I would like to ask you guys, what about Napoleon you like so much? (1 Viewer)

[debrito]

I am not connoisseur on this subject, and I am curious to know from you guys who know well about this time, Napoleon time seems to be the most famous era in toy soldiers all era combine, what is so popular about this time?

The main reason is: I have been approached for some Napoleonic fans ... asking me to try to recreate some dioramas about Napoleon, I don’t know nothing about this time, but I think I have to start to learn.


I will really appreciate your comments.

Cheers

 

[thebritfarmer]

For me it has to be the 3 flavours although I am not a big fan of vanilla.

 

[Combat]

I am not connoisseur on this subject, and I am curious to know from you guys who know well about this time, Napoleon time seems to be the most famous era in toy soldiers all era combine, what is so popular about this time?

The main reason is: I have been approached for some Napoleonic fans ... asking me to try to recreate some dioramas about Napoleon, I don’t know nothing about this time, but I think I have to start to learn.


I will really appreciate your comments.

Cheers

The Brits are the leaders of the toy soldier industry and Napoleon was the ultimate bad guy for them at least until Hitler. A rich variety of uniforms is another factor. Add in a few dozen of the most famous battles in European history - most won by Napoleon - and there you have it. Not to mention a certain cult of personality surrounding N himself both by friend and foe.

 

[Gazza]

For me it has to be the 3 flavours although I am not a big fan of vanilla.

I thought Benny Hill was dead but all along he is alive and living in Canada

 

[Njja]

I liked the fact that anyone standing near him looked taller.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I thought Benny Hill was dead but all along he is alive and living in Canada

HAHA my secret is out.

In all serious though, for me it would have to be the uniforms, cavalry and the sheer scale of the armies which would all add up to one impressive dio.

One only has to look at Georges 1:72 scale dios he posts or recently the flats being posted by nmrocks to see how impressive they are. Not forgetting fishheads 1:32 scale dios that are amazing also. Lots of action depicted.

 

[Gazza]

I am not connoisseur on this subject, and I am curious to know from you guys who know well about this time, Napoleon time seems to be the most famous era in toy soldiers all era combine, what is so popular about this time?

The main reason is: I have been approached for some Napoleonic fans ... asking me to try to recreate some dioramas about Napoleon, I don’t know nothing about this time, but I think I have to start to learn.


I will really appreciate your comments.

Cheers

In all seriousness I would say:

Variety - the nations, diverse and colourful uniforms

Cavalry - I think a cavalry charge is an impressive sight to behold

Characters - the personalities, brave and stupid characters

Cheers

Gazza

 

[Spitfrnd]

The variety and elegance of the uniforms, the raw grit and savagery of the fighting, the fact that most weapons (sword, bayonet, rifle and musket) would only drop one opponent, the importance of cavalry, the variety of the battle environments, the fact that despite the scale of many battles, victory frequently came down to the actions of a few small units or even individuals, the brilliant tactics of Napoleon and Wellington and ignorant tactics of most other commanders. All in all there is a lot to like.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Wow...well if you are going to go about creating Napoleonic dios not yet having acquired much knowledge on this period, you have your work cut out for you.

In TS world, I think WWII probably do more volume sales than Naps, despite the overwhelming enthusiasm of Naps collectors. But unlike so many military conflicts represented in TSs, which cover a relatively short period, the Napoleonic campaigns span a 20 year period and involve 8 major powers and a lot of smaller ones. Uniforms, cavalry furniture, and tactics evolved considerably throughout this period, and each nation could be characterized by the formations you might see according to the date and battle represented.

So what do I like about Napoleon? Beating him mostly...I have a lot of British troops, and Britain lost no major battles in the Peninsula campaign, and of course, you know how Waterloo turned out.

A few collectors here have mentioned the variety and vividness of the uniforms, and I agree, but I will add the range of types of troops and the variety you get from changing uniform codes throughout this period (including flag designs).

If you are creating a diorama for this period, you really have to know the specifics of the date and battle. You cannot, for instance, simply transplant troops meant for a Waterloo diorama onto one for Corunna (6 years earlier).

And that is the joy of Naps collecting and dio building, learning the fascinating and complex history over this 20 year period.

Good luck!

I am not connoisseur on this subject, and I am curious to know from you guys who know well about this time, Napoleon time seems to be the most famous era in toy soldiers all era combine, what is so popular about this time?

The main reason is: I have been approached for some Napoleonic fans ... asking me to try to recreate some dioramas about Napoleon, I don’t know nothing about this time, but I think I have to start to learn.


I will really appreciate your comments.

Cheers

 

[debrito]

Wow...well if you are going to go about creating Napoleonic dios not yet having acquired much knowledge on this period, you have your work cut out for you.

In TS world, I think WWII probably do more volume sales than Naps, despite the overwhelming enthusiasm of Naps collectors. But unlike so many military conflicts represented in TSs, which cover a relatively short period, the Napoleonic campaigns span a 20 year period and involve 8 major powers and a lot of smaller ones. Uniforms, cavalry furniture, and tactics evolved considerably throughout this period, and each nation could be characterized by the formations you might see according to the date and battle represented.

So what do I like about Napoleon? Beating him mostly...I have a lot of British troops, and Britain lost no major battles in the Peninsula campaign, and of course, you know how Waterloo turned out.

A few collectors here have mentioned the variety and vividness of the uniforms, and I agree, but I will add the range of types of troops and the variety you get from changing uniform codes throughout this period (including flag designs).

If you are creating a diorama for this period, you really have to know the specifics of the date and battle. You cannot, for instance, simply transplant troops meant for a Waterloo diorama onto one for Corunna (6 years earlier).

And that is the joy of Naps collecting and dio building, learning the fascinating and complex history over this 20 year period.

