Pages

Sunday 15 March 2015

More Russians

I've painted up another couple of units to show some more of the range.

Grenadiers in summer uniform


The march attack figures have a separate arm, but assemble and paint up easily. The new grenadier head/helmet is very nice, and is a really valuable addition to the range.

One other thing I would mention, I always file down the bayonets to a triangular section, they look much better.

(And, it is worth rotating the left hands on the officer and NCO, otherwise they look like a Nazi salute).

The flags are from Maverick Models, these are relatively inexpensive, and can be printed to the size you want (within reason).


The bodies in the moulds are for musketeers, and so do not have the cartridge pouch on the waist belt which was characteristic for the grenadiers (or the correct grenade pouch on the shoulder strap), however the difference was not really enough to justify a complete new set of moulds. 


The original plan was to have a separate 'stick on' waist pouch to convert the figure, unfortunately this could not be fitted in, and was thought too delicate for the mould making process, so when the figure is assembled with the grenadier head it is not quite correct. It would still look pretty good, however I chose to make my own pouches out of plasticard (Renedra bases). I made the pouches a bit too big, but they don't look too bad. However when/if PA produce their 'accessories' mould it might be possible to include a strip of pouches?



(Update 29/05/15, the waist pouch will now be included in the moulds, and looks much better than my effort.)


Musketeers in winter uniform


I have no plans to paint up many of this figure, as intend to paint my Russian infantry in summer dress. However as there has been some concern about this new pose I painted up a unit to see what they look like.

I agree there is some scope to improve the pose - but I still think this is a very fine figure,


This pose is more upright than anything in the range, and this presents some problems with the command figures. The officer is the new Russian, he does lean forward to match the rest of the range, but as he is leading from the front rank he looks fine.

There is no new NCO in winter uniform, and the Prussian figure is not right as it has belts over the wrong shoulder, and a bread bag. This is not a big problem as the Russian NCOs were armed with muskets, and dressed identical to the rank and file - other than extra decoration which can be painted on.


The drummer is Prussian, again leaning forward in the front rank, so looks fine.


















I decided not to use the new standard bearer (officer), as I put the standards in the rear rank, and the forward lean did not look right back there. Instead I decided to make an NCO by converting one of the rank and file, a surprisingly simple job by just drilling through the hands, which are both on the body, and cutting the musket off the separate arm - before gluing it on. I know it's not quite right as he has a cartridge box - but he has to carry his vodka somewhere!

As always comments welcome.

Extra photo added to show rear of coat.


13 comments:

  1. These are absolutely stunning. I am very much looking forward to seeing some cavalry.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Agreed! Some of your most eye-catching figures yet. Note to self. . . Must paint up some Russian musketeers like these before long.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

    ReplyDelete
  3. Impressive figures and paint job , Tony

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David, Stokes, Tony

      Thanks for your kind comments.........keep them coming!

      The figures are nice!. The painting is actually very plain, but I have a lot of light on them which makes them bright (they are not photo shopped though).

      Steve

      Delete
  4. The figures turned out very well and your painting shows them off to good advantage. The upright pose does seem to project a different attitude, doesn't it?

    I wonder if the belly box could have been attached to the back of the helmet by a small sprue and then dipped off after casting. This might have made things easier for the tool maker. What do you think about the back of the coats? As I recall there was some back-and-forth between yourself and the sculptor about this.

    With some modifications to the paint the fellows in coats could become Loudon's Green Grenadiers (no color-bearer needed).

    Let us know when the molds are available for sale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We will have to try and fit in the belly box somewhere else - I will try, but cannot guarantee anything.

      A pleat was added into the back of the coats, I have added a photo, however with the plain painting style, and no shading it is barely visible - it extends down from the button.

      I am told the moulds are in production, so should not be long.

      Delete
  5. Steve,
    These look really good. You've got an excellent result.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Steve

    The Winter Russians could also be used for Saxons

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark

      The summer Russians could also stand in as Saxons, and French as I think these also fought in waistcoat in summer.

      The Saxons would be particularly interesting as their waistcoats came in a variety of colours.

      Steve

      Delete
    2. And my recollection is that fighting in waistcoats was quite a regular occurrence for the troops of the Duchy of Calvados?

      Delete
  7. They look fantastic, Steve ! Beautifully done.

    Regards,
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look brilliant in the flesh too.. so sorry that I rolled so badly and the grenadiers routed on turn one! http://tabletopmog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/old-school-rules.html

    ReplyDelete