The new year started and I opened my last two presents of Christmas
A very welcome 2017 Wargames Annual, one actually on the list which was two items long, Vikings being the other.
The second, an unexpected new version of DBMM Vol 2 The Classical Period.
My cup runneth over this year with wargames items if you include the shogunate buildings.
I have been having a tidy up and sorting through my Napoleonics ready for the big challenge. I find I have the following Austrians:-
AN1 x 36 @5 =180 Musketeers in shako
AN2 x 18 @5 =90 Grenadiers
AN3 x 20 @5 =100 Jaegers
AN4 x 14 @3 =42 Currassiers
AN5 x 12 @5 =60 Artillery
AN7 x 14 @3 =42 Hussars
AN9 x 14 @3 =42 Lancers
A total of 556 figures excluding the cannons and flag bearers.
The figures I bought were for the early war years. I wanted distinction between the nationalities, L'ordre mixte, column and other formations for the French. Line for everyone else. I think this offers more visual enjoyment than all the continentals using the column attack. And some variation in tactics.
The painting is coming along nicely. Most of the work on the Austrians is done. Not looking too bad, just not quite as good as the ancients I have been painting.
Having looked at various blogs and reviews I may go with battalions of 18 figures, but I am getting a little ahead of myself. My current units were set up with varying unit sizes, as was the case with nations choosing their own battalion complement.. The basing was also irregular as in cavalry, artillery and infantry were not on equal size bases. I will wait until I have the rules before I decide which way to go.
I was going to wait until most of the painting was done before buying the rules. A trip to London to get my visa took me close to the Ork's Nest, a wargames shop near Covent Garden, China Town and Tottenham Court Road.. Temptation was too much!
I now have the rules bought at the Ork's Nest (Ork'sNest) in London. Also, Polemos Napoleonic rules (Napoleonic Rules) and companion from eBay UK for under £10!. These rules are actually 2 in one. One for divisional games General de Division and another section, at the back, Marechal de L'Empire for larger battles. I can use both rules for the bases I am considering. Whether it is 60mm as advised or 80mm I will look at when I come back from Cuba.
I have decided that I will take the Asiatics to Cuba as the Napoleonics are going so well. I have undercoated them ready. I will take a limited pallet of colours and add more colour when I come back. I don't want to be over burdened with paint pots!
Only time will tell.
