Thursday 15 December 2011

Pour la France, l'empereur, et Stuttgart!

Of course I needed more miniatures like I need a hole in the head. 
From Front Rank's newsletter
However, when Front Rank announced the release of their new range of Wurttembergers, the temptation was enormous.  The fact that Front Rank also announced that there would have to be a price increase in January also made me think that it might be a good idea for me to get a couple of battalions before this would take effect.  

I mentioned this to the Geisha-in-Chief (she being a bit of a history buff herself).  And as this December 24th happens also to be my 50th birthday (ouch!), she suggested that said I could go ahead and order them as my birthday present.  So with no vestige of guilt remaining to be reasoned away, order them I did!

Front Rank has always been among the best as far as mail order service is concerned, and these tough Teutons are now winging their way towards Tokyo as I type.  

The contingent will be based on the order of battle for the Russian campaign in 1812, and the first brigade will consist of the 1st and 4th infantry regiments.  Light troops are scheduled for sometime in the first half of 2012, and I'll be getting some of them as well.   I'll be ordering the flags from GMB Designs as usual.

Wurttemberg troops had a very good reputation in the Napoleonic Wars, and easily meet my requirement for a contingent that can be used to fight for or against Napoleon, as the gaming situations and scenarios dictate. 

I had first thought of going down the Bavarian or Saxon route.   But Bavarians, however, could never quite turn my crank. Saxons certainly did, but I fear it will be some time before Calpe get around to expanding their so-far limited range, seeing as they intend first to re-model their Prussians and have their hands full with their (excellent!) French releases.  At least with Front Rank, I know that the range will be completed within a reasonable time.

Wurttembergers, like Swedes, Westphalians and Saxons, have always been one of the more underrepresented nationalities in 28mm as far as figure manufacturers have been concerned, so these are a very welcome release, and will make for a relatively unique wargaming force.

8 comments:

Ben Gilmour said...

Just because I'm considering painting Wurttembergers, you've jumped on the bandwagon, too! ;-)

Scottswargaming said...

Nice figures, as usual from Front Rank. Those helmets are very reminescent of British Horse Artillery crews...

Unknown said...

I think that I will buy the figure of the Duchy of Warsaw Army(Of course,Front Rank Napoleonic Polish).

VolleyFireWargames said...

Gee another December baby turned 50 remember when we were 40 and 50 and thought we had all the time in the world? I have a bunch of unfinished Foundry or Front Rank Bavarians - I can't remember which.

Paulalba said...

Robert a great choice,
I have been thinking about buying Wurtembergers for some time. Everything I have read about them in the Napoleonic period makes them sound like a great little army to field.

Tough nuts to crack (I have my flags already purchased).

Can't wait to see yours coming together.
Cheers
paul

Rafael Pardo said...

Hi
I like those helmets!
Regards
Rafa

Robert said...

Just because I'm considering painting Wurttembergers, you've jumped on the bandwagon, too!

Hah! As Picasso said, immature artists imitate, while mature artists steal...

The helmets are a real draw for this army, and the flags are simple yet colorful. What's not to love?

Sada, Duchy of Warsaw troops would be great. I've a battalion of the Front Rank Polish models waiting to be done myself, and with them all wearing the czapkas, they are really impressive figures.

Phil said...

Very nice Wurttembergers! A beautiful army.