Some plastic for a change!

As readers of this blog will know, I almost always prefer metal figures over plastic. With my Swedish and Russian collections for 1808 in particular, I have been painting almost exclusively metal miniatures for quite some time now. However, I am always ready to try something different.

I have painted a few Napoleonic French on and off for a few years. This has partly to do with the fact that I have a largish but rather motley collection of French figures lying around, some of which I have inherited from friends and some of which are leftovers from conversion projects related to my Swedish Napoleonic figures. As I also now have almost two brigades of Prussians for 1813, and some Russians which could be pressed into service with them, doing something with the French would seem to be a rather good idea. Mixing different figures can look appropriate for the 1813 campaign, when the French army was pretty freshly raised, but also included some older kit. The idea would also be to try to match the speed painting approach I did with the Prussians, so that I might actually finish a useable force before the end of the present decade… Anyway, I have also had my eyes on the Perry plastic 1807-1814 boxes. The miniatures really look lovely. So I bought one of them to try it out. With the older stuff I have, I should be able to put together at least three or four battalions of 36 figures each. I have already painted a couple of generals, a colonel and an artillery piece!

First thing to say is that as plastic kits go, this one is excellent. The level of detail is great and the box gives you many options. The set includes enough figures for a 36 man unit, plus 8 (!) skirmishing voltigeurs. You get a command group with officer, drummer, sapper, flag bearer and two eagle guards. You can make the officer in two versions and there are options to make NCO:s as well. One of the best things with Perry kits is also the painting guide. When it comes to Napoleonic French, with all their different company distinctions, regimental variations and what not, that is pretty indispensible.

As I said, the level of detail is great. In fact, having become so used to painting metal figures, I have to say that the fine details on these was a bit of a challenge. I found myself making some mistakes I usually dont do. Then again, French figures wearing the classic uniform jacket with blue, red and white piping and white trousers, are pretty challenging compared to the extremely simple greatcoat Prussians or the all-grey Finns. Speed-painting these just isn’t going to happen I’m afraid! Good thing I have a lot of great coat wearing French figures to mix them with!

It will be interesting to see how these match up with the other figures I have (I dont have them to hand at the moment). I reckon I have around 40 painted French infantry at the moment, including two command groups. The first target will of course be to make enough for two 36-man battalions.