My painting session today seemed to go like a dream with the result that my Westphalians are nearly finished.
Pictured below is the command group, featuring a delightful Hinton Hunt Conversion given to me a couple of years ago by the ever dependable Mr Lewis Gunner. He's a conversion of a Hinton Hunt PN 10: Prussian Garde Grenadiers, Officer charging, if I'm not mistaken, but with his aiguillettes removed and a new head. I've no idea where the head came from!
He's a bit of a late entrant because I only rather belatedly remembered that I'd stashed him somewhere in a 'box of special things'. When I eventually fished him out I thought he'd be just the chap to command my Westphalians. Not only does he look like some sort of late-Frederickan dugout, which is amusingly plausible for a Landwehr battalion, but his enormous hat gives him just the extra bit of stature needed to stand in line with those beefy Garrisons.
I just need to base them up now, which should only take a day or two.
Yours, locked down for the duration
WM
Pictured below is the command group, featuring a delightful Hinton Hunt Conversion given to me a couple of years ago by the ever dependable Mr Lewis Gunner. He's a conversion of a Hinton Hunt PN 10: Prussian Garde Grenadiers, Officer charging, if I'm not mistaken, but with his aiguillettes removed and a new head. I've no idea where the head came from!
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Baron von Klaptowt (for it is he): Take heart, my fine lads, und give
zose damned Kaiserlicks,.er, I mean, Frenchmen a good kicking!
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He's a bit of a late entrant because I only rather belatedly remembered that I'd stashed him somewhere in a 'box of special things'. When I eventually fished him out I thought he'd be just the chap to command my Westphalians. Not only does he look like some sort of late-Frederickan dugout, which is amusingly plausible for a Landwehr battalion, but his enormous hat gives him just the extra bit of stature needed to stand in line with those beefy Garrisons.
I just need to base them up now, which should only take a day or two.
Yours, locked down for the duration
WM
Oh! For some reason I thought you'd gone off piste and were going to post a unit of Jerome's Westphalians -I forgot this unit also hails from there... Doh!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Frederician veteran coming out of retirement to lead these ingénues - the enthusiasm of youth tempered with hard-won experience, should be a winning combination? I also like his head and wish you did know where he came from as that over-sized bicorne is great for Spaniards.
My best guess is that it's from a BN 206: British Dragoon 1801/11 in cocked hat (see the Hinton Hunter), but I'm far from certain about this. He's got a very impressive plume whatever the case.
DeleteRob - That was my initial thought as well and the stark black in contrast to the white and powder blue was quite the wake up call!
DeleteI'm not ruling out Jeromian Westphalians in white and powder blue...They'd be fun to do as they could fight for either side.
DeleteThat certainly is a most impressive hat. I also have a few 'special things' that I keep forgetting about - must check that box!
ReplyDeleteThey are very nice and should look great ranked up in close order.
Judging by the first half battalion, which you can just make out in the corner, I think you're right, Ian. They have a very determined set about them, although in a rather disturbing Soviet propaganda poster sort of a way.
DeleteVery nice indeed Matt...
ReplyDeleteIt’s always good to have a box of special things.
All the best. Aly
Special things also seem to beget more special things, Aly. My Wallmoden's Army project is a case in point. This started out as a regiment of Der Kriegspielers Russians which I didn't know what to do with!
DeleteLooking impressive.
ReplyDeleteNearly there, Rob!
DeleteAnd meanwhile I need to finish off the second Prussian line unit, perhaps then start the rest of the Landwehr? One thing I will change on mine - did webbing black on the test figures, and it just vanishes - prefer white webbing as per yours...
DeleteI know what you mean Rob. This was very clear to me while I was painting them, which is why they got white belts in the finish. They look quite bright and cheery now.
DeleteI love the idea.
ReplyDeleteI am going to shamelessly rip this off with my next Airfix Landwehr!
*Laughter*. With the compliments of the house, Matt!
DeleteI don't have a bits box. I realise now I need one as somewhere I have a PN10 without a head which I used for my Lutzow figure. Just need to find a suitable figure with bicorne now.
ReplyDelete*Laughter*. A 'box of special things' is vital, Mark. You end up building whole armies just to use them up!
Delete"Was is das mit verdammtden Kaiserliks?!!! Just halten Sie ein Augenblick, Alter mit dem grossen Hut, I have a full Junot head in my box of bits. Time for the Hungarian Insurrection? The unit was great before you added this character, now it is yet more WM genius. Thank you for today's cheery start.
ReplyDelete*Even more laughter*. He's been on half pay for far too long, Archduke, and can't remember who the enemy is these days.
DeleteThat Junot head of yours will be quite a challenge. I've yet to attempt my Junot as he needs some French hussars to command.
This is one impressive Battalion WM. You made a crack about them seeming a bit bland compared to the Fusilier-Chasseurs, but I fear if we were ever to meet on the field of battle, those fancy chasseurs would take one look at this grim crew, turn tail and run! The cold eyed stare of your veteran officer is simply perfect. I can't imagine a better leader for your battalion. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteDavid
Plancenoit-storming is a serious business, David, so they needed to look the part. I don't care what you say though - I'm longing to paint some more fancy guardsmen, which is not entirely your fault but you certainly had a hand in it.
DeleteAnother excellent unit, love the officer.
ReplyDeletePaul
Cheers Paul. Leaving him and the drummer until the second half worked as a great incentive to crack on and get them finished. They were very straightforward really, apart from their excessively fiddly hats.
Delete