New to Napoleonics question(s)

[JollyBob]

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?  

[Lowtardog]

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

[Elk101]

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.

[Elk101]

Posted at the same time!

[Lowtardog]

Posted at the same time!

 

[JollyBob]

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!

[Lowtardog]

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

[vodkafan]

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

[Elk101]

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.

[Malamute]

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.

[Lardy Rich]

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

[Lowtardog]

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

[matakishi]

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.



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

Random Napoleonics picture.

[JollyBob]

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! 

[Malamute]

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