Vive La France !

This morning I started to prep the French officer conversion I spoke about. I have not decided which regiment to paint him up as, or maybe I will make him a staff officer, or an enthusiastic young ADC.
I have cut the tricorne from another figure, soldered it securely to the sword tip and glued on a new head. Will milliput and file later, add a scabbard and reigns , then hopefully paint tomorrow.

Hopefully he will end up looking something like this.

IR1a Von Scheither joins the stable

IR1a Von Scheither joins the stable

Today I completed this fine regiment which served Ferdinand so well.
They fought at Hastenbeck, Krefeld, Minden and Warburg.
The very attractive green facings make the unit stand out.
I still need to paint up a base of grenadiers, then a short break from Hanover before I work on IR3a Von Knesebeck whose black facings will be a nice contrast.
Meanwhile I fancy another conversion and I will attempt the image of the French cavalry officer with tricorne on sword which I posted recently. Also I have a French cavalry regiment needing completed, So lots to do.

Reminiscing

With the great weather up here I have been spending more time in the garden, browsing some of my old wargaming/military modelling magazines.

Firstly, a great painting of a French 7YW officer. I really must try to do a conversion of this piece with his hat on the end of his sword, Armistead at Gettysburg style.

Next some illustrations from a magazine which must be 50 years old, but is still one of the best ever produced. (Circa 1967?)

I was reading an article in the magazine by Charles Grant when I noticed the figures at the top by Norman Newton.

This photograph still stands the test of time, and probably represents troops of the period at their best.

These figures really look the business, are positioned perfectly, and put to shame many of the “orc” style figures that followed them. I have no idea who the gentleman who owned this collection was, but I would love to see more of his work. Perhaps Charles G will be able to shed some light on the origin.

Off for my morning exercise then back to the garden. Looking forward to a chat with Stuart I later.’

Fort Caroline

Today was a milestone in several ways. It was my wife Caroline’s birthday, and more importantly (I joke), the final piece of my Vauban fort was completed on the 3D Printer. Yes Stuart I took your advice and moved it to the most isolated part of the house to allow overnight printing and undisturbed sleep! As a result it will be known as Fort Caroline, with a suitable inscription above the gate when I paint it. Christened with a couple of bottles of Prosecco, on a glorious day in the Scottish Highlands, things are not too bad .
Next, a trip to Fort George along the road to get the colours right, although the stone would probably have been cleaner and fresher when newly built in the 18th century and less weathered than the current fort.
Much credit has to go to Graham C who first notified and  tempted me to make this 3D fort, encouraged me to buy a 3D printer, and supported me along the way. It has been nearly a year to get to this point, but delighted with the result and another tick on my bucket list.

Hanoverian officer painted and based

The Officer conversion was painted up today.

A staff officer meeting. Sporcken indicates the position of the enemy while the new officer looks on.
Ferdinand wears the blue jacket and the staff officer to the right was another recent conversion.

Next, I need to finish another Hanoverian regiment before any more distractions.
The 3D Vauban Fort continues with the start of the barracks print. These are big files and can take 24 hours to print. Construction has been put on hold as Mrs H was kept awake last night by the printer churning away!

A new take on an old favourite

I was too young to have lead soldiers, but they have always appealed to me and this Britains Lancer officer has always been one of my favourites.
The sculpting and the position of the officer in the saddle is very good for a toy and really eye catching.

I was lucky to pick a set up quite cheaply at the British model Soldier Society show a few years ago.
It was in the same day as Salute, so I had a very enjoyable day out  in London.

I have always wanted a Seven  year’s war period figure in the style above, so yesterday I did a conversion job on a S&S Austrian officer. I will paint him today as a Hanoverian officer of IR3a Von Knesebeck. The black facings and silver lace should make a nice finish.
Hopefully I will post the finished figure tomorrow.

French officer conversion 2

Finished modelling and painting this French ADC at the weekend. I am afraid my enthusiasm diminished when I checked my shelves and discovered that I had already made a very similar French officer. Too late to change armies by that time. The flag is made up, not the best but he will do as a staff officer.