirassier regiment.

As always in the project, these are Perry Miniatures (metal), painted in November 2015.

 They are based on a 75mm circular base from warbases.co.uk.

I am quite pleased with how this lot turned up. I wanted my command stand to be painted last and with extra care.

I ordered a pack of standing cuirassiers just to get the horse I wanted for my trumpeter - I'll find a way to use the spare parts later!

 So these should wrap up the heavy cavalry division project...

 

or so they should have. I could not resist adding a charging Marechal Ney vignette! I have got to say, this set was a delight to paint and I gave it all my attention. Perry  miniatures of course, painted in December 2015. The sculpts are above the (already high) average Perry quality - the only downside was a moulding issue on AdC Heymes face (the officer in red) which I fixed as well as I could. This must be the highest standard of painting I have achieved to date, it was worth saving it for the end of this project!

 

13th Division, 2nd Brigade

With the 7th and 12th regiments done, all that was left to complete the Brigade was a command stand. Here is General Travers and his aide de camp (ADC).

The ADC is a modified officer, on a trooper horse. As I had no uniform reference, I took an artistic license...

Here are some views of the completed Brigade. It is a small Brigade with only 4 squadrons. The 12th (pink facing) is to the left, the 7th (yellow) to the right.

All Perry miniatures (and all metals), painted between late May and early November 2015. Flags by GMB designs. Bases by Warbases. As in the 1st Brigade, I allowed 25mm frontage per horse.

I will base all the Division at the same time to get a uniform rendering across all units.

7th Cuirassier, part 3

And here is the 7th Cuirassier completed! In 1815 it totalled 180 men for 2 squadrons. At 1:20 ratio, that makes 9 miniatures. That is the smallest cuirassier regiment in the French army at that date.

Colonel Richardot does not seem very happy to be photographed!