The 45th Goes Forth

Fall In the 45th!

I was at home with a cold today, so had nothing better to do between sneezes than to finish my DK tribute to Ian's 45th.

At just under four weeks to paint from first to last, this battalion has got to be something of a speed-painting record for me.

Two whole companies devoted to grenadiers and voltigeurs was a bit of an extravagance, but I thought that as this was my first French battalion I should stint them nothing.

I think I'll need to do at least one more battalion to get the French Army well and truly underway before returning to the Prussians. The only question is, should it be another line battalion or some light infantry? I rather like the idea of an all-blue unit....

Many thanks again to Chuck for providing the vital command figures. It just wouldn't have been the same with a home-made Eagle. Having said that, I think it's certain that I'm going to have to have a go at this at some stage!


WM

French Flankers

DK 9E: French Line Infantry Elite, Advancing

They took me a little bit longer than expected (all those piped collars, cuffs, lapels and epaulettes!), but the 45th's flank companies are finally ready.

First up are two examples of the Der Kriegspielers DK 9 E: French Line Infantry Elites 1812, Advancing figure, painted as a line grenadier and a line voltigeur. As with the DK 9 fusilier figures, these are clearly related to the Hinton Hunt FN 5 French fusilier figure, but with added elite company distinctions and those trademark DK hanging musket straps.

DK 11E: French Line Infantry Elite, Repelling!

Contrary to my previous post I found that I actually had nine of these figures. This gave me enough for six voltigeurs, but only three to form the grenadier company. However, help was at hand in the form of three DK 11 E figures, French Line Infantry Elites 1812, Repelling.

Pictured is one of the original veteran DK 11 E figures (on the right), with my revamped version (on the left). Underneath all the old paint were some very tidy little casting! Many of the DK poses seem to consist of little more than a slight variation in the musket position, but I think this one qualifies as something altogether more original. My version has his head twisted round to face the front in order to make him blend in a little more with the DK9s.

The bases have been prepared and are drying, so the next post featuring the whole battalion shouldn't be too far off.

WM