Before I returned to 28mm figures I built up a very large collection of 6mm armies. My main collection being the Napoleonic wars. In the 1990's I realised that 6mm was the only scale to refight the battles of the Napoleonic Wars. At that time after a couple of false starts John and I discovered the Volley and Bayonet rules, which offered brigade sized units and the chance to re fight all the big battles. I still think these rules are amongst the best for providing simple rules with a good historical feel to them.
When I decided to start collecting 28mm figures again [ and I still haven't worked out why exactly] my 6mm collections have just sat in boxes. Some I have sold, but I just couldnt bring myself to get rid of my Napoleonics. Anyway the new Blucher rules have given me a reason to take my 6mm armies out of their boxes, and re base them.
These are a few rebased units that I have done for the Blucher rules. At the present time they are just samples because I want to add some visual appeal to the bases, ie, unit markers and of course a bit of colour to show which nationality etc they are. Still I do like them, for the simple reason they look like a brigade of troops for the Napoleonic Wars.
Re basing can be a chore, and I've already chopped a couple of fingers and ruined some figures by taking them off their old bases, but hopefully it will be worth it. One thing I had forgotten about, was just how many 6mm figures I have for the period. My goal, and one battle that I had never refought was the slug fest Liepzig.I had painted all the troops, but never completed the terrain for it, so perhaps this time.
Napoleon looking a bit dazed after being brought back into the sunlight after some years.
Robbie- agree with your view on V and B - played it a lot during the 1990s- especially since I was almost the only bloke in the UK you could get them from back then. We did Vand B in 15mm I used to have large Franco- Prussian forces
ReplyDeleteI've never been comfortable with based up figures- of whatever size- and however pretty with the unit stats on the bases - it really jars the eye and confirms the "these are just posh game counters" approach .Mind you the smaller the little dudes I suppose the more anonymous they become
Andy I know what your saying about posh counters, but in order to get the feel of a Napoleonic battle the smaller scales are the most effective. That is unless one has a 30 foot table and loads of cash.
DeleteRobbie- the size of the figures has nothing to do with this case. I've used Napoleonics in every size from 6mm to 40mm and in most of those there have been times when the unit stats are written on the bases of the models. It makes 'em stick out like a sore thumb insted of being a part of the terrain they are "living" in .
DeleteI know its an arty-farty viewpoint but IMHO that white stats bar or whatever it is jars the eye on otherwise well tasty gear
Nevertheless, the brushwork on these tiny figures is stunning. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Morning Stokes,
DeleteThanks for your kind comment. A lot of 6mm wargamers fall into the trap of painting the figures as if they were 28mm. One needs to almost exaggerate the uniform colours to make them look good. By the way I havent abandoned my bigger figures, and have a lot of 28mm units to paint.
Looking good Robbie, looking good!!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteMorning Neil,
DeleteIm still waiting for our first battle, whats the matter are you a bit worried.
Robbie,
ReplyDeleteLooking good, so nice to see the 6mm get a new breath of life.
What's more the game is good as well.
Graham
Morning Graham,
DeleteYoure right the rules are very good, and they play really well.Im furiously basing up my armies, as we speak, because I seem to have a very large pile of SYW lead to paint.
Very, very nice - what make of figures are they?
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority are Irregular Miniatures, with Heroics and Ros skirmishers. I know that the wargames media are pushing Baccus Miniatures but en masse Irregular are still great figures.
ReplyDeleteDont worry Robbie we dont allow traversing fire in our games!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking Napoleonic masses! Well done looks good!
ReplyDeleteI have 4,000 6mm figures myself for big battles these are perfect. My 28mm Napoleonic's have been rebased singly for skirmish gaming.
Im looking at doing Blucher in 6mm myself. How did you choose how to base them? how did you get the card to stick out like that?
ReplyDelete