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French 9e cuirassiers at two scales.
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A few comments on my recent 'update' post lead me to check when I first purchased some 2 mm figures. It was back in the mid-2000s. I think that I was looking at Irregular Miniature's website and happened to click on the 2 mm section. "What a marvellous idea", I thought. Wouldn't it be fun to set up a wargame at such a small scale, perhaps even on the tray at the back of an aeroplane seat?!So, I duly ordered a few figures (French and Austrian army packs) to see them up close and what I could make of them. I liked them immediately. I was astounded at the amount of
detail on something so small and also the huge scope for interpretation
and adaptability of the figures.
Some photos below taken by my non-wargaming, but camera savvy friend Chris G. showing how amazing these little fellas are.
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| Photos to illustrate that they can look like something (c/- Chris G.; finger and pencil for scale). |
A couple of years or so later I had sufficient figures painted, or somewhat painted, to try out a game. I had found a free set called "2 by 2 Napoleonics" on the web and Stephen N. was interested (crazy) enough to have a go.
Below are some low-resolution photos of the first try with 2 x 2 Napoleonics in May 2008. You'll see from the photos and those that follow (all c/- Stephen) that I was using the bases 'as was', stuck in my paradigm of battalion/regimental scale.
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First game of 2 by 2 Napoleonics
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| Fiddly to handle as single playing pieces. |
Despite the fiddliness, we both had a bit of fun and so were prepared to try them again. Two more games followed, in June 2008 and April 2009. I had added a bit more terrain and a few more figures as we went along. We adapted and adjusted the rules to try to make them work better but, in the end, decided that they were not up to scratch. There was a pause in the 2 mm 'experiment'.
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Second game of 2 by 2 Napoleonics; now with felt roads, fields and rivers!
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| Still using single playing pieces. |
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| Third game, now on felt mat. |
Further thinking, discussions and
exposure to Baccus' Polemos rules (ostensibly for 6 mm figures) brought
me to basing as a regiment, brigade or division, which I duly did. Other projects and activities took precedence, so the 2 mm figures remained incomplete, with only a few French ready for use.
Below are some photos of my completed French in 2011 based as larger formations.
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| The French re-based ostensibly as regiments, but easily scaled to brigades or divisions. |
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| Left to right: two line infantry regiments and a légère to right |
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| Left to right: the two line infantry regiments and légère with artillery battery and limbers to right |
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Left to right: those 9e cuirassiers again, Polish Guard lancers, then line chasseurs.
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Left to right: the Polish Guard lancers and line chasseurs once more with 5e hussars at right.
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Advance
another few years and they are back, 'bigger' than ever, as part of my
desire to work at multiple scales, hopefully 'concurrently'. I have a
sizeable Austrian force in my painting sights and, once they are done, there are some part-completed French to add to that force. I am flexible in how I consider my bases (regiments, brigades or divisions) for painting any little details/colour on the figures. The scale affords plenty of latitude!
