SHaT1984 | 02 Mar 2020 9:37 p.m. PST |
My army has been neglected a good while and many units suffered a reorganisation that, well, never quite stopped or was completed. This included entire units (24 figures infantry; 12+ cavalry; artillery 6-8 figures plus guns) and sometimes additional stands or companies. So the past year has been busy completing what was necessary and what was desirable. Some recent parades of 'veterans' new to the tables: flickr.com/photos/45265598@N00/albums/72157712795454336 I'll gradually add the back catalogue and try to keep up to date with additions ;-) regards davew |
cavcrazy | 03 Mar 2020 12:23 p.m. PST |
Beautiful. I love Minifigs, they have a toy soldier quality that I really appreciate ,something that you don't get from other figures. |
Bobgnar | 03 Mar 2020 1:32 p.m. PST |
Ditto to "cavcrazy." I have about 10,000 of these organized for Column, Line and Square, but sadly not as well done as those of SHaT1984, those are gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing the engineers done up. |
79thPA | 04 Mar 2020 10:08 a.m. PST |
Mine were certainly never that nice either. |
Marc the plastics fan | 04 Mar 2020 2:07 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 04 Mar 2020 5:52 p.m. PST |
Aww shucks you guys…. Back in 2011 I wrote in a private group "How my army marches without its' Marshall I'll never know! I also listed ToDos- "…then theres La Garde Mk 2, CaCheval in campaign dress; Mamelukes squadron; unpainted Dragoons (1806- anyway) ; reconstruct GaCheval; 2nd Carabiniers (more GaC figs in bearskin of course)." Well surprise, same today! Except another unit of dragoons, the 9th, was completed 2019. At least for the rest they've moved up the schedule, as I 'complete' the troops, mandatory commanders come along. The Marshal Soult is dressing (along w Mal Bessieres); escort squadron of CaCheval coming; GaCheval reviewed and under 'repair/ reuniformed'; Mamelukes WIP; 2nd Carabiniers will become first regiment in surtout (sorry for full dress GaCheval uniforms!). >>they have a toy soldier quality… Awww man, it was their 'untoylike' animation- good for the 70's that made them mine. The only other maker, Hinchliffe, were too lanky and flaky for my liking*. I distinctly never appreciated Britains 54mm 'Toy Soldiers' in glossy paint. >>Looking forward to seeing the engineers done up. Ohh gawd, now I'm being hijacked! Can I do the pontoniers first? They are 75% completed anyway! Anyway just to say I appreciate the comments. My photos are recent because I've had to arrange my ToDo List in graphical/ dbase fashion, hence records, as I made so many figure/ model decisions in past (like over a decade perhaps) but those decisions have been lost in the mists of time (and aging memory), regards davew *However I had opportunity in '90s to inherit a partly done 'Allied' army of later (models- the chunky ones) Hinchliffe, and this too was slowly enhanced. Also up for completion. ;-) |
SHaT1984 | 09 Apr 2020 9:49 p.m. PST |
In an historic update, I've added some research material to my Military History album, found here: link Maréchal Berthier, S.A.I., Chef de l'etat Major-Generale will be happy to show you around. A few select slides (scanned) to start. We will have to get the big machine out to do more later. Regards and enjoy, davew Auckland-NZ ++++ |
SHaT1984 | 12 Apr 2020 9:59 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 15 May 2020 4:01 p.m. PST |
IV Corps d'Armée 3rd Division (Legrand) Album: tinyurl.com/y9xholm3 Recently decided to catalogue existing command structure as my 'Army Corps' develops and post them. As these have existed for a decade or more, the 3rd Division is complete in detail as much as I have information available. All the figures represent an actual named person, or known to exist if the name isn't known. Overview of staff-
and some close ups with detail modelling notes-
by DaveW, on Flickr.
