Sunday 12 March 2023

Precious Prussians

For the last few weeks I've been preparing a regiment of Prussian dragoons.

Progress has been a bit slow, I'm sorry to say, but the conversions are finally complete and they all have their white undercoats on, ready for the kick off.

Part of the slowness was simply down to the rarity of these figures. About half of them needed sword repairs, and the three command conversions (the officer, standard bearer and trumpeter) were made from even harder-to-get recasts. The upshot was that there was little room for error, so I had to take my time.

I'm not entirely decided about whch regiment they are to be, so the initial plan is to paint their facings white (which is what I'd do in any case). If I like them like that, then they will be the 2nd (1st West Prussian) Dragoons. If I don't, then I'll probably paint their facings over in pink and turn them into the 6th Neumark Dragoons instead.

How quickly these get done will depend on whether I go travelling again next month. I feel great and my GP says I'm good to go, but my employers may take a different view. I'm hoping to find out in the next week or two.

Wish me luck

WM

14 comments :

  1. Like the new 'header' photo of Napoleon - it looks like he's having to spend time on the naughty stool .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *Laughter*. He represents me, Tony, reproaching myself for my lamentable painting rate.

      Delete
  2. Lovely work on the conversions Matthew, I'm looking forward to seeing these chaps come to life - oh, and pink is definitely the way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Indeed, I was thinking 6th Neumark pink myself as I started reading this post! In any case eager to see how these shape up once brushwork commences.

    Kind Regards,

    Stokes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Stokes. I hope they live up to expectations!

      Delete
  4. Oooh - I love this stage of a project, probably too much, as we will not discuss the number of prepped and primed units I have that still have not a lick of paint on them. These pristine units just have so much potential, which I am absolutely sure you will knock out of the park, in baseball parlance. How you paint those fizzy can flags on the staff I will never understand, but they always turn out looking spectacular. I'm eager to see what you do with these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see what you're saying, David, but the main effect of seeing a newly primed unit like this on me is: there seem to be an awful lot of them!

      Delete
  5. You don't need luck with your marvellous paint-bush skills - everyone a winner! I know I'd been leading the pink facings fan club but white is a vey close second in my personal preference stakes. I see they're also sporting a flag - didn't think your cavalry units usually carried them but I'm guessing the 'prettiness' of the respective standards is also an influencing factor in the choice of regiment?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You aways seem to know exactly what I'm thinking Rob.

      Delete
  6. A good start to this unit Matthew…
    They will look splendid when they are finished… in white or pink.
    You are doing a bit better than me at the moment… I am really struggling painting all the piping on my Hanoverian unit…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I chose nice, simple-looking Prussians for a reason Aly!

      Delete
  7. Yes, I know, pink is the new black, but do you know anyone who counts who doesn't have the 6th? Go on, Sir, dare to be different...
    oh yes, and my lads send greetings from Neumark...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *Laughter*. Got it in one, Archduke. In any case, I have plans and schemes for other pink and blue regiments in the future.....

      Delete