Heriocs at Badajoz

I have been bored recently so started painting up some 18th Century characters I have had mixing around for an eternity, they were only 90% but I could just not resist getting them into a game. Below are my two bootleggers taking their booty away from the French, while a Westphalian Guard officer talks to some young lady.

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At the end of the battle, the officer leads his lady friend away whilst a number of ruffians follow behind. (Spanish troops hide in the Orchard behind them)

As part of the ongoing 1810 Spanish Campaign, our beloved Spanish Heroes found themselves having to defend a bridge near Badajoz against a French Corps intent on besieging the fortress. As it was such a good opportunity to bleed the French at the bridge, Brigadier La Carrrera opted to do so. Below is the French attack on the bridge, masses of french faced by 4 Battalians of concripts and a 4 pounder battery.



My little 4 pounders pasted the French with an epic display of marksmanship, the french did eventually get across the river but were seen off by the Voluntarios de Jaen, who charged in column and routed a French unit. Unfortunately they then pursued across the bridge into the French army and we lost forever. Below the Spanish heroes pursue valiently into a 12 pounder battery at grapeshot range, this actually saved my gunline as it gave me time to bug out and not get a 12 pounder bashing.


After that I decided it was time to retire as I didnt need this brigage getting a stomping, also below are some French wounded I have that I also decided to paint up.


And luckily for me Santa has just deposited 300 15mm Old Glory figures in my letter box :)

Spain
General Espagne's Invasion of Portugal came to a halt after a rather abrubt "GTFO" message was delivered by Wellington. As a result Espagne moved his forces back to the rugged heights of Galacia and sought a more pressing foe. Unforunately it appears Portugese - British communications are limited as the Portugese attempted to meet their Spanish allies, but on the road they ran into something else of the blue coated, eagle bearing variety.

Other areas of Spain are rather quiet {As the xmas lull develops}.

Painting
Ion and I are going to fight a small skirmish on a bridge near Badajoz. We decided to use 28mm figures so as a result my Westphalians and Neopolitans are being press-ganged into the Spanish army. As a result I need to finish the 2nd Naples Line Regt. These are Victrix figures and are very very nice to paint. Painting the "French" is such fun I'm so tempted to get more ! Apart from the goldfish eyes which remind me I missed the final flesh tone paint layer. The photo makes them look horrendous :(

I am slowly finishing the 15mm Spanish, below are some more Dragoons and Heavy Cav that will be painted in the xmas period. I found some yellow counters that have proved quite usefull for when I undercoat the figures tonight with the magic spray. 8 Figures will be Dragoons and the final 8 Heavy Cavalry - I'm not sure what units yet as I need to check the colour chart.


And while I do that I am test painting two Westphalian Hussars of the 2nd Regiment. ONly partially painted and I'm not sure if my blue is the right tone, but on the while I quite like the figures.



A finished 15mm unit (The 1st Westphlian Hussars). One element painted in 1998, the rest sat there until last week when I finished them off. Most of my 15mm Germans are just the same units I have in 28mm as I cant really think of anything else to paint them as.


And I am now facing a problem I havent had before. A volatile force is beginnning to affect the storage of my wargames painting area. Usually all that is heard is a shriek of primevil excitement, the flash of white teeth and then the unmistaken sound of hundred of soldiers collapsing to the ground. The beast of beckenham is crawling and standing and thus my paints are moved further out of reach.