Others to follow shortly. davew |
mysteron | 16 May 2020 2:21 a.m. PST |
Those are lovely .You must be a skilled painter to get old figures finished like you do. |
SHaT1984 | 18 May 2020 2:35 a.m. PST |
IV Corps d'Armée 3rd Division (Legrand) Album: tinyurl.com/y9xholm3 A small follow up on the 'General' and his Etat-Major now appear in detail. -To come the Generals de Brigade and some units to follow. GDV Legrand*
Etat-Major
Also posted this today, Revoutionary fuslier or grenadier 1798-1805 for a discussion about French uniforms and 'piping' in the History Album: link
IMG_4600_©dww 1984-2020 by DaveW, on Flickr Thanks for looking, feel free to comment, regards davew |
SHaT1984 | 18 May 2020 3:27 a.m. PST |
@ mysteron Thanks for the comment. I've had my moments when everything has fallen into place and some good looking stuff has come off. Other times, and particularly now, I'm struggling to achieve what I could when eyesight was better. I've learned through modelling various things that you do need to go for the 'mass' effect sometimes- where tiny detail doesn't matter as much as the 'overall' look of something. Some of the models are showing wear and tear, others mechanical defects show up like the patchy overspray- some models were almost ruined by blotchy matt varnish forming clumps and these linger on some as bright white specs. Some have turned 'yellowish'; Others are just 'dusty' from being in storage areas a bit too long. However I'm completing new units and rehab a very few important ones trying to complete the 'basic' Army corps I'm modelling. Regards davew |
mysteron | 18 May 2020 6:07 a.m. PST |
Those are looking good. I think you have hit the nail on the head .The most important thing is how they look on the table battlefeild. Your figures look very good to me and keep it going. Regards |
SHaT1984 | 30 May 2020 7:05 p.m. PST |
Added a couple of illustrative pictures, more to follow on the commanders theme. You've probably seen the thread on Discussions. Here's the 14eme with a pale tan/ grey kinda mix (and yes sometimes this is a mistake* that looks ok), but it adds variety to avoid blandness.
and in contrast 18eme de ligne voltigeurs with or without equipment (usually these are NCO's):
IMG_4365_18e deligne volts |
SHaT1984 | 30 May 2020 9:07 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 01 Jul 2020 4:31 p.m. PST |
In a better late than never update (where did June go?), posted elsewhere was: "Recently the former artillery Capitaine Couin had but one company of artillery to manage. However 2019 saw a second company being added to strengthen my Garde Imperiale Division, so Couin received a repaint and 'promotion' to Major-Commandant of the corps."
. and
."TMP link Yes this photo reminds me I have not yet 'corrected' the sabretache! More photo's to follow, regards, davew |
SHaT1984 | 02 Jul 2020 4:26 a.m. PST |
The full combat group on the site- the only 'modern' term I allow applied to designate battle units that had independent commanders- of the 1er Escadron of Artillerie Legere (Garde Impperiale). Here's a close up of the first battery (compagnie):
IMG_4530 by DaveW, on Flickr . cheers d |
SHaT1984 | 12 Jul 2020 6:47 p.m. PST |
Uploads today bring more on the artillery theme- this time two Divisional batteries and the active portion of my 'Artillerie Parc' and general supply train.
IMG_4552_ 14e Cie 5eRegt d'Art a Pied (3eme Dv)
IMG_4547. Most of these were modified, painted and based over 20 years ago. As stated, the gunners and train drivers are mostly Spanish models wearing bicornes, some French artillery bodies modified with change to 'bicorne' heads to add variety.
IMG_4562_Corps Artillerie ParcLastly a lonely 36th regiment de ligne from St.Hillaires *2nd Brigade (GBD Thiébault) was completed earlier this year. Again painted a long time ago, only the 'elites' have been added to complete the two battalions.
IMG_4533_36e de ligne complete 2020© by DaveW, on Flickr *While the 3rd Division is modelled in customised 'bicorne' models, the 1st Division is entirely modelled in shako with minimal decorations. |
SHaT1984 | 14 Jul 2020 10:03 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 01 Aug 2020 5:36 p.m. PST |
Due to /nostalgia/ just created a further catalogue of armies/ gaming figures over on flic.kr/s/aHsmPLTcdG . Enjoy the history~ davew |
SHaT1984 | 16 Aug 2020 11:23 p.m. PST |
Back to the French- a sunny day allowed me to matt spray protection on these that had been completed during July and early August. These are the lead photos, more on the site. 1] A completed 3eme Regiment de Ligne- rather than showing the few figures completed, heres the entire 3 battalions:
IMG_4749_sm 3eme Regt de Ligne (complete)2] A completed battalion- 2e/ 14e Regiment de Line- this time 8 fusiliers in shakos (as dumbed down for early type as I can) with 4 refurbed to make colours 'match' and all rebased:
IMG_4750_2 bon 14e de ligne Fusliers3] A renewed paint-job/ blast from the past- 1970's Mameluks de la garde imperiale, a small unit but still larger than the 'company' they really should be. 8 figures, all custom dress and no Aigle or Entendard, as required for 1805.
