Nothing brings you out of a funk then a project. So its troubles behind me and back to re basing my American Rev War collection. The difficult and very messy part of soaking the old stands in water and popping if futures off is now done. The new bases and extra static grass has arrived and its time to start gluing figures to bases.
I am using a mixture of bases for how I mount my American army. Early accounts of the war talk about problems with formations and maneuver and different drill manuals. All of which caused confusion. so I too will mix it up and use a couple different methods if bases and also unit strengths. All, I hope will give a unique flavor and look to my army.
After reviewing American troop returns for 1776 I noticed most regiments had around 200 to 300 rank and file. So that is were I am going with unit sizes based on a 10:1 figure to man ratio. My smallest units had 200 men so 20 figures will do it. I am going to cheat by having a extra stand so if I want I can field them at 24 figures. These will be four figure stands, of two figures up and two back. Five or six stands per battalion.
I will have a few 24 figure regiments. I am looking at three eight figures stands for these.
Most of the regiments will have 30 figures. These are six figures per stand with five stands. All these systems let me have the colors displayed in the center of each regiment. Looks are important.
My light units right now are Rifle armed. Because these seldom fought in line I am facing them two figures on a round base. In addition I may paint up a few extra skirmishes type figures and give each line Regiment one or two stands to represent men sent out as skirmishers. This could give players something fun to have in a game.
Militia regiments are to be organized by eight figure stands. Because they are all in civilian clothing I can field a battalion with three or four stands. Great flexibility. I am also doing a bunch of two figure skirmishers stands because militia do like to do that thing.
Cavalry will have two figures per stand and artillery are staying the same.
These all look great on their new bases and a nice idea to vary it a bit too:).
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteExcellent progress Mark and I really like your ideas on basing and unit sizes - and I agree about the placement of the colours - and also having the grenadiers on the right and light company on the left (unless they are detached, of course!)
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the comment. And although the flank companies are detached I am painting one each for each battalion, just in case.
DeleteExcellent.
ReplyDeleteThan you!
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