French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: February 2017

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.

Sunday, 26 February 2017

Clearing spare figures, waggons etc

This model is a combination of a British Napoleonic waggon with French limber horses, and a converted AWI figure. It has been painted up as a civilian owned waggon which could be used in either AWI games or for the Dutch transport secured by the British Army for service in the Low Countries during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Some spare AWI Grenadiers have been painted up belonging to the 40th Foot, with their distinctive white bearskins (assuming the skin was actually from a polar bear, I know the French crested their tarleton helmets with sheep's wool).

Here are a few Rebel Americans serving in George Washington's Commander in Chief's Guards. Might have to consider an officer's tent to go with these figures. Have also converted one casting into a clergyman.

And a few more of my own castings, this time belonging to the Batavian Legion or Corps d' Infantries legere de Bataves. Raised in 1792 and adopting a black uniform faced with sky blue. These are Dutch republicans fighting on the French side.

MGB

Monday, 6 February 2017

New Jersey Volunteers c1776

Just completed a small battalion of Royal Provincials belonging to the New Jersey Volunteers. This is an early American Revolutionary War portrayal with the unit wearing their first uniform of green coats. Skinner's brigade originally mustered six small battalions but was later consolidated into three. It gave excellent service throughout the war.
MGB

Friday, 3 February 2017

French Baggage Waggon c1793

Just completed a French baggage waggon for my Revolutionary Army. Decided to allow some distinction in the paintwork with red wheels, contemporary prints support this, and I have added some chalked on political graffiti. The second photo shows it next to a converted die cast metal model.
Michael