I’m about to start work on my next infantry unit, which just happens to be some rather nice little French Voltigeur figures. However, I have a bit of a problem – despite having amassed a reasonable number of uniform books over the years I can’t find anything that shows me how to paint these lads. The problem is that the figures are modelled with a busby (I think the correct term may be colpack) rather than a shako and nowhere can I find what colour the plumes, lace and top floppy bit should be.The figures are described in my Hinton Hunt catalogue as Light Infantry Voltigeurs (In busby, short tailed coats, waistcoats, knee breeches and short tasselled gaiters). Back in the mists of time when the figures were first produced I wouldn’t have had this problem because Hinton Hunt always provided full painting instructions for all their figures – which is why I originally chose them over Minifigs (well, that and the poses).
If you can point me in the right direction kindly leave a comment otherwise who knows what they’ll end up looking like?
6 comments:
Ian
Knotel shows a Voltigeur of the 10th Light Infantry Regiment in colback with a red plume tipped yellow and a yellow badge. Haythornthwaite in the Osprey MAA146 also shows the same scheme.
Rafa
Hi Rafa - That's great! What colour is the area (not sure what the correct terminology is) on the top of the colpack - is it red or yellow?
Ian
..interesting question and I learnt a whole lot about the difference between the voltigeurs of the line infantry and the same role in the light infantry regiments...! :o)
http://www.warmodelling.com/popup_image.php?pID=454
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltigeurs#
..and best of all..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lightinfnap.jpg
Ian
The top is yellow.
Rafa
Haythornthwaite's Uniforms of the Peninsular Wars shows a voltigeur officer of the 27th Light Infantry wearing a colpack with a yellow bag (which does cover the top and hang down one side). Apart from that, dark blue coat, waistcoat and breeches. Dark blue cuffs with red flaps. Yellow collars for voltigeurs, yellow, green or red sabre-knots.
Dave
Many thanks all and thanks to Rafa for emailing me some splendid uniform pics! Now all I have to do is paint 'em...
Ian
Post a Comment