Wargame Rules, Ratios, etc


RAISING MINIATURE ARMIES FOR THE LATE 18TH CENTURY

I am very keen to keep my wargame rules as simple as possible, yet capture the character of the 1790s. Morale dominates the games as the opposing sides are very different. Most of the French troops are 'levee' battalions, which I have chosen to base in column as their ability to change formation on a battlefield must have been limited, nor do I believe their volley fire had any great value. Of better quality, able to change formation, will be white-coated regular and blue-coated volunteer battalions, aided by a fair number of skirmishers. The British, Austrian, Dutch and German armies are often outnumbered, but they maintain the discipline and order of typical 18th century armed forces. Interestingly, French revolutionary cavalry have little in common with their later Napoleonic counterparts, the former are few in number, often poorly mounted, and no match for those in the service of the Allies. All figures are 28mm in scale, using a 1=25 ratio.

Followers

Tuesday 20 June 2017

The Old Royal Army have a field day c.1792

Having risked an entire battalion with paint remover, I'm pleased to report that the 8th Regiment has now received their new uniforms, colours and weaponry. Thought it was time to muster the five Line battalions, one grenadier battalion, and some depot companies of another regiment. In all, 140 whitecoats mustered for the inspection. Also attending were the infantry of the Batave Legion, and colours were duly presented.
MGB



8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Dave, unless I pick up some more castings at a silly price, this will be my FRW white coated troops. Now returning to my FRW cavalry and artillery, some interesting recruiting is underway.
      Michael

      Delete
  2. I always thought the old Royalist uniforms prior to the revolution were very smart. You have done a wonderful job on their new look.Can I recommend you look at the AWI X range, for some really class figures, static but top quality.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Robbie, my AWI British are already Hezzlewood/X-RANGE castings and also Fife&Drum so I won't use the same for the French. Yes, I do agree, they are classics. For me they are perfect war-game miniatures as I don't really want to recreate units which I feel pertain more to a diorama in 54mm, if that makes sense. I read your comment about another forum, I decided to resign as what hobby time I have should be given over to my two blogs.
      Michael

      Delete
  3. Very impressive indeed. A very smart army and your highly impressive collection makes one want to rush off and raise a white clad Royal army of one's own. Looking forward to a game report where they march accross tha table in their last days of glory before those scruffy "bleus" take comtrol. Vive le Roi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right CB, its time for some games to be uploaded. Unfortunately, the French cavalry are far too authentic, they are in a mess with some of my own castings, some purchased, and horses in various states of battle-readiness. But I think you will find the new additions of interest.
      Michael

      Delete
  4. Well I wouldn't worry too much about the cavalry being in a differing state of affiars. As you say...authentic. But your constant basing style will help to conceal any odd figures among your regiments. It is quite amazing how figures from different ranges and even the odd size variation all seem to blend well together thanks to a consistent basing style.
    I am looking forward to those new additions.
    CB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CB, I was rather late to appreciate the importance of basing, and its only in the last ten years that I realised that a slight lifting of some castings on a small piece of card could allow a larger base to hide serious height differences between makers. I've still got to cast a sabre but the new cavalry will be 'distinctive'. I do think any collection/army is more interesting if you draw from various manufacturers, the 'warhammer' attitude to stick with only one designer is something I find rather 'bland'. I enjoy viewing the work of other collectors to integrate and convert figures from various companies.
      Regards,
      Michael

      Delete