Provisional 'Line Infantry' mould listing
I had a chat with PA's sculptor yesterday and we agreed the following eleven moulds will cover the 'line infantry' of the Prussians, Austrians, Hungarians and Russians.
Prussian (command reused where possible)
3102 – Prussian drummer (musketeer & grenadier) and NCO - already available
3103 – Prussian infantry advancing (grenadier & musketeer) - already available
3104 – Prussian infantry march-attack (guard & fusilier) and fusilier drummer - due out April/May
Austrian (German)
(For command reuse 3101 & 3102 with new heads from 3105; for Austrian grenadiers see below.)
Hungarian
3107 – Hungarian drummer and NCO
3108 – Hungarian Infantry (fusiliers & grenadiers) advancing & march-attack
Russian
3109 – Russian line musketeer/grenadier (summer uniform), advancing & march-attack
3110 – Russian line musketeers/grenadier (summer uniform) NCO and drummer
(For officer and standard bearer reuse 3101 with new heads from above, these ranks would probably retain there coats even in summer)
3111 – Possibly Russian Observation Corps - not yet finalised.
A bit more on the Austrians
The troops from in the German (called Austrian from now on) and Hungarian regiments were very different. The Hungarians will have a set of three moulds to cover most options, however Austrian units can be quite well covered using the Prussian moulds.
There are three main differences between the Prussian musketeer and the Austrian fusilier. Firstly the Austrian tricorn is more pointed at the front, secondly the Austrians had a single haversack, whereas the Prussians also carried a bread bag, and thirdly the Austrian fusilier rank and file did not carry a sword.
New heads are certainly needed, we thought about doing a mould with just heads, but decided to reuse the Prussian command moulds 3101 & 3102, but add a new one with the new fusilier and officer heads, plus two rank & file bodies (in the same poses as Prussians so they all match).
3105 - Austrian fusiliers
- Private advancing
- Private marching
- 2 x Fusilier private head – tricorn, with moustache
- Fusilier officer head – tricorn, no moustache
There is a bit of work needed, the pole arm needs converting by cutting off the side bars (there will be a 'halberd' type in with the Hungarians), and the hoops need filing off the 3102 drummers arms (the new drummer in 3104 for the Prussian fusiliers will not have hoops on the arms).
Below is a unit in the advancing pose made up from (pre-production moulds) 3101, 3102 & 3105, painted early war so I could give then coloured turn backs.
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| Austrian fusiliers, modified NCO pole arm and drummer with no hoops on arm. (flag is from Maverick Models) |
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| Austrian fusiliers have single haversack and no sword |
Austrian grenadiers
We did a bit of head scratching here, in the end we decided that Austrian grenadiers did not really justify a separate mould - I know that sounds a bit harsh!
It is worth remembering that the aim of this range is to cover most of the major types, and allow others to be made up with a little bit of mixing and matching, and perhaps some conversion work - and these are a good example of both.
The grenadiers most distinctive item is the bearskin; however as Austrian grenadiers are mostly shown with their hair in plaits, so it is fine to use the heads from the Hungarian moulds (when they are released).
Also the grenadiers should have a sword scabbard showing, but again not thought worth another mould, so the options are:
- Convert the fusilier and stick a scabbard on?
- Use one of the Prussians which have swords, but the extra bread bag?
- Forget the sword - it is after all a black scabbard on a black gaiter?
I took the first option and added one out of card, which was pretty easy - I hope they stay on!
Below is the unit made up as suggested, it also shows the march attack pose which will make up the second 'fusilier' body in 3105.
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| Austrian grenadier with 'fusilier' body, Hungarians head and added scabbard |
As usual feedback on the proposed mould range and figure selection would be appreciated.
Hmm, tricky question for me. The only part of the SYW that has ever really interested me is In the west with His Brittanic Majesty's forces forces and associated allies and hirelings vs the French. This means not only am I disapointed that the central and eastern campaigns are getting so many minor variations of pose and uniform while the British get nothing, but I don't really have a solid foundation for comment and suggestion.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to see a Croat as a very useful and different figure for imaginations. I would take that over worrying about laceloops on a drummet, knapsacks and sabres but I may not be a typical home casting wargamer.
The Russians in waist coat will be good, something different (and useful for North America, I already checked and tbe PA Indians don't look too bad with the semi flats.
Will their be any tricorne heads without mustaches?
Anyway, my 'Hessian' molds are currently en route. I'm looking forward to them.
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Thanks for the comments - they are useful.
DeleteThe range had to start somewhere, and the Prussians, Austrians & Russians seemed a good option (and covered heads for Prussian fusiliers, Austrian & Russian grenadiers and the Grenz which were on my 'wish list') . Once the 'line infantry' for these are done then cavalry, artillery and light troops will be added to them - we thought it important to try and get an all arms collection sorted before going on too many nations.
If the range proves popular then the additional figures/heads to cover western armies can be added later. Once you have seen the current batch of moulds let me know what you think is missing and I will see how best to cover it.
Grenz/Pandours will certainly be added, probably two moulds containing standing & kneeling firing, loading + one other. There will be heads for Grenz & Russian pandours.
There are a number of tricorn heads without moustaches - the Austrian & Prussian officers, and also the Russian musketeers.
I hope this helps?
Yes, I hope that didn't come across as a complaint, the main point was that I have no real idea what Russian and Austrian molds would be most likely to sell.
DeleteI was on the verge of converting more vaguely Pandourish troops so will await the Croats. Its the cavalry that I'm looking forward to but bearskin grenadier caps are up there too..
I too was working on 'Pandours', I had decided on either a head from a hussar, or one from the 'Shiny Toy Soldier' range, but neither really looks right. I'm sure Chris will make a good job of them.
DeleteThe bearskin grenadier caps are done, two versions one plain and one with a front plate. It is really a matter of finding space for them, all moulds contain two bodies, and then as many heads and accessories as can be fitted in. The grenadiers will come with the Hungarians, currently the plan is that there will be a plain fronted one in 3108 which has the the rank and file (along with one or two tricorns) and one with a plate in 3107 with the NCO & drummer.
I will be looking forward to purchasing the next releases. This looks like an extensive project for PA, there being ten molds so far just for infantry.
ReplyDeleteThe color-bearer hands drill out very easily but I see what you mean about the flag strap getting in the way where it crosses the chest area.
The pike heads from PA912 and PA913 might serve as finials.
As for the facial hair these are small, narrow heads. The Britains Hollowcast tradition of " If you don't paint it, it isn't there" may apply. If not a brief shave with a file should do the trick.
I use the 3.25" x 4" boards that come with the 54mm molds. They also work well with these Prussian molds. I also use plastic clamps that are more compact and apply more pressure than the wire ones supplied by PA. Two, fastened just below the middle of the mold, do the job on the Prussian molds.
DeleteCurrently I cast with two moulds back to back to keep them stable, with thick elastic bands around the boards, generally OK - but gets exciting when one snaps and flies off if it gets hot metal on it (so always use at least 3). I adjust the pressure by putting more or less bands on, or more twists on the bands.
DeleteI keep considering clamps - what type are they and where do you get them from?
A few years ago I purchased some small (3.25"long) Wolfcraft clamps at Home Depot. They can be found at various places and online. Spilled metal does not hurt the plastic. The only drawback is that they do not open wide enough for some of those big molds Reb Castings makes.
DeleteWhen I purchased a few of the Creartec molds I used the big red rubber bands that came with them but had unpredictable results and went back to the clamps.
I set up three or four molds in an old Pyrex pie plate and they seem to stand steady. I like the Pyrex because it has low sides, heat does not bother it and spilled metal is easily scraped up.