28mm Napoleonic Prussian 1st Westphalian Regiment Fusilier battalion

These are some of my Calpe figures. So far I've only painted a few units out of 48 (infantry) plus cavalry plus artillery. The figures are based for In The Grand Manner. I made the bases deeper to accommodate the extra length needed for firing lines.

I have done this officer with a grey greatcoat. I'll probably switch him to a reserve unit and take that officer (in a Prussian blue) greatcoat.

Onward, for Beer and Pretzels! My Bavarian Guard Grenadiers.

At last these stalwarts have been added to my Bavarian army. Bavarian Guard Grenadiers are not easy to find. I bought the majority of the figures from Bicorne miniatures three years ago at the Salute show in London (they are from the Connoisseur range). The nice chaps at the Bicorne stand explained I needed to add a mounted officer, a drummer and a standard bearer - probably from Elite miniatures Old Guard Chasseurs - as Connoisseur don't make these. In the end I bought a Guard Gendarme officer (Connoisseur), a standard bearer from Connoisseur (Guard Chasseur) and a Guard Chasseur drummer from Elite miniatures. Painted and based they all work together OK. Connoisseur/Bicorne/Firing line have vast ranges which vary in style. But the faces, dimensions and size of these Bavarian Guard Grenadiers seem to work well with Elite Guard Chasseurs and the other Connoisseur bits. I only just got around to putting everything together and getting these based up. Part of the delay was due to me deciding to make this a 36 man unit rather than a 32, which is what I had bought figures for initially.

The Guard Gendarme officer didn't have a plume, cords or flounders. I made the plume with a bit of wire, drilled into the bearskin. The cords were made by braiding very thin copper wire. The flounders were made with green stuff over a bit of epoxy resin which drizzled down from the right side of chappies bearskin. This is the sort of thing people did ye olden times to keep themselves amused.

The figures are based for "In The Grand Manner". I used some Silfor tufts, from Warlord Games, and some static grass, from Scenic Express on the bases. The rest is ground up sea shells dusted over PVA glue.

 

Reinforcements by post

Six Napoleonic Westphalian line infantry battalions

I have finally finished six line infantry battalions and two skirmisher screens to add to my Westphalian contingent. I screwed up and ordered them all with Grenadiers in bearskins whereas only the first regiment had Grenadiers in bearskins, with other regiments having Grenadiers in Shakos. Oh well, I can always replace those bases later if I get around to it. Some times things like this niggle me. Hopefully this won't!

The battalions are painted for about 1810 which is before all facing colours were changed to dark blue. 

I still have the cavalry and artillery to paint. Before I get around to that I've three battalions of Portuguese Legion, the Zastrow and Guard du Corps Cuirassier of Saxony, a couple of Portuguese officers, for line regiments I finished years ago, to complete .

These are Elite miniatures. The figures are based for "In The Grand Manner". The rule system is 1:20 figure to men ratio. Obviously it is quite a job to collect for this system. If you don't have the space or time have a look at the Wargames Holiday Center. Mark Freeth, your genial host, can supply the figures and gaming space. It is an amazing spectacle.

If you like the Westphalians you may enjoy reading this ebook written by a contemporary courtier.