| 15mm Anglo-Portuguese 1810 |
My son Jack was born in early March 2008. I decided to celebrate with a new army for 'Le
Feu Sacre'. I chose a 15mm Anglo-Portuguese force for the Peninsular. I have acquired,
painted and sold the same force in 6mm and 25mm in the past, so I was on familiar territory.
As a starting force I decided to model my troops on Wellington's 1810 army that fought at
Busaco. LFS orbat for my force CLICK HERE
After much deliberation I decided that I would choose Picton's 3rd Division, Cole's 4th
Division, Crauford's Light Division and Pack's Portuguese Brigade. I also decided to add
Slade's cavalry Brigade as it had both light cavalry and dragoons, and an LFS rated 'Poor'
commander, to make things more interesting. Later I will add some colour by acquiring
Foot Guards and Highlanders to allow me to fight games set in 1808/9.
My whole painting routine was planned around Jack's feeding routine and was often done
in the early hours of the morning. I managed to paint Picton's Division for LFS in under 10
days and another week of painting saw the completion of the Light Division. Recently I
finished Pack's Portuguese and Slade's Cavalry Brigades.
Cole's 4th Division is nearing completion, just its Portuguese component requiring painting.
I claim to be no great figure painter, aiming for a decent wargames standard that looks good
at arms length on the table, but I am damn quick and with two kids under two years old
painting time is precious.
The figures have little shading or highlighting but my painting is clean, accurate, and an
wash with ink really helps pick out the details. Finally, I gloss spray varnished them. I much
prefer the look of glossed Napoleonic troops.
[Below, Colville's Brigade, (Picton's) 3rd Division. 2/5th Foot, 2/83rd Foot, 2 coys 5/60th
Foot]
Feu Sacre'. I chose a 15mm Anglo-Portuguese force for the Peninsular. I have acquired,
painted and sold the same force in 6mm and 25mm in the past, so I was on familiar territory.
As a starting force I decided to model my troops on Wellington's 1810 army that fought at
Busaco. LFS orbat for my force CLICK HERE
After much deliberation I decided that I would choose Picton's 3rd Division, Cole's 4th
Division, Crauford's Light Division and Pack's Portuguese Brigade. I also decided to add
Slade's cavalry Brigade as it had both light cavalry and dragoons, and an LFS rated 'Poor'
commander, to make things more interesting. Later I will add some colour by acquiring
Foot Guards and Highlanders to allow me to fight games set in 1808/9.
My whole painting routine was planned around Jack's feeding routine and was often done
in the early hours of the morning. I managed to paint Picton's Division for LFS in under 10
days and another week of painting saw the completion of the Light Division. Recently I
finished Pack's Portuguese and Slade's Cavalry Brigades.
Cole's 4th Division is nearing completion, just its Portuguese component requiring painting.
I claim to be no great figure painter, aiming for a decent wargames standard that looks good
at arms length on the table, but I am damn quick and with two kids under two years old
painting time is precious.
The figures have little shading or highlighting but my painting is clean, accurate, and an
wash with ink really helps pick out the details. Finally, I gloss spray varnished them. I much
prefer the look of glossed Napoleonic troops.
[Below, Colville's Brigade, (Picton's) 3rd Division. 2/5th Foot, 2/83rd Foot, 2 coys 5/60th
Foot]
I plumped for Essex Miniatures as they are very cheap (and I now have two kids!), easy to
paint and clean castings with a fair bit of character. They also sell them in packs of eight
figures for infantry.
Now I know that this range has its detractors, but hey its my money (plus we don't all
have the money and talent to do AB figures justice)
Most of my figures were painted with patches on their uniforms and other campaign
touches as Wellington's boys were a ragged bunch for much of the war.
paint and clean castings with a fair bit of character. They also sell them in packs of eight
figures for infantry.
Now I know that this range has its detractors, but hey its my money (plus we don't all
have the money and talent to do AB figures justice)
Most of my figures were painted with patches on their uniforms and other campaign
touches as Wellington's boys were a ragged bunch for much of the war.
Right, Champelimaud's Brigade,
3rd Division.
1/ and 2/9th (Viana) Line, 21st
(Valenca) Line
3rd Division.
1/ and 2/9th (Viana) Line, 21st
(Valenca) Line
[Above, Mackinnon's Brigade, 3rd Division. 1/88th Foot, 1/45th Foot and 1/74th Foot]
British flags are by 'Flags for The Lads' who rather conveniently sell Divisional sheets for
1810.
Portuguese flags, and those of the Light Division are AB flags from Fighting 15's
British flags are by 'Flags for The Lads' who rather conveniently sell Divisional sheets for
1810.
Portuguese flags, and those of the Light Division are AB flags from Fighting 15's
Right, Sharpe's chums;
95th Rifles from Crauford's Light
Division.
95th Rifles from Crauford's Light
Division.
Below, 43rd Foot, Monmouthshire Light Infantry, Beckwith's Bde, Light Division.
Below Left, 3rd (Villa Real) Cacadores, Beckwith's Bde, Light Division
Below Right, 1st (Castello De Vide) Cacadores, Barclay's Bde, Light Division
Below Right, 1st (Castello De Vide) Cacadores, Barclay's Bde, Light Division
| Below, Pack's Portuguese Brigade. Left, 1st (La Lippe) Line. Right 16th (Viera Telles) Line and 4th (Vizeu) Cacadores. |
| Slade's Cavalry Brigade. 1st (Royal) Dragoons and 14th (Duchess of Yorks Own) Light Dragoons [Note the headswaps on the 1st Dragoons. I decided to have a couple of figures wearing the popular 'Watering Cap' and one even has lost his hat.] |
| Finally, I decided to add some colourful French allies to face my Anglo-Portuguese chaps. Two Battalions of the unusual red-coated Legion Hanovrienne fought at Busaco along with the attractively, light brown faced blue, uniformed Legion Du Midi. (Below). |
I also decided to add the 3rd Hussars to my French force for 1810. In LFS terms they form
two eight figure units. Uniquely they were dressed in a grey, faced red, uniform and for my
money are the most attractive French Hussar regiment.
two eight figure units. Uniquely they were dressed in a grey, faced red, uniform and for my
money are the most attractive French Hussar regiment.
I recently departed from my Busaco Orbat to paint up the 42nd Highlanders. I must admit
that they are a nightmare to paint with red and white cap bands, hose and tartan kilts. I
spent ages trying to get the right look for the tartan, by trying lots of different colour
combinations, and must admit to not being totally 100% happy with the look. They will be
fielded as two 'wings' of ten figures each but are grouped together here for the photo.
that they are a nightmare to paint with red and white cap bands, hose and tartan kilts. I
spent ages trying to get the right look for the tartan, by trying lots of different colour
combinations, and must admit to not being totally 100% happy with the look. They will be
fielded as two 'wings' of ten figures each but are grouped together here for the photo.
Other newly painted units include 7th (Royal) Fusiliers
| 11th (North Devon) Regt of Foot |
| 53rd (Shropshire) Regt of Foot 27th (Inniskilling) Regt of Foot More to follow soon.... |
