Vogue, Moscow edition - 1812

We recently set up Tony's Russian 28mm Russian Napoleonic army for a long over due photo shoot. Much in spirit of the Austrian one we did some years ago. This is a diorama style set piece based very loosely on the battlefield at Borodino astride the Moscow Road in 1812.

We had initially wanted to play with 28mm collection but our hearts really weren't in it so we did this instead. There will no 28mm game at this stage. We have since begun a massive 10mm game. Please enjoy this pictorial feast in it's place.  

Most of Russian army deployed to see of the upstart French Emperor - all in glorious 28mm. 

Tony's 28mm Russian collection is both immense & stunning. Most are painted by Tony over many, many years. Many are converted. Most flags are hand painted rolled copper.

I have captioned most pictures so sit back with a drink of choice & just enjoy Tony's craftsmanship.    

Tony is the real Star of this show.
He was somewhat awestruck at his own output on display here. I love the fatherly appreciation on his face as he gazes lovingly over his creation.  

The Borodino garrison

The village of Borodino over the Kolocha River. This position is somewhat forward of the main line. 

The position is well supported - here an infantry brigade marches to reinforce the position. To their left a 12lb foot battery offers covering fire. To the right are elements of Sievers cavalry brigade.    

Mighty cavalry formations on the Russian right. These boys are gearing up for a sortie into that wide open space. 

Down on the front lines. The wooden buildings of Borodino are garrisoned by an infantry brigade. 

Skirmishers venture forward to disrupt any attack with harassing fire. 

The village is from Snapdragon Studio - a bespoke massive single piece of resin & wood & paint!  

Russian battalion uncharacteristically deployed in line for maximum firepower.  

The brigade command vignette. All the models in this brigade are from Tony's early period being painted in enamels.
Note the sword and hat conversion on the blond chap and the spent round-shot in the grass.

Most of the models in Tony's collection are Wargames Foundry with some Perry, Front Rank & even Warlord plastics!!!

The Redoubts

The Grand Redoubt with one of Raevsky's 12lb batteries in residence. Note wolf-pits in front to slow the attacker.

A smaller earthwork here representing one of the Fleches used at Borodino.

The position is defended in some strength & depth.

The fleches with battery between them too. That's a lot of firepower. 

The view from the Grand Redoubt. 

Sievers...

This is the single strongest cavalry formation in our entire 28mm collection. This brigade comprises four 32 strong cavalry regiments & two horse batteries.
For all of this Sievers has rarely achieved anything other than notoriety in our battles as long time readers will know only too well! God knows we're all rooting for him!  

The man himself - here leading his fine men to certain doom in the fogs of war & in his own mind! 

One of two Elite Miniatures Russian horse batteries attached to this brigade. Painted by Elite proprietor Pete Morbey.

Mounted Chasseurs. Notet the splendid officer in white coat & outlandish head dress!

The first of two regiments of Dragoons - 32 of the buggers!  

Another 32 Russian Dragoons - Foundry minis.

Lithuanian Uhlans. These might actually be Austrian models but I could be wrong.
These Uhlans all look the same to me - can we say that these days?

A nice close in of the Dragoons.

And another close up of the other Dragoons.

Similar detail shot of the Chasseurs.

Sievers boys ready for anything - expecting the unexpected...   

The Utitsa front

The Russian left rests on the always amusingly named village of Utitsa :) 

The defenders of Utitsa & their supports await the attacking Poles to emerge from the Utitsa Woods.

A half battery of 12lb foot guns by Front Rank models.

A battalion of jaeger line the wooden walls to the village.
This is another Snapdragon piece - this time a single resin casting painted by Tony.

More Russian infantry brigades deploy in depth on the northern flank of the village.

Another battalion of jaeger - this time in line with skirmishers thrown forward. 

Duka

Possibly related to Sievers & just as notoriously useless & brave is Duka.
He leads the cuirassiers of the heavy cavalry reserve.
When they are deployed to clinch victory you know all is lost...  

Duka's command. Two regiments of 32 Cuirassiers. The Novgorod & Starodub.
Sadly these are the only shots I got of these fine fellows.  

The Blessing of the Opelchenie

These four battalions are the Moscow Militia. At Borodino they dug redoubts, levelled buildings which were "in the way" and acted as a reserve. These pictures show the "blessing of the Opelchenie" as the image of the Black Virgin is paraded in front of them. They are a motley bunch, some with pikes some with axes.     

The militia parade before the image of the "Black Virgin" at the rear of the army. 

I-con.

An enthusiastic officer offers his Holiness a draft of "Dutch Courage". 

Igor props up the scared banner while his boss remonstrates with the baffles militia.  

