Talavera 28 July 1809

What to do while the snow is coming down outside?  I know, I'll set up the Battle of Talavera!  Still have a few Spanish brigades to fill and I need to add the Tagus River to the map, but here it is so far.  Troops are poised before the big French attack at 1pm.

The photo below shows the Spanish (Allied right) troops anchored on Talavera and the breastworks in front of the Portina stream.  The blue ink show where I need to add the Tagus River and the yellow line shows where I need to add two Spanish brigades.

Photo below shows the Allied center composed of British troops.

And the Allied right held by British and Spanish (yellow lines) troops.

For the French right, Ruffin's troops backed by cavalry in the hill country

And the French center where three divisions are massed.

And the French left where Dragoons and the Leval's German Division are positioned.  All the troops lined up where the Tagus river should be the French reinforcements that arrive behind the German division.

Kevin's WWII Japanese

Next project on the table are the first of what will be a reinforced Japanese WWII regimental battlegroup for Kevin L. based for Command Decision rules.  Figures are 19th Century Miniatures/Old Glory 15/Battle Honors/Quality Castings or whatever you want to call them.  In this photo, the black primed figures are getting their uniform base coat, a gold brown and plague brown to provide some variation.

Not very exciting at the moment, but with some highlights and detail they'll soon start to look 'more better.'

Now with the uniform and kit detailed, here is what we have (changed to macro lens for better close-up) . . .

Brown-wash and highlights next, followed by varnish.  Stay tuned.

And the final product. . .

Now just 200+ figures to go and a dozen or so vehicles . . .

Spanish Artillery

And some Spanish foot artillery with crew in bicorne.  Figures are Old Glory 15's from 19th Century Miniatures/Battle Honors

Spanish Light Cavalry

Latest effort provides some Spanish Cazadore (Chasseurs) Light Cavalry.  The unit in red facings is the Olicanza Regiment and the unit in blue facings is the Espana Regiment.  Figs are Old Glory 15's (a.k.a. Battle Honors, a.k.a. 19th Century Miniatures).

Spanish Heavy Cavalry 1810-ish

Spanish Heavy Cavalry Regiments Rey (Red Facings) and Calatrava (Lt Blue Facings).  Minis are Old Glory 15's. 

Muddy, Snowy Tanks

Painted some 15mm Soviet armor I had sitting around.  Tanks are in winter whitewash with a liberal application of mud, rust, and grime.


First batch are T-70's, an interesting little tank . . . well armored and a good gun for its size.  Not much use by '44 though except as a recon tank.  These are all Plastic Soldier Company models.










Second batch are T34's.  Again these are Plastic Soldier Company models.  Also have a set of turrets to convert them to T34/85's, though the wheels and hull are not correct for T34/85 but close enough for gaming.











And third batch are Battlefront Models.  A KV-1, two factory types of T34, and a T-60.

Nassau 2nd Infantry Regiment

And ready for action is the 2nd Nassau Infantry Regiment.  These troops were part of the German Division fighting for France in Spain.