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Post by chris on Jan 26, 2018 18:34:29 GMT
I have been converting some of the more specialist troops for my re- fight. Following an article by Kay on the Hat forum I pinched the idea of using the Revell Guard chasseurs with head swaps for the Belgian 6th hussars. Italieri hussars suitably chopped filled in the gaps. The Hat English mounted officer makes a splendid Van Melen with his ADC being a Waterloo 1815 Prussian officer conversion. Art Miniturian Prussian drivers with Hat Austrian cavalry artillery heads provide Belgian artillery train chaps. The train Officer is a Hat Chasseur and the trumpeter is a Waterloo 1815 French lancer fellow both with Greenstuff additions including the horse. Many thanks to Kay for the inspiration. Chris
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Post by chris on Feb 4, 2018 12:43:23 GMT
I have now started to construct the terrain and have laid out the surprisingly numerous watercourses. I have researched many maps including the old Belgian army Overview. In my opinion a chap called Wupperman and our own Mike Robinson have provided the most useful and detailed maps of Quatre Bras. The distances and approximate positions of the built up areas are also marked on the sand table. Sculpting and roads will be next which will allow the buildings to be positioned as accurately as possible. This is an overview of the field showing the lake Materne looking towards Quatre Bras. Piraumont is on the left foreground with Thyle on the right. The watering can is inside the Bois de Bossu ( honest). Gemincourt is in the middle distance located on the heights of Gemincourt above the stream of its name. Piraumont / Liralle although the sculpting of the heights of Liralle, Heights de la Hutte and Bois de Hutte are incomplete, hence the hole! The crossroads with the outline of the Bois de Bossu shown by the cane outline and the watering can. The one surprise that springs to the eye is the very small area where the original main action took place. The triangle formed from Gemincourt stream to the Bossu wood to the crossroads is very limited for troop concentrations of the period. When you factor in the crops this will prove a very interesting re-fight indeed. Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by Edwardian on Feb 6, 2018 22:20:06 GMT
Fascinating to see how you do what you do.
Looking forward to seeing it develop
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Post by borodino on Feb 8, 2018 17:42:26 GMT
it's a beautiful project
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Post by chris on Feb 9, 2018 20:15:21 GMT
Quatre Bras I have been sculpting and modelling the terrain. Whilst still incomplete these areas are looking promising although I need to do some weeding in the rye field as some of the strands are not quite right. Happy modelling, Chris
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Post by chris on Feb 12, 2018 19:19:50 GMT
The construction continues with Gemincourt and the stream of Gemincourt. Lots more to do but I am pleased with progress to date. The rye fields are a nightmare. Bring back teddy bear fur. Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by chris on Feb 16, 2018 20:29:36 GMT
I have been sculpting and detailing the project. It's coming along but planting horse hair is a real pain. My supplier informs me that they have run out of stock! Gemincourt to the left and the streams/ lake Materne in the centre. Piramount in the foreground looking up the Namur road towards the crossroads. Thyle and the Watermill to the right. Lots to do still to these areas. Happy modelling.
