With the exception of three Bavarian musketeer battalions and a long lost Freikorps 15's bag of Prussian commanders, the painting desk has seen very little work on the 18mm SYW project in 2019. That slow-footed production may see a turn toward a quicker paced output for this conflict.
Stepping off from the painting desk today is a 23 figure battalion of Russian musketeers in waistcoat. Foot figures are Old Glory and the mounted officer is Eureka. With no distinctive facing colors, all Russian regiments look the same. Therefore, I leave the battalion unflagged until its regimental designation is chosen. With no facings, Russian infantry in waistcoat are colorful and quick to paint. When wearing the white gaiters, these fellows are a sharp-dressed unit. Meant as an augmentation to Jake's already large Russian Army, they can be used to plug any gaps in an Order of Battle. What SYW battle might be next on the agenda? With plenty of Russians, Kunersdorf as a possible next outing looks promising. Prussia versus an Austro-Russian alliance sounds interesting.
What of the other SYW units in work? Well, in work are three squadrons of Prussian cuirassiers (finishing the current inventory of Eureka Prussian cuirassiers), two Prussian howitzer batteries, and two more Russian musketeer battalions. Of course, having typically overbought during a sale, a number of bags of Russian infantry are laying in wait.
Most of my gaming now-a-days uses single element BMUs. I grew tired of moving a lot of stands so switched to the "1 stand = 1 BMU" approach. Some games still use multi-stand BMUs but those are becoming more rare. There are still a few hold-outs but most collections fall into the one stand equals one BMU category.
I had been basing my 1066 on single 80mm bases, but have completed 3 units on 2 x 40mm bases to better conform to the rather shapely Hexon hills, however, after seeing your bases today, I carved them back up and re-did them on single 80mm bases. Ta!
Great painting Johnathan. Thank gawd for the colourful Hussar uniforms of the Russian army. I nearly lost the will to live painting up Russain infantry unit after Russian infantry unit, that all looked the same.
Nicely done! I believe the misconception was that the Russian "observation corps" was in red waistcoats, but in fact, the red waistcoat as outer garment was just the summer uniform and not unique to any particular corps (is that correct)?
Sharp is definitely the word I'd use to describe these guys. Lovely work. I must admit I'd be a little disappointed not being able to paint facings though.
Thanks, Lawrence! You might not be quite so disappointed at no facings to paint if you saw how quickly Russians paint up when there are no facings. i could paint an army of these fine, red fellows.
Lovely unit Jonathan. I am just returning from a brief break in the tropics and the reading material I chose to take along was Robert Massie’s “Catherine the Great”, in which the SYW plays a part in her early life. That period of history has always appealed and the Russians are my preferred army...so I think a foray into the 18th Century may follow existing projects.
Thanks, Mark! I week in the tropics sounds wonderful. Perhaps, we will see vacation pictures? I really look forward to seeing an 18th Century Russian army from you.
I’m afraid there wouldn’t be much to see in my vacation pictures other than a pair of feet at the end of a sun lounger...and the occasional glass of an amber liquid on the table to one side!
Beautiful work Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteVery much appreciated, Fran!
DeleteLooking good Jonathan, and not having any facings with swappable flags is a big plus.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, maximum flexibility with the Russians.
DeleteThose are rather nice and I like the contrast of the officer in his green and red coat.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! Yes, the officer must look his best at all times. No removal of heavy coat simply because it a hot.
DeleteThe mounted commander breaks up the look of the unit quite nicely. What is the base width used? And a quality paint job as usual. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! The base is 120mm x 30mm.
Deleteagree, I really like seeing the mounted officer in the line. I hadn’t realised that these units are single based, I like that as well.
ReplyDeleteMost of my gaming now-a-days uses single element BMUs. I grew tired of moving a lot of stands so switched to the "1 stand = 1 BMU" approach. Some games still use multi-stand BMUs but those are becoming more rare. There are still a few hold-outs but most collections fall into the one stand equals one BMU category.
DeleteI had been basing my 1066 on single 80mm bases, but have completed 3 units on 2 x 40mm bases to better conform to the rather shapely Hexon hills, however, after seeing your bases today, I carved them back up and re-did them on single 80mm bases. Ta!
DeleteAnd are you happy with the results?
DeleteLovely looking Russians, always look good with a mounted officer!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain!
DeleteGreat painting Johnathan. Thank gawd for the colourful Hussar uniforms of the Russian army. I nearly lost the will to live painting up Russain infantry unit after Russian infantry unit, that all looked the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Ray!
DeleteHaving not painted several hundred or thousands of the Russians yet, I still enjoy their simplicity.
Nicely done! I believe the misconception was that the Russian "observation corps" was in red waistcoats, but in fact, the red waistcoat as outer garment was just the summer uniform and not unique to any particular corps (is that correct)?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed! Yes, the red waistcoat was the Russian summer attire. More comfortable than wearing the heavy coat in summer and smart looking too!
DeleteThe only real difference was the observation corps wore cavalry boots rather than gaiters.
DeleteThose boots must have been murder on long marches.
DeleteLovely colors Jonathan, nice job!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Phil!
DeleteGreat looking Russians in red, Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Dean! The red waistcoat/breeches contrasted against the white gaiters is a smart look.
DeleteGreat looking unit of Russians, the colours really pop on these gents.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ross
Thanks, Ross! The red and white make these Russians pop, for sure.
DeleteAnother fine looking regiment Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you, Christopher!
DeleteSuperb work sir. A long time since I've seen that distinctive Freikorps look.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The figures are from Old Glory.
DeleteSharply dressed indeed. Nice looking unit 😀
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stew! Sharp dressed men, indeed!
DeleteSharp is definitely the word I'd use to describe these guys. Lovely work. I must admit I'd be a little disappointed not being able to paint facings though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! You might not be quite so disappointed at no facings to paint if you saw how quickly Russians paint up when there are no facings. i could paint an army of these fine, red fellows.
DeleteLovely Russians Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them! More on the way.
DeleteLooking great as always!
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, Michal.
DeleteNice work Jonathan as Norm has said the single bases work really well at these scales 🤔
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! I see you are doing similarly with your 10mm.SYW project.
DeleteThey came out quite well. I am interested to see which regiment they join.
ReplyDeleteJake! Haven’t heard from you in a while. I will be interested in their parenr regiment too.
DeleteGreat miniatures
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteNicely done, always happy to see Russians hit the table.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am happy to see them hit the table too.
DeleteLovely unit Jonathan. I am just returning from a brief break in the tropics and the reading material I chose to take along was Robert Massie’s “Catherine the Great”, in which the SYW plays a part in her early life. That period of history has always appealed and the Russians are my preferred army...so I think a foray into the 18th Century may follow existing projects.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! I week in the tropics sounds wonderful. Perhaps, we will see vacation pictures? I really look forward to seeing an 18th Century Russian army from you.
DeleteI’m afraid there wouldn’t be much to see in my vacation pictures other than a pair of feet at the end of a sun lounger...and the occasional glass of an amber liquid on the table to one side!
DeleteGreat to see you completing your big army.
ReplyDeleteI hope to see them fighting the battle of Groß Jägersdorf or Kay (although both are difficult for the Prussians).
Are our armies ever truly complete? I wonder about that. These few Russians I field are only a small addition to my friends large Russian army.
DeleteA handsome unit, even lacking varied facing colors to break up the regiments.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! Even without facings, I like the the look of Russians in waistcoat.
Delete