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Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: JollyBob on March 12, 2017, 09:34:28 PM

Title: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: JollyBob on March 12, 2017, 09:34:28 PM
I have never really had much interest in Napoleonics but this week in one of my butterfly moments, I picked up Osprey's Chosen Men rule set and typically I am now mulling over making a small force for the period.

As most of my exposure to the Peninsula War has been via watching Sharpe on TV, I am drawn to building a section of Riflemen supported by some Spanish guerillas.

Now, the Rifles aren't a problem, I'm leaning towards the Offensive Miniatures pack for best cost vs quality and variety, but I am struggling to find guerillas. I've checked Foundry, Perry, Redoubt and Trent, but I can't seem to find enough suitable figures - I would need ten foot and five mounted if possible.

Have I missed somethings really obvious or am I on a hiding to nothing with this one?  :? ???
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Lowtardog on March 12, 2017, 09:41:50 PM
I have Spanish for Sharpe practice, guerrillas are a little scarce

however there are quite a few small ranges out there

Brigade games do a lovely range but over the pond
Eagle figures have a small range
Front rank do a range but might not fit with offensive (I have their Spanish regulars and the offensive minis are very nice)
From Perry, check their carlist wars, that is what I used in the end
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Elk101 on March 12, 2017, 09:43:27 PM
Front Rank have some lovely guerrillas but they will most likely look too large next to Offensive Miniatures. Eagle Miniatures do half a dozen or so that might be OK.
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Elk101 on March 12, 2017, 09:44:02 PM
Posted at the same time!
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Lowtardog on March 12, 2017, 09:47:55 PM
Posted at the same time!

 lol
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: JollyBob on March 12, 2017, 09:58:36 PM
Cheers lads.  :)

Good idea with the Carlist figures, and there are a couple of the Eagle ones that might mix in with them.

Please keep em coming!
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Lowtardog on March 12, 2017, 10:12:34 PM
Don't forget you can mix a few regular spanish in with the guerrillas as deserters or those left behind when their army fled or lost a battle etc

I had a hankering to use some of these too

http://www.gringo40s.com/picciotti.html

no guerrillas but some nice and unusual minis in this range

http://shop.capitangames.com/index.php
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: vodkafan on March 13, 2017, 12:19:13 AM
I would say check out Matakishi's Peninsular skirmish project, he has all the same troops you are after and you can see his solutions with plenty of photos.
I think the Offensive miniatures are nice but a bit small.

http://www.matakishi.com/napoleonicproject.htm
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Elk101 on March 13, 2017, 07:01:56 AM
I would say check out Matakishi's Peninsular skirmish project, he has all the same troops you are after and you can see his solutions with plenty of photos.
I think the Offensive miniatures are nice but a bit small.

http://www.matakishi.com/napoleonicproject.htm

That's my impression of Offensive having seen them in the lead. Almost all my Napoleonic stuff is Front Rank and a friend has a Peninsular War set up with Front Rank Spanish and they look excellent on the table. They're probably one of the biggest ranges.
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Malamute on March 13, 2017, 08:16:36 AM
That's my impression of Offensive having seen them in the lead. Almost all my Napoleonic stuff is Front Rank and a friend has a Peninsular War set up with Front Rank Spanish and they look excellent on the table. They're probably one of the biggest ranges.

Seconded, I'm putting together a Sharp Practice 2 Force and have gone exclusively with the Front Rank figures. Witht he exception of the Brigade Games Sharp and Harper. ;D
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Lardy Rich on March 13, 2017, 11:45:17 AM
I was very pleasantly surprised that my old Front Rank figures mix in perfectly well (to my eyes) with my Perry and Brigade models. I honestly thought they'd be too bulky. 

My guerrillas are a mix of Front Rank, Brigade Games and Perry Carlists. I have to say that Brigade have been a revelation; really beautiful figures.  Sadly the exchange rate means they are not cheap, but with a Sharp Practice size force you don't need that many figures and I treated myself.  I found that placing the order without actually looking at the prices worked best for me. 

As suggested above, mix in some Spanish regulars with the guerrillas for a realistic look. 

Cheers

Rich
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Lowtardog on March 13, 2017, 04:46:47 PM
For my sharpe practice Spaniards I have an eclectic mix

Offensive regular Line
Front Rank light infantry
Perry Guerillas
Front Rank Artillery
Lancashire Games militia Spanish, big rough and ready figures but for me capture that ragged look for something a little different
Lancashire Games grenadiers...to be provincial grenadiers

Now one to take a shufty at...Boothill

Mexican infantry for or rather as Spamish Fusiliero Regiment Leales de Fernando, almost spot on proxy and nice touches with them being in sandals etc

Mexican regular cavalry...again proxied as Spanish scouting cavalry with lances....very much akin to La Mancha (I9 know enfrancionado but hey they are militia) again beauties to paint :)

I also used the general mounted and dismounted from boothill for deployment points :)
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: matakishi on March 13, 2017, 06:35:31 PM
My Napoleonics are mainly Front Rank and Perrys with some Brigade and Britannia mixed in.
My Spanish are Front Rank but I don't have any mounted, not sure if they make them.

