WIP Cuirassiers 1/72

 More progress on the 1/72 project, another 9 almost completed. 

Cheers

Matt

French Cuirassiers 1/72 Waterloo build part 1

 I volunteered to paint 402 1/72 Cuirassiers for the new Waterloo build in England, so this month I thought I had better complete some more for the build. I am pleasantly surprised at the detail on the Zvezda Cuirassiers, they are excellent to paint too. First 60 completed, clear coat of varnish as soon as it gets warm again. 

Cheers

Matt

Birthday Haul

 Last week was my 55th birthday, as a treat we visited the champagne district of France, we stayed in Épernay then visited a number of champagne house (17), Reims cathedral and Museum and managed three 1814 Napoleonic battle locations. When I returned home I had a number of packages awaiting pick up.

The most exciting was the Old Guard band by Warlord Games, some books on Stalingrad, French Indian war bits, French Waterloo uniforms, American airborne medics in Normandy, six T54 for my ongoing Egyptian project for Yom Kippur war, a new gardening trowel and sone zinnias for my garden. 

Very blessed with great gifts from Vanessa, Allison, Mum, and my mates. 

Cheers

Matt

Napoleonic French casualties

  I have been busy this last week since returning and have managed a number of hours at the desk. First up some 28mm Napoleonic French casualties from old glory and out of ammunition markers. A simple afternoons painting, then basing on warbases dials, ready for General de Brigade or Grand Armee games. 

Cheers

Matt 

VICTOIRES et CONQUÊTES des ARMÈES FRANCAISES 1792 - 1801 book review

A fabulous pick up at a second hand book shop yesterday VICTOIRES et CONQUÊTES des ARMÈES FRANCAISES 1792 - 1801.


96 fabulous Revolutionary French army plates from various artists, some I have never seen before. Particularly some of the Ardennes and Italian campaign. Published in 1898 I think my copy is 1901. 

Cheers

Matt

Napoleonic French Mamelukes of the guard wip 2

 Underway with the painting of my band, a lot more to go on the 12 figures. The miniatures are from Gringo 40s, Another week at least before they get to wash stage. 

Cheers

Matt

Napoleonic French Mamelukes of the Guard WIP 1

 Settling back into the painting desk this week before I need to move it to a new location on the weekend completing lots of WIP and preparing projects for the Summer push. 

First up, I promised Ged at Gringo 40s I would paint his French Guard Mameluke band for display in the next few months, so I thought I had best get cracking. 

First up some research pics to help with motivation, for tunics, kettle drum, drummers, jingling jonnies and trumpets etc, really for my quick reference! Wip progress photos tomorrow as I started last night! 

Cheers

Matt

Valour and Fortitude Napoleonic Game

 Napoleonic Valour & Fortitude

Our second game of valour & fortitude, colour me impressed, we completed a 3 brigade game (2 infantry and 1 cavalry each) in under two hours after set up. 

The rules are simple but do have enough nuances to make it interesting for me, but does get a result. I am loving the speed for morale degradation though the most, the crazy movement distances and interpenetration rules will catch you out if you are not looking for it also. Guns I feel are under powered as per most napoleonic rules, with only 1 die chance on a 4 plus at any distance canister at 18 inches has 2 dice. Otherwise very happy with them considering it is four pages long.

My French mates Philippe and Jean playing French/Nassau vs me. I have my current projects on the table my Prussian and Hanoverian armies.

Philippes Nassauers 

French cavalry fall short when a strategy card is played

counter charge by the Prussian dragoons with free interpenetration of infantry....

Hanoverian line is faltering

 nasty canister does its job and the brigade flee

Hanoverian Brigade breaks and flees

The Victory brew Coreff, Breton beer!

A good night out, we are translating the rules to French over the next  month or so

cheers

Matt