Camelry

15mm figures from Irregular Miniatures from their Colonial range.

I have already received the Bavarians and my recent order for Austrian has just been shipped so I better get priming.

Bavarians:

7 Battalions of foot (36 figures each)
1 Battalion of Guard (40 figures)
1 Battalion of Light (36 figures)
2 Artillery batteries with 4 horse limbers (4 guns each)
1 Hussar unit (24 horse)
1 Cuirassier unit (24 horse)
1 Sapper unit (8 figures)
1 Divisional HQ (4 mounted and 4 dismounted figures)

Austrian:

7 Battalions of foot (36 figures each)
1 Battalion of Grenz (Guard - 40 figures)
1 Battalion of Jägers (Light - 36 figures)
2 Artillery batteries with 4 horse limbers (4 guns each)
1 Hussar unit (24 horse)
1 Cuirassier unit (24 horse)
1 Militia (mixed Round Hat and Korsehut hats - 40 figures)
1 Sapper unit (8 figures)
1 Divisional HQ (4 mounted and 4 dismounted figures)

15mm Napoleonics (Bavaria and Austrian) - and the winner is...

Napoleonics is one of the two eras (the other being WW2) that for some reason I always get drawn back to. I finished large Prussian, Russian and French armies some time ago and have not looked at the era for years.

The other day I was reading up on the Austrian invasion of Bavaria and I thought I would order and paint up both of these forces (of which I have no figures and limited books).

All of my Napoleonics are Minifigs so that seemed like the obvious way to continue. But I thought I would have a look around first to see what else was out there. I ordered some 20 samples from various manufacturers and have decided to go with Fantassin Miniagures range: http://www.warmodelling.com/

Here are the reasons why I choose them:

1) the figures are beautifully sculpted
2) there are a variety of poses in each package
3) the horses are well proportioned (in fact some of the best I have seen in this scale)
4) they have high level command packs (mounted Generals, mounted ADCs, officers etc.)
5) they have a comprehensive range of both Bavarian and Austrian troops
6) there is a discount when ordering division or battalion size packages
7) they have a good online shop
8) they have great photos of all their figures online (which makes a BIG difference for me)
9) they accept PayPal so no difficult international transactions
10) they have the most reasonable postage costs on the market (it kills me to pay for postage!)
11) there is no flash on the figures

The only thing "wrong" is that the limber crews do not exist for Bavaria.

Other than that I am a happy camper.

Shanty town

At Salute I was rather taken to the new Shanty Town models from Wilson Wargames. They come in three sizes: small, medium and large (for 5, 10 and 20 GBP respectively). They are prefect for AK-47 (Peter Pig 15mm) range. Click on the phots to enlarge but the photos really don't do them justice. Note the extraordinary detail (i.e. the burnt out cars, the oil drums, posters on the walls). They are sitting on a desert 3 inch hex mat from Holtz Mats (which are also very nice).

25mm second order

The Sash and Saber order arrived just before the deadline of their amazing 50% off sale. The figures are so nice that I have put in a second order as follows (infantry contain 50 figures including commands, cavalry 20 figures also including commands):

2x RYPSI1 Prussian Musketeer Advancing Shoulder Arms (100 figs total)
3x RYPSI2 Prussian Fusilier Advancing Shoulder Arms (150)
1x RYPSI3 Prussian Grenadier Advancing Shoulder Arms (Prussian Cuff) (50)
1x RYPC1a Prussian Hussar in Mirliton (20)
1x RYRSI1 Russian Infantry in Kamzol (sleeved waistcoat) Advancing Shoulder Arms (50)
1 x RYPC1b Prussian Hussar in Fur Cap (20)

I will, therefore, have about 11 battalions of foot and 3 units of cavalry. Remember, I don't do 25mm!!

Prussian infantry - Sash and Saber

Pictured here are a) on top - line infantry (musket) b) drummers and c) standard bearers. Figures by Sash and Saber (25mm) Prussian Seven Years War.

Prussian arrive - they are good

The Sash and Saber figures arrived, pictured here are three different angles of the Prussian Hussars withfur cap and one photo of all the varients that arrived.