French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: April 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.

Saturday, 29 April 2017

AWI BAGGAGE TRAIN

Two more wagons were completed yesterday. With their loyal militia attendants, these will be attached to my British AWI troops. Another three wagons are just awaiting their drivers to be painted and they will be serving with my British FRW army. I'm rather pleased with the cart as this is my own casting using up some spare wheels. MGB

Saturday, 22 April 2017

Dutch Artillery Battery for 1793

Some time back I picked up these artillerymen roughly painted up as French. When I decided to repaint them I also felt they would look more appropriate in my Allied army, serving as Dutch. More recent acquisitions which I have just completed are the two Prussian cannon and, originally, an ACW cart which I have converted into something more 18th century, moving the axle and replacing the shafts. I think it now looks quite suitable.
MGB

Thursday, 6 April 2017

French Pontoon Wagon c.1792

This is my latest addition to my French Revolutionary army 1792-98, a pontoon wagon with several members from that corps serving as guards, and a civilian driver. Fighting in the Low Countries, this is a vital piece of ordnance. I decided to paint it in blue, appropriate to it having been previously part of the Royal army, and now serving the republican cause. The French have also gained a small cart, which is one of my own castings. (The mounted guards are Police Legion dragoons.)
MGB