(http://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/naopleonic-spanish-002_orig.jpg)

New link:
http://www.matakishi.net/napoleonic-skirmish.html

Random Napoleonics picture.
(http://www.matakishi.net/uploads/4/0/8/7/40876893/spanish-village-large-009_orig.jpg)
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: JollyBob on March 14, 2017, 09:43:54 AM
Really, really excellent ideas guys, thank you for all your input.  :)

I am leaning towards either Perry or Offensive for the Rifles (although Sharpe and Harper from Brigade are very tempting too...), and can probably cobble the foot guerrillas together from Perry Carlists and some Front Rank figs, but the mounted Spanish seem to be a bit of a problem.

I've seen that Redoubt do a three pack, so not enough anyway, but the picture on the website makes them look fuggly - does anyone actually have them in hand that could offer a better review?

Karl - I have had a shufti at Boot Hill already, might be worth a second look. I'm surprised the owner didn't chime in pimping his wares, tbh - you know what a ruthless businessman he is!  ;)
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: Malamute on March 14, 2017, 10:01:35 AM


I've seen that Redoubt do a three pack, so not enough anyway, but the picture on the website makes them look fuggly - does anyone actually have them in hand that could offer a better review?

Karl - I have had a shufti at Boot Hill already, might be worth a second look. I'm surprised the owner didn't chime in pimping his wares, tbh - you know what a ruthless businessman he is!  ;)

Redoubt Napoleonic sculpts best to be ignored, not their best figures, pretty ropey actually and I am not one for running down ranges.  :(

As to the other remark, I couldn't possibly comment lol
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: SteveBurt on March 14, 2017, 10:17:00 AM
I have a dozen or so of the Redoubt Guerillas. They include renegade priests and the like.
Characterful, but not very well proportioned. They remind me of Dixon figures; big heads, long arms, and legs that are way too short.
As with most figures, they look a lot better when painted up, and you don't really notice their odd anatomy when they are on the table.
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: JollyBob on March 14, 2017, 11:30:34 AM
So, Redoubt can be crossed off the list then. If I want to stand a chance of ever actually painting them then they are going to have to be attractive.

I've had a look at Brigade, and wouldn't you know it I could cover all my needs for infantry in one order. And then pay double for shipping.   >:(

Can't be helped, I know, but I wish Northstar carried a bigger range of their products. I wonder if they are on some kind of rotation, or if it would be worth sending Nick an email to see if they could add a few packs to their next shipment...? Hmmmm....

@ Malamute:  :P
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question
Post by: JollyBob on March 16, 2017, 10:38:11 AM
On further thinking, given that nobody seems to make mounted guerillas and I am too lazy and inept to make my own, are there any nice Lancer figures out there?

I'm thinking either Spanish, Portuguese or British...

I can see plenty light dragoons and hussars, but not lancers for some reason.  ???
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: Malamute on March 16, 2017, 12:37:30 PM
Front rank do mounted irregular lancers Who look like Guerillas. With a few head swaps you could make up a nice force:

http://www.frontrank.com/product-category/napoleonic/napoleonic-spanish/spanish-cavalry/
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: JollyBob on March 16, 2017, 03:03:11 PM
Possible, thanks Nick.  :)

Only 2 poses and no officers, though...
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: Malamute on March 16, 2017, 03:53:42 PM
Possible, thanks Nick.  :)

Only 2 poses and no officers, though...

Yep, you could use the mounted general, no reason why a Guerilla officer couldn't fancy himself as a general and dress up. ;) lol
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: JollyBob on March 16, 2017, 09:17:38 PM
Yep, you could use the mounted general, no reason why a Guerilla officer couldn't fancy himself as a general and dress up. ;) lol

"The Dons are always gaudy..."
Sgt Patrick Harper, 95th Rifles

 lol

Now which episode of Sharpe was that from...? Battle? Siege? The one with the Frenchie with his own private army, Brigade Loup, I think. Curse my geriatric memory!

Fair point though Nick, and very much in keeping with the theme I'm looking for. Cheers.
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: Lowtardog on March 16, 2017, 09:47:37 PM
Yep, you could use the mounted general, no reason why a Guerilla officer couldn't fancy himself as a general and dress up. ;) lol

Young Malamute may know some rather spiffing lancers that could fit in for Spanish, it is the way I have gone for mine ;) :D
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: carlos marighela on March 17, 2017, 06:44:16 AM
Another vote for Front Rank. Not only do they take well to a brush (they almost paint themselves) but they can be purchased as singles. Handy when doing small units.
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: vodkafan on March 17, 2017, 09:19:10 PM
Another vote for Front Rank. Not only do they take well to a brush (they almost paint themselves) but they can be purchased as singles. Handy when doing small units.

  :-[ My Front Rank are not working properly. I have had some for ages and I keep getting them out to have a look but they have not painted themselves yet. Should I send them back?
Title: Re: New to Napoleonics question(s)
Post by: carlos marighela on March 18, 2017, 12:35:11 AM
Key word: 'almost'. Do pay attention!  :)