Topic: Starting Themed Army (War of 1812)

[towishimp]

I'll have to agree.  I was a naysayer way back when this topic started up, and I stick to my guns.  If you want an 1812 themed army, I'd say just buy some of the other figures others have recommended and then use Warhammer rules.  As long as you don't play in official tournaments or at GW venues, you'll be fine.

[Xinithorp]

If you want an 1812 themed army, I'd say just buy some of the other figures others have recommended and then use Warhammer rules.  As long as you don't play in official tournaments or at GW venues, you'll be fine.

as I'd be using this in GW stores

by completely filing off ALL the "puffyness" et. you just get very blunt looking miniatures without much detail.

Maybe when it's painted you'll see why I don't want the puffs.
I've worn one of these uniforms. Believe me, they ain't puffy.
I know Adam Clark was able to do it without the filing, but for this I just don't want it - especially on the legs.

[Jivaine SkyWing]

Hey Xinthorp.

You might want to look at the Old Glory miniautres or at foundry for these guys.  I have been looking for some english civil war guys, and it works out really well for this game for sure.  I am in Fergus Ontario as well. Hehehe... but grew up in Niagara falls, so I know quite a bit about the war of 1812 in that area.

[Franz Ferdinand]

Ooooooh right! That's who that guy is. I knew I recognized him from somewhere.
Yeah, it's a really sweet dwarf army.

I like that Empire army. An he kept the poofiness! Certainly gives me an idea what to aim for.


The uniforms didn't really change much between the American Rev and the War of 1812. Mainly just their choice of headwear.

I don't think tricorn hats weigh your head down as much as a shako. Probably more comfortable too.
I wonder why they changed.

does anyone know where i can find this CD army?

[fredrik]

I know the OP mentioned he wanted to play at the GW store (hence the conversion job), but I'd like to take the opportunity to suggest having a look around for an historical club if you are interested in napoleonics. Although I personally quite enjoy a game of warhammer, the napoleonic period is a real treasure trove of goodness for the wargamer. That is assuming you're interested in the war of 1812 in particular rather than just the uniforms!  

[Xinithorp]

I think people are kind of missing what I'm going for here.
I'm not trying to build another off-the-shelf historical army at some obscure games club out in suburbia.
Where's the fun in that?

I want to have a converted Empire army, not a stock 1812 army.

Part of this is the fun of converting the army and making it my own. There's nothing personal about buying a box of British grenadiers, But there is something special in taking a bunch of guys in poofy outfits and making a British army out of them.


Believe me. I know I can play some historical game with actual historical figures.
But I want to go for a converted Empire army.

That is assuming you're interested in the war of 1812 in particular rather than just the uniforms!

Heheh. Not in wearing them. Anyone here ever had to wear a leather neck stock? Yikes.
Heavy wool tunics on hot July days ain't all that fun either. And then you put on the drum...

Like I said, I've got all kinds of ways of including components of the era in the army.
Voyageurs
Priests
Natives
And of course the actual soldiers.

Thanks for any more comments.

[wissenlander]

If you're willing to put in the time and effort then go for it.  It's your army, and you can do with it as you see fit.  Just make sure the benefit is worth while.  If it is then I support your thoughts, and applaud you for constructing the army the way you want.

[towishimp]

I agree with Wissenlander.  I think what a lot of us are doing is trying to save you a bunch of time an effort; we don't want you to waste a bunch of time "making" miniatures that you could just buy.  I respect a good converting challenge (as many of do), but this goes beyond what most of us are willing to do.  As Wissenlander said, if you're willing to invest that much time in the project, more power to you.  I wish I had that kind of time to devote to my hobby, myself.  I don't think any less of anyone for having "just another off the shelf Empire army."  In fact, mine is "just off the shelf."  To each his own.

[fredrik]

Believe me. I know I can play some historical game with actual historical figures.
But I want to go for a converted Empire army.

Are you sure? You know, you could buy actual historical figures and play actual historical games instead! (j/k, I'll stop now   )

Your project sounds great, but if you're set on using GW figures I would perhaps go for something other than the Empire handgunners as a base for conversion. Instead, I think it would be easier to add handguns to say Free Company figures, who don't have the puffy arms and have shirts rather than breastplates. Sculpt a shako and some straps on those and you're golden. You can buy separate muskets or renaissance handguns in 28mm to use for such converstions.

