Monday, November 10, 2025

FPW Prussian Dragoons and Winter Prep

With frost on the ground in the mornings and daylight hours decreasing, time to really think about laying in a winter's supply of black, undercoated figured.  In between various winter prep tasks (actually, prepping and priming figures ought to be added to my list of tasks), the Ready-to-Paint (R2P) box saw a measurable increase in the number of units ready to paint.  The decision of what to prep for winter is always a bit challenging because I must come upon a plan.  This year, the winter theme seems to center around what collection was out on table last.  That would be the Reconquista.  With the recent Zallaqah game, a deep dig into The Lead Pile pulled up enough figures to field several units for both armies.  Do I need more?  Of course not!  Prepped and primed, these handfuls of figures nearly exhaust the tally of unpainted figures remaining in the bins.  Rough count points to about 75 figures plopped into the R2P box.  Also getting attention are several handfuls of figures to expand the Biblical collections.  Of course, some more FPW 15s are heading into the R2P box as are more 18th Century 15s.  The painting queue is getting quite long.
Besides laying in a supply of figures for winter, the painting desk saw some action this weekend too.  The first of these efforts is a 12-figure regiment of Prussian dragoons.  These fellows are from the 7th Dragoon Regiment. 
Figures are Old Glory from 19th Century Miniatures.  With December fast approaching, it is almost time for 19th Century's annual Christmas sale.  I better dig and sift through The Lead Pile to see what I may need to include in my annual restock.  In my recent excavation, I uncovered a number of figures, some from long lost, dormant, or forgotten projects.  Some of these discoveries I set aside for possible Paint'em or Purge'em decisions.  Others, I simply threw back into the hole and reburied to rediscover later.   

24 comments:

  1. That's quite a "to paint" total for those poor elves and you're adding to the pile! ☺
    Neil

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    1. Captain Bligh on the painting deck!
      Let's hope there isn't a "Fletcher Christian" among the elves.....!☺
      Neil

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  2. Lovely looking Dragoon regiment Jon, nice figures. Interesting read about what's in the lead pile and possibly what's to be added.

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    1. Thank you, Donnie! Sometimes these ramblings are notes to myself.

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  3. You certainly have to plan ahead with your preparations.

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  4. Lovely looking cavalry, Jonathan. I look forward to seeing your usual high octane painting progress.

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    1. Thanks, Richard! I hope to pick up production to close out the year with an uptick in units marching out.

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  5. A fine looking unit of dragoons and forward planning.

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  6. Paint or Purge? That sounds dangerous!
    Luvvly looking Dragoons though, Jon.

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    1. Not too dangerous. I never purge much. This year, I have shifted only 60 unpainted figures. Glad you approve of the dragoons!

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    1. They will do! Swords are very fragile on the Old Glory cavalry.

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  8. Have you purged much in the past Jonathan? I am always too worried that the moment I do I'll find a need for them. Great work on 7th Dragoons.

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    1. Not too much. Only 60 unpainted figures have been jettisoned this year. Like you, I am reluctant to let anything go. I was looking at a box of leftovers this morning thinking I’ll never have any use for these. Then, I realized if a painted figure was damaged, I would not be able to replace it without having these extras gathering dust. No figures were purged in today’s tasks.

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  9. A lot of planning and preparation required in your part if the world Jon. I guess you use aerosol paint to undercoat? I just waste my time painting them black with a brush, so it's an inside job all year round!
    The new FPW dragoons look great.

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    1. Yes, I use spray primer and matte varnish. When it is really cold, I cannot spray outside and then leave them there to cure. If I spray outside and then bring them into garage to cure, I hear about it! Glad you like the dragoons!

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