From GregB: Bavarian Content For Nick (85 Points)

Watch out! Here come the Bavarians! 28mm figures from "Eagles of Empire".

Challengers and regular blog visitors will surely have noted my interest in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. I enjoy it so much, I paint figures in different scales. In one of my recent 10mm submissions of FPW work, Nick - our friendly Friday Minion - noted the "obvious lack of Bavarians" in my recent FPW painting output. I duly promised I would redress that oversight before this edition of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge was finished. Well, the end of AHPC XI is looming, and with this in mind I present these 28mm Bavarian infantry. The castings - and flag - are all from the excellent "Eagles of Empire" figure range.

"Eagles of Empire" have some beautiful sculpts, just lovely.

Nice mix of poses.

A look at some of the kit the soldiers carried.

There are so many cool uniforms in the Franco-Prussian War. While those of the French often steal the show, the uniforms of the Bavarian army from the period are very cool, with their unique "cornflower blue" and Napoleonic-throwback helmets. Trying to get this share of blue done properly - or, I should say, in a shade that I subjectively believe to be done "properly" - was a struggle, and you don't need to look too closely to see there is variation here and there as I experimented. Some were too bright, and some were too dark. I used many colour references for inspiration, including photos of these figures that Nick himself has painted for the Eagles of Empire web site. While that is a standard I cannot match, I am still really pleased with them, and even with the variations, in a group, I think they look pretty good overall, ready to take on the French!

I must also credit "Eagles of Empire" for beautiful sculpts. They are taller and thinner, but oh man, are they nice! So much animation and character, with nice proportions. I just love painting their stuff.

NCO encouraging the lads!

The Bavarian army made a major contribution to the fighting in the Franco-Prussian War, both in the early battles in and around Alsace, and in the later fighting against the dogged resistance of the French Republican regime. 

Another view of the base with the NCO. These three-figure bases are 40mm rounds.

These figures are based for skirmish gaming with the "Eagles of Empire" rules. I am generally wary of group basing in 28mm when crewed weapons are not involved (one of many odd hobby hangups which afflict my brain), but I thought I would finally try the specific basing suggested in EoE rules. That is what you see here - a command base (with the officer, flag and musician) and two "squads", each of seven models. Each "squad" contains one base with three figures, and two bases with two figures each.  

These guys are on 30mm bases.

I just love these sculpts - who wouldn't follow that standard bearer forward???

The drummer looks a little blurry (sorry), but again, great character in the sculpt - he looks like he is playing the hell out of that drum! Charge!!

I should note the EoE rules are agnostic when it comes to basing - this approach is recommended, but hardly mandatory, and the rules themselves are fairly light and fun, so just about any basing approach will legitimately work. That said, now that I have tried it, I really like the look, and will probably be doing several more units in this way.

My kitchen is stormed by Bavarian infantry - I had better secure the beer!

So, for scoring purposes, we have 17 figures in 28mm size - should be good for 85 points. I hope you enjoy them Nick! Thanks for reading everyone - go enjoy some good Bavarian food, beer and contemplate that complex shade of "cornflower" blue...