Tag Archives: Front Rank

Napoleonic

Spanish Army 1808-10

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I thought I might get out what I have painted so far. I am quite pleased at how this army is coming together. Not so pleased with how long it is taking me. Mind you, I have done a British Peninsular army, some pirates, fantasy figures and Anglo-Zulu War armies in the middle of it so perhaps I shouldn’t be beating myself up too much.

The bulk of the figures are Elite Miniatures. I get mine from Nathan Vinson at Elite Miniatures Australia. Having a supplier so close and who is such a great guy to deal with is a god-send.  I have been getting good use out of the standard Spanish March Attack figures – they are being used as line infantry, guard units and marine infantry. On the workbench at the moment is one being painted as brown coated militia.

The rest of the figures are Front Rank and some Perry. I have used Perry Carlist War figures for some of my Spanish Militia Battalions. Almost forgot – there is a single battalion of Brigade games Spanish Militia as well. Also a single Eureka figure and some East Ridign Miniatures Monks.

I really like the Spanish Army of the ‘early period’ up to about 1811. The myriad of uniforms and strange little units will keep me busy for some time to come I suspect.

Some East Riding Miniatures Monks based with Perry Carlist War monks
Front Rank staff and Elite Line.
Brigade Games Militia
Elite and Perry Plastic Cavalry
A Eureka monk
Elite Artiller – huge guns
Front Rank, Elite and Perry
Two Line battalins and a militia battalion
Spanish Brigade
Cuirassiers
Hussars
Brigade Games Militia
Front Rank Guerrillas
A brigade Games Teresa figure
Perry Monks
Napoleonic

Voluntario de Cataluna – Front Rank Miniatures

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The highly distinctive Catalonian Light Infantry Regiment is a must have for a Spanish Army of 1805-1808 in my opinion.  I had seen these Front Rank figures in the Front Rank online store and also a few painted examples on various blogs and quite liked them for the most part. I thought the loading pose and the kneeling poses were the best of the infantry and the two officer choices are fabulous. Not so keen on the advancing figure – he just looks out of proportion to my eye and just a bit too ‘old school minifig-ish’ if you know what I mean.

As far as other manufacturers of 28mm figures goes I think my only other choice was the old  Connoisseur range. However, when I made the order for these figures I had no idea what the Connoisseur Miniatures two figure choices looked like (after I ordered from Front Rank I saw these at Carlo’s With Pyjamas Through a Whiff of Grapeshot blog) – and I kind of wish I had gone with these as they would have fit better with my Elite Miniatures Spanish.

I went with just sixteen figures across six bases so in Black Powder Terms I guess this is a Small Unit.  I actually really enjoyed painting these figures. All that lace daunted me at first but as it turned out it was not too bad an experience.  Now I am looking for some Spanish volunteer unit that I can use the same figures for except paint in a red or yellow coat. Hey – it is Spain – I am sure there is something to fit that bill in the Spanish muster somewhere and if there isn’t I can always make something up.

 

Bretonnian, Warhammer Fantasy

GW/Front Rank Size comparison.

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I was asked to do a post showing size comparison between Front Rank 100YW Archers and Games Workshop Bretonnians. I have no unpainted figures so cannot compare raw metal/plastic so have to show painted versions. On the whole I think they work together very well.  I can say that GW and Front Rank horses do not mix. GW horse – all plastic at 5th/6th Edition – are big. Front Rank riders can fit on GW horses (see this post showing Front Rank cavalry mounted on GW barded horses).

(L) GW 5th Ed Squire (R) GW 6th Ed Plastic Archer
(L) Front Rank Archer (R) GW 6th Ed plastic archer
(L) GW 5th Ed Plastic Archer (R) FR 100YW unarmoured archer
(L) Front Rank 100YW Archer in Sallet (R) GW 5th Ed Plastic Archer
(L) GW 5th Ed metal Squire (R) Front Rank archer sharpening stake

 

Napoleonic

28mm Spanish Cordoba Regiment (Elite Miniatures)

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This week while away with work I finished this regiment of white coated Spanish infantry. These chaps are painted as the Cordoba Regiment (red facings, collars and cuffs).  This is the last of the four battalions of Elite Miniatures Spanish infantry I got from Nathan at Elite Miniatures Australia a couple of years ago. Now to hit those three regiments of Spanish cavalry that are taunting me from their place atop my lead mountain.  I painted these in the evenings and early mornings before I started work. Being away from home for work means that at night one can either sit and watch TV or try to get something productive done.   I have yet to attach finials and tassels to the flags – I ran out of them – have to order some more – although maybe Scott will be able to get them for me at New Zealand’s only Pharmacy/Model Shop.  The eagle-eyed among you may spot a couple of Front Rank figures in there as well. Flags are freebies from Captain Miniatures.

 

My Spanish Ulcer so far. Actually they have been a joy to paint. I really enjoy painting Spanish – maybe that will extend to the cavalry I am about to embark upon.

