A start on the British, Talavera, and the first Test of my Troops.

To start this one off I have finally made a start on possibly the last great milestone of the armies at Talavera de la Reina, my British army. Not wanting to ignore the new Pendraken sculpts my army shall therefore be half belgic and half stovepipe as Shakos are concerned. If/when Pendraken get around to doing some Stovepiped boys I plan to get some to fix that, but I'm not that worried frankly as most people wont notice at 10mm.

Only some Line Infantry and Light Dragoons so far, but the start of Wellingtons tidy little army I hope.

I have finished the base I plan to use as the main part of Talavera on the game board, and I'm very happy with how the 3mm buildings from Supreme Littleness have come up.

Talavera

On friday I attended my local wargames society for the first time and played a game of Blucher with some of my French against my opponent's 6mm Russians (I am aware crossing scales is heresy for some people but frankly it was hardly an issue at all, and not that noticeable whilst playing our opinions).

My army was forced to attack and my experienced opponent thrashed my in experienced blundering first game with the rules. It was however good fun and I hope to attend again soon. Hopefully acquitting myself better in future.

My left flank, outmaneuvered and stranded. Transfixed by cossacks to their flanks they were unable to assist my beleaguered centre.

Building a town: Waiting for the British

I haven't updated the blog in a long time, but I've now finished my Masters degree program so I've more free time to dedicate to looking for jobs and the Talavera project of mine. 

I'm expecting deliveries from MM and Pendraken of British soldiers in the next couple of days, so there's nothing to update on that front yet, but I have been using the 3mm buildings I bought from Michael at SupremeLittleness in order to create a Talavera base. and I'm really happy with the amount of buildings I can get on my base to represent Talavera whilst still having space to show a garrisoning unit. The space for a unit base will look like the town square, or something equally appropriate, when the town is not garrisoned.

I hope you agree that it looks pretty effective.

Pictures; 

The Army of Estremadura

Having finished the Spanish army for the Battle of Talavera (for the Grande Armee scenario) of 467 figures, I can now make this post calling an end to this part of the project. All the Figures are from Magister Militium, except the Carriage of Cuesta and the Mules which pull it which are from Pendraken.

I will be returning to University for 4 weeks to finish and submit my MA dissertation, so will not be starting the British army for the battle until after then at the earliest.

And on to some pictures.

 

General Cuesta's carriage. He was wounded in the Battle of Medellin and so had
to be moved around in a mule drawn Carriage.

Cuesta and the Divisions of Zayas and Iglesias.

The Divisions of Portago, Manglano and Bassecourt.

Henestrosa and Alququerque's Cavalry Divisions.

The Army of Estremadura

Basing the Spanish

Quick status update. 

Having now finished all the figures for the Spanish army I now have to just base all these and the full army will be completed by the anniversary of the Battle of Talavera.

The guys who need basing.

Over 200 Spaniards

I thought I would make a quick update, as I've been painting still even in my silence. I haven't painted much except more of what has already been seen, I plan to paint up some cavalry next though for some variation.

As is the army has crept over 200 figures and is shockingly almost 50% completed.

Spanish Updates

I haven't painted as much as I would have liked since my last post, but I do have all the infantry for the 1st Division as well as the command base for General Cuesta.

Zayas' First Division has a mixed bag of troops, but should be one of the most solid Spanish divisions. Still to come for this division is the artillery, and Zayas' command base.

General Cuesta was injured during the disastrous battle of Medellin and so was moved around in a mule drawn carriage. I am unsure if I am finished with the carriage as it is now, or if I might come back to it. I do however really like it as an unusual command base, and can't wait for him to see the field, despite his Poor rating.

***EDIT***

I finished Zayas' command base and the artillery base so, here is Division 1, with an appearance from General Cuesta, and all my currently painted Spanish troops.

Starting the Spanish Army of Estremadura

With the French army, and my Exams, done and behind me it is time to start the Spanish Army of Estremadure, led by the much maligned Cuesta.

In my plans the Spanish army at Talavera weighs in at just under 500 figures, and most of them a pretty rough selection of infantry, although to spice up the army I will be modeling Cuesta, who had been incapacitated in an earlier action, in a donkey drawn carriage, although the models for that have not arrived here yet. All the other figures have arrived however, and so I will be starting the way all products should begin. Line infantry.*

*Technically the first Line unit is done, owing to it being the unit I had painted for my French army, until I learned Joseph's troops real uniform. Instead I am technically painting a new unit for the French army which just had its Spanish Soldiers swap sides.

The Spanish Roster. Painted Troops Highlighted Green.*

Loyalist Spanish on the left, Josephino troops on the right.

In 10mm even an entire army can fit into half a dozen small plastic bags.