Tuesday 18 July 2017

Elite Miniatures 1805 Russian Imperial Guard


The six battalions of the Russian Imperial Guard in all their gloss varnished glory!


On the basing desk for quite sometime, these wonderful Elite Miniatures figures are about to get a hefty workout as I commence my General D'Armee phase of my wargaming life.  For those of you who have been following this ongoing project, it is my attempt to play a few games in that particularly interesting period where Napoleon really did have an intense edge over all the powers that went p against him, particularly Russia, Austria and Prussia.


These figures are designed by the very talented Peter Moreby and have been painted for me by DPS quite some time ago.  I decided that it was ridiculous in the extreme for them to not be getting a Guernsey now that I have nearly finished rebasing the other 18 battalions of Elite early war Russians in the collection as well.


Still a little bit of correcting do engage in but all in all pretty pleased with this lot.


As you can see I have returned to the "Gilder WHC" method of basing the officer on a slight apex in front of the battalion.  I will do these for all my Elite 1805-07 battalions.


The Russian Imperial Guard played a pivotal role at Austerlitz and in the end was basically the only reserve formation left purely in that role after the blunders of the column attacks of the allies at the onset of the battle.  They also play an important role in Dave Browns linked scenarios for refighting the battle for the Pratzen in his GdB scenario books.

16 comments:

  1. Lovely work! Elite are not for everyone but I always think they have a characterful look not found elsewhere.

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    1. Hi Millsy. Yes Elites are in the category of looking very or "nah" and I met confess I returned to the former after selling off a big collection over ten years ago. They are a range that looks best in mass with the animation that Peter Moreby manages in his sculpts.

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  2. They look great, and I think the glossy finish suits the flavor well.

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    1. Hi Dean - thanks for the kind comments. The Gloss varnish is purely protective and will soon be Dulcoted into a nice matt finish.

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  3. I think you will enjoy the rules, they add a lot to a wargame.

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  4. And very smart they look too. I'm not into gloss varnish but if you are using classic figures and a classic look, why not?
    Look forward to seeing how your games go.

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    1. The Gloss varnish will simply help the figures remain scratch free Chris and will receive a good shot if Testors Dulcote in the coming weeks. Yes I am very much looking forward to playing these rules as the feedback I have heard has all been very positive.

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  5. Wow- looks spectacular , and formidable!!

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    1. Thanks John - let's see how these lads fight when it comes down to the nitty gritty!

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  6. Excellent viewing Carlo. All the more excellent for hearing of the "other 18 battalions of Elite early war Russians in the collection as well". Go forth and tenderise those Frenchmen in preparation for 1812 onwards! ��

    And I applaud your sentimentality in having the mounted officer poking out the front of the unit bravely leading the men onwards. ��

    Salute
    von Peter himself

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    1. Cheers Peter and thanks for the thoughts and encouragement. Always good to see the earlier period and I am a bit OCD when comes to fighting these periods with troops armed and uniformed in post 1812 uniforms. Pathetic I know!

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  7. Beautiful collection Carlo....I am very envious of your collection.

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    1. Thanks Nathan...and you couldn't possibly be more envious of my collection than I of yours mate! Looking forward to getting these fellows finished and in the field.

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  8. Great looking Guardsmen, Carlo!

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    1. Thanks Peter. We do both love our Napoleonics.

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