Reclaimed Russians finished

Obviously, as far as 1897 is concerned, it's another 'made up' unit/uniform but based on ... something.

Quite a quick, simple paint job.

The replacement gun barrels are, at best, wobbly and I doubt the bonds will last long - really should have drilled out holes for them to fit in.

Still, for a quick paint job on reclaimed figures I'm happy with the result.

These are the pictures I'm using to justify the colour scheme - the standing figure was the model for the coat colour (though didn't bother with the red collar, gave mine brass buttons) whilst the mounted figure justifies white belts... The helmet seems to match some infantry figures but theu're Dragoons - almost infantry! Taken from the Blandford book 'Uniforms of the Imperial Russian Army' by Boris Mollo. The figure is a closer colour match to the picture than it looks here.

Some reclaimed Russian heavy cavalry.

Painting up the Prussians reminded me that I had some cavalry in the dip.

So, decided to get them out, clean them up and see how they looked.

Overall, not bad though can still get a few more paint fragments off them.

Plus the barrels had fallen off four of them Replaced by  a short length of spear from some SS Range spearmen... look just as good as the original barrels really, just the join may be a bit fragile.

A Roman army Review

Not one of my biggest armies so I can't say 'Garrison' or 'Minifigs' Review - This lot include Irregular, Garrison and Minifigs. Add them all together and I'm getting towards one reasonably sized army - though with some very incompatible paint jobs!

The whole army, Garrison/Minifigs right flank, Irregular left

The Garrison/Minifigs half - 2 Minifigs cavalry units, some Garrison archers and Praetorians and a cohort each of Garrison and Minifigs Legionaries. No javelin armed auxilia yet.

The Irregular part, organised as 12 figure units. Not sure who made the artillery - have got a couple of Irregular ones somewhere.

Minifigs cavalry on Garrison horses - riders bought ready painted but without horses.

The infantry. Garrison archers, Garrison Praetorians, Garrison legionaries then Minifigs legionaries.

A couple of close ups of the Garrison infantry.

And views of the Irregular infantry

Meanwhile, plenty to paint - 2 cohorts worth of Garrison legionaries.

Dire Wolves found!

Well, three of them anyway - sure I've a few more lying around somewhere. Can't remember who made them.

They're bigger and bulkier than the Garrison wolves.

A mixed pack looks quite impressive.

1897 An EBay Order 1

I'm always on the lookout to put in bids for 'bargains'. Just arrived is the first of 2 'wins' - some 42mm Irregular Russian and Turkish troops (assume the next lot will arrive tomorrow) that I got for, really, very little.

This lot are all down as Russians.

While these are the Turks.

To be honest, personally I've no idea what the one in the green jacket is - so I'll accept the Russian tag for now..

There are 2 'Russian' guns, but again I'm not fully convinced.

There were quite a few bent rifles and fragile leg joints but only 2 broken figures as such.

So, discounting the 2 broken pieces, a total of 30 infantry/artillerymen and 2 guns, generally acceptable in most areas and requiring very little to get them in action. Bought from Irregular as new unpainted casting this would cost £69 excluding postage. Total I paid for this lot? £15.50 including postage - just over 22% of the new unpainted cost.

The next lot were an even better deal...

1897 Armies update

When I'm building armies there comes a time when I think 'It would be nice to see them all set up.' After all, that's one of the best parts of building a collection of something - seeing it all set out. The arrival of the painted Irregular figures made me think it would be a good time to do it, so...

The two armies facing forward, British to the front, French to the rear.

More usual situation - facing each other.

The British. Cavalry lancers and Scots Greys on right, Scottish light horse on left. Front right flank Guards Brigade backed by Scots Brigade. Left flank line Brigade backed by Militia.

 

The French. Curassiers and Dragoons on right, Chasseurs and Hussars on left. Right flank infantry Zouves, left flank line.

1897 Irregular Miniatures painted figures

As the 1897 project continues to swing wildly out of control I decided I needed to supplement my own efforts by ordering some painted figures direct from Irregular Miniatures.

