HistWar

HistWar (English zone) => General discussions => Discussion démarrée par: Link le 08 août 2004, 11:04:36 am

Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 08 août 2004, 11:04:36 am
Hello, Bonjour all,

Why and how did you become interested in Napoleonic warfare?  :?:

For me it started in early age ( about 7 or 8 ) with toy-soldiers, fascinated of the uniforms of the era. Then I started to paint Napoleonic armies but it was not until 1996 I started to play Napoleonic PC games. I got my first PC then and I bought it only because I saw an interesting Napoleonic game called Field of Glory.  :)

After that it started rolling with new games like the battleground series and later Breakawaygames. I think that Napoleonic era fits very well for games due to the numerous battles and the grand scale. I particularly like the rock, scissor and paper kind of tactics.  :wink:

The future looks very promising too with Les Grognards and more Napoleonic games to follow from Histwar.  :D

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Le Tondu le 08 août 2004, 14:29:25 pm
Bonjour,

For me, it started with a free game called "Napoleon at Waterloo" that was given as a gift for subscribing to a magazine called "Strategy & Tactics" in 1972.  After that it progressed into more Napoleonic games from SPI,  thousands of 15mm miniatures and computer games.  Now, it is a growing 225+ book library, 6mm miniatures and computer games.

I like memiors for the "feel" of the times that they give.  I also like books that specifically target uniforms, campaigns, and battles.

Rick
 :D
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: le 11 août 2004, 23:19:52 pm
Hello, link and le tondu, bonjour a tous, :D
First, sorry for my bad english... :cry: i haven’t write english until 15 years or more...I hope you vill understand?!;)
About your talking, we have got some common points: I’ve started too, to play with littles toys of 15mm about the Napoléonic’s wars,( i’ve got 2000 little soldiers painting).And during my studies in a art school, my drawing teatcher say me (joke!):”i was able to paint battles” like you can see in the muséems with composition of mens and horses dust and fire...
And now, i’m very proud to work with JMM in this big project...
I’ve made a lot of drawing for histwar les grognards, soldiers, guns and horses, town,bridges, ( pin-up) etc...in 2D and in 3D. JMM the “computer’s magician” give life to my creations. For me it’s fantastic to see some littles peace of painting moving in the battles fields.
vivement les grognards! :D
Good bye, LA
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 11 août 2004, 23:46:31 pm
Interesting reading Rick and Laurent.  :D

No need to apologues Laurent, I understood your English perfectly well.  :wink:

You're doing a great job with the graphics in this game.  :!:

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Hentzau le 19 août 2004, 04:08:59 am
Citation de: "Le Tondu"
Bonjour,

For me, it started with a free game called "Napoleon at Waterloo" that was given as a gift for subscribing to a magazine called "Strategy & Tactics" in 1972.


Yeah me too, but a decade later.  That game is now available to play against others on the internet http://www.hexwar.com Other SPI titles are here http://decisiongames.com  I wish they had AI, I really enjoyed the Blue and Gray games in high school.  Not too many rules to remember. lol  Maybe someone here might be interested in finishing those Decision Games with AI.  :wink:  I think they'd be interested in having it done.

Sure has been quite here lately, must be hard at work.  :D
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Lord of Khorne le 12 janvier 2005, 01:50:24 am
For me it started in the mid-1970's after watching "Waterloo" with Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger ( at least I think it was Steiger as Napoleon).

After that I would go to the library and check out any books relating to the war.  

As I got older I would sneak into the library basement (where the public is not allowed to go) and I would look for the rare books they kept there.  I even checked them out.  If you act like you're doing something okay, they tend to not notice such things.  I was able to get my hands on the first english edition of the Marbot's memoirs this way.

I also painting many 15mm figures during the 1980's and even played a few games with them...<sigh>.

I buy whatever books that I can afford, which aren't crap.  

Now, as I am older, I have no one to play miniatures with as my sons are all into computer and console games.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 12 janvier 2005, 18:19:42 pm
Citation de: "Lord of Khorne"
For me it started in the mid-1970's after watching "Waterloo" with Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger ( at least I think it was Steiger as Napoleon).


Yes, the Napoleonic films in the 70's was an insparation for me too. I watched BBC's series "War & Peace" on TV in the early 70's.

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: ffak le 12 janvier 2005, 19:27:04 pm
Citation de: "Lord of Khorne"
For me it started in the mid-1970's after watching "Waterloo" with Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger ( at least I think it was Steiger as Napoleon).



