Sunday, May 31, 2020

From Pete F: More Minifigs get bases on their journey to Waterloo



These fine fellows are more of the Minifigs (and a few Hinchcliffes) that my dad painted last century. They are part of Wellington's cavalry for the 100 days campaign - two regiments of light dragoons - one British and maybe one Kings German Legion - I need to check the card index. One and a half regiments of Dutch/Belgian carabiniers - some with the cuirasses and a few in rather natty bicornes.


My dad painted them for the pleasure of painting rather than for wargaming so most of his collection did not get bases. They were displayed in long rows in a cabinet in my parents' dining room - six large shelves of Minifig goodness.


Slowly, slowly I am getting them based and ready for games. These are based so that I can use them for Black Powder or Blucher/ESR - I'm not sure how I feel about 3 riders representing a brigade in grand tactical games - but I don't think I have it in me to start Napoleonics again at a new scale... or maybe I do. Some of those 10mm figures are fantastic. Another option would be to make some giant sabots - have 12 figures represent a brigade,  and play on a really big table. Maybe with some of those long push poles like in war movie HQs. 


The regiment of Belgian Carabiniers (red facings, back row) appear to have been quite heavily engaged at Waterloo - although their heroism didn't make it into the movie. 58 killed, 68 wounded and 30 missing out of 400 in their regiment. The two regiments of dutch carabiniers saw many fewer casualties. 

A few of the horses suffer from lead droop and have to be repositioned before games - occasionally the back legs will break off - the small plastic tubes used to protect paint brushes make decent splints for quick and easy repairs.

I can't believe we're already in the last month of the Quarantine Challenge - it's motivating me to get on with this basing project so these troops can be ready for a big game when I can have people round to play again.


13 comments:

  1. This cavalry looks great! Please give us a photo of what you’ve worked on before the end of the challenge.

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    1. At some point I'm going to muster the entire army on the dining room table. About a quarter of it is still in Dorset, waiting for transports and bases.

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    2. How many days marc( is Dorset from your location?

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    3. Good question. With air travel out of the question we're looking at a 3,000 mile sail followed by another 3,000 or so overland.

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    4. Air travel seems inappropriate for Napoleonic soldiers anyway

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  2. Great looking minifigs, nicely based, I know not long now and the challenge will be over!
    Best Iain

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  3. Ah, these figures take me back, lovely just lovely 👍

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  4. Lovely looking cavalry, Pete. Blucher is a wonderful set of rules, but they really lend themselves to the smaller scales. Nonetheless, you could always try garden wargaming with these on substantial sabots. Gin, big sunhats and sticks in the sunshine!

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  5. Well, the 1st and 3rd karabiniers (those would have been wearing the natty bicornes :-)) still suffered some 25% and 20% casualties respectively and all three units operated together in the zware (heavy) brigade commanded by Trip. Luckily your karabiniers don't have cuirasses, because the Dutch were only later equipped with them... with French cuirasses captured at Waterloo! All this being said, your Minifigs and Hinchcliffe look great and I have been really enjoying your restoration project!

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    1. Indeed - a reminder that Waterloo was no solely a British victory. On the uniforms, Minifigs only made Dutch Belgian carabiniers with helmets so (1st and 3rd) all but the 5 hinchcliffes will be going to my Waterloo improperly attired.

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  6. Nice looking cavalry units. Basing isn't the most exciting task, but it makes a huge difference to the minis.

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  7. Galloping at everything in true style, awesome job Pete!

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  8. Stunning work; looking forward to a group shot!

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