IMG_4733_sm Mameluks 1805 by DaveW, on Flickr . Enjoy the history, cheers davew |
SHaT1984 | 17 Aug 2020 3:52 p.m. PST |
And in an embarrassing fakenews story takedown, here's the right stuff…
---- In an historic update, I've added some research material to my Military History album, found here:
Berthier_ Marshal and Major-General _Empire France_55 Album by DaveW, on Flickr Maréchal Berthier, S.A.I., Chef de l'etat Major-Generale will be happy to show you around. A few select slides (scanned) to start. We will have to get the big machine out to do more later. Regards and enjoy, davew
|
SHaT1984 | 10 Sep 2020 10:34 p.m. PST |
Updater: Overdue because of modelling delays and more critical, two breakages in close proximity. Thus one horse on this base had to be completely replaced. Finally seeing light of day is General Paul Thiébault and his two ADC's, and yes one was an unplaced 'Adjoint' so appears in his regular uniform. This means his 2nd Brigade is now complete, albeit the 14th Regiment de Ligne is awaiting award of it's Eagles and standards very soon! Two pics to show the detail, though I'm miffed that the varnish again has turned out with a sheen. I suspect the can may have been too close to the target! I will try to correct this over coming Summer. Other projects coming along more slowly with duller Winter weather interferring with my painting time.
IMG_4797_sm GBD Thiebault 1805 2e Bd_02 by DaveW, on Flickr. regards and stay safe- there're enemies out there and you never know who! d |
Lets party with Cossacks | 10 Sep 2020 11:54 p.m. PST |
Terrific collection! Minifigs are timeless. ADCs are very nicely done. |
SHaT1984 | 11 Sep 2020 3:13 p.m. PST |
Coss many thanks. |
SHaT1984 | 12 Sep 2020 5:51 p.m. PST |
Another Marshal: A long in the tooth paint job from the mid-eighties, Marshal Ney (depicted on a roan horse), with incorrect blue horse sadllewear- (I call it the 'campaign dress'). From the time when gaming with single figures sufficed as a command element, he needs an update with ADC's one day. Two pics:
IMG_4571_Minifigs Mal Ney 1985_sm by DaveW, on Flickr cheers d |
SHaT1984 | 05 Oct 2020 10:38 p.m. PST |
Just for the sake of keeping current- the only truly completed element that qualifies- a stand of French Revolutionary fusliers/Grenadiers to augment the adapatability of my early Empire army. These were sample figures and just needed for a recent game. Shown here with the command stand of the same regiment completed earlier this year. I'll admit I'm not happy with my drummer as I rushed through the prep and painting and he may need to 'grow up' sometime later!
IMG_4864_sm 3eme Demi-Brigade de ligneThe Minifigs unfortunately quite brittle, one bayonet suffered in transit and another succumbed during painting. Hence big wads of CA sitting about the two left intact. The game in question, rule testing play around, just a glimpse with the 3e Demi-Brigade deployed in l'ordre-mixte formation (the 3eme bon in line!) being charged by Austrian cav! (Yes thats my 11e Chasseurs counter-charging their flank however).