Waterloo
from Serguei Bondarchuk



(http://www.campaigns-france.org/uploads/newbb/1_41bf118502a81.jpg)

(http://www.campaigns-france.org/uploads/newbb/1_41bf0fbb66c12.jpg)

(http://www.campaigns-france.org/uploads/newbb/1_41befa76f1ea2.jpg)

 :D
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Aberdonian le 12 janvier 2005, 19:32:32 pm
Although I had a keen interest in wargaming and military uniforms in my early teens, I first became interested in the Napoleonic era when I saw an article in a local paper about an artist who had done watercolour paintings of French Napoleonic soldiers. This was about 1968 and we started buying the Funcken books, Rousselot prints and Historex Napoleonic kits. We also started playing 15mm Napoleonic wargames based on Bruce Quarrie's "Napoleonic Wargames in Miniature" book. The computer based wargames I have played include:
1. Borodino(the very early version with blocks for units) which gave a great sense of the problems faced by an army commander.
2. The Battleground Series
3. Waterloo (Breakaway Games)
4. Napoleon 1813. This had a very good strategic map which did not involve too much micro-managing resources and gave a good overall feel about the importance of the road communication network of the era. Unfortunately it was beset by bugs.
5. Although I bought LGAA I am really looking forward to Les Grognards.

In addition to the above, in 1980  my wife and I decided to start our own business (Mil-Art) producing 80mm metal figure kits which included some Napoleonics. We later added some in 100mm.
We still have our ranges in production but we tend to sell more military books (Osprey etc) than kits now.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Lord of Khorne le 12 janvier 2005, 20:21:45 pm
ffak, thanks for posting the pics.  I've not seen the movie in about 20 years, although I've heard it's available on tape.  If anyone knows if Waterloo is available on DVD in english, please let me know.

I too own Quarrie's book.  I devoured it... developed some interesting economic variations, but never found anyone to play a game with.

Alas, my Napoleonic miniatures, the painted ones, have been lost in the various cross country moves over the years.

If any of you reside near Wisconsin and have the armies, I'm up for a miniature game almost any time.

Now, if we can just get JMM to develop a web based campaign system using Les Grognards to resolve the battles...
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 12 janvier 2005, 22:37:06 pm
Citation de: "Lord of Khorne"
ffak, thanks for posting the pics.  I've not seen the movie in about 20 years, although I've heard it's available on tape.  If anyone knows if Waterloo is available on DVD in english, please let me know.


Waterloo is available on DVD in English.  :)

See for your self:  :wink:
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0066549/

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: ffak le 12 janvier 2005, 23:25:27 pm
I bought it few months ago on www.play.com
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Ziem le 16 février 2005, 10:10:14 am
Well,

My dad use to have 2 hobbies. Toy soldiers and miniature trains. So guess where I got it from? Since I opened my eyes as a kid I was raised with these two things. Unfortunately because of lack of space there was an intermezzo of some years I couldnt' pursue neither hobbies. But thanks to computers this has changed. I think I bought most napoleon computer games. Including the little known and underrated but highly buggie "napoleon 1813".  Great concept, lousy excecution. I still buy books about Napoleon and co. And even my wife buys books for me about the subject like the great book called "A military history and Atlas of the Napoleonic wars" by Esposito and Elting. Other books I was happy to find after many a year of searching were the uniform books by the Funcken family. As a matter of fact I was in Paris last week and as usual I send my wife shopping and I went an afternoon to the dome des invalides. Even got a pic of the dome as a wallpaper on my mobile. :)  As for trains. Well, I'm a mod for Auran Trainz. Best train simulator ever.

Cheers

Z. :)
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Frédéric Walther le 16 février 2005, 10:59:43 am
All started in 1970 when my grandfather gave me a big illustrated book about the life of Napoleon... Big because each sheet was like "A3" format, there was a great illustration (2 x A3 sheets : about 16 x 23 inches  8O ) of the last "square" of Imperial Guard at Waterloo. It has been printed in my 3 years old brain and never left...
Because my grandfather was a Napoleon enthusiast, he gave me the opportunity to read his books, many tales and mainly Coignet story that I've red and red and red...
Then came personnal purchases such as Erckmann and Chatrian books "Conscript of 1813" and "Waterloo"...
Then came plastic soldiers at 1/72 scale, wargames... Well I guess the standard way for many people !
Thank you Lars ! It was good to be back to my childhood... Do I owe you something Doctor ?
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Ziem le 16 février 2005, 11:53:52 am
yes those 1/72 figures!  Still got hundreds of them at my parents. Great stuff. Should pick them up one day.  :wink:


Z. :)
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 16 février 2005, 13:18:49 pm
First session is for free Fred.  :lol:

I think you beat the record starting at 3 years old.  :D

Is that A3 book for sale? I have a son 2 1/2 years old that I hope will get interested as well. Wait a minute it's in French, right? Argh!  :(

At least I have given him a good start actually naming him Patrick Napoleon.  :wink:
I plan to give him Napoleonic toy soldiers (1/35) for his 3 years birthday btw.