Good luck with the army and be sure to post some pictures of your work!

Cheers/Fredrik

[Justin Hill]

go for it!  

Not sure what all the comments about historicals is about really, but then i get the same when i bring out my arab themed army.  I think some people just miss the point.  It's great to have a unique army!  

My only reservation would be making it themey and also fun to play.  Empire gun lines don't seem to really test warhammer rules in a fun way  (you know all the maneovering and all) - but i'm sure there are ways.

[Misfratz]

I think this sounds very ambitious, but it looks like you're capable of it.

I think it's very important that you convert some of them to be using the bayonets more than firing the guns so that you can use them as spearmen [as already mentioned].  This gives you the option of having Spearmen units with handgunner detachments and handgunner units with spearmen detachments.  That would help to make the army more interesting to play with and also combat effective.

I'm not sure what the cavalry looked like for this era, but I would definetly make it a priority to convert up some pistoliers as well as the infantry.  People have previously used bits from the militia sprue to create plastic pistoliers so that woul d be a good place to start.

Good luck and thanks for the pics

[Grutch]

I say go for it.  

I've seen an Empire Army based on the Alamo on a Texas GT coverage report.  I was impressed.  I personally wouldnt go for it because I'd like my armies to reside somewhere within the "Warhammer Universe" but I do get a kick out of seeing armies based on historical events and movies.   I was at one time considering creating a vampire counts army based on the nightmare before christmas.

-Grutch

[Xinithorp]

I say go for it.  

I've seen an Empire Army based on the Alamo on a Texas GT coverage report.  I was impressed.  I personally wouldnt go for it because I'd like my armies to reside somewhere within the "Warhammer Universe" but I do get a kick out of seeing armies based on historical events and movies.   I was at one time considering creating a vampire counts army based on the nightmare before christmas.

-Grutch

Alamo themed army? That's awesome. Hmmm. How about an American Civil War themed Guard army? Heheheheh....


You may or may not have seen a picture somewhere in White Dwarf somewhere, but there's a Halloween themed VC army with trick-or-treaters as zombies and a Cinderella-like carriage for a Black Coach. It's really cool and very orange. I think there was a picture of wolves in WD somewhere called "Transformation" or something along those lines for GD Canada coverage.

A Nightmare Before Christmas theme sounds really cool.

The problem I have is whenever I hear ideas for themes I want to buy a bunch of models and build that army. Good practice in self-restraint I guess.
Having no time or money also helps.

[Xinithorp]

I've finally painted the first model. A few more and I think I'll have a method and rhythm down.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y235/Ataxi/1812/Handgunnerfin.jpg

Multiply by 64.

Comments appreciated.

[General Helstrom]

Well, you *are* making a pretty good effort out of this! Sure it won't fit in the Warhammer World per sé, but is a great eyecatcher and a lot of fun to do if you're into conversions on a massive scale

[Donnachaidh]

I'd either paint the lower leg (below the knee) black to represent the gailtors, or paint the legs as a whole a mid grey to represent overalls.

Two web sites that show both versions of legwear are the....

Connaught Rangers

or the

71st Highland Light Infantry

Rene Chartrand has done a fantastic bok in the Osprey series on Canadian forces of the War of 1812
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php?title=P7414&ser=MAA

[Xinithorp]

I'd either paint the lower leg (below the knee) black to represent the gailtors, or paint the legs as a whole a mid grey to represent overalls.

Two web sites that show both versions of legwear are the....

Connaught Rangers

or the

71st Highland Light Infantry

Rene Chartrand has done a fantastic bok in the Osprey series on Canadian forces of the War of 1812
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php?title=P7414&ser=MAA

Thanks for the suggestions. I painted this more or less according to a uniform I've worn (including that bleedin' leather neck stock).
In that we tucked our gaiters under our pants because over top looked wierd.
Of course there are all kinds of variations. It depends where the force is from and their purpose.

But don't get involved in anything where you have to march around in the hot sun in a uniform. Especially with a wool jacket. That's ain't fun.