"help with command bases" Topic

So its about time I had a general for my army. I'm doing waterloo, and the usual suspects will no doubt feature. I'd like to do some staff, so maybe have wellington and an adc on the same base etc. Looking at the mont-saint-jean site, ADC's just look like a normal bloke in a tricorn. But the various command sets have a bit more variety, even including Hussars or other cavalry. Are there any 'rules' around what an ADC should look like ? Or could it just be any officer ? Even Cavalry ? Does epaulet/sash colour matter?

-I realise this maybe a very ignorant question, but I have posted it in the the getting started section, so please bear with me.

That'll be 'bicornes' and not 'tricornes'.

And, yes, mix the guys up, not all staff wore the same uniform.

Sorry bicorn. But what can I mix up? Any officer at all ?

Some rules call for the ADC to be on separate bases to be able to transfer orders. I use any cavalry officer for them. I have been told and some manufacturers do it the ADCs have an arm band on their left arm..

In the British Army there was a standard uniform for an ADC as shown on the Monte Sainte Jean site. However, many officers wore their regimental uniforms especially with cavalry commanders. If you look elsewhere on the Monte Sainte Jean site you will find examples alongside the appropriate commander.

In the French Army there was also a standard uniform which included the armband (on the left arm) which Larry R refers to. They were blue for a general de brigade, red for a general de division and white for a marshal or commander in chief. All were trimmed with gold. Many French ADCs simply added the appropriate armband to their regimental uniform.

Many manufacturers do ADCs. In 28mm the best come from Perrys, Brigade Games and Front Rank.

Hope that helps.

Thanks that does help yes.

If I may ask a more specific question, I'm not really doing Waterloo, I'm doing a couple of divisions from Waterloo. Hollywood style. Most generals come in packs, foundry do one for £27.00 GBP ! So I'm going to end up with too many generals. If I took say General Chase from perry (who looks like an adc to my eyes) and painted him like an adc, would it look really wrong to someone who knows what they are talking about ?

link

Or an even more specific question what's the cheapest way of getting a general and 2 brigade commanders and an adc each for British and french, and 1 Prussian brigade commander ?

(Ideally including nosey and boney not waving their hats in the the air like they just don't care 😉)

General Chasse could be a starting point but you would have to carve away the right hand epaulette and do a smart painting job on the lace etc.

To get the figures you want I would go to the Perrys, Calpe and Front Rank. Though Perry and Calpe figures come in sets Front Rank are individual figures. By a combination you should be able to purchase the minimal numbers required. One Calpe Prussian command set will give you a brigade commander and his staff.

Thanks for responding. The only Calpe Prussian command figures I can find are 25mm, would that be too small ? Is there something I'm missing ?

Front rank would be great for Wellington and Napoleon and some others, but everyone is waving their hat about like a loon. One I can cope with but not all of them.

Calpe are 'large' 25mm i.e. they are really 28mm. They can share a table if not a unit with other makes and are excellent figures.

To avoid the 'wavers' it looks like you will have to mix and match. I recommend the Perry Napoleon set and the Front Rank Wellington figure.

Thanks, calpe look great. Anyone have links to their different commands? There's only one on the site.

So, to make ADC, British, take officer, remove right epaulette. Maybe paint a Aiguillette? (I notice on msj, some have both epaulettes)

French, take officer, paint left armband.

How hard can that be :-)

The removal of the right epaulette will depend on the figure you use (in this case General Chasse). Why not use the Front Rank ADC figure. Job done!

yep I will do, but they only do 2 ADC's and I need at least 3. And a few standing about might look good too. Filing plastic victrix officers is easy. Chasse might be harder I'll do him last. I'm going to Partizan next week so I'll look around there to.