Since I don't play my self any longer and have no time painting I plan to start collecting ready figures like theese: http://miniwelt-collection.com/figures/napoleon/01.htm

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Frédéric Walther le 16 février 2005, 14:38:50 pm
Citer
First session is for free Fred.  :lol:


Your goodness will be your undoing ! :wink:

The book was for sale 35 years ago, I'm doubtfull you can found it now !
It could be nice to send you some pictures or scans of it... the day I will rediscover it. Frankly speaking I'm searching this book for 2 or 3 years now, consequence of some moves... But showing you is a new motivation, I know it is in my parents home, hidden in a box... up in the garret or down in the cellar !

About 1/72 soldiers, check this one boys... and remember :) http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodNapoleonic.html

Lars, about collecting (Not under 5 Y-Old), take a look at http://www.goodstufftogo.net/html/body_product1.asp?ItemID=5781 (Ignite's the name of manufacturer)

See you guys for next dreamsession  :D !

Fred
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 16 février 2005, 15:09:52 pm
Thank's for the links Fred,

Actually I've already got an action figure like that from another manufacturer (Dragon) that I'm saving for my son till his five.  :wink:
http://www.toyboxer.com/DRAGON/jean.html

In the mean time It's displayed in a glass cabinet. To bad it's only one uniform from the Napoleonic wars.

/Lars L.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Frédéric Walther le 16 février 2005, 16:04:52 pm
Seems to me 5 is a bit young for Dragon (or whatever) figures... but this is only my point of view !

We have, in stores specialised for kids, in France... painted plastic figures 1/18. With numerous topics : vikings, gallics, roman legion soldiers, blabla and : one foot grenadier of Imperial Guard, one Chasseur à cheval and guess... Napoleon !

I'm pretty sure these figures are not franco-french, and could be found almost in Europe (Sorry I've found no link :( ) I'm sure somebody will provide it.

My first son is almost 4 and use them easily for 6 month now, not to refined as Dragon and not to small like 1/35 scale...  
Additionnal challenge : I also must pay attention to my second son (15 months) who acts like a vacuum cleaner, sucking up everything that the first leaves lying down...

End of my "QVC's happy customer testimony"  :wink:
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Polish Lancer le 06 août 2005, 22:58:43 pm
Got interested in Napoleonics through wargames (well toy soldiers) when I was a young lad. Still love the artwork on the boxes of airfix figures. HAd hundreds of them. Lol, then moved onto metal with ancients but collected a couple of divisions of NApoleonic in 6mm. Which still get an airing every so often. JOined a British infantry re-enactment group (68th DLI) which was great - good group of lads and ladies. THen as we ride horses we wanted to combine the two... hence the Polish lancers. (at the time of joining other units would not let my wife ride ) The Lancers did. ONce again a great group of Lads and ladies.  NOw thinking of 28mm Skirmish using  Front rank figures LAncers and cossacks.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Iron Warrior le 07 août 2005, 01:05:56 am
Thats really cool Polish Lancer, would love to see some pics sometime of the reenactments you've done. I too was interested after seeing the Waterloo movie. A friend and I often still try to get together for some tabletop miniature games using a rulset created by a Brit living over here in America called Carnage & Glory II. It is an amazingly good ruleset using pc software to simulate the battles. Excellently realistic and lots of fun. I have been longing for a game like Les Grognards to come around so we can play online when we can't get together for a game of miniatures. That way we might also be able to run a campaign (If all the nations end up implemented in LG)
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Polish Lancer le 07 août 2005, 07:13:13 am
Iron warrior - you can see some pics of us doing what we do on here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PolishLancersphotos/
THis is our Yahoo Public site There are hods of pics on there.
Cheers
Stephen
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: EarlofWarwick le 17 octobre 2005, 17:44:33 pm
I grew up in a land called Virginia, went to a college named after Robert E. Lee, grew up in house where the Civil War was called the War Between the States, and spent hours playing in a national park known as Yorktown, so I filled my young head with books about the Civil War and the American Revolution (mostly the former). When I went to buy my first computer back in 1990, I saw a little game called Fields of Glory on the shelves, and I bought it on a whim. Weeks later I was elbows deep in Napoleonic history, which has been my primary interest ever since. The legendary aura of the French army, the polish and grit of the Brits, and the epic scale of the battles -- nothing can match them.

I’ve consumed every game dealing with 18th Century conflicts that has come out, and nothing seems as up to the task as Les Grognards.
Titre: Napoleonic intrest?
Posté par: Link le 18 octobre 2005, 09:03:07 am
Interesting reading, Earl of Warwick. Thanks for sharing.  :D