IMG_4860 by DaveW, on Flickr. |
SHaT1984 | 17 Jan 2021 6:22 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 17 Jan 2021 6:59 p.m. PST |
|
Marulaz1 | 18 Jan 2021 2:28 p.m. PST |
Thank you for all these photos. It was great fun checking all this out. John |
SHaT1984 | 19 Jan 2021 4:22 p.m. PST |
@Marulaz1 Welcome! :-0 Sorry they're not 'grand' photos, but I feel better doing something ahowing than nothing at all and putting them in storage. More to come over next few weeks I'm sure… |
SHaT1984 | 25 Jan 2021 9:49 p.m. PST |
|
pbishop12 | 27 Jan 2021 10:39 p.m. PST |
Now that was a trip down memory lane. Started my wargaming life in the 70's with Minifigs. In the 80's I visited Peter Gilder's holiday center and gradually switched over to Connoissuer, then other. Unfortunately, I shed my minifigs and I'm now down to some sappers, engineers, wagons and British waggoneers. I recall getting frustrated with Minifig horses breaking tails, or bayonets easily snapping off. Could be the rough handling I gave them. Still, seeing these makes me yearn for bygone years. Should have kept them. |
SHaT1984 | 28 Jan 2021 4:17 p.m. PST |
Hi and thanks for comments. Yes they are that vintage (literally!) and I'm still beavering away with 'upgrading' some older ones too. Have broken a few tails but their easiest replaced with a bit of clean Milliput moulding and a repaint; or sometimes can get away with a file/ pin and CA repair. My 8th Hussars have about 50% (battle) damaged so they will come up later this year. Bayonets well I've largely given up on those, the muskets are just too small to reconnect. Hence my attampt to 'protect' these Guard Chasseurs in attack pose- they have most damaged over time. Which is why I added other figure poses to the unit. regards d |
SHaT1984 | 06 Apr 2021 4:52 p.m. PST |
Well because I haven't turned out anything lately, but progress is being made behind the scenes. Here's a view of what I expect will become my General-en-Chef one day, certainly this year…
IMG_4070_sm 4eC E-M WIP . by DaveW, on Flickr. A mock-up or 'proposed' basing of the Marshal Soult and his Etat-Major including his Aides de Camp, but not other 'staff'. They will get their own bases as I have done inside the 'Divisions' structure. Done a year ago I place this on record as I progress painting slowly and deliberately toward his appearance at the head of IVCorps. All MiniFigs of course, some modified (Austrians) and others painted 20+ years ago! That's a circular beer mat brought all the way from the UK [1984!], supporting a 'strengthening' flat (almost) steel plate from a speciality cheese container, given the base will have to hold perhaps 5-6 mounted figures! Texturing will be provided by 'Polyfilla' ;-) cheers davew |
SHaT1984 | 09 Apr 2021 6:08 p.m. PST |
Oh why not, if you can't finish anything… well, the elites are back… or did they ever go away? Modified figures for a more 'accurate' depiction in the field than full dress dandies ;-) . "Long time resurgence of a famous unit being (re)worked on piecemeal while main projects see completion."
IMG_4344_b_project. cheers d |
SHaT1984 | 15 May 2021 4:49 a.m. PST |
While work continues in the backblocks of suburbia, now and again a creation reaches critical mass and must be born! So having left frustration with details of a large regiment (well its two battalions) I moved on, side stepped actually, to a slightly easier target to fulfill- the General! In fact, two of them. I made this time and a first for me, both a mounted and dismounted version of the same general and his ADCs. So in moving toward completion of Soults entire First Division at last, this is General de brigade Morand (Cmdt. LoH 0604) and his two ADCs- Chef de bon Lagarde and a younger brother- Capt Morand. He was just 34 at the battle, two years younger than Napoleon but had been a General since 1800.
IMG_5325_sm General de brigade Morand. Another view showing detail of the downed horse so common in Napoleonic battles. It was a model that had been completed but broke after mounting due to fractures in the lead legs, not mishandling. Although I've 'hidden' the damage in the terrain I chose not to represent any actual damage to the horse.
IMG_5326_sm General de brigade Morand. by DaveW, on Flickr. I matched models uniforms between the types as much as I could. You may recognise the dismounted General Morand as actually their 'Ney' figure. I could have removed all the gold lace and frills but I decided just to paint out the detail and gave him a 'refreshing' undress style habit, with his LoH of course. A couple of observations when you want to get models 'out'- the horses need their blazes added, and poor Morands sabre should be a lot shinier than it is! And I'd thought I'd filed off all the 'moulding' edges from hats, but the drummer below appears to have his! Damn close-ups! Observed in the background above you will note an artillery battery. That too started many years ago and had lain idle since, as I constructed most of my artillery wearing bicornes. As they'd worn an effusive colurful 1810 style uniform I toned it down to the basics, with some variations amongst the men. Both officer and drummer are typical of the 'Corps' however. This set was specifically to attend the true to kind 'elites' of Oudinots Grenadier Reserve Division. As the Division was 'known' for its use of shakos, I see no reason that the attached artillery would also not have failed to adopt them. hence my first 'new army' shako wearing artillerymen (à pied) in over 20 years! A horse artillery peloton (half company) is also due.