My only suggestions re painting these figures were:

"Couple of painting notes – with these, I use a white undercoat, bases are olive green with all parts glued to figure before painting. Figures are toy soldier/block colours. For the zouaves, my use of Vallejo dark blue for standard infantry is not really relevant. They are going to be used as 2 units, would appreciate one unit with red trousers, one unit with light blue. Cavalry horses I paint flat brown with black manes, tails and legs, 4 white stockings and white blaze. Chasseurs are for my 1897 armies by which time the jacket and kepi were light blue, not green.

Please note that the above are notes to help make figures by you compatible with my own – guidelines to be used as a tool, I have no wish or intention to say ‘this is how it must be done!’"

So, questions to look at:

Am I happy with them? (yes)

Do they match the limited brief?

How much retouching, etc, is needed?

Always liked French Dragoons (and Curassiers). Nicely painted figures with a bit more detail than I use - for example on the heads/helmets and eyes. A couple of horses will need retouching as the paint has partially rubbed off.

On my 'brief' I pointed out that, for the period I'm covering, the tunics were now light blue. Does it matter that the ones provided are the old green colour? Not a bit.

Really like the Hussars. When asked which Regiment I wanted, my comment was just generic, perhaps a dark blue uniform. Dark blue they are. One sword was threatening to snap - used a bit of superglue, should  have sorted that.

These were quite nicely done - some of the rifles a bit twisted and paint rubbed off hats (in particular see back nearside figure) - but this is something I deal with all the time with my own figures. Easily sorted.

Asked for 2 units, one with red pantaloons, one light blue. Done.

As can be seen, match well with my own - though I might feel the urge to add a bit more detail to my kepis!

 So, overall a nice purchase. When I get round to sorting the Russian forces I think that at least some them (possibly most) will have the painting outsourced to Irregular. Also, might add a few more generic cavalry figures.

Next job, retouching paintwork and basing figures. Which means the British mounted infantry and general I'm currently working on will be pushed to one side for a bit.

1897 42mm Size comparison

I've now got figures from 3 different ranges so it seems to be a good time to do a size comparison. As every wargamer knows, different manufacturers often have completely different ideas on what constitutes any particular scale, so there is always the chance of a '42mm' figure being anything from 40mm up to 45mm... or worse. On ebay I've seen 20mm figures described as 28mm on a regular basis!

So, Zinnfigur on the left, Irregular in the middle' Spencer Smith on the right. One thing I hadn't thought of when I took the photos is that I'm still only half way through the basing process! The result is that here the Irregular figure gives the impression of being bigger in comparison to the others than is the case.

Here, Zinnfigur in the middle. There is a definite size gradation - biggest Spencer Smith, smallest Zinnfigur. However, to me they are within the 'compatible' range.

Spencer Smith cavalry compared to Irregular. The Spencer Smith horse is far heftier but overall the two mix well.

So, no issues mixing and matching these really - though Zinnfigur and Spencer Smith together are close to pushing it!

1897 French artillery and army update

Very much toy soldier rather than true historical... not certain certain about either the uniform or gun colours! Finally went for wood and black for the gun (I liked it) and plain blue with lots of red piping for the gunners (same reason).

Starting to get there in terms of size. Starting to look quite good.

Two other units getting close to being ready.

 And finally, got a couple more guns and 2 extra infantry units on order (including a Guards Regiment) together with a load of Zouaves and cavalry from Irregular that I'm buying ready painted.

That's really about the army finished... after which the Russian invaders need to be started...

1897 More French

I think it's fair to say that the invaders are not quite keeping up with the defenders at the moment but are slowly building up their forces.

These are Irregular marching French and again painted in Vallejo dark blue rather that the (probably more 'realistic' ) Prussian blue.

Nearly got a enough French to fight a small skirmish...

1897 Lancers and Cuirassiers

First of the Irregular Miniatures cavalry. These are very different in style to the Spencer Smith figures - have to admit, I prefer the Irregular horses. On the other hand, with the Spencer Smith website you can link directly to a particular page.

 
The Lancers are serving as generic British Lancers - they're actually Prussian Uhlans but the only really noticeable difference is the lack of a plume. Closest Regiment would probably be the 9th.

The French Currasiers are likewise quite generic - fact is, don't know enough about them to be specific. Saddlecloth may be wrong for rank and file - pictures suggest plain for these, blue edged with red for officers - prefer the blue/red combo so...

And this is a comparison between Spencer Sith and Irregular cavalry figures. Important thing being they are basically compatible.