You are correct in the assumption that most of my Crimean collection are from the Foundry Range, though not exclusively. I have added bits and pieces from Britannia, HLBS, Copplestone and Perry. Foundry have a number of figures suitable from other periods as well that can be used, eg, Indian Mutiny, Franco Prussian War, ACW, even some Napoleonics should you wish. A good example of range interchangeability would be Barry Hilton's adaptation of Foundry Crimean Russian Uhlans doubling for his Napoleonic Russian Uhlan "Litovski" regiment.
Eureka do a Russian/Turkish War range in 28mm, but I believe this range to be post Crimea, however, there may be some suitable figures there for you, though I have not purchased any to comment on. Eureka also do a Crimean Range in 18mm scale. This may be an alternative cost wise when compared to 25/28mm figures.
Rules Sets
The bane of my life. I keep on procastinating on this. My collection grows bigger and bigger, and the figures never seem to take to the "Front" for action. I am currently painting away, as well as having a good number of figures painted professionally for me. As one of the "League of Gentlemen Wargamers" (L.O.G.W.) I have been aiming at hosting a major battle next March. There is enough painted lead to undertake lesser sized battles just now at my Local Club (Kirriemuir Wargames Club ) prior to next years March bash. So, it would be my intention to undertake a number of "Dry Runs" at the Club. The Rulesets, well we have been using Barry Hilton's Napoleonic rules for that particular theatre of warfare at the L.O.G.W. Napoleonic games. This is currently unavailble commercially, and from the above posts by Barry, some tweaking may be necessary to enhance the play for Crimea.
So, I do intend (with permission from to Barry) to intitially use his L.O.G.W. Napoleonic Rulesets, tweak them and use them. These rules are becoming familiar to me (that's a First by the way), and Kevin Calder and Adrian Howe introduced some nice little adaptations for our recent Ligny game that worked well.
As to elements, well yes. I personally have gone for Infantry on 40x40mm bases, with 4 figures per base; Cavalry on 60x60mm bases with 3 figures per base, and artillery pieces on a 60mm frontage.
Each base wll represent 4, 3, or 1 figures irrespective of composition, so that leaves you free to include casualties, extra terrain, or vignettes to the base, whilst maintaining a uniform figure density for Rule purposes. When it comes to differing troop types, eg Heavy v's Light Cavalry, combat modifiers are used.
I shall post comments on the results of forthcoming games in this thread as and when they happen, and I am sure, that if the March Bash next year is indeed Crimean, that you will see a wee bit more on L.O.A. website.
Best Wishes,
Thinredline
