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Friday, 2 August 2013

The Eagle of the 9th

No, I haven't come across a whole load of Hinton Hunt Romans (although wouldn't that be nice?) I am referring instead to my completed Eagle-bearer for the 9th legere. This is the third one of these figures that I have painted for this project (there is a fourth one that Matt did for my Swiss for which I am eternally grateful) and I noticed whilst tackling this one that my eyesight is definitely deteriorating because I found it a bit of a struggle painting on the battle honours.

Marcus Hinton went to all the trouble of inscribing the honours Austerlitz, Friedland, Essling, Jena and Wagram on the flag of this model and I have faithfully tried to pick out the lettering each time I’ve painted one. While peering through my specs and magnifying glass and trying to apply gold paint with a shaky hand, I was reminded of the character Alfred E Neuman from MAD magazine in the 60’s and his line “anyone crazy enough to read this is crazy enough to inscribe the words 'What me worry' on the head of a pin”.

The figure is FN4 Colour bearer charging. Click on the image to zoom in and see the lettering on the flag!
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15 comments:

  1. Mosstrooper2 August 2013 at 16:27

    I applaud your dedication sir !

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  2. Rafael Pardo2 August 2013 at 16:31

    Nice figure (a 'chinese work' in Spanish slang) but I believe that French Light regiments do not carry the eagles in battle ;-)
    Regards
    Rafa

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  3. Paulalba2 August 2013 at 16:39

    Very nice Ian!

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  4. Stryker2 August 2013 at 17:07

    Thanks for the comments chaps.

    Rafa - I wish you'd told me that about the Eagles before I spent time painting this one!

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  5. lewisgunner2 August 2013 at 17:44

    Not so Rafa or this incident could not happe.

    The 7eme Legere marched into Russia as part of 3eme Division (Gerard), I Corps d'Armee (Davout). At Borodino on 7 September 1812, 5 battalions of the regiment confronted the Great Redoubt under Gerard's personal control. Marching out of Russia, a survivor of the 7eme Legere observed his comrades gathering around "our Eagle, the staff of which had only a rag of cloth...and despite having had one of its wings carried off by a bullet at Eylau, soared above these disasters like a holy rallying sign".

    The battle honors of the 7eme Legere Regiment included Jena, Eylau, Eckmuehl and Wagram (and Borodino?).

    Now maybe in Spain because those guerrillos are a light fingered lot. But the bird of the seventh flew at Eylau and in Russia.
    So have quiet confidence in the justice of your cause Ian.
    Nice figure.
    Roy

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  6. Anonymous2 August 2013 at 18:40

    A rather splendid piece of work-I second the applaud on your dedication (I also in recent months have been informed that I seem to be squinting a lot when reading and need my eyes tested. Sadly I have to agree).

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  7. Stryker2 August 2013 at 19:52

    Hi Matt - it's a slippery slope once you pass the big 5-O ! Time to up-scale to 54mm...

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  8. WSTKS-FM Worldwide2 August 2013 at 19:57

    Well, miniscule lettering and the veracity of a standard for light infantry notwithstanding, he and his flag look magnificent.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

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  9. Fire at Will2 August 2013 at 20:02

    Excellent work, I remember the figure well, I have some still in my collection

    Will

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  10. MSFoy3 August 2013 at 00:07

    Great job, Ian - I like him. Impressed by the lettering, though - to be pernickety, Basingstoke is spelled with a 'g' in it.

    Not sure whether to mention this, since it might be a hangover from my recent visit to Berchtesgarten, but the standard bearer isn't Hitler, is he? Nah - can't be...

    Cheers - Tony

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  11. Stryker3 August 2013 at 09:59

    Tony - that's not 'Basingstoke' its 'Berezina', my hand must have slipped...

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  12. 'Lee.3 August 2013 at 10:35

    Another cracking little figure Ian, the flag is very good too!

    Are the Guard up next?

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  13. Stryker3 August 2013 at 10:41

    Hi Lee - The 9th legere is now complete and just need basing so I can confirm that the Guard will indeed be next. Progress will be slow though due to a lack of painting time at present so bear with me!

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  14. James Fisher3 August 2013 at 16:48

    Your efforts well worth while, he cuts a fine figure!

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  15. Stryker4 August 2013 at 08:47

    Thanks James!

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