Military Bands

[mollinary]

There are many accounts of Prussian and Austrian battalions marching to the attack to the sound of their bands playing stirring music.  I would be astonished if the French and Italians were less musically inclined.  Is this not a "must have" for a late 19th century army?  Essentially a pack with uniform modifications to half a dozen basic figures to provide the perfect vignette for every army. A fifteen foot figure pack of specialists, at the price of a normal thirty figure pack. I'd certainly pay £4 a pack to have some of these vignettes to grace my battlefield.  Possibly even as markers for high morale? Anyone else interested?  I am certainly willing to contribute to the sculpting costs - any ideas as to what the core band should contain?   I would have thought basic drummers, fifers, trumpeters, a bass drum, a drum major/bandleader, and perhaps a jingling johnny for the Prussians.  Anyone with real expertise as to what else should be included?

Mollinary

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

French march songs are very slow compared to the ribald British jogs we are used to...

[Hertsblue]

If you're going to go for the marginal figures what about the engineers? Napoleon I's Genie were picked assault troops - Davout's company at Auerstadt stood off multiple attacks by the Prussians.

[Techno]

I'm certainly up for it if you decide you want me to make them.

I'll be an expert on Napoleonic uniforms soon......(HAH !!.....SOME CHANCE !!.....But I'm enjoying learning about this period, even though I consider I'm only scratching the surface of the surface !)

Cheers - Phil.

[Albie Bach]

I think it's a good idea. I've got bands for my Union & Confederates (Albeit in 15mm. Don't tell Leon    )

[Bernie]

This took me back - I had the minifigs Imperial Guard band in 25mm years ago - made a lovely vignette

Re Jingling Johnny the French would have the Chapeau Chinoise in C19th which was their equivalent. This would make a fascinating project - if the Pendraken team had the sculpting time

As an aside look up Discurio.co.uk for a brilliant selection of CD's for music from C17th onwards for most continental countries - the Franco-Prussian music I often play when painting

[holdfast]

Support the request for bands most strongly. About to run Skalitz so my top priority is Prussians.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Problem with bands is that they are decorative but in unscrupulous hands take all the casualties.

IanS 

[sultanbev]

We have rules for bands in our 15mm Napoleonic games, although only my Tripolitanian 1805 army has them currently.

Sounds a good idea to me, although I wouldn't let unscrupulous Ian near mine 

[Hertsblue]

We have rules for bands in our 15mm Napoleonic games, although only my Tripolitanian 1805 army has them currently.

Sounds a good idea to me, although I wouldn't let unscrupulous Ian near mine 

He has a point, though. In most rules the number of figures in the band would probably qualify it as an infantry battalion! 

[Leon]

Votes added!

[FierceKitty]

Goon Show lovers will have fond memories of Napoleon's piano, of course....

[nikharwood]

Goon Show lovers will have fond memories of Napoleon's piano, of course....

Show available here: http://www.myoldradio.com/old-radio-episodes/the-goon-show-napoleon-s-piano/3

Script here: http://www.thegoonshow.net/scripts_show.asp?title=s06e04_napoleons_piano

They don't make 'em like they used to...

[Hertsblue]

Got most of 'em on tape. Must get back to transferring them to disc sometime.

[Ben Waterhouse]

I'll have a band or two please.