Good luck!

Thanks to all, appreciated the time.

This project will not be tomorrow i will have plenty of time to check many historical references, but the reason I asked was to see what collectors have to say, and not only historians.....

What attract me the most is the retreat of Moscow 1812, when I attended Chicago last year, I saw in the TreeFrog Room nice soldiers from Marzano (see pics) and just loved the uniforms and positions, so I think that will be my period.

Again thanks for the time.

Regards

 

[Spitfrnd]

Thanks to all, appreciated the time.

This project will not be tomorrow i will have plenty of time to check many historical references, but the reason I asked was to see what collectors have to say, and not only historians.....

What attract me the most is the retreat of Moscow 1812, when I attended Chicago last year, I saw in the TreeFrog Room nice soldiers from Marzano (see pics) and just loved the uniforms and positions, so I think that will be my period.

Again thanks for the time.

Regards

I can understand the appeal and was taken by the photos I saw of that display as well. That said, I hope you chose another portion of the war. The retreat was so bleak and much less about a combat between units then a struggle against weather and pestilence. The 1812 Uniforms are very nice and would fit in many earlier and even some later battles, depending on the country. Whatever you chose though, I shall look forward to seeing since I know you will do an excellent job with it Rod.

 

[Scott]

Take a look at photos from the Waterloo Reenactments! That's color and WHO do the people want photos of? The "pantomime Napoleon."

I don't even paint my Napoleonics and they are colorful!

 

[debrito]

I can understand the appeal and was taken by the photos I saw of that display as well. That said, I hope you chose another portion of the war. The retreat was so bleak and much less about a combat between units then a struggle against weather and pestilence. The 1812 Uniforms are very nice and would fit in many earlier and even some later battles, depending on the country. Whatever you chose though, I shall look forward to seeing since I know you will do an excellent job with it Rod.

Bill, I really take consideration of your advices, as I know you really know you subject. This will be for late Fall or even in early winter 2010, so I have plenty of time to consider many advices. Also I am still learn on the making of terrain, open fields, trees, cliffs etc.. My thing is urban structures...but doesn't really goes with Napoleon...

By saying that we will have the chance to talk about that many times, but I do appreciated the tips.

Ciau.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Bill, I really take consideration of your advices, as I know you really know you subject. This will be for late Fall or even in early winter 2010, so I have plenty of time to consider many advices. Also I am still learn on the making of terrain, open fields, trees, cliffs etc.. My thing is urban structures...but doesn't really goes with Napoleon...

By saying that we will have the chance to talk about that many times, but I do appreciated the tips.

Ciau.

Sounds good mate. Let's talk when you like by email. I think I may have some Urban ideas for your Napoleonic project; not that I want to discourage the open fields and mountain terrain but I could use some ideas for Fuentes D'Onoro.

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks to all, appreciated the time.

This project will not be tomorrow i will have plenty of time to check many historical references, but the reason I asked was to see what collectors have to say, and not only historians.....

What attract me the most is the retreat of Moscow 1812, when I attended Chicago last year, I saw in the TreeFrog Room nice soldiers from Marzano (see pics) and just loved the uniforms and positions, so I think that will be my period.

Again thanks for the time.

Regards

These are really cool figures. I think Fusilier have a ton of decent looking retreat from Moscow figures as well. (And ATS come to think of it)

You could really make a massive scene with this, and I am sure most of us would love to see it when you've finished.

MD

 

[Grognard]

I like him because he had a cool hat and liked Gevrey Chambertin wine like me

Seriously besides the military genius. well known battles and cool/colorful uniforms, he restored order in France after the mess of the French revolution, revived the French economy and created many administrative institutions, the French constitution (with Sieyès), and civil code & laws that are still in effect today.
He also demonstrated that you can accomplish great things despites starting from nothing!

 

[trooper]

Sounds good mate. Let's talk when you like by email. I think I may have some Urban ideas for your Napoleonic project; not that I want to discourage the open fields and mountain terrain but I could use some ideas for Fuentes D'Onoro.

How about the dragoons of the King's German Legion breaking the French squares, or Ramsey's battery charging through the French infantry (ATS does a large group depicting this including an RHA gunner using a rammer like a lance with a French infantryman in midair and another French infantryman caught beneath the wheels of the gun). In fact ATS makes the largest selection of Napoleonic figures of any company worldwide. Another company making sets depicting scenes from the Russian campaign is Tradition with groups depicting the retreat itself, the burning of the Eagles, Marshal Ney and the rearguard and the Cossacks.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

How about the dragoons of the King's German Legion breaking the French squares, or Ramsey's battery charging through the French infantry (ATS does a large group depicting this including an RHA gunner using a rammer like a lance with a French infantryman in midair and another French infantryman caught beneath the wheels of the gun). In fact ATS makes the largest selection of Napoleonic figures of any company worldwide. Another company making sets depicting scenes from the Russian campaign is Tradition with groups depicting the retreat itself, the burning of the Eagles, Marshal Ney and the rearguard and the Cossacks.

Funny you should mention it, I have been sitting here looking at my "bits and pieces" trying to figure out if I can make a squadron of KGL dragoons...I am pretty sure I can convert some lesser know leftovers into just that, and let's face it, KGL doesn't get nearly enough exposure, particularly mounted figures...SO...here we go! I'll let you know how it goes (if it goes well)...if it's a bust, don't be surprised if I never mention it again.

 

[blaster]

Besides the obvious uniforms, documentation and panache etc, for me the interest was fuelled also by the availability of beautifully detailed Historex figures whcih allowed one to build up a personalised collection of Napoleonic figures.

Rgds V

 

[gi546]

I like him because he's the most awesome little person to ever live.