French Army project, for Soldiers of Napoleon

I began the large project of painting a French Napoleonic army in August ’22, so a year on, I thought I should record my progress. It has taken up 90% of my painting time for 12 months.

I’ve been working to a plan, a unit a month (I’ve actually managed to go a bit faster), working on 2 months of infantry battalions, broken by a month of cavalry or artillery. As I worked on each unit, I usually added a little extra ‘thing’ too, like a command stand, or a hero model, or a limber, etc. So far, I have four brigades, either done or in progress. These are: the main, large, French infantry brigade, of 6 battalions (2 regiments) and 2 line gun batteries, with an allied brigade of Wurttembergers to break-up the repetition of all those French. There is a light cavalry brigade of hussars and chasseurs with a horse battery, and a reserve dragoon brigade of 2 regiments.

I have enough to play a game (of medium sized), but I’m not done yet. The plan is to finish the Wurttembergers with a third line battalion and some of their own artillery. The light cavalry will get their third regiment to reach maximum size, not sure what yet, but most likely some Wurttemberg light cavalry as extra chasseurs. Perhaps the third dragoon regiment, or another 2 French infantry battalions so the big brigade can be split into two smaller, but still effective, ones of four battalions each. I also need a few ammo caissons, a supply wagon and another limber as nice extras, and aim to be done by the end of the year. No rest yet...

But, as it stands, time to get a first actually game in with them… which is an invitation to a hefty defeat if the 'first game' syndrome is true… but we’ll see, soon the Grande Armee will march.

Most of the models are Front Rank via Gripping Beast, much thanks to them for keeping the supply lines flowing, and a few Victrix too, picked up on a whim. 

Leger regiment, 3 battalions and voltiguers, plus a line artillery battery

Voltiguers stands

1st battalion with the regimental tricolour

Third battalion, with red fannion

Line artillery battery

The 'Ligne' regiment

Second battalion with white fannion, brigade command stand, dismounted (for a a change).

First battalion, hero officer and voltiguers

Line 9 pdrs (Ok 8 pdr, typo).

 

Wurttemberg infantry brigade (WIP), 2 line and 1 light battalion so far, oh, plus a jaeger detachment.

A few German green jackets with rifles... von Sharpe.

The Wurttemberg light battalion

The line battalions, a third one is required, and some guns

The boss, and skirmishers stands, all battalions have their skirmishers to deploy.

 

Light cavalry and horse battery, hussars and chasseurs

Horse battery, artillery hussars

Brigade command stand, in fancy uniforms

Hussars (6th) and chasseurs, with 1 regiment still to add.

The dragoon brigade

Bit of cavalry hitting power...

The brigade's boss

L'Empereur and aides (and Marengo). Army-level command stand.

General de Division, a few hero models to add in if required.