Napoleonic Project: The Peninsular War

"Reading the war": 

Following on from reading Simon Scarrow's classic "set of four" Welloington/Napoleon historical fiction based on fact books I have been seduced by the charms and intrigues of the Napoleonic War period, in particular the Peninsular Campaign aka the Spanish Ulcer, which was the start of the unravelling of the Napoleonic Empire (see below):

The interest is the beguiling way the Peninsular War started off so innocuously small but ended up with incredibly big battles of huge consequences for all of Europe, also because  it seems so "peculiarly British in character" but mainly because the outcome of the campaign hung on a knife edge and could so easily have swung either way so many times. Wellington risked ruin if  he lost but a single battle.

The influence of Wellington or conversely the lack of Napoleon's influence seems most acute. My reading continues apace, but I have decided to test my colour palate and painting skills on some Victrix 28mm British fellows. The aim is to have at least enough for a Sharp Practice scenario or two (which means I best bother to get the rules in the first place) before deciding as to whether or not I should go hardcore and get a 15mm  British, Portuguese and Spanish army. As a quick start I have some 2mm "Napoleonic Blocks" (from "Irregular Miniatures") that could be fast-tracked into use.

A project well worthy of time spent on it in 2016 ;)