Hougoumont assembled

Last summer I reported that I had started on putting together an MDF kit for Hougoumont. I finally managed to put together the last building.

Below you see the entire construction. The next phase would be to give the entire structure some colour and/or pimp it with some additional geometric elements (e.g. windowsills etc.)

For size comparisons, I also put some 42mm and 25/28mm figures next to the buildings. Good news is it could work for both scales.

A new project?

A few days ago, a package arrived in the post.

It was no surprise, of course, since I ordered it myself. A 28mm MDF model of the Château d'Hougoumont, from Sarissa. The idea is this will be the nucleus of a new project, focusing on the fighting around the famous Château on the French left flank / Allied right flank at Waterloo.

I am not sure whether this project will ever be completed, but we have to start somewhere. The trigger probably was I gave away all my old 1/72 plastic Napoleonic figures. They sat unused in my storage for over 15 years. But a wargamer isn't a real wargamer without some Napoleonic figures in his collection, hence the new project.

100 Days

Some new acquisitions came in the post last week - new 6mm buildings from Total Battle Miniatures. The buildings below are from the 100 Days range, so now I can finally host that Waterloo game I planned to do in 2015.

I guess the Waterloo fanatics will recognize some of the iconic buildings without blinking an eye ...

Visit to Waterloo

Somehow people always visit places far from home, and never get to see the things that are nearby. I only live 40kms from Waterloo, yet never paid a visit, except one trip as a kid with my parents and from which I only remember standing inside the famous panoramic painting depicting the battle.

So, with the 200 year anniversary and all that, time for a visit proper.

Instead of giving a full account, here is a selection of some images taken by Ann:

Yes, we know all this!

On top of the lion's mound.

La Haye Sainte

Part of the panoramic painting. Hougoumont is burning in the background.

Detail of the panoramic painting.

Inside Hougoumont.

Closing the gates of Hougoumont - new memorial.

Also inside the walls of Hougoumont ...

Hougoumont again ...

The lion's mound.