1/76-72 French at Waterloo

[Ratch]

1 & 2 Batallions, 17e Régiment de Ligne 

While the Guard and the cavalry received much of the attention, it was as the ordinary infantry that was the backbone of Napoleon’s armies, doing most of the fighting and dying. They were the essential element in all his victories, making the French Army the most powerful in Europe in his hands. The Eagle was carried with the 2nd Fusilier Company of I Battalion in every line and light infantry regiment. (One would expect that the elite grenadiers, or voltigeurs, and not the lowly fusiliers, carried the eagle. It was not however the best idea. The grenadiers were the ones who got the most frequently into the most dangerous situations. Thus, the Grenadier Company was not a safe place for the eagle. The voltigeurs often fought in skirmish formation, and in the woods and villages. The long and thin skirmish line is the worst place for the eagle with flag.)

Grenadiers (with an officer)

Fusiliers wearing shako

Fusiliers wearing pokalem

Voltigeurs

[southwestforests]

I would never have thought that about the flag. Then again, Napoleanic period is one I know little about.

The guys look good, ready for action at any moment.

[Paul Astle]

it depends on what you're using the flag for, to get men to fololow then it should be with the grenadier/shock troops at the front "follow the flag lads" if on the defensive it should be in the middle of the formation to denote where that is.

 

I've done georgian era re-enacting for 25+ years and the noise and smoke of muskets is mind blasting so you want something eay to locate and identify.

 

As for them falling. my favorite was a cry by the sgt of the Scots greys at waterloo having hacked down the color guard and siged the eagle he cried out "Be-jesus boys! i have the Koo-Koo!" 

[Ratch]

Thanks for your interest guys

[Ratch]

[Ratch]

1 & 2 Battalions, 21st Regiment of the Line

[Ratch]

1er and 2e Batallions, 46e Régiment de Ligne

[Ratch]

1 Battalion 45e Regiment of Line, French Infantry,

3 Grenadiers x Airfix 01744

10 Fusiliers x HaT 8041

2 Voltigeurs x Italeri 6002

[null_null981707818191]

Just a quick question Ratch...

Do you produce the beautifully painted and presented figures as models in their own right, or to be used in War Gaming? Obviously the RAF and Luftwaffe personnel are more to do (presumably...) with setting up dioramas etc, but I just wondered - purely out of interest seeing how much time and effort must go in to producing them so beautifully - whether they then get bashed around in war games?

[Ratch]

Cheers. These Napoleonic are intended as wargame pieces. I have played some small skirmishes with them. I've also done some American Civil War figures for wargaming, but not enough to play with yet.

[null_null981707818191]

Thanks for the rerponse Ratch - which raises another question, I'm afraid. Do you use any particular varnish to seal/hold the paint so that all that work you've done doesn't all chip and flake off if you start using them for gaming?

[Ratch]

Just my usual Matt Varnish (usually Vallejo) after a sepia wash.

[null_null981707818191]

I've already tried the matt vallejo varnish, but I'll give the sepia wash a trial when I've got a moment! Many thanks.

[Ratch]

I use Vallejo Game Wash Dipping Formula 73300 Sepia Shade, it needs a little water or it's too heavy. It brings out the moulded detail nicely (I think).

[null_null981707818191]

I'll have a lookout for some - thanks so much for the information.

[null_null981707818191]

Further to which... found it, ordered it!

[Ratch]

Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it.

[paul71]

hi ratch when you use a wash do you just give it a light brush and leave it to settle on the figure and dry.

paul

[Ratch]

I use a brush, dab a little of the Dipping Formula in the lid of the jar, dip the brush in water and back in the lid, then brush over the figure until I get the effect I want. Initially, I tried dipping a figure in the pot (as the title insinuates) but felt this was too heavy. By thinning with water I can manipulate the density. I do all the painting, washing and spraying with the figures impaled on cocktail sticks to minimise handling. After the wash they're set aside to dry before the matt varnish spray (though this can be done with a brush too).