Algerian Reinforcements

Joining my French forces is this unit of Minifigs S Range Algerians. I cannot claim any credit for the painting as this is how they came when bought on line, apart from my painting of the bases and mounting them on MDF rectangles. I did, however, paint the standard bearer and I have noticed an odd yellow streak on the red part of the flag, which I will have to rectify.

Crimean War Sardinian Line Infantry

Another offering from Old John are these Minifigs S Range conversions - Sardinian Line Infantry. This group represents a Brigade and, along with two Regiments of Bersagleri, an artillery battery and some cavalry, will form my Sardinian contingent. This in turn will become part of my French army:

Playing around with hexagons

I continue to look at ways to represent the scenic elements of my Battle Cry and Command and Colors playing areas. Most of my Napoleonic troops have been rebased and organised to fit on a four inch hex gridded table. They are mounted on four stands each 40 x 20mm. Here is an example, a British unit:

Which comfortably sits on a four inch hex:

However, when it comes to buildings it does become a little tight. I have been experimenting and came up with this solution - this is a rough trial example:

A unit can fit easily into the courtyard to represent a defended built up area:

Unfortunately there are those figures that are moulded with rifles and bayonets thrusting out at a low angle. To avoid the bayonets being pushed into the ranks in front I mount these figures on 40 x 25mm bases, such as these Warrior Spanish:

However, joy of joys, these figures also fit into my walled farm hex, albeit with little room to spare:

I am going to take this idea forward with some other designs.

Some new offerings from Old John

I have to admit that I have had these figures hanging around in my must get these done tray for longer than I would like - but at last they are finished. They are a group of Crimean figures produced by Old John converted from Minifigs S Range moulds, and designed to fill some of the gaps in available 25mm figures.

First up is a British command group in 'pork pie' hats:

I have a battlion of infantry that need a command group, so these will fit in nicely.

Next up is a mounted guards officer:

Followed by a mounted higland officer:

Finally we have a Sardinian cavalry trooper:

Project Battle Cry - Trial Run

Having painted sufficient troops for the first scenario, I thought I would set it up to see what it looks like. Unfortunately, my hills hexes which I ordered have arrived, but they are the wrong size. My fault. I did not notice that the company that makes them uses a different measuring point than that used by Warbase; they are too small by about half an inch - doh! I have ordered some more.

In the meantime I set up the first scenario in Battle Cry, which is First Bull Run, using a four inch hex mat.  I already had the hills and woods hexes from an earlier Napoleonic game and put these to good use. The units just about fit a four inch hex, but will look much better and a bit les crowded when I get to use a full five inches. Here are some images: