While at times it seemed these guys were doomed to be a perpetual work in progress (WiP) they are finally finished. So, here's a quick lightbox session to show how they turned out.
Not the flashiest of the French hussar units when their red pelisses are not in view, but from some angles they're pretty enough.
As always, the command group and elite company are the showiest (is that a word?): as can be seen from the front ...
... the right profile ...
... and the left profile.
The trumpeter is a conversion of an elite company hussar resting his carbine on his thigh. The modifications included a head swap (from a Garrison French hussar) and a hand grasping a trumpet from Newline Designs trumpeter (I forget exactly what type of cavalry figure).
The officer figure was also made from same figure as the trumpeter but he kept his colpack, just having the carbine removed from his right hand which was raised as though giving an order.
In my first WiP post on these guys I said I was going to fix a trooper's broken sword. In the end I decided I'd use a spare elite trooper and just do a head swap. This showed that the elite figure is a better casting and not identical to the line figure. The main difference is the carbine. As can be seen in the photo below, the carbine is longer and better modelled and rests under his arm (he's the figure on the left of the photo.
I am pleased with these but it will be a while before I paint more hussars, something a bit simpler being in preparation for my next unit.
The 4th Hussars will be reporting for duty in another post to follow.
======ADDENDUM======
I thought I should own up that the number '4' on the sabretaches is a home-made decal. I had several attempts at painting it on and they were all rather disappointing.
Very, very nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteCheers Matt, of course it was the kind gift of these figures by Simon of 'Hinton Hunt Odyssey' that made it possible.
DeleteIls sont beaux, Rob. In fact this might be the most heartbreakingly beautiful Hinton Hunt unit I've ever seen. This is masterclass toy soldiery.
ReplyDeleteThe Garrison head transplant onto the trumpeter is exceptionally clever, although I think he may have been blowing his trumpet a bit too frequently judging by his his permanently pursed lips.
LoL, I hadn't noticed those pursed lips!
DeleteThose are lovely figures, but also demonstrate neatly why my Napoleonics are all 6mm! I admire your dedication and perseverance, nice job.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I wish I could be as disciplined as you - I do far too many scales. I have Napoleonics in 6mm as well, including Reille's II Corps at Quatre Bras at 12-men:1-figure. I should post something on them sometime.
DeleteGoodness but those are impressive, and I don't think you need to apologize for the "4" being a decal. Anyone who can take the time to print their own custom decal deserves the credit! Your technique for really popping out yellow and gold with the brown behind is something I may have to steal, as it is quite effective, in particular in the shako cords for giving them that corded look. Really nicely done Rob!
ReplyDeleteThanks, FYI I did paint the lace yellow (Humbrol 24 'Trainer Yellow') to start with but it was too harsh / vivid, so I re-painted with Humbrol 81 ('Pale Yellow') which is more of a buff colour, which worked much better. The background to the lace is a brown / yellow / orange mix, which as you say makes the lace look better somehow.
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