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Post by Ironsides on Feb 17, 2018 12:52:37 GMT
Chris, Very nice of you to take the trouble to show us how you do your setup, the extra time spent is much appreciated, great stuff as always.. Best Regards
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Post by chris on Feb 21, 2018 18:31:47 GMT
I have now completed the rye fields around the crossroads. Tedious but I think the result is quite pleasing. The voltigeur is back for a pose. Looking up from Gemincourt towards the crossroads. Looking to La Bergerie. The crossroads with Thyle in the left distance, Liralle centre distance and Bois Bossau on the right. Looking from the crossroads towards Gemincourt with La Bergerie in the middle distance. There is still a lot to do before tidying up and dressing the battlefield. Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by chris on Feb 22, 2018 16:10:02 GMT
I have today been playing with chinchilla dust courtesy of my new friends, Charlie, Gerri and Harry. Having made a mark 1 dispenser I proceeded to lay the sand borders. This stuff is very fine and I am not sure what will happen if it gets very wet. However, for five English pounds including delivery for one and a half KG it is cheap enough to replace. Well recommended for roads, gravels etc. Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by chris on Feb 25, 2018 16:35:46 GMT
I have been sculpting the Bois du Bossau. This wood was fiercely contested initially by Nassau troops and eventually cleared of Frenchmen by the Guards in the original battle. The Duke was given this woodland as a gift and promptly chopped it down for timber! Having stated ' what have they done to my battlefield ' when visiting Waterloo he does seem to have forgotten his own vandalism. Perhaps he did not wish to remember this action where his initial orders were disobeyed and the Dutch Belgians saved the day? I have used over one hundred trees so far mainly Gaugemaster sea foam and Woodland scenics forest canopy. In addition I discovered from a wander around the garden the seed heads of sedum plants, the same as Woodland Scenics! Net saving of at least fifty English pounds. I will be planting more in the spring! Also, chopped up shrubs decorated with glued on sea foam bits and then flocked help make up the larger specimens. The ground work is scatter and the seed heads and debris from the forest canopy box. The view towards Le Trois Bras showing the wood and sunken way. Next up, the heights of Liralle. Chris
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Post by bellealliance on Feb 27, 2018 18:43:07 GMT
Thank you, Chris. Coming along very nicely. as well as the pics of your terrain, I enjoy the contemporary views you're working from. Kay
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Post by Edwardian on Feb 28, 2018 8:53:40 GMT
Stunning work, with a natural look not often seen in wargames or diorama terrain.
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Post by chris on Mar 2, 2018 15:49:58 GMT
I have been experimenting with railway modelling backdrops for my Quatre Bras re fight. Having researched this subject I chose ID Backscenes as having the best range for my purposes. They come with a peel off backing to attach them and a ten foot section comes in two halves. There is a white border that need to be removed if you are joining two sections. I initially used wallpaper scissors but a steel rule and a very sharp modelling knife is better. I mounted mine on 2000 grade lining paper so that I can use my washing line and clothes leg system. This gives a decent amount of rigidity without losing too much flexibility. Many thanks to the Feldmarschall for her assistance in rolling the paper out to avoid creases. I have attached a link giving guidance which I hope fellow modellers will find useful. modelrailwayengineer.com/model-railway-backscenes/Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by chris on Mar 5, 2018 11:27:12 GMT
When using sea foam for trees there is usually a pile of bits that whilst great for hedges are left over. However, a wander around the garden can produce good looking natural tree trunk material such as fuchsia bushes etc. The spare sea foam bits can be glued onto the trunk to build a very nice canopy which allows bigger trees to be manufactured than you would normally get in a pack. When flocked the results are, in my opinion quite pleasing. I use a railway modellers trick of spraying the trees with extra hold hair lacquer. You can use glue, but I found that it can get 'stringy' and spoil the look. The finished result whilst a bit delicate is ideal for dioramas and if the flock gets knocked off it can be redone! Happy modelling. Chris
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Post by chris on Mar 16, 2018 19:14:00 GMT
I have been experimenting with back drops on my nearly finished battlefield. These are test shots which I am pleased with. The only potential problem is the lack of sky for future pictures taken at an upwards angle. I have some ideas that I wish to experiment with before I commence the re fight that will hopefully overcome this. The view from Gemincourt stream with the farm to the south. Looking south towards the Ferme Liralle. Sheep pens at Ferme La Bergerie. The view from Quatre Bras, the farmhouse and inn, La Baraque looking south towards Frasnes and the original French position. I hope to start the deployment of the Prince of Orange's 2nd Netherland division very soon and get the re fight started. Happy modelling, Chris
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Post by borodino on Mar 16, 2018 19:38:54 GMT
it's very realistic, bravo
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Post by wagram on Mar 17, 2018 17:31:58 GMT
Great job.
