I received these figures back in 2013 as part of a swop with Andy involving my Swedes and they are way overdue for painting. I don’t have enough to make a full unit, but I quite like the idea of mixed Guard cavalry units as it provides a lot of colour.
The figure is a splendid vintage casting and was a joy to paint.
24 comments:
You're not wrong it's a great figure - he seems to hold himself in the saddle really convincingly - better than many modern sculpts. The colour scheme with the dark green with yellow trim is one of my favourites (probably why my line CàC unit is my favourite). I do like your painting style and you are so quick compared to my glacial efforts, but I do still feel the horse would benefit from some eyes (no white just a dark tadpole shape).
Who are you going to mix them with?
Rob - glad you like him (he looks better in the flesh than he does in the photo), they will be joining the Polish Lancers when complete - not historically accurate but the only way I can make up a Guard light cavalry unit.
My style is quite set now for this project and it is a way of painting that I enjoy. You're probably right about the horses eyes but I don't intend to change this now as I would have to go back over approx 200 horses (400 eyes!).
200 Cavalry! It's time you treated to us to parade!
Rob - just counted and including personality figures and limbers there are 193 horses. I'll do the parade when I get to 200!
He's a little beauty Ian, a real visual treat :)
Thanks Lee, I think they'll look good ranked up with the Polish lancers!
Gorgeous. I love the colour. I like the idea of mixing with the guard lancers.
BTW I am also guilty of not painting eyes. I might rectify as I only have 35 mounted figures.
Thanks Mark!
Great figure, would also make a nice escort for senior generals.
Paul
Lovely! Smart enough to rub shoulders with the rest of the Guard.
Paul - not a bad idea, might be a good use for the left overs!
Matt - yes, I hope so!
Don't worry about the eyes, Ian. They're all blinders!
These may prove to be your loveliest squadron yet.
All the best
WM
WM - Ha ha! I think when the whole Guard cavalry is assembled they will look very colourful.
Lovely figure and beautiful paintjob Ian. Those 2nd 'chocolate eclairs' are amongst my favs, you too?
Perhaps the most elegant HH figure I've seen
James - they certainly do have a smart looking uniform - tasty!
GP - they're certainly right up there with the best that Marcus Hinton created and are also a bit of a rare find.
Personally, I have found it unhelpful to paint eyes on HH horses. It tends to show up their asymetrical location....I’m sure somebody better informed will correct me, but I think my Osprey book has it that some eclaireur squadrons wore Polish lancer uniforms...possibly those who were transferred from that August regiment. If correct, that would render your joint regiment accurate. I pin my hopes on this, as I am planning something similar myself if I can’t find the figures I need to complete my own eclaireur squadron. It’ really is xciting to see this figure so splendidly painted. I last saw one in colour 50 years ago. Your full squadron will look magnificent. Yours, slightly enviously, etc
A lovely looking toy soldier...
The combined unit should be rather striking... l am looking forward to seeing it
All the best. Aly
Archduke - I read somewhere that the Eclaireur Lancers were nominally attached to the Empress' Dragoons however I'm happy to have them with my Poles and I hope the combination will look good.
Thanks Aly, I hope to have them completed soon.
Ian and Ion,
I hope that you don't think I am being rude by 'weighing in' on your conversation. There were three regiments éclaireurs. The 3rd éclaireurs was recruited from Poles and wore a 'budget' version of the Polish lanciers de la garde uniform. (Not to be confused with the Young Guard regiment).
There's a good summary on the Napolun website,
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/web2.airmail.net/napoleon/IMPERIAL_GUARD_cavalry_1.html
A picture of the three regiments on this Historex page (scroll about half-way down)
http://www.histomin.com/linehis/hisnap/hisnapfr%20garde%20cavalerie/hisgardecavalerie.htm
The third volume of Joineau's book is brilliant on the subject, with plenty of lovely piccies!!
Jouineau, A (2006) Officers and Soldiers of The French Imperial Guard. Translated by A McKay. No. 8, Volume 4 Cavalry (part three) Histoire & Collections, Paris, France. 83 pp.
I hope that this is useful and does not come across in anyway rude or like I am being a smart*arse, which is in no way intended! :)
James
James - no problem at all, I have no reference books for the Eclaireurs at all. I did find that Historex link I think, my version of the uniform is an amalgamation of several sources.
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