"Epaulettes-British Peninsular" Topic

I'm a new Napoleonic wargamer needing some advice.

Using the Perry Miniatures British Napoleonic Line Infantry box sets 1808-1815 I want to model a number of Peninsular units but I'm struggling with Epaulettes for these units:.

-88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers):
-Facing-Yellow
-Lace-Square pairs
-Belting and straps-White

-50th Regiment of Foot (West Kent):
-Facing-Black
-Lace-Square pairs
-Belting and straps-White

-40th Regiment of Foot (2nd Somersetshire):
-Facing-Buff
-Lacing-Square pairs
-Belting and straps-Buff

My first questions is my reference by Timothy J. Reese shows modern type epaulettes I think called "straps" but this is not an option in the Perry box. Would I have to adapt the Perry miniatures for this type of epaulettes or is there a better starting point.

My second question is more general and I think relevant more to the 40th Regiment of Foot. Were the "laced wings or bird nests" always used by the Grenadiers and light company regardless of the regiment. My understanding is that center companies had the smaller "wings or lace".

As a new wargamer and certainly new to Napoleonic's is there a go to reference to help understand uniform basics and if so is it the volume "British Napoleonic Uniforms: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Uniforms, Facings and Lace" by C. E. Franklin?

Thanks in advance

The Franklin book is quite good and shows regulation uniforms for all regts.

Wings were worn by all Grenadier and Light Co. men. Also by all men including the Bn. Cos. of Fusilier & Light Infantry Regts.

Center or Bn. Co. men of non-Fus/Lt Regts had woolen tufts at the end of their shoulder straps.

I'm not sure what Tim Reese shows but epaulettes were only worn by Officers and some flank co. Officers wore wings or a combined wing/epaulette. The Franklin book has some drawings of these.

Absolutely go for the Franklyn book. It basically covers most of the things you need to know about infantry and cavalry uniforms and equipment. The same author's book 'British Napoleonic Field Artillery' covers the Gunners to the same detail and their ordnance. Both highly recommended.