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Post by richard on Mar 17, 2018 18:13:17 GMT
Chris, this just gets better and better! Keep up this great work!
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Post by chris on Mar 28, 2018 18:07:05 GMT
I have been experimenting with the backdrops for special scenes. I firstly obtained my lovely wife's [ with her permission ] baking tray and followed my usual procedure in building up the scene. Having built the scene the background is put into place and the height of the model is adjusted for the camera angle required. The results can be pleasing. However, the height of the landscape needs to be kept in mind as the undulating countryside can quickly turn into a mountain range. ie The view between the houses. My friend General Picton raised this very issue and I am grateful to him for this. The problem is I feel optical, as long range shots tend to soften backgrounds but close up shots can exaggerate height. For my re fight I originally lowered the backgrounds but have now replaced part of it with a lower countryside profile that seems to work well. Many thanks to Jamie for highlighting this before my battle really got underway and presented weird horizons! Hopefully, it is now 2PM, 16th June 181, time to commence the action. Vive L'Empereur
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Post by bellealliance on Mar 29, 2018 17:53:58 GMT
Hi Chris, It's looking fantastic. I look forward to witnessing the battle. Like being a civilian spectator without the risk of having one's head shot off! Kay
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Post by chris on Mar 31, 2018 18:01:46 GMT
Quatre Bras question
I am about to start my re fight of Quatre Bras.
However, I am unsure about the 2nd Legere.
Adkin states that this was transferred to Bonaparte's 6th Infantry Division on the 10th June. Mr Adkin is in my opinion a fine researcher.
Meanwhile, Field and Ospray have them in action at Piramount at the commencement of the action when the 6th Division was still en route. Once again Mr Field is a fine researcher.
Has anyone got information to clarify this?
I thought modelling the landscape was complex due to contradicting information but this is bonkers.
Thank you in anticipation as I would like to get this right.
Chris
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Post by Graeme on Apr 1, 2018 3:33:53 GMT
Tim Clayton's "Waterloo: Four Days that Changed Europe's Destiny" has Reill's advance into belgium on the 15th being led by Pire's light cavalry closely supported by the four battalions of Maigrot's 2nd Legere. They seized the bridge at Lobbe and the town of Thuin from Westphalian defenders.
Once Ney had taken command of the left wing his first act was to take Gosselies from Steinmetz's forces this was achieved by the light cavalry and horse artillery of the Guard and the 2nd Legere.
The Guard light cavalry explored the road up to Quatre Bras but came under artillery fire and found the crossroads defended by infantry so retired to Frasnes for the night where at about 9pm the first infantry arrived, a very tired battalion of the 2nd Leger. This is apparently set out in a report Lefebvre-Desnouettes sent to Ney but I don't know if the report mentions the 2nd Legere by name.
Clayton says that Ney delayed his attack on Quatre Bras until he felt enough of Reills troops had come up, but as soon as Foy's division arrived he ordered an immidiate attack which began at about 2pm with an attack by Maigrot's 2nd Legere towards Piraumont.
So clayton at least has the 2nd Legere in the vanguard all the way from the french border to the crossroads.
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Post by chris on Apr 1, 2018 6:45:16 GMT
Hi Graham and thank you for your prompt response.
Adkin states in his excellent Waterloo companion that the 2 nd Legere were transferred from the 5th Infantry to the 6 Infantry on the 10th June.
It has been suggested that his information was extracted from Scott Bowdens Armies at Waterloo which I also have. They concur.
It has also been suggested that Franklin discovered that this transfer was the other way around!
The only consistency seems to be inconsistency.
Thank you again.
Best wishes,
Chris
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Post by waynew on Apr 1, 2018 14:50:59 GMT
Just getting a good look at your pictures. It is an understatement to say your care, attention to detail, and results are impressive. What a beautifully realized picture of the battlefield. It would put many a museum's displays to shame. Thanks for sharing not only your results, but your process. A real treat and learning experience.
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