Sunday 27 May 2012

Regiment de Auxerrios, one down, dum de dum de dum to go!

Despite the mountain of jobs that Broadside 2012 has generated I have managed to complete the first unit of my French WSS army!

I have decided to build this army using the 28mm plastic Wargames Factory WSS figures, they are compatible is size and heft with my beloved Front Rank figures, as used for my British and allied army, but very much cheaper...very much cheaper. As mentioned in one of my previous posts, these figures retail at something like £16 for a box of 36 and I can make exactly two units per box; that is just £8.00 a unit! But I can generally find boxes on ebay or at trade stands for at least £1.00 less, often £2.00. Great value for some nice figures.

What do you think? This is the first battalion of the Regiment de Auxerrios regiment.


I have used a deeper base for the command base to protect the flags a little and provide space for a unit name tag, just laminated paper but it does the job.


The figures were block painted and coated with the Army Painter Dark Tone dip, not the strong tone, huge difference! The black shade of Dark Tone really works well against the lighter colours, far better than the rather weak looking Soft Tone dip the company suggests. It doesn't discolour any white areas at all but gives a subtle shade, the strong tone really dirties things up. It is a little counter-intuitive I know, but it works well for me.

The flags are by Maverick Models. Stuart has some 2000 flags on the site with four different size available, 6mm, 15mm, 25mm and 42mm. Then There are three different mediums to choose from, quality paper (as used on these figures), self adhesive paper and cloth....and then you can pick from plain finish or effect finish! I know, mad...but so cool! Despite the great range available, Stuart only had one regimental flag that I needed, this one. The rest I needed for the other planned units were not available....until I contacted Stuart with the designs I wanted and within a week they were made, printed and on my desk! Fantastic service. Here is a close up of them.


I then dug out a spare mounted command figure to use as a Brigadier, this is actually a Front Rank British figure but it does the job very well indeed.


The WSS project is getting there. Using 'Beneath The Lily Banners 2' rules has made things easier as far as unit size goes, it will also make the Front Rank figures I have for the Brit Army go a bit further too!

9 comments:

  1. A great looking first unit!!! A damn nice flag too, Stuart does make some nice flags, what units are the flags you got made up from?
    Also try and get rid of the captcha, its a pain in the &%$£!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ray, damn that was a quickly done comment!

      i think I have now turned of the captcha thing....let me know!

      I found the details on this site http://www.thewaroffice.co.uk/blenheim/ I have decided on the division of Marechal de Camp, the Marquis de St. Pierre so, two auxerrios units and one de chabrillant in the first brigade; two de robecque units and one d'albaret in the second; one nice, one tavannes, one de bandeville in the third; and then an irish brigade with Clare, Lee and dorrington as the fourth.

      dont even ask about the cavalry...not even thought about them yet!

      Delete
    2. Yep captcha is gone!! 1 down 50,000 to go!

      Delete
  2. Al these look really good. I'm impressed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Clint, you are too kind sir.

      although I have to say that it is the judicious use of the dip that does it. That said, you need to keep the basic paint job really neat and even with just a hint of highlight here and there.

      the basing is all me of course :)

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Hi Brummie,

      Thanks for the kind comments. i do love Maverick Models flags, the cloth ones are very neat and fold really well.

      Delete
  4. Damn nice looking unit especially the price and lovely flags!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angry,

      I think you are fight about the nice looking price certainly! i can get a four battalion brigade for almost the same price as a Front Rank pre packed battalion. The flags are neat and I am very pleased with them, they really seem to finish the unit off.

      Delete