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Napoleonic

28mm French Old Guard (Victrix and Front Rank)

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Today’s update is two units I painted over a year ago and have finally got some better shots of. What French army is complete without battalions of Old Guard Infantry? None I say! First off, a battalion of Victrix Old Guard Grenadiers. These are plastic and while superb miniatures, I fret more than Napoleon did about committing them battle.

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Secondly, a battalion of Chasseurs-a-Pied. These are excellent Front Rank miniatures and were, in my opinion, some of the better figures in the Front Rank catalogue before Alec started doing the recent Reinforcement Packs.

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Napoleonic

28mm Spanish Guerrillas (Front Rank)

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These are the twelve Front Rank Spanish Guerrillas that Roly (Arteis) gave me a few months back. I painted and based these guys in a single day. A record for me.

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My Spanish Guerrilla force so far. I will be adding some irregular lancers next I think.

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Napoleonic

28mm Spanish Guerrilla Leaders (various manufacturers)

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Yesterday I knocked out three Spanish guerrilla leaders for my burgeoning Spanish irregular collection.  Manufacturers are Front Rank, Brigade Games and Eureka Miniatures.

A little background – a few months back my gaming buddy Roly gave me some bits and bobs he had left over from his own Peninsular War armies.  A dozen Front Rank guerrillas were included in this lot. I have just finished painting them today but not photographed as yet. To lead them I have painted this Front Rank miniature. He is  Don Gabriel Alvarado del Costa, also known by his nom-de-guerre ‘El Rolissimo’.

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ImageNext up is that scourge of the French, Comandante Teresa Moreno.  She is a Brigade Games miniature from their excellent Spanish guerrilla range.  She is a crack shot with her Baker rifle, and known as La Aguja ‘the Needle, and not because of her skill with embroidery.

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Finally we have the more than slightly mad monk, Father Salbatore, known as El Abad “the Abbot”. He hates the godless French and shows them no mercy.  He is a Eureka Miniatures figure from their Tyrolean Militia 1797-1809 range.

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Napoleonic

28mm 52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry (Front Rank)

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When I started my Peninsular Project I had no real idea of what units I wanted to make so I ended up with a hodge podge of units, rather than a particular order of battle. However, saying that by random chance it seems I have lucked upon making three units of the Light Division – so I might as well continue and finish it.  I already have a battalion of the 43rd Monmouthshire Light Infantry and a battalion of 95th RIfles almost completed, so the 52nd seemed a good choice.  I painted these the last week I was in Wellington before I came home for Christmas.  My muse was working overtime keeping me focused. Thank you my muse. You are so good for me.

This unit is entirely constructed using the new Front Rank reinforcement packs. I know that the Sergeant with pike and drummer are Centre Coy figures, but who cares I say. These Front Rank miniatures are the best that Alec has made in my opinion. I also got a set of the French Grenadiers in March Attack pose to round out a unit of Old Guard I have had sitting around – all I can say is WOW – they are really nice miniatures. The casting and detail is superb.

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Napoleonic

28mm Peninsular Command – British and Spanish

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As my Peninsular War Anglo-Portuguese-Spanish armies slowly muster their forces, I thought it prudent to provide them with some command.  Here are a few shots of the first bases.

First off, General Picton (Perry Miniatures) gets information from an officer of the 95th (Offensive Miniatures).

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Picton is joined by Wellington and Uxbridge (well he came with the Perry set) and some Spanish officers.

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Another view of the Spanish brigade commander and his ADC (Front Rank Miniatures).

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The Spanish C-in-C with his senior officers in attendance (More Front Rank Miniatures).

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Another shot of the Spanish command bases for my army so far.

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Napoleonic

28mm Spanish Guerrilla Band (Front Rank)

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No Peninsular War game can really be complete without a small band of Spanish Guerrillas to harry the flanks of the French and disrupt their columns of march. I have already painted up the Brigade Games Spanish guerrillas as a militia regiment so decided to use Front Rank for my first actual Guerrilla band.

One thing that you can always be assured of when you buy Front Rank figures is that they are well cast, clean, take paint well and are damned well fed. These guys are obviously doing pretty well looting French supply wagons.

ImageThis unit is just sixteen figures strong. I based them on 40x40mm laser-cut MDF bases. Bases are finished with Polyfilla, painted and flocked with the addition of some grass and flower tufts.

ImageThey are mounted two to three to a base, to reflect their irregular and skirmish deployment. I am in the process of painting a couple of character figures who will be based separately for Sharpe Practice games.

ImageHere they are taking cover behind a wall to ambush some unsuspecting French.

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ImageThese Front Rank figures some with a variety of headgear – from berets and scarves to top hats.

ImageThe figure of the man pointing a pistol wearing cape is probably my favourite figure amongst this group that I purchased.

ImageI also like this officer with his death’s head insignia on his top hat.

ImageI am planning on one more irregular infantry unit – a Small unit of armed Spanish monks. I already have four Perry miniatures left over and have just ordered some more from East Riding Miniatures to finish them off.