Jumping into the Deep End!

[Luvvo]

My Black Powder plot:This is my first attempt todelve into Historical gaming, and I thought what better army to start with than a Napoleonic era British amalgamation, based on my own birth origins(OrRegiment I would of likely joined). For my purposes(slightlyselfish) I wish to field a Waterloo era British army that whilst in keepingwith history up until 1814, for the sake of me saying "These are myboys" I would have the *Disbandment* removed from history records.In short I would have itre-written that the 2nd Queen's and 31st were sent back to England for garrisonduty until called upon for napoleons return. With the 70th joining them,instead of being posted in Canada at the time. If that confused you please readon ;] 

The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment: http://www.queensroyalsurreys......index.html "Vel Exuviae Triumphant" - "Even in defeat there can betriumph" 

The Queen’s in the Peninsular War:In July 1808 the Regiment joined the Army of Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, in Portugal. Queensmen remained in the Peninsula until the final victory at Toulouse in1814, taking part in the great battles of Vimiera, the Retreat to Corunna,Talavera, Salamanca, Vittoria and the Nivelle River. The crossing of the Pyrenees involved ten major actions in nine days of continuous movement, and inhis despatch to the Duke of York, Commander in Chief of the British Army,Wellington describing The Queen’s, wrote “it is impossible for troops to behavebetter”.

The Regiments themselves:
The (2nd) Queen’s Royal,Regiment of Foot. (West Surrey)
The 31st HuntingdonshireRegiment, Raised 1804
The 70th East Surrey Regiment(saw no action in peninsular/Napoleonic Camp) 

The Regimental Colour:Battles fought either in thePeninsula or France for the era I wish to field, historically accurate.“VIMIERA” “CORUNNA” “TALAVERA”"ALUBHERA" “SALAMANCA” “VITTORIA” “NIVE” “ORTHES” “TOULOUSE"“PENINSULA”

The Models:
What I have to work with to form my plans so far include:28mm4x Perry British Line Infantry1x Victrix Highlander CentreCompany1x British Foot Artillery2x ColonelsAny hints or tips would be muchappreciated when attempting to create this army(Both in the hobby sense andplaying sense), I would go by the Black Powder rule set if that alters armycomposition at all(have yet to obtain it). I am really looking forward to thisproject and any like minded hobbiest comments would be rather helpful, especially on recommend paints! 

[blackwurm08]

 I'm going to be following this with great interest, as I've jumped into the same deep end.  I'm starting down the napoleonics road.  What size are you planning your battalions?  The British side sounds great, but what are your French sides? I have Blackpowder rules and you shouldn't have to change anything.  You may want to take some of the extra minis from the boxes to single base the light infantry.  It will help when you used the "mixed unit" rule. good luck and keep us posted,Jon

[mikeland]

Hi LuvvoSounds like a good plan, though Napoleonic wars is not my strength. Here are a couple of painting guides I though were quite good:http://www.victrixlimited.com/.....inners.phphttp://www.victrixlimited.com/.....vanced.php And you might want to keep an eye on this thread:http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/.....a-project/ Good luck and enjoy.  

[Luvvo]

@ Jon, I appreciate the interest bud, always helps to finish the actual project itself! As for the size of force I am thinking of eventually forming a Brigade, "A Brigade is…typically composed of two to five Battalions, plus supporting elements"(Wiki), which lead me onto the composition of my battalions.

I would look to build upto the 3 main regiments, perhaps with one battalion per regiment for starters. (This in itself can account for a 2nd or first battalion being stationed back home, as on typical deployments it was unlikely they served next to each other anyway) I will then include a Highland battalion, and a light battalion. If they had grenadier plastics I would also take them but alas I can't find any. This would also be supported by a section of foot artillery. I could potentially look into Cavalry later on, but with most hobbies I don't want to get to carried away too early.

The battalions themselves will consist of 36 men/models including command.Overall this provides me with:Colonel -Queens Royal Colonel -Black Watch1st Battalion Queens 2nd Royal's -Line Infantry Centre Company2nd Battalion 70th East Surrey – Line Infantry Centre Company2nd Battalion 31st Huntingdonshire – Line Infantry Centre Company1st Battalion Black Watch – Line Infantry Flank Company2nd Battalion 95th Rifles – Light Infantry Skirmishing CompanyRoyal Artillery Section  - 6 pounders I think this is certainly a decent enough structure to build on, aswell as look in horror as I have to assemble/base/paint it all haha.

As for the French I don't think I have the time to dwell on, but I would think the structure would not be to dissimilar.   

@Mikeland Thanks for the links man, for me personally i'm not a great fan of leaving the "black" lines on models. I really prefer an element of realisim, even if it does mean a whole lot more patience/washes/highlights! Hence why the second link is awesome for me and a real help, thanks a lot!! The other link to Cubsters posts has potentialy just given me a hobbie hardon, wow that dude can paint! Thanks for the heads up Mike!My main ideas at the present tend to look away at the standard issue grey trouser and I would really like to create something as such: 

[blackwurm08]

 Hey, Those links are very helpfull.  Although, I'm one of those painters that agrees with Luvvo, I don't like black lining.  I have primed all my stuff white and work mostly with washes and some simple lining.  I have started the penninsular war so I'm doing light grey for the Brits and linen white for the French.  I probably won't have near as good a paint job as those I've seen on this sight.  You might try white priming, I think it gives more control. I like the organization of your brigade.  What I've done is simple started with infantry.  I build only two sets of eight at a time and than as one gets painted I build and prime another set. I'm both dreading and excited about doing Highlanders.  I can get bogged down on details if I'm not carefull. thanks for the tips and good luck on the building,Jon

[Luvvo]

Well a brief update. I have managed to get 2 stacks of 12 models painted and based, unfortunetly the painting of Cubster would put me to shame. Although when looking back at the amount of un-opened boxes I have to assemble I think my level of painitng and the amount im churning through is not too bad at all. Espesically whilst in an exam period!! I hope to have images up soon, my phone camera is all I have atm and the bluetooth seems buggered so I have no means to post them at the moment. Watch this space.*Also in regards to a historical view point would it be apt if I took all the flank company arms from the Perry boxes and formed a Light Line battalion or is this highly inaccurate?  

[blackwurm08]

 Hey, You are moving right along.  I like the organization of the brits.  I'm putting off getting highlanders at the moment, because I'll get bogged down doing plaid.  It will happen eventually.  Hope you can post pics soon. How are y0u basing your 95th rifles as they are skirmish?  I just got my foundry rifles and the rest of my napoleonics are based on 4 per stand.  Do you single base skirmishers?  

[Luvvo]

[Cubster]

Deja vu.Or did I just say that?

[NTM]

Think he meant to quote and reply but forgot to reply