IMG_5298_sm-1er Regt Art á pied- 1er cie by DaveW, on Flickr. Although this one is plain I'll add further photos of the artillery company, that goes with the train released back in January, tomorrow. Trust you enjoy them, regards davew ≠≠≠ ≠≠≠ |
SHaT1984 | 15 May 2021 9:32 p.m. PST |
|
SHaT1984 | 16 May 2021 10:10 p.m. PST |
Addendum: The colours didn't really come out in the above photo so here's a version with flash on.
IMG_5307_1-1Regt Art a Pied_Rsv Gren Div 1805_©dww_2021. The red facings slightly differ, the blue habits and breeches are highlighted for wear and tear, and gaiters both black and white with brass buttons are worn. At the same time I've reduced the shako cords to a minimal effect. ~d |
MarbotsChasseurs | 18 May 2021 6:03 a.m. PST |
Dave, I like the command base for General Morand. When did the facings on the collar and cuffs change from red to blue for generals? I have seen a mounted portrait of the general, but I can't make out the color of his sash so not sure what year it depicts, but I like how your army is turning out! I just received information from Frederic Berjaud on the 10e Legere from an VI to X. Do you need any help with the names of officers? Michael |
SHaT1984 | 18 May 2021 5:41 p.m. PST |
Mike, I'd like to say red was still regulation in '99/00 and changed a bit thereafter. I need to check Malibran before naming a date tho! I looked at it (generals dress) and decided I'd use 'artistic license', as he's 'only' a GBD, that his uniform was less than sassy. I used red cuffs once in the 3rd Division as well. Morand appears to be quite a well balanced individual who did his duty, looked after his men and was both competent and courageous. I have an hypothesis on 'sashes' as rank marks insignia. [Early on] They used the tricolour sash; seems they were folded as to colours needed to be shown; and a C-in-C had all three visible. Other Generals showed red/white or blue/white as appropriate. With 'standardisation' of insignia under both Consulate and Empire, and 'uniform' manufacture even more defined, the sashes became more gold than coloured, and the coloured silk threads varied somewhat. I detected a change in the 'blue' from national to sky or medium blue, so quite a variety shows. of course the Marshals/ C-in-C 'army commander has least contrast of all- gold and white silk, so hardest of all to decipher yet of course minor compared to other insignia they wore anyway. 'His' regiment (he'd been CdB/ Colonel) the 10e Legere is taking form TMP link The WIP pic of command groups (potential- not all will be selected) I posted on other thread, shows some customised figures and distinguishing features to represent a uniform period hardly documented, as I noted.
IMG_5234_10e Legere_sm-on Flickr. I'd certainly be interested in reading on the men of the regiment, though I'm not delving too deep! Certainly I make all my Porte-Aigles Sergent-Majors etc. regards dave |
SHaT1984 | 19 May 2021 4:00 a.m. PST |
>>When did the facings on the collar and cuffs change from red to blue for generals? Well, the question is- did they? A review of Malibran shows the 1803 decrees on all military things going into the forthcoming 'Empire', in fact reinforces the red upright collar, and the red 'square' cuffs, both with appropriate embroidered lace in full dress. He then navigates the 'second' dress, campaign dress, simple etc. but no further mention of the faings, except for more or less embroidered lace compared to the full dress and ceremonial format. Do you have any suggestions to counter this? regards d |
MarbotsChasseurs | 19 May 2021 11:30 a.m. PST |
Dave, General uniforms are not my area of interest but have seen so many portraits showing the blue-collar and cuffs, I wanted to know when it changed over. With all portraits, they can be repainted and things changed from an earlier date, so hard to date correctly. Here is General de Brigade Claude-Joseph Buget, who lost his right hand at the Battle of Friedland 1807 wearing the red collar and cuffs. So this would date the portrait to at least the latter half of 1807 or early 1808 most likely.
