French Revolutionary Wargames 1789-1802: September 2020

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, 20 September 2020

MY RUSSIAN SUBMARINE c.1721

I have cross-posted this from my other blog SCIMITAR & CRESCENT WARGAMES, as it is also an 18th century subject, something which I do occasionally post on this page. Some time last year I picked up a small treen pot for 50p in a charity shop. Thought I might be able to make something interesting out of it. Today I have de facto completed my Efim Nikonov submarine, originally designed in 1721. I point out it was only designed that year as it failed all its testing, and the Russian government scrapped its funding for this project. Hope you agree, however, if it had worked, it would have been a useful weapon against the Ottoman fleet operating in the Black Sea....... and I hope to find out soon! MGB

Wednesday, 16 September 2020

DAMN THE DEFIANT, 1962 MOVIE

A few nights ago I watched this movie once more, and it really is a superb production. Set around the issues that caused the Spithead Mutiny in 1797, it lacks for nothing in its portrayal of a naval action against a French vessel. Starring Alec Guinness, Dirk Bogarde, Anthony Quayle, and many more fine British actors, nothing more needs to be said on that matter. I can confirm that the uniforms are not to be mocked, and particularly nice to see the Corps of Marines with 1796-7 coats, as it would have been far easier to supply them with just Napoleonic outfits from a theatre store. Do make an effort to find and view this film. MGB

Monday, 7 September 2020

18TH C. REVENUE SERVICE GUNBOAT

As a follow-on to the last post on policing, my 18th century Revenue Service has been strengthened. I made this vessel out of plastic-card quite a few years ago but I was never quite happy with it. The masts and deck layout have now been improved, and it has acquired a fixed light cannon and four swivel guns. And the whole model has been repainted.

MGB