A small diversion – Perry Travel Battle painted

[Mad Doc Morris]

Like most LAFers I'm a 28mm enthusiast, fair and square. At times, though, I prefer to scratch an itch in smaller scales, simply to save on time, money and, admittedly, effort. This is why I took an interest in the Perry's "Travel Battle" set; it's an opportunity to do 'Napoleonic' battles without a big fuss.

Of course, I couldn't paint them just as Blues vs Reds. So I've gone for a rough representation of forces involved in the battle of Quatre-Bras on 16th June 1815. As often recommended I started with the French. These had to include "le brave des braves", Michel Ney, marked by a turned bicorne. Which is rather indistinguishable, thus I gave him a white steed as well.



Next were the Allies. Here I did some minor conversions, both literally – like cut shakos to represent the Hanoverians wearing caps – and some just 'painted in' – e. g. the Scots' kilts. I find the latter quite serviceable given the figures are really, really tiny. There are also troops from Nassau-Usingen and the Netherlands (which look very much like French), all under the command (?) of Prince Willem.



The boards are pretty straightforward. The buildings should resemble the mix of brick and whitewashed walls which seem typical of the time and area. I finally scratch-built a windmill to set the scene (although it's rather associated with Ligny).




And yet one must not stop halfway, right? So I've already started on a second set to add some units from the full order of battle. Most prominently there are the Brunswickers missing who lost their duke at Quatre-Bras. By now I've also gathered the confidence to try my hand at more serious conversion work.



This won't grow into another painting log. I'm doing these guys merely as an interlude. However, since I've seen very few painted sets on the web, it may be of interest to some at this stage.
Thanks for taking a look! 

[NurgleHH]

This is really wonderful. Thanks for showing. I need to paint my game!!!

[Roo]

Top quality work, those conversions are so effective, love the Highlanders , inspirational work on some diminutive fellows!

[fred]

Great work on this set!

[traveller]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing! How do you find the game? Fun to play?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thanks all 

@traveller, the rules are very basic. As one would expect from a travel (or pub) game. For kitchen table games I prefer something more subtle. I found the fan-made “Porterloo” variant (link) a very decent upgrade on that without losing the original drift.

[Pattus Magnus]

Beautiful job! I especially like your conversions- you’re right that the paint conversion into Highlanders worked great.

[traveller]

Thanks all 

@traveller, the rules are very basic. As one would expect from a travel (or pub) game. For kitchen table games I prefer something more subtle. I found the fan-made “Porterloo” variant (link) a very decent upgrade on that without losing the original drift.

Sounds fun. Cheers!

[Ray Rivers]

Never seen anybody actually paint up the game.

Yours came out brilliantly! 

[Basementboy]

This is incredible- the detail you’ve achieved is flabbergasting
How long did it take you to paint them all?

[Mad Doc Morris]

Thanks again, people! 

@Basementboy, unfortunately, I didn’t keep a record. I painted these whenever I needed a break from my usual stuff. It didn’t take that long, though, once I got the hang of it. Most figures were painted on the sprue and all in batches. Overall there’s not much to it, just base-coat, wash, highlight. The boards were even easier to do by a couple of mere dry-brushes.

[Bloggard]

great stuff 

[OSHIROmodels]

Lovely