However, we also have a portrait of General Debilly who was killed in 1806 in Davout's 3rd Corps. Either the portrait was painted after his death, or maybe like all uniforms they were worn until out of service?
Anyways enjoying your project. Ps. the 10e Legere has every Nco from Sergent-major through caporal listed with first and last name around 570 total for the years of VI-X. |
SHaT1984 | 20 May 2021 1:34 a.m. PST |
>>General uniforms are not my area of interest but have seen so many portraits showing the blue-collar and cuffs, I wanted to know when it changed over. Technically, no such 'change'. I've re-read Malibran in detail, also dragged out Rousellot etc. Full dress, as per Buget; petite-tenue as per Debilly; often seen in portraits is a simple 'frac' of all blue with very minor edging of embroidery on front, collar and cuff edges. The amount of lace embroidery varied by role and rank:- CinCs extra large and doubled collar and cuffs; GDV just doubled same; GBD single. Did the simpler forms follow this dictum? Who's to say? Several extant uniforms have been critiqued for compliance, trouble is they have been Marshals and the like. When I painted Morand then I've got less than the prescribed lace, and an 'undress' (petite uniforme) form of chapeau, however I'm happy to leave him that way. What I haven't depicted on any generals YET are the 'regulation' full dress plumes á chapeau. I need to do some current ones properly! However, apaprt from unifrome illustrators- where do we ever see them depicted? Nice hunting… cheers d |
MarbotsChasseurs | 20 May 2021 4:28 a.m. PST |
Dave, I appreciate the response! Glad to learn some new information. I like my generals in the petit tenue and my ADC to have plumes as I never have liked all the blumes Murat wore. The simple frac uniform with blue pants and black chapeau with a little gold embroidery always looks best in my opinion. Well done, keep up the good work. Michael |
SHaT1984 | 20 May 2021 5:02 p.m. PST |
Thanks Mike, I'm honoured to receive your input and thoughts. Having forgotten so much since my hayday of painting, you are very much also improving my 're-knowledge' base! On Debilly- lets get to it- I'd say that is very much a post-death portrait, because attributes don't appear to 'sit' with early Empire form:: - he was a GDB and the embroidery is too large; it is also in the form worn by a GDV, but without the second layer (outside the existing) which is why the cuffs 'blue' shows so much. - the epaulettes appear 'too Russian'- that is they are drawn like metalic framed bases, not soft hemispherical fringe base they should be. - the epaulettes also show what appears to be a single, but double sized silver star- whereas a GBD of course had two, about a cm across. >>The simple frac uniform with blue pants… Surprise! Actually blue breeches were 'full mounted dress' according to the 1803 regs (with full boots/ bottes)! However, cited 'in emulation of the Empereurs uniform', the nankin or linen breeches were almost universally adopted very soon. Dismounted dress called for linen breeches and short boots, which quickly found favour as the 'mounted' dress as above. So blue coat, blue breeches is actually the correct full mounted dress. Yes I'm not a huge Murat fan either, but the 'panache' was used quite distinctively and I've given a few, more to come. Where I'd settled on one OOB and one marshal, I find my position compromised, as Davout has joined the right flank and there are other 'senior' generals 'pres de l'empereur'. cheers d |
SHaT1984 | 19 Aug 2021 2:34 a.m. PST |
Only becaise it's been a few months__ My army has been neglected a good while and many units suffered a reorganisation that, well, never quite stopped or was completed. To quote my opening paragraph from March 2020 as a resident updater and reporter on events in my 25/28mm gaming armies. Like the associated 'Allied' thread, there's been much happening but not so much reporting. This Winter seems harsher than last year with less sunshine (daylight) for painting and increased avoidance of straining eyesight too much. Whilst I have swayed back and forth on various issues, I've tried to stay true to the core principles I'd laboured on for some time- getting units finished and battle ready; improving the outdated knowledge and updating such units or elements that I considered needed 'improvements'. Thus whilst I eschwed the Garde Imperiale, I embraced the line corps. Where I'd completed a ton of cavalry, I reverted to filling the infantry to precision. Thus I've covered two Divisions, completed the greatest proportions of formations with elite companies, and finalising the last hurdle (I thought) of