Napoleonic War Project

[Ray Rivers]

So... when I first started wargaming, a long time ago, I started with 15mm American Civil War and 15mm Napoleonics.  Most of my painting career was centered on 15mm and to this day it is my favorite scale.

A few years ago, after seeing the magnificently sculpted AB 15mm Napoleonics I decided to give it another shot.  My initial project centered around Napoleonic Cavalry as I just didn't have enough time to be painting up hordes of Napoleonic infantry.

Nevertheless, after getting into the project and buying Sam Mustafa's Grande Armée wargaming rules, I decided to go head long into the project... but with the aid of professional painter Ron Redworth of Wargames Den.  The plan was for me to concentrate on the cavalry and for Ron to paint up the hordes of infantry necessary to put a decent amount of troops on the table.

Anyway, to shorten a long story, the project ran afoul of my aging eyes.  The toll was just too much and I put the project on hold.  I then started to paint 28mm stuff and not very soon after, came across this awesome web space called the Lead Adventure Forum.  Nevertheless, though painting 28's was a lot easier, I was still having a bit of problems with my eyes... and then after some discussion here, I bought an OptiVisor.  Wow, did that make a difference.  So much so... that I decided, to have another go at my 15mm Napoleonic project.

So to start off, we are going to go back in time a bit and I'm going to post some photos of my French Heavy Cavalry Corps.  For those who are not familiar with the Grande Armée rule set, one should know that each base represents either a commander, brigade or battery of artillery.

So on with the show...


My French Heavy Cavalry Corps


Closer look at the Cavalry


Command Stand


1st brigade of Cuirassiers


2nd brigade of Cuirassiers


Carabiniers... my favorite unit


Corps Horse Artillery... miniatures by Ron Redworth, cannon painted by me.

Think that is enough for one post... but there will be more.

 

[Ray Rivers]

So... a quick follow-on.

My Heavy Cavalry Corps was painted about three years ago.  I really like them, but armed with my OptiVisor I hoped to do a bit better.

Currently, I am working on 3 infantry corps command stands and an army command stand with jolly old Nappy in charge.

The plan for my infantry corps commanders is to have a General/Marshall together with an Aide de Camp.  Here are the three Aide de Camps I just recently finished:






Changed my technique a bit and have used the foundry triad system for the horses.  An improvement I think.

So, now I'm off to paint up my Generals.   When they are all finished, I'll post some more pics.

Cheers!

[Photographer]

Very neatly and well painted. They look fabulous regimented.

[DFlynSqrl]

They look great to me.   

[ushistoryprof]

Great work, looking forward to more pics.  I too have the problem of age and eye sight, can I ask where you got the OptiVisor (that is the brand name-right) and was it a reasonable price? 

[Ray Rivers]

Thanks guys.

I still don't have the knack of painting gray horses yet... 

As for the Optivisor...

Living in Spain, I tried to order it from the UK, but for some reason, they are prohibited from shipping them to Continental Europe.  So I ordered the DA-5 Optivisor from Transtronics from the US for $37.95, not including postage.  In all honestly, one of the best hobby buys I have ever made.

For those how fancy the mini's, I'll be posting a looot more photos in all due time.

Cheers!

[ushistoryprof]

Thanks for the info and link Ray.

[Onebigriver]

Lovely stuff Ray, they look great.

[Calimero]

Really nice Ray

[Orctrader]

Fantastic.   

Love to see the smaller scales painted this well.

Optivisor?  I never paint without it.

[Aaron]

Fantastic work Ray. There is nothing like the sight of massed cavalry! So far I have resisted returning to 15mm, but if I ever do it will surely be with those beautiful AB figures!

[Ray Rivers]

There is nothing like the sight of massed cavalry!

Yep... even beats the smell of napalm in the morning...     

So....

I have finished my three French Corps Commanders and here are a couple photos (with a proper ISO setting    ):





Of note... I love the color of the horse on the left.  That was done with Coat d'arms Horse Tone Chestnut (223).  I'll have to do more of those.  Also, the photos show me that I need to get another layer of white on the little dude'les pants.

Still, overall, they will do fine on the table.  Now I need to base them with their Aide de Camps, and when I have that finished, I'll post the final pictures of these minis.

For those wondering... my French will face off against the Austrians.

Here are a couple photos of the Austrian Reserve Cavalry: 

PLEASE NOTE:  All of these minis were painted for me on commission by Ron Redworth of Wargames Den.  I merely based them.


Austrian Reserve Cavalry (Cuirassiers and Dragoons)


Closeup of the Cavalry painted by Ron Redworth.

Check out those grey horses... fantastic.  And the man really knows how to crinkle up a flag!

Cheers for now!

[Galloping Major]

Gorgeous stuff 



www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Aaron]

Gotta love the Austrians! I've begun to become very interested in the 1813-14 campaigns, but 1809 is still my favorite campaign. Ron paints a nice horse, but you're no slouch yourself. Those corps commanders look great!

[Ray Rivers]

Cheers!

As you will see, as I post more of the stuff I have, the majority of my miniatures are actually pre-1806.  Therefore, for example, the French infantry will be wearing bicornes and the Austrians, helmets.

Nevertheless... I am a slave to fashion...  ... so overall I'll be mixing a number of units from a later period, such as the French Carabiniers I posted above.

I know... the grogs out there will be clutching their hearts totally aghast at even the thought of mixing eras, but its' just no big deal for me.