Sunday 17 April 2016

A mob of Cuirassiers

Is that the correct collective noun? Slowly but surely my Prussian cuirassiers are reaching completion. It’s slow work because these are tricky customers to paint with lots of black outlining and zillions of buttons on each one. However, I’m more than pleased with the results so far.

I’ve made a small tweak to my rules Muskets & Marshals to allow cavalry in three classes – Heavy, Medium and light. Previously it was just Heavy and Light but I wanted to introduce a different value between dragoons and cuirassiers to add more tactical interest to the cavalry melees. This is still to be play tested so I haven’t amended the rules on the blog yet.

A rough and rather scary calculation revealed that it is at least 45 years ago that I painted my original unit of PN.77 Prussian Cuirassier. I sometimes wonder whatever happened to my original army after I parted with it and whether the figures are still in play somewhere – I hope so.

17 comments:

'Lee. said...

Great stuff Ian, they look brilliant and your attention to small detail like the buttons is well rewarded.

Stryker said...

Thanks Lee - I think this unit will be one of my best when finished!

Anonymous said...

It's not so bad. I took 32 years to finish and paint a Matchbox kit (not repaint).

Conrad Kinch said...

"Cuirassier and cuirassier" said Alice.

Stryker said...

Anon - that is impressive although I have a Stuart Tank kit that I bought in 1992 that I haven't started at all yet!

Stryker said...

Conrad - very good! Of course if the French get to them it could be "Off with their heads!"

the Archduke said...

Was your original unit 13 strong with a couple of rather short swords and painted as East Prussians? If so, I bought it two years ago. Embarrassingly, I too got rid of my original unit because I didn't like the figures. Cuirassiers are wasted on the young......

KEV. Robertson. said...

Superb painting Ian- you certainly have a patient skill there. Well done. Regards. KEV.

Wargamer Stu said...

How about a Rumble of cuirassiers?

lewisgunner said...

Its a thunder of cuirassirs when you play Ian...he can't hold em back. Really needs to command British heavy cavalry

Stryker said...

Archduke - I think I had 18 originally and as far as I remember all the swords were fully formed. It seems unlikely they could be the same ones although not impossible I guess! Do you have a photo?

Stryker said...

Roy - I hope you're not accusing me of Galloping at Everything!

Anonymous said...

Photos would be unhelpful now as the lads had a thorough thinners bath and new uniforms. Still, it gives me the chance to ask whether your new cuirassier rules require the wearing of the cuirass, and if so whether the presence of a back plate is relevant.....

lewisgunner said...

Non Non Ian
As your Opponent Marshal Blackadder would say:
' Voyez Baldrique charging towards us are the Prussian kurassiers, the most expensive set of buttons as ever graced the display cases of a Berlin haberdashery store.
They will be undone soon enough!'

Stryker said...

Archduke - a cuirass is optional dress otherwise I couldn't count the Scots Greys as heavy cavalry...

Roy - Ha ha!

James Fisher said...

A breakthrough of cuirassiers perhaps?
Lovely job Ian!

Anonymous said...

A crunch of cuirassers, possibly?