15mm War of 1812 for "The Complete Brigadier"

Red or Blue - that's who!

from: smallsoldiersstouthearts blog [click]

[NOTE: This post was started in early November and then forgotten - it pre-dates the posts on playtesting The Complete Brigadier rules CLICK where you can see the below figures and units on the table].

The start was I want a small boutique project that had the sort of pointless, meandering, indecisive warfare that works best for game play on the table. After all, no one wants to be on the receiving end of Desert Storm or anything... Doing some research, the War of 1812 comes somewhere near the top of the list, checking all the boxes:

- Pointless 
- Indecisive  
- Meandering  

- Warfare  

I went into the boxes of giveaways in 15mm that I have, generously donated by my wargaming club, some of which was successfully sold for charity in years past, and discovered much to my surprise a substantial body of 15mm figs that were already painted, as well as a bunch that were not.

They're a mish-mash of sizes and manufacturers, unfortunately, with True 15s, New 15s, and everything in between.  However, they are consistent by the units, each being the same make / size.  

A substantial number are these fellows, with nice details, great realistic proportions, and decent poses:

As they are True 15s, as in 15mm from bottom of foot to top of head, I did some comparison shots to get a better idea what they might be:

From Left, 

12mm / 1:144 Kallistra ACW fig [actually 13.5mm ] [CLICK], mystery figure,

Minifig 15mm [CLICK], likely another Minifig 15mm fig, artillerist

Below, mystery fig showing off his nice proportions and correct height:

Above and below, Miniature Figurines, aka MiniFig, showing their 16mm height and greater bulk.  But lovely figures!

Another one of the mystery figures, right at about 15mm.

Through plenty of asking around, I finally got what I feel is a good answer.  These are Heritage figs from their Napoleonettes line.

The main problem for me, is that the vast majority of the painted figs are from this line, which I've never heard of, and is definitely out of production.  So...how to add more, especially since nearly all the figures are painted as Americans.  

I could re-paint a bunch as Canadians and Brits, certainly.

I could ask around and see if anyone has some for sale / trade. 

- probably start with this direction first.

This would result in a fun "Red v. Blue" project, above / beyond / beside historical 1812 wargaming. I'm pretty sure in the mess of boxes there are more of the smaller True 15s sculpts.  The main issue is sorting them out and figuring out how to go Red v. Blue.  There are a load of Prussians.  One thing I'm definitely going to need is British with the stovepipe shako...

Meanwhile, I decided to mount them on 1" square bases for a playtest of the fascinating wargame rules from the 1980s, "The Complete Brigadier".  How will this go...I dunno!  To start, I just made certain that the figs would fit on the bases at all.  While TCB recommends 1" wide by 1/2" deep bases, I prefer 1" squares which protect the figures bayonets better. Another reason not to use the popular wargaming pose "advancing with bayonet", I might add.  Not only was it rarely used compared to the march attack but it is prone to damage. Anyway... test below, the figs are resting on the unprimed Liko 3mm laminated wood bases.

Not a bad look, in line, I think.

Near figs appear to be Napoleonettes Prussians in green U.S. Rifles uniform, opposing them are some sort of U.S. blue infantry.

Below is how they look on the primed bases.

I also like the 3mm height - easy to take hold of or just push around.

Below is the entire bunch of painted figs, based, with a few Napoleonic generals, Russian artillerists and such, all ready to go.  14 Battalions, more than enough for TCB, especially using One-Hour Wargames scenarios.

Now, to get these fellows on the table!