What period to choose?

[Invisible officer]

There was no difference between the Dragoons and the Dragoon Guards. The guards title was just a sweeting for the loss of better pay the former Heavies had to accept in 18th century. In theory the heavier weight of man and horse gives an advantage for the Heavies.

Light Dragoons and Hussars are tactical identical. The Lancer's arm was not realy an advantage. If the enemy was able to parry the stitch the Lancer was in a bad situation. Cossack are reputed to be able to fence with the lance, western European Lancers not.

The difference between the types of cavalry faded. In 1853 a new universal Sword was introduced for Heavy and Light cavalry alike. From my own example I can confirm the stories that the grip was not ideal, it tends to twist in the hand.
The Heavies had bigger horses, the Lights had more agile ones. But the Crimean war was bad for the horses, many ill or dying. The popular image of the helter skelter attack is far away from reality.

[MiSiO]

Big thanks!

Could You tell me about Cavalry Unit sizes/number of models?

I ordered 3 units. Regular infantry, lighter regular infantry and highland infantry + colonel as a brigade leader... Cavalry is few weeks I suppose

[Invisible officer]

With Cavalry you are free to choose the unit size you like.

A Regiment had 4 troops in the field and 2 at home. Each troop 71. The unit should have 284 in the field. On paper. At Balaclava average number was 150.

Infantry had 8 companies at 110. Again on paper only. With the illness ravaging in the army 5-600 would be good.
Line 6 centre, 1 Light and 1 Grenadier company. Highlanders had no longer Flank companies!

You might want some ....
An independent Russian Schuetzen Battalion had 4 Companies of 176 . A Line Regiment had 4 Battalions, a Line Battalion 4 Companies of 266.
A Hussar or Uhlan Regiment had 8 Squadrons of 148
Dragoons had 10 Squadrons of 148
Cossacks had 6 Sotnias of 119 - 139

[MiSiO]

WoW! Big thanks!

When I asked about unit sizes I ment number of miniatures on a field (how many 2 model strong bases are in a small, normal size and big units) but the information about real unit sizes are great!

[HobbitMiles]

I don't know much at all about the Crimean war so won't talk specifically about the historical aspects of it, but my main advice would be to read at least a basic military history of the period that you're interested in and some good battle descriptions to get the feel for the period. I recall flicking through one of the Osprey books on Russian forces in the Crimea and it seemed to give quite a bit of detail on the formations and tactics used. Ospreys vary enormously in quality - so it may be worth checking out reviews first and/or finding out if there is a specialist forum/Yahoo Group out there.

As to the rules and unit sizes, I think it is very much a matter of personal taste and the size of the table that you're using. I like big units, but unfortunately the clubs where I play have quite small tables, so we tend to use very small units 8-12 figures each. These work perfectly well for what we're doing and as there is no casualty removal it doesn't cause a problem.

Wargames Foundry also make Crimean War figures, which I'm fairly certain are nice Perry sculpts, and I'm also fairly certain that I've seen them in the current clearance sale.

[MiSiO]

I looked through Russians in Osprey... but did not find any British forces. I will find something about this period but I would like to start painting basic units before I get into the period. That is why I ask all those questions

About the unit sizes... I was reading the book several times and just find it. No idea how I missed it before (cavalry unit sizes)

Big thanks for the Wargames Foundry. Nice minis.

[HobbitMiles]

Again working entirely from memory, but I think that the British forces in the Crimea are covered in the more general Osprey series on the army in the Victorian period. There may be one of the very early Ospreys on the Crimea, but often the research in these early volumes has been surpassed more recently. The Osprey Campaign series often serve as a good intro and, if nothing else, give a good bibliography and starting point for further research. Try checking out their website (and then buy off Amazon!).

There was also, I think, one of the large format Windrow & Greene volumes on the battle of Balaclava - I have the one about the North West Frontier (Frontier Ablaze). Again, if noting else it serves as a good primer and points you in the right direction for further research. These books were very expensive when first published, but you may pick one up remaindered/second hand at a reasonable price.

Foundy were the original home of the Perry twins' historical miniatures and they continue to sell many very nice ranges even though all of their better sculptors have long since moved on and work pretty much independantly now.

[darksheppy]

ive seen good conversions of perry plastics into crimea war figures in some either magazine or a rule book not sure which though

[DOGGED]

How is it going?
I'm late I know, but you could also consider the First Carlist War in Spain. Perry make an excellent range and there should be easy conversions from plastic prussian landwehr to bulk Carlist forces. Forces were small enough as to make it a comparatively cheap period and then you could use almost all minis for napoleonic gaming.
You can get different units of Line Infantry, Irregulars, Elites, Line and Light Cavalry, Line and Mountain Artillery, foreign contingents (British Legion) and militias, even armed clergy.
Worth checking that!

[MiSiO]

I will as it sounds great but my Crimea minis are here and they are great! First 3 units. Regular, light and highland infantry. Still waiting for bases from Perry...

I guess I will make some GS convertions but I love those Crimea metal minis. Those are my first 28minis in... 6 years (in such numbers). I had few Mordheim minis before but not a 28mm army

I know I never play with them but still it is a nice to think that they make a great looking army.