This red nosed veteran with his cutlass & cane is a superb one off by Tony.
Note the axes slung from belts.

Clean shaven officer waving his regimental standard. This model is possibly Prussian? 

These sculpts are bursting with character.

You can see the Viking influence on these Russ - fearsome bearded fellas with axes & furs!

More noble rabble.

These militia enjoy the double protection of Church & strong spirits... hic! 

The Life Guard Corps

Front Rank models by the other Tony. These chaps command the Life Guard Corps. 

Guard foot artillery with big bangers!

Commander of the Guard artillery with attached British officer.

Guard Hussars - a very pretty regiment & lively with it.

These are Perry plastic French Hussars with Warlord plastic Grenadier heads - a cheap & easy & dirty conversion.

Guard Uhlans by Elite Miniatures - loads of dynamism here.

Charge!!!

A dashing Guard Uhlan officer managing to pose at full gallop. 

Not so dynamic. Front Rank Guard heavies at rest.

These big fellas weigh a ton. Stoic & implacable.

Cuirassier general waving his sabre & being patriotic! 

One of six Russian Guard foot regiments in the collection.
The flags & facings are all correct but I couldn't honestly tell you which is which - useless tosser that I am.  

Warlord plastics with some Front Rank metals to spice them up a bit. 

Finials & cords by Bicorne.

Flags by GMB Designs - the best.
These are possibly Marines of the Guard? 

Possibly Finish Guard Jaegers.
I love the hornist.

These are all painted by Barry Hill - hi mate. 

More of the all important "foot sloggers"...

Foundry Russian jaeger in great coats - the blue facings really pop.
Once again some real characters here. Note the mounted officer leading from the back. 

If I recall Tony has at least one brigade of foot all in great coat. I'm always impressed that he can paint brown as a warm bright colour where most people manage to get brown to drain all thr colour of a unit.

These warrant a closer look - so much variation on such a dull theme. I love the oil skins on the shakos.

Another battalion which really pops - most of them do in fairness.

Jaeger with two companies of carabiniers in plumes. Painting those shako cords must have been mind numbing.
Once again a dark colour, this tim egreen used very well.  

The Grenadiers - six battalions of them deployed to support the centre from the rear.

The Grenadiers again - note the Pavlovski's in their distinctive mitres with drummers out front.

A bag of Hussars

Two of Tony's infantry brigades have half regiments of Hussars attached for local support & added pokiness. 

Hussar officer with bugler & side kick. The officer looks very superior. 

Both half regiments have the front rank with lances the second with sabres.
These boys are at rest.

The same from the rear.

Charge!
Lances leveled at some poor Frenchman who has dared to corrupt Mother Russia's sacred soil.

The same from behind.

Don cossacks. Not hussars.

The rest of artillery 

Tony likes to create vignettes such as this 6plb foot battery mounted on two bases.

Take some time to soak up the details. I think it's splendid - absolutely splendid. 

A horse battery stocking up on ammo, water, potatoes or vodka under the watchful eye of a mounted officer.! 

A few general staff vignettes

Incredulous officer reading his baffling orders!

This braying imbecile is loving the prospect of some "lovely war"!
Unlike his expired junior...  

These look like Perry models artfully arranged to convey a story.

Two Front Rank officers getting excited!

These are taking excitment to whole new level - "Follow me to the very gates of hell!" 

A somewhat more measured General in spectacles (?) with his staff.
Maybe he's a veteran of Suvurov's campaigns?  

Train...

Limber team dragging a hefty 12lb piece to the front. 

Traffic jam Napoleonic style. The officers will soon sort this out by shouting a waving swords at the hapless goons!

Bringing up supplies for the boys. Lovely Ox drawn model.  

Possibly more vodka for the Oplechenie?

Horse artillery limber rushing to keep up with Sievers inevitable charge! 

This is a ballsy model - adding an enormous fallen tree takes some guts I always thought.
This is a Crimean model from Foundry with Napoleonic Russian heads pinned in place. 

Most of the spectacle.  

 

The last thing many a Frenchman saw in Russia... 

Cossacks with "go faster" red lances.

Front rank giants! 

This was a blast to do and we still have the Prussians, French & Peninsular Brits to photograph. 28mm Napoleonic gaming on the scale we want to do it isn't feasible right now so we're sticking with and expanding the 10mm collection. We'll still do smaller 28mm games from time to time and get our fix at the WHC too I hope. 

A big thanks to Tony for all of his painstaking work on this incredible collection, I hope you can leave appropriate approbation in the comments - he'll be chuffed to blazes.

Best wishes to all, stay safe,

Jeremy