Fully finished, are two battalions of Portuguese line infantry, a unit of Cazadores and a battery of French foot artillery. Painted by yours truly using enamels.

Front view of the 21st Line (Valenza). 

I’m a big fan of blue and yellow as a colour combination so it was an obvious choice to do battalions from the Northern Division. 

Figures are by Front Rank, flags by GMB Designs. 

Rear view of the 9th Line (Viana). 

This regiment was historically brigaded with the 21st. It too has yellow facings, but the 9th’s collar is only piped yellow rather than being solid yellow like the 21st. 

I found these Portuguese a doddle to paint in comparison to their British brethren. 

The 2nd Cazadores (Algarve); picked purely for having a bit of red (cuffs). 

Figures by Front Rank.

I have decided to paint my Cazadores as units of 16 figures. Because I’m not a bean counter I decided to do what feels about right for game use. Eight bases of skirmishers looks about right to me. 

I’m convinced that these guys most often fought in skirmish order; I really don’t know if this belief is based on historical fact; I’ve only ever painted them (for others) as rifle armed skirmishers. 

As two thirds were actually armed with muskets I’m open to be persuaded otherwise – though this will entail buying more figures – so that they can fight in line, in a similar fashion to British light infantry. 

Please, feel free to advise.

A battery French foot artillery. Figures by Front Rank.

In the first game I found that a single limber was quite sufficient for representing a battery on the move and liked the look of them very much. Despite the cost – limbers equate to a fair lump of money (£17.20 +) and painting time for a thing which is just there to look good – I will provide a limber for each and every battery.

Although I haven’t photographed it yet, I’ve also painted the Legion Hannovrienne for the French force, and I’m midway through painting a battalion of Legion Du Midi. Once they’ve been finished I’ll post some pics: I need both units and a dozen new command figures for a game on Wednesday night so they’ll be pictured soon, hopefully.

These additional units would normally make a dent in the lead pile, but following another delivery from Front Rank (following an investment using money from the sale of the Libyan spearmen units ) I find myself with more than I started with – I’ve added two units of cavalry, a unit of British light infantry, a full unit of 95th Rifles, two units of Polish Legion, 2 units of 2nd Nassau, and a bunch of general officers and other odds and sods to increase the size of several units. Let’s hope the mojo lasts the distance.