Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => General Discussion => Topic started by: fsn on 26 November 2023, 04:26:56 PM

Title: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 26 November 2023, 04:26:56 PM
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/1cf94a7f8d2b69a0a1ead16e1b0f80ca/tumblr_mvp1yclsXn1rtv2o1o1_1280.jpg)

Afternoon.

Having looked at Mr Digby Smith's "Murat's Army", I have (just for the itellectual exercise you understand) looked for proxies in the Pendraken range.

I have come unstuck somewhat with the light horse. I would need some lancers in shakos. I cannot find anything suitable. The Prussian are in the litweka, so notreally suitable.

Any suggestions?   

Thank you.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 26 November 2023, 04:30:08 PM
Hussars with swords replaced?
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fred. on 26 November 2023, 04:51:36 PM
Do the Red Lancers work? https://www.pendraken.co.uk/napoleonic-1809-french-red-lancers-npf48

Searching for these just now, noticed a significant change (and not for the better) in website functionality, as the search results now doesn't show pictures! Nor does it show ranges, so it does require quite a lot of clicking through to check the results. 
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 26 November 2023, 06:12:30 PM
Thanks chaps.

QuoteHussars with swords replaced?
Possible, but I'm not that confident about my ability to glue 40 lances on without losing my temper.

QuoteDo the Red Lancers work?

Regrettably, they are in the czapka.

QuoteSearching for these just now, noticed a significant change (and not for the better) in website functionality, as the search results now doesn't show pictures! Nor does it show ranges, so it does require quite a lot of clicking through to check the results.
Indeed. It doesn't tell you the range either. Mr Leon is well aware of my feelings on the matter.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: John Cook on 27 November 2023, 12:51:37 AM
Ask Leon to supply you with a bespoke order of French 1809 Chasseur a Cheval eagle bearers.  All you'll need to do is remove the eagle and add a penant.  Can't see any other solution.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: Leon on 27 November 2023, 02:47:33 AM
Quote from: fred. on 26 November 2023, 04:51:36 PMSearching for these just now, noticed a significant change (and not for the better) in website functionality, as the search results now doesn't show pictures! Nor does it show ranges, so it does require quite a lot of clicking through to check the results.

I've asked them about how to make the search work better so I'm waiting for some info.  The other option is a third-party integration that gives a much better search function, but it's an extra monthly cost that we'd need to factor in.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: paulr on 27 November 2023, 02:48:17 AM
QuoteDo the Red Lancers work? https://www.pendraken.co.uk/napoleonic-1809-french-red-lancers-npf48

Searching for these just now, noticed a significant change (and not for the better) in website functionality, as the search results now doesn't show pictures! Nor does it show ranges, so it does require quite a lot of clicking through to check the results.

I might be missing something  :-/ but I did a search for Red Lancers and got two results, the first Red Lancers is clickable and takes me to the details for the pack including a picture.

That page has the following at the top, all of which are clickable Home > 10mm NAPOLEONIC > 1809 > French
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fred. on 27 November 2023, 07:37:38 AM
QuoteI've asked them about how to make the search work better so I'm waiting for some info.  The other option is a third-party integration that gives a much better search function, but it's an extra monthly cost that we'd need to factor in.
I'd hope adding images that are already part of the site is a core feature. Having to pay for an add-on for that feels ridiculous. 
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fred. on 27 November 2023, 07:40:22 AM
QuoteI might be missing something  :-/ but I did a search for Red Lancers and got two results, the first Red Lancers is clickable and takes me to the details for the pack including a picture.

That page has the following at the top, all of which are clickable Home > 10mm NAPOLEONIC > 1809 > French
It's the search results listing page that is limited - try searching for lancers. 

once you get to the details page all is good


Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 27 November 2023, 08:28:53 AM
Quote from: John Cook on 27 November 2023, 12:51:37 AMAsk Leon to supply you with a bespoke order of French 1809 Chasseur a Cheval eagle bearers.  All you'll need to do is remove the eagle and add a penant.  Can't see any other solution.

Indeed. Sadly, I think it may come to that.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: Leon on 27 November 2023, 11:05:25 PM
Quote from: fred. on 27 November 2023, 07:37:38 AMI'd hope adding images that are already part of the site is a core feature. Having to pay for an add-on for that feels ridiculous.

It seems to be quite a common thing across all e-commerce platforms for some reason.  They all use third-party options like Doofinder, so you have to install the app and then you get charged depending on how many search requests your customers make each month. 
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: Leon on 29 November 2023, 04:30:42 PM
Quick update on the search, if folks want to do some testing now it should be working a lot better, with images for your search results.  The images will only bring up direct product title matches though, so if you type Napoleonic French then it won't suggest anything.  Once you click Enter though, it'll bring up anything with the internal tags of 'Napoleonic' and 'French'.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 29 November 2023, 05:31:29 PM
Much better. :)

Thank you.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fred. on 29 November 2023, 06:51:20 PM
Awesome - 1000% improvement!

Hope this was a config change, not some extra paid for service!
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 29 November 2023, 07:02:37 PM
Anyway. No lancers in shakos then?
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 29 November 2023, 07:08:29 PM
QuoteHope this was a config change, not some extra paid for service!
:-bd  :-bd
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: Leon on 29 November 2023, 10:24:26 PM
Quote from: fred. on 29 November 2023, 06:51:20 PMAwesome - 1000% improvement!

Hope this was a config change, not some extra paid for service!

Thankfully it was, they've adjusted the search parameters so that it only looks through the product catalogue and shows those results.  It improves the viewing aspect but means that blog posts and other site content won't appear in searches anymore.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fred. on 30 November 2023, 08:16:55 AM
QuoteThankfully it was, they've adjusted the search parameters so that it only looks through the product catalogue and shows those results.  It improves the viewing aspect but means that blog posts and other site content won't appear in searches anymore.
I think that is a good compromise - in a webstore product is king - bringing the other info back feels much less important than seeing / being tempted by the figures!
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 09 May 2024, 07:59:42 PM
I know it was a long time ago, but I do take time to ponder these things, and after a rather dodgy mushroom risotto, I realised that I may already have the solution.

If I make the "front rank" 1/4 of a regiment (fits with a 4 squadron regiment), then for a 40 man regiment I need 10 front rank per regiment. I'm looking at 2 regiments of ChL so need 20 lance armed shako wearers.

I don't generally use any sort of drapery in my light cavalry, so I have all those standard bearers from previous purchases already lying around in my spares box. By my reckoning I must have at least 15 suitable figures already! Chuck in an officer and a tooty-tooty man in each regiment and I think I'm sorted. :)

The Neapolitans are now oficially possible!

Two thoughts: 1 - that took a long time to think about and 2 - oh dear. Another Napoleonic army.   :-\

Supplementary thought - I know I'm going to do it because I'm so gosh-darned pround of myself for coming up with a solution.   :-\  :-\

Just need to finish off the Royalists and the Ottoman Turks; start painting the Salmon Rose WSS and the French Napoleonics, and finish buying the Russo-Japanese. Then I'll be ready for the Neapolitans.

Unless, of course, the Amazons appear.

Or more SF.

Or something else.   

Still, it's good to have a plan.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: pierre the shy on 09 May 2024, 08:49:13 PM
Neopolitians certainly aren't just another vanilla Napoleonic army with Murat in charge.
Title: Re: Lancers in Shako
Post by: fsn on 14 May 2024, 03:15:09 PM
Or ... Helion have just (re)released a book about the Italian Army. I know I have several sources already, but the Helion ones are pretty ...

(https://www.helion.co.uk/images/books/i2/helion1001494.jpg)