'When Things Go Boom' - The Conclusion(s)!

First, Happy St. Patrick's Day! Ok, for those who may be interested in how my hypothetical post-Waterloo scenario ended up, feel free to check out the battle report in the 'Past Games' section. We've since played it over several separate occasions and have had interesting results each time.

New From Curt - 28mm Perry KGL Light Dragoons (1st Regt)

I hosted a game last night and in preparation for it a few weeks ago I had decided that I wanted some British cavalry to help change the scenario's dynamic. So here is the game-equivalent of a couple squadrons of KGL Light Dragoons (1st Regiment). I would have liked to have more to show here but I ran out of figures and am waiting 'resupply'. The cavalry are 28mm Perry castings with a few French  casualty figures by Foundry placed in to 'conceal' the fact that I didn't have enough dragoon models for a full 10-man unit.

I used Army Painter Quickshade on this group and find I'm getting a little more comfortable with the technique. I think I'd still prefer the 'dip' to be darker in tone but I managed to work around that for the most part.

Unlike most new figures that I put on the games table these guys were complete rock stars on their first outing. They charged a full battery of French medium artillery, to the front, survived the canister fire and sabered the gunners. Later in the game they were charged by a full regiment of Dragoons, which should have vaporized them on the spot, but they gave a good account of themselves before being overwhelmed.

I'm looking forward to getting this group up to a full 24-figure unit in the future. As it is, this contingent will count for 20 points in the Spring-Thaw Painting Challenge. Ok JohnM, I await to receive your return volley! 

Naval Action off San Domingo, 1806 - 1:1200 GHQ by Sylvain

Allan's British squadron going into close action.

 Sylvain was kind enough to host a great game last night using his redux version of the 'Trafalgar' rules. The scenario was the 1806 naval action that was fought off the coast of San Domingo. Due to atrocious rolls on my part I spent a good portion of the game waiting in the wings with my squadron, spouting pithy (read: useless) advise, while Allan took it in the teeth for King and Country. That being said he did a very handsome job in not only tying-up the majority of the French squadron but by also gutting their flagship and mauling another 74-gun ship-of-the-line. By the time I leisurely cruised into the action, with pennants bravely waving, it was pretty much last call for the French (by saying this I do a great disservice to Stacy who actually played a very good game as the unfortunate Admiral Leissegues). 

The HMS Spencer bashing it out with two French 74s.

Please excuse the crap photos as they were snapped with my iphone as I tottered over the table. Nonetheless, it should give you a good idea of the beautiful models in Sylvain's collection. I especially like the wrecked vignettes he's done. Great stuff, Sylvain - Bravo!

'Keep rowing, Pierre, Haiti is only 200 miles away. Can someone please pass the bilge water...?'

New from Curt: 28mm Foundry, 2e Regiment de Ligne (2nd Battalion)

Here is another French battalion to add to the collection (and the Painting Challenge). This is the 2nd Battalion of the 2e Regiment de Ligne.

This regiment has the unique distinction of having served as ship-borne troops in the Battle of Trafalgar. In the 1809 campaign the first two battalions fought as part of Molitor's Division defending, against steep odds, the village of Aspern in the two-day battle of Aspern-Essling.  They were heavily engaged again during the Battle of Wagram less than two months later. The 3rd battalion lost it's colour standard, much to their shame, to Tyrolean rebels under Andreas Hofer (and is now on display in the Army Museum in Innsbruck). The regiment participated in most of the major engagements right up to the Hundred Days Campaign.

The core of this unit existed before as the beginnings of a 20-man battalion, but I have since brought it up to a more strapping 40-man-equivalent unit with some fresh recruits, a couple junior officers, a few casualties and a mounted commanding officer (by Victrix). All in all that makes it 42 figures with all the extra trimmings. The battalion standard is by Flag Dude. 

So, another 22 points to the pot! It does not bridge the gap with JohnM but at least I'm a bit closer...

Test Models from Greg: 28mm Foundry Austrian Dragoons

Greg's next unit for the Painting Challenge will be a regiment of Austrian dragoons, namely Dragoon Regiment No. 2 "Prinz Eugen von Savoyen" - a unit which recruited out of Moravia.  He's kindly forwarded a few shots of some finished models that he's used for testing colour composition. These are 28m Foundry castings.

Greg says he's still trying to find his sea legs with painting 28mm cavalry but I think these lads look great. I'm eager to see the entire regiment of twenty-four when its done!

Hmm, it looks like I'm going to have to rack up some Perry French cuirassiers or carabiniers to help sort these fellows out when we next meet for a game. The escalation continues...