Bigger is Better - Upgunned Napoleonic French Infantry

My initial idea was to go for Napoleonic infantry units of 24 figures in an attempt to speed up production and get things on the table. Up to a point this was successful, but after a few games I felt that the units, particularly when deployed in attack column, just looked too flimsy. After much gnashing of teeth, I decided to upgrade them to 32s. 

For my Russian army, this was easy as they were already done that way and I had simply removed a base of 8 figures to get them to 24s, intending to consolidate these later into additional units. I never got around to it, so simply returned them to their parent units - no harm done. However having sold my existing French army, and wanting to accelerate replacing it, I settled on 24s as a solution, which turned out not to work for me. 

Upgrading involved painting up an additional 8 fusiliers for the 10 or so existing units and then sticking with this going forward. It was a bit of a pain to do, but I am glad that I made the effort as they now look satisfyingly "chunkier" on the table. I decided not to worry too much about representing the individual company structure with the unit. For one thing 6 doesn't divide into 32 (!!) - previously each 24 figure unit had a four figure base of grenadiers and voltigeurs and two 8 figure "double company" fusilier bases. I really couldn't face either upgrading to 36s, as they had been in the past, or re-basing, so I left the flank companies alone and just added extra fusiliers and re-painted a few company pompoms. Looks fine on the table. 

Secondly the rules I am working on operate on the basis that an infantry unit represents around 1,200 men rather than an individual battalion - between 3 and 8 units (usually 4 or 5) making up a division - the basic manoeuvering element in the game.  OCD it may be, but I am happier with the result and will have to settle for slower growth in the collection.

In addition to upgrading my French infantry units, I also had the beginnings of an Italian division and this will be next.

Was it worth it?

A Present To Myself - Buildings for Napoleonics and The Seven Years War

Following on from my unfortunate accident in 2023, the MIB (Motor Insurance Board) paid out (rather quickly to be fair) on the compensation claim. As a firm believer in the "it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good" principle, I thought that I would treat myself to a little something hobby related!! And here it is; or at least most of it - I have a nice church and a couple of redoubts still to come.

The buildings are by David of T M Terrain - a superb model maker, whose work graces many a tabletop. The brief was for cottages/barns suitable for rural Germany for my existing Napoleonic and planned Seven Years War collections. I hope you will agree that he has done an excellent job.

Rather than have the buildings embedded in specific "modules", I opted to have them done as free standing structures that I can put together in any number of ways to make up villages of different sizes and shapes according to what I might need for each individual game. I am currently working on a load of Renedra fencing, which will be added to the buildings to give interest and define boundaries, along with the occasional tree and other odds and ends. Although not as "integrated" as complete village modules, they should still look pretty good whilst offering much greater flexibility. I will report on progress as I make it.

Hopefully now that I am a gentleman of leisure, I will be able to update the blog a bit more regularly than I have in the past!!