Borodino Project: More Frenchies assembled

Still labouring through this pile. Had to extend initial end of April deadline as I wasn't going to finish this lot in time. Now the deadline has been extended to the end of May. Persevering as I have run out of steam and inspiration. Since my last post, I have "finished" a couple more divisions - Razout and Morand. So, the infantry for Ney's Corps is now done as is Eugene's.

 

 

 

 

 

...and one more - Broussier's 14th Division, Ney's III Corps.

Looking to finish Dessaix's division tonight if I can stay focussed. Which will then leave just Gerard and Compans to go to complete the infantry of the I Corps.

Borodino Project: French/Allies buildup

Hi

Very slow progress at the moment. Outside influences and a decided lack of motivation is impeding progress. But I persist because even I can get stubborn and resistant to these very disturbing outside influences. 

A recent exchange of support and encouragement with a fan of what I am doing on another forum site is helping overcome the current malaise. 

Ledru's division (above) of Ney's III Corps is all I've been able to complete in a week of effort. At least it is something. Struggling to finish off Razout's division at the moment. I have yet to even start on Friant's division. 

Realised I have nine more infantry divisions to go before I am done. My plan to have ALL this done (infantry and cavalry) completed by end of April is now extremely unlikely so I'm extending the finish deadline to end of May or June. No real pressure other than self-imposed ones.

Borodino Project: Further progress reports on assembling French/Allies

 Hi

Some more formation photos showing flocking stage. Cheers.

Delzons' division, 4th Corps, infantry done. Added the artillery battery at last minute.

 Morand's division, 1st Corps. Five battalion brigades. 

Broussier's 14th division now done. That completes the infantry component of Eugene's 4th Corps. Next Corps to complete will be Ney's 3rd. Cheers.

Borodino Project: French/Allies WIP

 Hi

I have don't have much to report other than I finally managed to reach the flocking stage after a fairly protracted and laborious effort to get there. Motivation at the moment is quite questionable although it's still present. Anyway, the first unit to reach this proud moment in this Part Two stage is the French 106 Line Infantry from Eugene's 4th Corps, to be precise the 2nd brigade of Delzons division.

It has been immediately followed by its brigade mate, the 92 Line, seen below with 106 Line. Together they form the brigade group comprising two small units of four stands each. I've even thrown in a small unit of artillery which I found lurking in one of my bitz boxes.

And to complete tonight's offering is Lecchi's foot element of the Royal Italian Guard - the Grenadiers, the Velites, and the Conscripts. These three battalions that fit comfortably into a large unit of six stands. All that's left to go are the Italian Royal Guard cavalry which I will begin once I've completed ALL the infantry elements first.

Below is a group shot of what's accomplished thus far. I am pleased but more relieved to have finally made it to this stage in-between the various distractions happening at the moment.

Several other brigades are ready for flocking on my workbench at the moment. Hoping to finish them in the next day or two providing these little life distractions don't interfere. Will post further WIP photos as they are completed. Cheers.

Borodino Project: The Russians

 Hi

As shown in my first ever blog post on this site, here (again) is the bulk of the Russians completed earlier this year minus the full artillery(some there) and high command elements (also some there). Acquired this as part of a collection of abandoned minis several years ago. Promised I would get stuck into them but never did as work and other gaming projects got in the way. Finally had enough of making false promises to myself. Hence the idea for the Borodino Project. The collection was mostly Russian figures in varying stages of completion from still-on-the-sprue to completely-painted but needing a spruce up. The former owner made a go of it as evidenced in his finished lots. But there were heaps more still awaiting completion and assembly. 

There were no flags which I had to sort out but wasn't a problem whatsoever. 

This lot also lacked full artillery and higher command elements. What was there was quickly used up in other gaming lists of mine. After completing the French/Allies part, though, I will figure out what's needed and either convert or purchase.

Will be using FoGN 2 rules for this solo refight. I have done some tweaking to the historical setup using the guide in the FoGN rulebook to make this work for me. 

Below are the remainder of outstanding Russians not present in the above photo - mostly the rest of Karpov's command that was done too late to show in the main group photo above. Some units of Platov are still missing but I will sort that out after finishing off the French/Allies first.

© 2021 L. Tafa

I'd like to dedicate this entire Borodino project to the former owner of these models. This is, in part, my way of saying thanks for all you did. Hope my contribution honours the start you made way back then.

Part Two of the Borodino Project: French/Allies forces

Hi

Resuming my Borodino Project build has ramped up. Like I stated at my other blog site, this project is motivated by a desire to finally put to good use the large collection of 20mm Nap figures cluttering and gathering dust in my studio. I've already completed Part One - Russian forces. Now it's the turn of the French/Allies. I have given myself to the end of this month (April) to complete the entire grouping. Nothing like a little pressure to get motivated.

Made some serious headway yesterday and last night. First off, did a rough calculation of the figures required for the French assembly and arrived at a figure of over one thousand figures for the three French Corps - I (Davoust), III (Ney) and IV (Eugene). 

The personal highlight would have to be when I decided to print out some French flags. Purists will disapprove and probably hate what I'm doing but I find it helps motivate me.

Here are some WIP photos. Hoping to finish one division (Morand) later on tonight. But I have the lurgy. Working through the night on these left me feverish and I retired to bed eventually knowing well enough this lurgy was going to kick me a bit. It has.

Flag samples printed and added

Laying out the cut bases proved useful and another active tool in motivation. Now I had a visual idea how much of that thousand-plus figures I still need.

Junot's corps was completed last year. The cavalry of Grouchy, also earlier. Still more to go though.

Shows mostly Eugene's IV and Ney's III Corps assembled but still detailing before flocking.

Missing from his group shot are the Imperial Guard, V (Poniatowksi) infantry Corps, and IV (Latour-Marbourg) Reserve Cavalry Corps. I will be scratching to fulfil this part as my bitz box is now depleted to just under a quarter. Most of those are foreign troops. I may have to resort to some proxying. Fortunately I have enough to cover that part with a sizeable Austrian and Bavarian collection to pick from. 

What French figures I do have I am sparing for the Imperial Guard because I kind of suspect they will be playing a bigger role in this refight than historically. So they best be on their best outlook.