Originally Published on the Spanner and the Yank Web Site. Used by permission.

08 October, 2000

We've received requests for more French figure reviews. As I am now painting a Nappy division, expect more content on the Grande Armee. (It definitely expands your palette of color!)

I was surprised to learn from Nic Robson (Eureka Miniatures) that there isn't that much demand for light infantry figures. Are you fellows reading your history, hmm? During most of the period, one in three regiments were designated light. And while that number did drop to one in five during certain years, the light infantry were typically committed to battle first... as a matter of honor.

In replicating a portion of Davout's III Corps, I have some wonderful units to paint... the 7th, the 10th. So here's a look at what AB has to offer for the years, 1807-12.

The first scan is of line chasseurs (IF50) at 150%. The order I received had four variants. They are not particularly notable; just your average, wonderful AB. I'd probably give them a slight nod over their fusilier counterparts, but have rated them "8". The two figures on the left have the identical face (which is very good). The others, ho-hum. At first I thought they might be an mm larger than the line figures, but they too measured 18mm from eye-level to foot. I later realized it was the face that threw me off.

The second image is of voltigeurs and carabiniers. The former are presently being worked on, so I've provided only one unpainted figure in a colpack (IF52), and a painted example of one in a shako, skirmishing (IF53a). The latter can, of course, be used as a carabinier.

There were three variants of carabiniers in bearskins in my order. All were the standard 18mm in height. The only one that stood out was the skirmishing figure. I'd rate it an "8.5"... the others, "8". If you have an option, use the voltiguer in colpack skirmishing (IF53b). They're very nice... "9"s.

The last scan is of a light infantry eagle bearer. I'd rate it, the drummer, and the deuxieme porte-aigle hidden behind the flag, as "9"'s. No Tony height deviations and superior detail.

A quick note about my washed out flag: It was one of Alan Pendlebury's excellent renderings that are posted on the Web for fellow gamers (Napflags). Michael Hickling commented that my "Cameronian" flag looked like it could use some improvement (another of Al's). It does indeed. The problem is the scanner traps light reflected off flags and washes out the detail. So, please use your imagination. I'm not painting with pastels!

In sum, the light infantry figures were what one would expect from AB. The finest light infantry fig (not pictured) is their standard bearer from the earlier 1802-06 period. Beautiful.

Cautionary note: From 1812-1815, legere uniforms should be painted an indigo blue (dark and dull). I'm building my force to be representative of 1809. Prior to the Russian campaign, there was latitude on the shade of blue used, explaining only --to a degree -- Haythornthwaite's Osprey depictions of light infantry wearing primarily cerulean blue.

Good Gaming!

Mike