Two more Austrian infantry battalions for the 1799 Project muster out from the painting desk. These 2 x 13 figure battalions are called up as IR#16 Terzi. Seeing action during the 1799 campaign, these violet-faced battalions will add some color to The White Menace. Figures are AB Miniatures.
While a number of units are making their way through the painting queue for the 1799 project, I have been thinking about turning the project clock back two years and having the collection see action in the earlier Northern Italian campaigns of 1796-1797. At the top of my list of battles to refight is Rivoli in 1797.
Without the presence of Russians, more Austrians will need to find their way into the painting queue if Rivoli is, indeed, chosen. While I could field both French and Austrians in their 1809 uniforms to reduce the need to paint, that is not my nature. For a proper Rivoli, I want French in bicorne and most of the Austrians in casquet. Yeah, that is what I want! My 2018 Project Plan included a major battle for this project in fourth quarter. That provides plenty of time to produce the needed figures for the Rivoli OB. With such a unique geographical situation, custom terrain would enhance the appearance of the game. Having always kept to the notion of using generic, modular, and multipurpose terrain, a one-off terrain piece may be more than I want to tackle. Recreating the steep and narrow Adige Valley and the Rivoli Plateau would be cool, though.
When I gamed Rivoli before, I used generic representations. Not as dramatic as the actual landscape. For my solo play, it was good enough to give a feel for the unusual terrain.
More lovely looking Austrians, I do like the revolutionary era, game specific terrain is a bit of a tough one, it's the whole storage issue for me, but it can look great! Best Iain
I dunno, if you already have a large collection of generic terrain that can be used to make a majority of a battlefield, then the odd specific terrain feature here and there is no big deal, especially if the terrain was important to the battle. I’ve done it a time or two. Also a plus if you enjoy making terrain.
Storage could be an issue, but we’re talking 15mm right?
Lovely work on these and a white uniform with violet facings always looks nice. Doing an entire couple of armies for Rivoli - now that is dedication. There is something nice about French in bicornes though.
Thank you! I already have a fair-sized force of Russians painted and ready to go. More work on them still remains. There is enough of them for a game especially considering the 1799 campaign saw a mix of Russians and Austrians allied on the battlefield.
These are good! I originally thought they must be 28s.
ReplyDeleteThe challenges of terrain when trying to recreate historical battlefields - it gets me bogged down!
Thanks, Darren!
DeleteTerrain gets me bogged down too. One reason I tend to stick to generic representations.
I've never been called Darren before, but have been known to answer to Mark (or even SoY LOL)
DeleteWhoops, sorry about that, Mark!
DeleteOh, awesome looking unit as always sir!
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind!
DeleteAlwas glad to admire Austrian troops, these ones are superb!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Phil!
DeleteRivoli would be a tough one for just those reasons.
ReplyDeleteNice troops!
When I gamed Rivoli before, I used generic representations. Not as dramatic as the actual landscape. For my solo play, it was good enough to give a feel for the unusual terrain.
DeleteI love seeing an opportunity to get purple into a unit - it looks quite the thing. I have a Vallejo dropper bottle that begs for use!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Violet and purple are both under-utilized and under-appreciated. Thanks for your comment, Norm!
DeleteYe gads, I luv's Austrians in casques! Such a great era--seeing your superb units marching across the painting desk...get thee behind me, temptation!
ReplyDeleteI am particularly fond of the Austrian casquet too!
DeleteWonderfully painted unit as ever. They actually look quite cheerful, marching along.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Marching cheerfully only because they know not what lays ahead.
DeleteI love me some Kaiserlicks as well, and these are sehr schön!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites armies too!
DeleteNice units productive as always. As for terrain I would stay as generic as you can.....I hate making anything which only has one chance to get used.
ReplyDeleteI know you are correct. Generic and multi-purpose is the logical approach. Sometimes I get carried away.,
DeleteThere's something quite majestic about all those white uniforms. Must have been a pain keeping them clean, but they do look sharp. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI can't even keep the uniforms clean on the models. I always need to dirty them up a bit.
DeleteMore lovely looking Austrians, I do like the revolutionary era, game specific terrain is a bit of a tough one, it's the whole storage issue for me, but it can look great!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! That is another good point against custom, one-off terrain; storage.
DeleteI dunno, if you already have a large collection of generic terrain that can be used to make a majority of a battlefield, then the odd specific terrain feature here and there is no big deal, especially if the terrain was important to the battle. I’ve done it a time or two. Also a plus if you enjoy making terrain.
ReplyDeleteStorage could be an issue, but we’re talking 15mm right?
(Also nice figures). 😀
Thanks for your suggestions and figure compliment, Stew.
DeleteI have quite a bit of generic terrain that will work and I prefer painting figures to building terrain. Perhaps, you have provided my answer!
The figures are 15mm but the terrain feature I am considering for Rivoli is a singular geographic feature.
Yeah, I meant the terrain would also be 15mm so easier to store. 😀.
DeleteLovely work on these and a white uniform with violet facings always looks nice. Doing an entire couple of armies for Rivoli - now that is dedication. There is something nice about French in bicornes though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! I will using these FRW armies for other early campaigns too. They won’t be built for Rivoli exclusively.
DeleteI like French in bicorne too.
DeleteCracking looking units Jonathan. It is a wise decision setting Q4 as your target because you have right up to 31 December to play the game!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark! A Q4 game does provide plenty of time for planning.
DeleteGreat stuff. Are you considering expanding to the Russians in the future?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I already have a fair-sized force of Russians painted and ready to go. More work on them still remains. There is enough of them for a game especially considering the 1799 campaign saw a mix of Russians and Austrians allied on the battlefield.
DeleteInteresting. I guess I have not yet seen the Russians. I need to pay better attention.
DeleteTake a look! You can the Russians by searching the blog.
Delete