This unit has been a long time coming. Originally I only
had 9 riders which is why they began service as a 6-figure squadron combined
with the Polish Guard Lancers. It was only when I finally obtained the missing
riders that I realised I was also short on horses – doh!
Thankfully Nigel stepped into the breach and kindly provided the extra mounts I required to bring the regiment up to full 12-figure strength.
The figures I used are:
*12 x FN/308 Eclaireur Lancer of
the Guard (horse FNH/3)
*One figure has been converted to a trumpeter
I’m pretty pleased with the way these turned out and they’re certainly a colourful addition to the French OOB.
They are lovely but like so many French cavalry they look best running away - I think it's their yellow streak (I mean their shako cords of course).
ReplyDeleteRob, with their +1 in melee and +1 to morale I doubt they will be running all that soon!
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking fellows and a worthy addition to the collection. I don't think I have painted any of them in 40+ years of gaming. Definitely unique.
ReplyDeleteThat is some very fine work! There is something simply marvelous about finishing a complete regiment after waiting for the right figures to finally appear. And despite Rob's crack, the yellow pops beautifully!
ReplyDeleteAfter the Russian campaign during which the French cavalry had almost completely disappeared, Napoleon had to reconstitute a new army for the campaign in Saxony.
ReplyDeleteConvinced of the need to have many Light Horse Lancers to protect his cavalry regiments against the Cossacks:
- He reconstituted the two Light Horse Lancers regiments of the guard (the 3rd was dissolved and the survivors incorporated into the 1st regiment)
- He completed the nine regiments of French Light Horse Lancers
- He encourages the reconstitution of Light Horse Lancers in the army of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw
-He creates three regiments of scouts armed with the lance in the young guard (except the 1st squadron of the 1st regiment which is of the middle guard).
These three scout regiments are attached to a regiment of the old guard.
- The 1st Regiment of Horse Grenadiers -- The 2nd Regiment of the Empress's Dragoons
- The 3rd Regiment of Polish Light Horse Lancers.
Your regiment is the 2nd Dragoon Scout Regiment and should be placed near the the Empress's Dragoons.
http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/IMPERIAL_GUARD_cavalry_1.html#_Eclaireurs
Matt - I had even heard of them until I received the first lot of figures but who can fail to like a lancer in a red hat?
ReplyDeleteDavid - red and yellow what a combo! As I recall Noddy used the same colours…
ReplyDeleteFF - thanks for the background info!
ReplyDeleteThey look totally glamorous, Ian. Those +1s duly noted. I think Vienna should continue to support France's enlightened leader......
ReplyDeleteNigel, it’s a sound plan, particularly if I keep painting Prussians!
ReplyDeleteVery yummy indeed. This is a cracking crack regiment!
ReplyDeleteThanks WM, let’s see how they perform on the table!
ReplyDeleteNice work there IAN- another splendid addition with this cavalry unit finished.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev!
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice looking unit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob!
ReplyDelete