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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & DETAILS ABOUT THE FLAGS

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 1. What flags are included in this set?

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• The individual paper flags are designed to be cut-out and glued to metal or plastic miniatures.

• This set includes 200+ miniature flags featuring the armies that fought at the Battle of Waterloo.

• The flags are laid out in the battle order of the day, along with the named commanding officers of corps, division and brigade from all nations.

• Only regiments that were present on the battlefield on the 18th June are included. For example, the flag of the 1st Battalion of the 1st Foot Chasseurs of the Old Guard, who were guarding the Emperor's treasure at Le Caillou, is excluded, as well as Grouchy's forces at Wavre.

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 2. What size miniatures do the flags fit?

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• 10 mm metal miniatures - these flags have been physically measured to fit the 10 mm range of "Pendraken".

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​3. How should I fix the flag to the miniature flag pole? 

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• The best glue to use is one that doesn't dry too quickly so that you can manipulate the flag into its final position before it dries. This will allow you to form twists and turns in the flag to depict it waving and bellowing in the wind, if desired. The flags already include artistic depictions of "folds and creases", but physically bending the flags will definitely increase the realistic effect, as veteran modellers will know!

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 4. How accurate are the flags historically?

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• The tricolour regimental flags carried by the line regiments at Waterloo are fairly well documented, as examples still exist in museums, so these designs are followed. The only question is whether some regimental flags had a gold fringe or not, which for this set I decided to add, if only for the reason that they look better visually with a fringe.
   

• I've designed these flags somewhat more flamboyantly than the historical design, by exaggerating the fringe and ornamentation. This makes the detail stand out more on a miniature flag.

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• The size of these miniature flags vary from the historical scale to some degree, in order for them to stand out more.

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• Second, third and subsequent battalions, usually carried a smaller flag of plain colour - white (2nd battalion), red (3rd), blue (4th) etc. For Waterloo, there is limited information as to what designs, if any, appeared on these flags (or 'fanions' as they are sometimes referred to as - although usually, the fanion referred to the much smaller company pennants that were carried on a musket), so I decided to include just the battalion and regimental numbers, and a fringe for the light infantry.​

 

• The Old Guard regiments of the 1st Grenadiers and Chasseurs certainly carried Eagles and tricolours, including the cavalry, but all other Guard infantry regiments at Waterloo appear only to have carried a variety of battalion flags. These include the 2nd, 3rd and 4th regiments of Grenadiers and Chasseurs, and also the 1st and 3rd Young Guard regiments of Tirailleurs and Voltiguers.​
   

• For the Waterloo campaign, there is scarce information on these Middle/Young Guard flags, only speculation based on designs from earlier campaigns. Also, with the disbandment, amalgamation and formation of new regiments in the Guard infantry, along with shortages of equipment, this leaves the matter somewhat open to speculation. I have therefore included a selection of hypothetical designs and alternatives based on what is both known and inferred regarding the flags for these regiments and their constituent battalions. As ever with this series, it is left entirely open to your own good judgement and preference as to which designs you choose to select for your units.

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• Even though the Eagles and tricolours of French Light Cavalry Line regiments were not taken on campaign (Hussars, Lancers & Chasseurs), I have nevertheless included their flags in this set. While it is historically correct that these cavalry regiments did not carry their colours into battle, the regimental flag remains one of those visual attractions of the tabletop regiment, and many people like to have flags for every unit. For this reason, I have included in this set all the French Light Cavalry tactical units at Waterloo (i.e. no Gendarmes!).

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5. Why did you create these sets of flags?

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• ​I'm personally building the armies of Waterloo in metal miniatures, and I wanted a flexible set of flags available to choose from, so I started to create my own. I later wondered if other wargamers and collectors who had a similar goal, might also be interested in my designs, which prompted me to go ahead and create these sets. There is already a good choice of some very good flag products on the market. I just personally found them either too expensive, or not offering the flexibility of choice that I wanted, or in some cases, even the correct shade of French blue for the Empire!

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• With the experience of having collected and painted the Waterloo armies in both the popular 15 mm range of Minifigs, and also now in 18 mm with AB Figures, I decided to make the flags suitable to fit either range. Also, with the growing popularity of 10 mm scale figures, I decided to expand the set to include this scale as well.

 

• My miniature armies will also be fighting both brigade and battalion-level battles, and I wanted flags for all occasions, so that I could interchange between using my units as either a battalion or brigade, as required. I knew that I would never use ALL of the flags I recreated for all the regiments and battalions, but I still wanted the luxury to decide from a wide selection nonetheless, allowing me the flexibility to adapt and change my mind as and when!

 

• This flag range is primarily designed to give you flexibility and an abundance of choice, without breaking the bank!

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Whatever your own personal aims and ambitions are for building your own miniature Waterloo or Napoleonic armies, I truly hope these sets of flags will fulfill a practical need for you, and will help bring that special peace, enjoyment and sense of fulfillment we all enjoy from this eclectic and absorbing interest we share.

​​Michael,

TBW

 

P.S. My original intention was to focus only on the Battle of Waterloo, as it's my special interest. However, some good folk have asked me about creating other ranges. My feeling is that there are many good flag sets out there in the world already, so I will have to wait and see if my efforts are required. Feedback is therefore essential in order for me to decide, so please let me know what you think, and why!