the lead brigade and legere regiment. For all but the last, I've swayed sideways to gradually bring to fruition units that I created new masters for and a number of customisations two decades ago. In the enduring search for knowledge, various other issues raised their disruptive powers. Whilst my 'core' was Soults IVth Corps; Davout showed his colours and I realised the much more significant impact he'd had on the Battle of Austerlitz AND his contribution to success- mostly unrecognised. Thus was born my new project, aka 'The Right Wing'. Another disruption was the clarity of the Light Cavalty Division attached to Soults Corps at camp and all of the campaign. Like much of the line cavalry it was used aggressively and at will from high command as a probe and a shield at various times. On the day of battle two units had been shorn away, whilst the other two were held in reserve immediately behind the infantry line of control posts, and as a flanking reconnaisance outlier. So although I'd modelled the Division completely, it wasn't used that way. The 16th Chasseurs had been brigaded since September under Milhaud, with an equally elite unit, the 22e Chasseurs- a regiment of much history and military panache that saw many generals and senior cavalry commanders coming from its ranks, including Bessieres and Lasalle. Hence, I decided that this full brigade also deserves a showing. As these events occurred it was also clear that I had been a little misguided thinking I could create an 'enemy' that consisted of just the Austrians army. Again since about 1998 I've worked with WF figures building various formations, still like the French, incomplete. Thus it came to pass that to represent the Autrians in the best light, I had to include some Russian corps with whom they were mixed. Thereby creating more work for myself, and seeking the knowledge of yet another army, greater understanding and finding answers to questions I hadn't yet asked. All these 'diversions' have taken me further than anticipated in my 'Grand Plan' of 1989 or whenever it was to complete the IVth Corps d' Armée; 5 years after my research trip to France and Western Europe and coming home loaded with reference works, compilations and an enduring love and enthusiasm of the country and its life force. At the same time I'd changed jobs due to a work accident, and hadn't yet come to terms with that and a reliable income, and losing my veteran of WWII father to emphesema I'm not sure I was that balanced then to commit to such a project. Well the diversions have taken me along different roads, slowed some projects down and equally thrust other incomplete issues in my face. So the projects multiply slowly, while I customise figures as best I can and seek the 'extra' that makes visual elemts rewarding. I've even bought some small basic 'complete' units to add quickly to an army built upon gaming scenarios and controversy- engineers/ sappers and a small pontoon train; ad-hoc elements and an all important command structure- the last at a 1:1 scale for all known command elements. So, without recent photos, and I still do not know what has changed that has severed my digital network in the last month, I will provide some updates as soon as 'completion' in a brighter, sunnier light and warmth springs up, hopefully soon. cheers dave |
SHaT1984 | 03 Oct 2021 4:56 p.m. PST |
Just as a teaser really, this work-in-progress 'side-project' from July-21 was among the 'staff' that I've diligently been working on side by side with actual battle units over the last year or so. Much research went into defining an individual as there wasn't a clear 'book' on what he wore, except ceremonial dress which is completely inappropriate anyway. Despite requests to identify 'les Grandés Personages' in major period artworks, I had to nail down my own hypotheses and work from there (GDV- ADC General Rapp of course being an obvious exception @Austerlitz). So again an Austrian General becomes a Frenchman, with customisations of putty, thread and paintwork. So the man behind the man. I chose to give him the 'regulation' dress (as GDV Hulot also is illustrated in) as that makes him stand out amongst all the others, and a plainer style schabraque as well. GDV Duroc- Grande Marshal du Palais etc. and co-commander of the Reserve Grenadier Division (with old buddy GDV Oudinot who refused to miss a fight, though still recovering from that thigh injury):-
IMG_5455_ GDV Duroc WIP-Jul21©2021. And rear view:-
IMG_5454_ GDV Duroc WIP-Jul21©2021 by DaveW, on Flickr. Cheers dave |
SHaT1984 | 27 Oct 2021 9:18 p.m. PST |
