The only disappointing thing are the extra casualty figures - they just added the same French and British dead'uns that they made for the French Heavy Cavalry set. Frankly I would have preferred one or two dragoon casualties which would have been far more useful. That said, if you use Black Powder or a similar rule set - you'll need plenty of casualty markers - so they won't go amiss!
Needless to say I got stuck into making them up right away. With the two boxes I ordered I'll make up two mounted and one dismounted regiments - so I started with the dismounted first.
All the dismounted figures are dragoon troopers so I decided to add a little variance by creating a sous-officer and an elite company, plus some head variants - bare-headed (its a Victrix one) and with peaked forage hat (also used by cavalry regiments). I added some epaulettes for the elite co figures. That's what I love about working with plastic figures - the possibilities are endless!
Detail of officer and elite coy conversions - the forage cap head is a Perry but all the lighter bits are Victrix
Well it looks like I've got some more painting ahead but they look like great figures and if they turn out as well as the cuirassiers I'll be well pleased.
I've just done a quick edit of the blog to include a shot of the mounted figures made up. As expected, they are great looking figures and I'm looking forward to painting them up. One thing I noticed though - if you do a full regimental command (trumpeter and flag/eagle bearer) you'll use two of the three torsos with the officer figure, which will leave you one short if you want to do two elite company figures. The problem is solved by slicing and gluing on an epaulette to one of the other full figures - much easier than transplanting one of the additional elite coy torsos! If you want to create a pre-1812 trumpeter, use one of the elite torsos and either mark, paint and add the chevrons to the right sleeve or shave or bog the ones on the trumpet arm. That's the great thing working with plastics - conversion is not only possible, but often desirable!
Cheers,
Doc
Those look so cool, Doc. It's good to see that the Perry and Victrix parts are compatible.
ReplyDeleteI'm sore tempted to get myself a box of those dragoons, and of the new hussars as well.
It all reminds me of those Airfix Multipose models I used to make more years ago than I care to admit!
Thanks Robert - yeh, they're great figures - the usual Perry quality. But I stuffed up the elite coy conversions when I realised I had the wrong heads on 'em. This has now been rectified as I'm going to use the bearskins in the mounted elite coy so I've now swapped the dismounted ones for the plumed variety. I reckon they will look terrific when painted up.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Doc
The dragoons look great ... and now the hussars are on their way as well http://theminiaturespage.com/news/6675/.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding was that the casualties are on the horses sprues ... and that the horse sprues are the same one as in the heavy cavalry box, so yes the same casualties. I have a few thoughts on the inclusion of the British casualty in a French box, but I've been there before!! 8O)
Salute
von Peter himself
Nice looking project you have going Doc. I've held off on these for now. But I already pre-ordered the Hussars. I'm thinking the mirlitons could go on some Victrix infantry for early carabiniers. The bearskins from the Dragoon set can also can in very handy too. I think Perry and Victrix are a shot in the arm for 28mm Napoleonics. Dean
ReplyDeleteNice conversions on the foot dragoons - I'm going to steal the officer pose...
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun project i'm looking at purchasing these soon so will what you progress closely.
ReplyDeleteCheers Kent
Thanks again for the comments guys. Von P - we are of a like mind re the casualties. I think as has been suggested elsewhere that Perrys will do some metal casualty sets for their cav. One hopes they do something like the AB figure ones (as seen on Trailape's blog) - which are fantastic. Unfortunately it would cost thousands to re-tool and cut the dies for the horse sprue - any change at all and you have to do the whole thing again - so perhaps not a decent business case to do so? That said we should all bombard them with emails suggesting such casualty sets - Alan and Michael are pretty responsive so you never know - they may just do it!
ReplyDeleteBTW - I've put my pre-order in for the Hussars in anticipation of their imminent release, scheduled for April. Once I get these I will have nearly the equivalent of an entire French cav division to model and paint!
Cheers,
Doc