The figures this time are proper Hinton Hunt one-piece-castings, FN 43 Guard Lancer, charging, courtesy of Steve C.
Both had the benefit of partial conversion by Steve. The flag-bearer just needed his flag added. The officer, on the other hand, was a bit more complex. In his case I've added a new forearm and sword; swapped his epaulette and aiguillette to the opposite shoulders, and replaced his horse's front left leg!I decided to repaint the hoist on the flag dark red as I noticed that this is the colour on the surviving second squadron guidon. It may simply have faded from blue, of course.
The final two shots show them next to the trumpeter. Only three more troopers to go and I'll have a regiment.
Salut maintenant
WM
Matt - this is simply some of the best brushwork I've ever seen, true little masterpieces. You need to get the unit finished soon though before you run out of Pole puns!
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind of you to say so, Ian. Mind you, the blue and yellow colour scheme was bound to look quite spiffy.
DeleteIt was quite a revelation to see what real Hinton Hunt Polish lancer castings are like. I'd had to guess what a lot of the details were on those DKs.
The Pole puns are proving a bit of a challenge as I'm trying not to use any of the one's you already inflicted on us!
They are jewels...beautifully painted and a tribute to the sculpting of original figures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roy. If I ever get to phase 2 I think I'll start with the cavalry. It is very, very slow work!
DeleteSuperb Matt
ReplyDeleteGlorious Matt, and I'm running out of superlatives!
ReplyDeleteStunning brushwork there!
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Excellent paint job , very neat and precise , Tony
ReplyDeleteBeautifuly done, congrats!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work, wonderful lancers and the flag is a gem
ReplyDeletePaul
Thanks guys. Feeling a bit pole-axed by this lot!
ReplyDeleteI too am out of adequate superlatives. So you just swapped the aiguillettes and the epaulette around, did you? As one does......Gott im Himmel. You'll be training them to tailor their own uniforms next. Am I right in thinking that the officer figure started his life as a HH officer, or has his carbine been spirited away? These are fabulous. I look forward to the full regiment, with or without Pole-axes.
ReplyDeleteArchduke, I'm not at all sure which figure he was, as he'd been extensively modified. There was no carbine, but also his right arm was pointing straight down, swordless and probably not the original. His epaulette and aiguillettes were on the wrong sides for an officer and he still had his sword in the scabbard. I had to re-carve his face to some extent too. There was no legible number on the base, so if he ever was an FN 40 lancer officer there was little to indicate this.
DeleteI made the new aiguilletters with blobs of solder which I then shaped with a drill. I drilled the old aiguillettes off but left enough metal to create at least the suggestion of a fringed epaulette. His new right forearm was made from one of JC's recast lancer arms, with the lance removed, repositioned and filed down to make the sword. The new horse's leg was supplied by a spare JC Prussian hussar. The final touch was the removal of his sword hilt to leave an empty scabbard. It was all very nerve-wracking, seat-of-the pants stuff, but I more or less got away with it. I had a spare figure on stand-by in case it all turned to custard.
It all adds up to his having been a trumpeter. That would also account for the need for facial surgery. Whatever he has been through, you have more than compensated. He is a magnificent alternative lancer officer.
ReplyDeleteHaving just had a butcher's at the FN 41 Guard Lancer Trumpeter on the Hinton Hunter blog, I'd say it is a certainty. The original positions of the shoulder distinctions and the shape of the horse's tail are the clinchers. Well spotted!
ReplyDelete