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Thursday 12 April 2018

Austrian Cuirassier Moulds

(Updated 14/04/18)

The nice postman delivered me a package today containing something I have been waiting for for quite some time. I now have the silicon test moulds for the Austrian cuirassiers - and as I am not at work this week had time to cast up a few.

Horse


One of the reasons we have taken so long to get to this stage was deciding how to cast separate horses and riders whilst keeping the semi-flat nature of the range. Consideration was given to a number of options:
  • Full rider with legs straddling the horse - this would not fit in with  semi-flat range.
  • Cut at waist - the joint was difficult to hide, especially where the loose coat had no waist belts present.

In the end we opted to cut around the coat tails, and leave the legs on the horse (my idea, so don't blame PA if you don't like it!).

Currently there is only one horse which is used for all the riders.


Trooper


As with the whole range,  all the figures have separate heads. Also, in order to get decent detail, the arms are separate (and generally interchangeable)

There should also be a carbine - but that is coming later😞


The figure fits neatly into the slot and it is difficult to see the join.


I think he will paint up very nicely!

Officer


As with the trooper there is a separate head and arm. (The arm will fit the trooper if you don't like the at rest pose.)


Not that you will notice it - but the head has no mustache.


Trumpeter





Standard Bearer


This chap needs a pile adding for his standard.





Size Comparison (Updated 14/04/18)

Comparison with Karoliners


These guys are big compared to the original Karoliner cavalry.


The new cuirassier alongside a Karoliner charging Russian cuirassier, this figure was converted by adding a SYW Russian  officer's head. (See photo lower down with a the same Karoliner without the head swap)

Comparison with HE


Rahway has requested a comparison with the old HE figures, so here is one alongside the HE cavalryman on the 5 legged 2 tailed horse (which actually works well to add variety to units).


The horse is clearly taller; exactly how much is difficult to measure; the SYW horse is probably about 41mm at the shoulder compared to 37mm on the old HE. The new one is clearly taller. however we are comparing a 16 hand cuirassier horse with a 15 hand for a dragoon, so overall only about 5% increase in scale, which is probably in line with the difference between the new SYW infantry and the old Karoliners.


The new SYW figures are however much more detailed, and bulkier. Being multi part, the horses and torsos can be cast different ways in the mould', allowing detail on the front of the figures, such as clasps on the breastplate.

The big difference is the rider; one of the major changes between the new SYW range and the older ranges is the heads, the old ones really were too small, particularly the hats - however he is actually a bit too big - see below.

Comparison with SYW infantry


The minimum height requirement for Austrian army was 5' 3", so 63", which happens to be almost the same as an Austrian cuirassier horse, for which the minimum height was 16 hands which is 64".


It can be seen that the SYW Austrian infantry (leaning forward) stand about the same height as the new horse, so the new horse fits in with the infantry. The Karoliner horses are clearly small relative to the Infantry.

Where there is an issue is the rider, which should be the same height as the infantry (cuirassiers were not taller than the infantry - my earlier mistake - sorry), however he is clearly taller.



So, in conclusion, the new cavalry will fit nicely with the new infantry (although the riders are a bit too big). However they will not mix in units with the older ranges - but neither will the infantry.


As always comments welcome.

10 comments:

  1. I was quite happy with these untill the last bit. But given the large size of the French infantry and the artillery, I'm not surprised. and of course the galloping horse is lower than it would be if it were standing.

    If nothing else the officer will give me more options/poses for Generals as well as some really heavy Cuirassiers.

    Will there eventually be multiple horse poses?

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    Replies
    1. Ross

      The galloping horse is also a dragoon rather than a cuirassier - I think it is the rider who is big - not the horse (see additional text in post)!

      Hopefully there will be multiple horses, but it is sometimes difficult to follow PA's plans.

      I suspect the dragoons will be next - I know they are almost sculpted - including a drummer.

      Steve

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    2. I was thinking of big in comparison to existing figures not scale wise.

      I'm sure that as much as this will bother me when I'm looking at them side by side on the shelf, I'll get used to ignoring it on the table.

      Delete
  2. I think it all looks good when assembled.

    It is odd that all the CAD designs are coming out large. According to Duffy the Austrian Cuirassiers actually got the smallest recruits. I would like to see a comparison of the old HE dragoons and these new fellows. My general impression is that the HE figures are larger than the Tubbs Karoliners. The two Trumpeters are very similar.

    As long as tPA is consistent with the new cavalry I don't think it will be a problem since the whole regiment or brigade can be kept the same.

    So is there any estimate on a release date? We are starting to get into casting weather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rahway

      Interestingly I have just read a couple of pages in 'Instrument of War', and the conclusion is:

      Cuirassier horses should be 16 hand - 64"

      Recruits should be 5' 3", so 63", but this was difficult to maintain, and the grenadiers took the taller chaps, so the cavalry tended to be on the shorter side.

      The horse and infantry figures are about right - but the horse does look big, presumably as we are used to seeing under size wargames horses.

      The rider is however on the large size.

      I asked that the trumpeter copy the HE figure - as I like it!

      I will find some HE figures for comparison and add them to the bottom of the post.

      I am told the figures are tooled at the factory in Ireland, so it is too late to change anything, but hopefully they should be released soon.

      Steve

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  3. Thank you for the additional information. The appearance is certainly different but I think I can get used to it. More metal means it is going to be more expensive casting cavalry regiments.

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    Replies
    1. Rahway

      The new cuirassier is about 50% heavier than the charging Karoliner dragoon.

      I am hoping to have a chat with Chris (the sculptor) tomorrow, and one of the things I want to discuss is making the dragoon horses (and riders) a bit smaller. The dragoon horses were 15 hands compared with 16 for the cuirassier.

      If there is anything else you (or anyone) want me to raise with regards the cavalry please let me know.

      Steve

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  4. The difference to the older PA moulds is evident. They look really very beautiful and also flexible for different armies. How I could get such moulds or casted figures i would be interested in. Could you help me?
    Peter
    www.scheckssyw.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter
      The moulds will be available through the Prince August shop.

      https://shop.princeaugust.ie

      They are not available, but am advised they are in the production process at the factory.

      Steve



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    2. Ok, I will wait. Thanks, Steve!

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