To recap, most of the 'elites' shown have been for line regiments and/ or 'hors ligne' (those unnumbered specialists- legere) of the Empire. The corps most recently occupying space and time, and moreso in research terms, has been the 'Grenadiers of the Reserve' Division. In January my second post [17 Jan 2021 6:59 p.m] included the 81eme Grenadiers to complete only ONE battalion of the OOB, in the Second Regiment. (Completed units in BOLD). Reserve Grenadier Division: Général de division Oudinot [Status] 1er Brigade: Général de brigade Laplanche-Mortières 1st Regiment 13e Line Regiment Gr/Vr Compl Oct21 58th Line Regiment TBS 2nd Regiment 9e Line Regiment Gr Comp Oct21; Vr Compl '10 81e Line Regiment Gr Comp Dec20; Vr Compl '10
So, the 9e de ligne Grenadiers:-
IMG_0018_sm ©dww2021_ 9e Grenadiers. And the now combined battalion:-
IMG_0020_sm 9e Regt de Ligne Bon de l'elite 1805. Newly created to keep the momentum going was the full crew of the 13eme de ligne 'elite' battalion:-
IMG_0016_sm ©dww2021 13eme Regt- Bon de l'elite. And a second view:-
IMG_0013_sm ©dww2021 13e Regt Bon de l'elite by DaveW, on Flickr. Not huge progress, but among the 'partly done' they were a block in style and had taken storage space all year- knowing how delicate the preliminary paint jobs can be they must be laid down on tissue and cannot be jostled too much, so takeaway plastic trays are ever so convincingly 'recycled' to hold the many WIP developing projects. The 13eme had no record of bearskin caps being worn or issued so making them wear the 'regulation' shakos was simple. The one outstanding unit, the 58eme de ligne, another unknown in the uniform stakes, will be another unit with bearskins as they were issued in early 1805 (AN XII), and will carry another custom flag, not an Eagle. [Before you rush off to correct my 81eme Grenadiers, they were not issued bearskins until AFTER Austerlitz, in 1806!].
Finally, a little explanation about the 'formation' I decided to use. These 'battalions' are smaller than full strength- normally line units are 6 bases each including elites (where necessary). Although 'companies and bases' do not equate, with a Division of 10 battalions I decide that a lesser number, using 4 bases and ALL my customised elite figures, would give an adequate representation AND be able to stand up in any game at a variety of 'strengths'; whether by regiment, brigade or the entire Division. These completions clear the ground for my dedicated application to my last major legere regiment that I had thought I may have got finished last year.
A whole posse of others have crept forward in stages along with that ever growing 'command' structure, but I fear I'm boring you with more talk and not enough action. cheers for now, regards davew |
SHaT1984 | 31 Oct 2021 7:39 p.m. PST |
And in paralell with the elites of the Grenadier Division above, a 'repurposed' group of fellows has appeared under a new banner, kinda, as the first 'official' release of a new body (I shan't use the overused corps) that I refer to as THE RIGHT WING. That is, the very new revelation [after so many years of research] that, perhaps I couldn't do justice to just modelling Soults IVCorps. As the most detailled Austerlitz 1805 account by M.Goetz inspired me to include the notable Davout and his Avant-Garde ad-hoc 'brigade' that intervened at Tellnitz. Having so many years ago decided to NOT model the Second Division, I had a partly painted two battalions sitting around for quite some time. What is repurposed, and the last of the 'ancien' formations, is the 28eme de ligne to become Friants 108eme. Built as intended, using a mixture of Minifigs Spanish fusiliers in chapeaux, modified French fusliers with bicorne heads, assorted 'special' bare headed and bonnet wearers; including the 'at ease marching' drummer, and a Spanish standard bearer with customary steel wire pole and Hinchliffe 'Aigle' held high. The elites were a more recent upgrade using the same custom figures of elites in bicornes I'd made earlier. Again there's no references to the 108eme Grenadiers in bearskins, so all the elite companies wear bicornes. [Sapeurs are always an exception to the 'rules']. The Command:-
IMG_5668_sm ©dww 2021 2e Bon 108e de ligne for Friants Div-3. En bataille:-
IMG_5657_sm ©dww 2021 2e Bon 108e de ligne for Friants Div-2. A Plain photo without flash of the battalion with elite companies in the rear.
IMG_5653_sm ©dww 2021 2e Bon 108e de ligne for Friants Div-01 by DaveW, on Flickr. Completed due to the previous painting, and no need to change colours schemes for tete-du-colonne as again no specific references have been found for the regiment. I just noticed I haven't painted the 'cross' on the officers chest! Must fix that! Regards davew ≠ ≠ ≠ |