British Peninsular Flank Companies: Building a 28mm Napoleonic Unit
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Guias de Compra
Use this buying guide to decide whether a 52-figure flank company set fits your Peninsular British army, with clear rules for grenadiers, light infantry, and command figures.
Quick answer
Choose the British Peninsular Infantry Flank Companies set when you want a full 52-figure battalion core with command figures and the shoulder wings that mark grenadier and light companies. Skip it if you only need line company centre figures or a small skirmish force.
Why flank companies change your unit plan
Flank companies were the grenadier and light infantry elements of a British battalion, and their shoulder wings make them visually distinct on the tabletop. That distinction matters when you build a 28mm Napoleonic British infantry force because your unit will read as a historical battalion rather than a generic block of redcoats. The trade-off is that a flank company set commits you to that identity: if your scenario or collection needs centre companies, this set will not fill that role without conversion or careful mixing.
Because the set includes 52 figures with command models, it suits players who want one substantial battalion or two smaller detachments. The practical question is not whether the figures are useful, but whether your existing army can absorb a flank-heavy unit without duplicating command figures you already have.
When a 52-figure set is the right size
A 52-figure infantry set covers most standard battalion footprints for 28mm Napoleonic games, but it can be too much if you are testing a new period or painting slowly. The set includes officers, standard bearers, NCOs, and drummers, so you do not need to source command figures separately. That convenience is the main reason to buy a full set rather than individual packs.
The honest limitation is that the catalog does not list pose variety or separate command options. If you need multiple distinct battalions with different officer poses, plan to convert or combine this set with other figures rather than expecting every model to be unique.
Stovepipe shakos and the Peninsular look
The set is described with stovepipe shakos, which places it in the earlier part of the Napoleonic period rather than the later French-style shako. For a Peninsular War collection, that detail helps your unit fit campaigns before uniform changes. If your army is already built around later war British infantry, check that the headgear matches your existing figures before committing to a full set.
This is a visual consistency decision, not a quality judgment. Mixed headgear across a brigade is more noticeable than mixed poses, so decide early whether this set will form its own battalion or blend into an existing one.
Decision rules for buying flank companies
- Buy the set if you need a full battalion core: Choose it when your army list calls for a 52-figure infantry unit and you want command figures included. This set gives you the rank and file plus the officers, standards, NCOs, and drummers in one purchase. Check your rule set's typical battalion size before buying; if it is much smaller, split the figures across two units.
- Skip it if you only need centre companies: The shoulder wings mark these as flank company figures. If your plan is a line company battalion without grenadier or light infantry identity, this set will require conversion or careful mixing to look right. Decide your battalion's company identity before you buy, not after assembly.
- Match headgear to your existing army: The stovepipe shako suits earlier Peninsular War uniforms. If your collection already uses later shakos, keep this set as a separate battalion rather than mixing headgear in the same unit. Compare the shako shape with one of your painted figures before committing.
- Plan command figures before assembly: Because the set includes multiple command models, decide which will be officers, standard bearers, NCOs, and drummers before you glue anything. That prevents duplicate command figures in one battalion and lets you save extras for a second unit. Lay out all command parts first and assign them to units on paper.
Product facts
- British Peninsular Infantry Flank Companies: 28mm hard plastic Napoleonic miniatures with 52 figures, stovepipe shakos, and shoulder wings. The figure count and flank company markings let you build a full battalion with a distinct grenadier or light infantry identity.
British Peninsular Infantry Flank Companies - British Peninsular Infantry Flank Companies: The set includes command figures for officers, standard bearers, NCOs, and drummers. You can finish a playable unit without buying separate command packs, which simplifies both budget and assembly planning.
Who this set fits
Best for
- Players building a Peninsular War British battalion who want flank company identity and command figures in one box
- Hobbyists who prefer hard plastic 28mm figures and a single purchase for a full unit
Not for
- Collectors who only need line company centre figures without shoulder wings
- Skirmish gamers who need a small handful of models rather than a 52-figure set
