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Saturday, 21 February 2015

Russian Infantry - in summer uniform

Chris has sent me the test moulds for the Russian infantry so I have cast up enough figures for a few 16 man units.

First I decided to paint up a unit of advancing musketeers in summer dress to see how they look. With the red waistcoat and trousers, and no turn backs they are very easy to paint, especially as the red is straight out of a can (Army Painter 'pure red', with any missed bits and tidying up in Vallejo 'vermilion'). They could do with some shading or lining between the waist coat and trousers, but I am trying to resist it!


I have some flags on order from Maverick Models, which should arrive in the next few days - but I could not resist getting the unit finished and on the blog so the flag shown is downloaded from Kronoskaf.


There are 8 figures in the new moulds, and this unit uses 5 of them, so
is a good indication of what is to come. The figures not shown are the two infantry in winter dress and the march attack in summer uniform - and perhaps more importantly the grenadier helmets - I'll have to get something painted.


It's worth noting that the Russians were not the only ones to fight in waistcoats in hot weather, the Saxons and probably French and others did as well, The Saxons would be particularly interesting as there was a lot of variation in waistcoat colours. The figures in summer uniform would probably work well as colonial or miltia units, particularly in 'imagination' armies.

And I've finally got around to doing the second battalion of the Saxon Leibgrenadier Guard, so I took a photo while I had the camera out.





I think this is the end of the new infantry moulds for a while - I am looking forward to seeing how the cavalry work out!

As always keep the comments coming.




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14 comments:

  1. The Good Soldier Svjek21 February 2015 at 17:13

    Brilliant looking units ,Tony

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  2. Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.com21 February 2015 at 17:24

    They look great. I confess that I much prefer the unshaded shiny PA figures to the matte shaded ones I did 15 years ago but I still get thattemptation to add a bit of shading or outlining here or there.
    I am looking forward to the return of casting weather here. Only another month if I'm lucky.

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    Replies
    1. SteveM21 February 2015 at 17:38

      I made a decision to try and stick with a very clean finish with plain bases and high gloss finish with no shading or highlighting.

      When I saw the detailing on the faces, hands and helmet/mitre fronts I decided ink wash just those areas, between two coats of gloss varnish (first sprayed, second brushed).

      The figures actually have more definition between the waistcoat and breeches 'in the flesh' than the photos suggest, the combination of high gloss and lighting blur the join.

      Delete
  3. Keith Flint22 February 2015 at 08:52

    Don't know how I've missed your blog thus far Steve, but now I have it bookmarked. Really impressive stuff, and I'm looking forward to poring over older posts.

    Best wishes, Keith Flint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SteveM23 February 2015 at 23:55

      Keith

      Thanks, the moulds produce some very nice figures, and in my opinion are getting better with each release. Any comments are always appreciated.

      Steve

      Delete
  4. Gonsalvo22 February 2015 at 13:33

    I have to say that these look great with a basic, clean paint job!

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    Replies
    1. SteveM23 February 2015 at 23:58

      Thanks, in my opinion the figures are ideal for painting this way (and my eyesight is not what it was, so a simple paint job on big toys is the way forward for me.)

      Steve

      Delete
  5. mog23 February 2015 at 19:55

    Great Stuff Steve.. love to see these 'in action' !.. only just found your Blog :-) Martin

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    Replies
    1. SteveM23 February 2015 at 23:59

      Martin

      I think this could be a nice new project for you?

      Steve

      Delete
  6. Unknown26 February 2015 at 17:28

    These Russians look superb. What cavalry is in store?

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  7. SteveM26 February 2015 at 17:45

    The plan is that the first cavalry will be 'Austrian' Cuirassier, which I think are close to the standard SYW type. (Prussians have the sabertache). Then probably an Austrian/Prussian dragoon.

    Is there something in particular you are wanting?

    Steve

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  8. Unknown26 February 2015 at 20:35

    That's excellent news! However, I am also hoping that dragoons will make an appearance. Are hussars a possibility? Prussian and Austrian dragoons and cuirassiers are quite similar but hussars are more distinctive as regards nationality which may limit a more generic figure. Having said all that, I am delighted that this project is producing more moulds and I am keeping an eager eye on whatever appears. Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. SteveM27 February 2015 at 09:28

      The plan is to do hussars in the future, but get some cuirassiers and dragoons done first. The thinking is that the main differences are in the headgear, so one set of moulds would cover it provided we had busby and mirliton - what do you think?

      Delete
  9. Unknown28 February 2015 at 10:53

    I think that cuiriassiers and dragoons are a must. Hussars are useful, but less important. If, however, a busby and a mirliton can be got into one mould that would be a big problem solved and give the customer a two for the price of one, so to speak. I think if you have two moulds for hussars this may put people off buying them (maybe). But a mould with both would be very appealing.

    ReplyDelete

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