Borodino in 28mm

I've been working on the Borodino Project for quite a while.  It required units of French Allies including Saxons, Bavarians, Poles, Italians, Wurtemburgers, and Westphalians, as well as the main French army and Russian army.

Well, after more than a year of planning, buying buildings and terrain (Total Battle Miniatures); figures (Perry, Foundry, Front Rank, Paul Hicks, Calpe, Elite, and Westfalia); and contracting with some of the best figure painters currently working (Scott MacPhee, Artmaster Studio, Roger Murrow, and Darren Smith [Paxx88]), the game is finally ready to see the table.

Here are some pictures of the setup (though I am still waiting for a few units to arrive).

The town of Borodino is at the bottom of the picture, and the view is south. The Grand Redoubt is just south of Borodino, and the Fleches are at the top of the picture facing the massive French deployment.

The French forces south of the river (Ney, Junot, and Davout's Corps) prepare to launch the initial attack on the Russian Fleches.

The Fleches.

Poniatowski's Polish Corps prepares to move through Utitza on the way to attack the Russian left flank.

The Russians wait for them on the mound.

French Chasseur skirmish line in the woods north of Utitza.

Russian Opolchenie Militia wait behind the woods.

Another look at the French massed for attack.

And their Wurttemberg allies.

The center looking at the Fleches and beyond.

Vive le' Emperor!

Davout wishing he could re-direct the attack to his right.

French Cuirassier ready to go.

The French left looking at the Grand Redoubt and Borodino.

The cannon's muzzle in the Grand Redoubt.

Eugene's Italian troops on the French left.

Bavarian Infantry wasn't at Borodino in any numbers, but I've added them to Eugene's Corps.

The Russians wait for Eugene past Borodino in Gorki. Note: Uvarov and Platov's cavalry north of the River.

Russian artillery prepared in front of Gorki.

Kutusov and his staff watch the battle unfold.

Skirmishing flares up as the French attack begins.

Russian Hussars.

...and Cossacks in echelon behind them.

Russian Dragoons.

Russian Cuirassier.

Pas d' Charge!  The attack begins!

Polish Voltigeurs Paint Tweak

Before:

Something about the pale yellow on their Czapskas just wasn't sitting right with me. I wasn't fond of the color to begin with and to have the top edging, the plume, the cords, and the cross on the top all in the same color didn't look right. So... I re-painted them.

After:

I like this yellow for the top edge and plume much better.
The top cross in black looks more accurate and less busy.
The cords in green also keeps the whole composition from being too busy and let's the eye appreciate the contrasts better IMHO.
The yellow in the 'after' picture is actually a bit more deep in real life (almost like a school bus) than is shown in this picture.

Before, the cross on the top of the Czapska was canary yellow.  Just too busy.  I like the simpler look better.

Ready for combat!

Napoleonic Allies Project

I am currently building out my Napoleonic armies to one day be able to fight the entire Napoleonic Wars using an updated version of my game Napoleon in Europe (let's call it '2') for the strategic side and my Napoleonic Command & Colors rules for the Tactical Battles.  In the shorter run, I want to be able to play the following campaigns: 1806, 1807, 1812, 1813.

To that end Scott MacPhee is painting up my Russian army, and I have contracted Artmaster Studio in the UK to paint up a selection of French Allies.  The first few units have arrived, and I based them up ready for gaming.

Two units of Bavarian Infantry (Front Rank).  A third is in the works.

A unit of Wurtemberg Infantry (Front Rank).  A second is in the works.

A unit of Wutemberg Chevau-Leger (Front Rank).  These were painted by Fernando Painting Service in Sri Lanka.

Two units of Westphalian Infantry (Elite Miniatures). I'm thinking about adding another couple of units, but using Paul Hicks' new Saxon scuplts. I know there are a few differences in uniform and kit, but I think the differences are minor, and the sculpts are really, really nice.

A unit of Italian Guards (Front Rank).

A unit of Italian Grenadier Infantry (Front Rank).

A unit of Fusilier Infantry from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Paul Hicks sculpts painted by Roger Murrow).

A unit of Grenadier Infantry from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Paul Hicks sculpts painted by Roger Murrow).

A unit of Voltigeur Infantry from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Paul Hicks sculpts painted by Roger Murrow).

A unit of Imperial Guard Lancers...just because (Perry Miniatures/ Artmaster Studios). I may use them for Polish Uhlans in a pinch.

I have the following uits still planned:

Polish (GDW):
1 Infantry
1 Hussar
1 Uhlan
1 Artillery

Saxon:
3 Infantry
1 Zastrow Cuirassier
1 Lieb Guard

Italian:
2 Infantry
1 Queen's Dragoons
1 Artillery

Bavarian:
1 Infantry
1 Chevau-Leger
1 Artillery

Westphalian:
2 Infantry
1 Chevau-Leger

Baden-Wurtemberg:
1 Infantry
1 Dragoon
1 Artillery

I'll use French Hussars and Dragoons as needed for allies as the differences are slight.

Can't wait to get Borodino, or Friedland, or Bautzen, or Lutzen, or Eylau on the table.