Tuesday, January 28, 2014

From MilesR: 28mm Napoleonic French Command Stands & WWII Higgins Boat Landing Craft (55 points)


From Miles:
Two more submissions for the painting challenge. First is something that has been on the lead pile for at least 5 years - some 28mm Perry French Mounted Generals. 
These figures have been assembled but never primed until this weekend. The figures that are mounted individually are Brigade Commanders and the double figures on the slightly larger stand are a Division Command stand. My current French Army consists of 8 Infantry battalions and 5 Cavalry regiments so I’ll need to add some additional units for these gentlemen to command. I’ll go back and touch them up before the challenge ends.

Next up is a plastic and laser cut 28mm scale model of a Higgins Boat landing craft. The model is produced by CoreSec Engineering and are priced at a very low $7.99 ($US) for a 9 inch long model that can hold 12 28mm figs. 

It’s a simple model that’s a bit sparse on details but for the price I think it’s a bargain. Assembly can be a bit tricky but this should make for a good Pacific themed scenario down the road. Effort wise I’d rate it similar to a a 28mm scale tank. 
I put a 28mm scale US Paratrooper next to the model to provide a scale reference. The paratrooper was completed as part of a previous Challenge, so no points for the figure.

Great work Miles. That Higgins Boat is excellent and the price is certainly right for getting a few on the table for amphibious landing scenarios.

The French command stands are good as well, but if I can give a suggestion (at the risk of sounding like one of those Napoleonic uniform pedants) I think you may have gone a bit heavy on the red, especially on their bicornes and horse furniture. Typically the ostrich feather edge on the bicornes would be black with gold lace edging for both General de Division and General de Brigade (or white if they the general commanding or a Marshal). The pistol covers and saddle blankets would be red with silver or gold lace trimming. The epaulettes would be gold braid. 

Sorry, my wife tells me there's a 12-step program for Napoleonic uniform nerds but I haven't come to terms with my sickness yet. :)

These French officers and the Higgins Boat will give Miles 55 points.

20 comments:

  1. Nice work. Curt, the girlfriend tells me I should join your NUA (Napoleonic Uniform Anonymous) group ;-)

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    1. The first step is acknowledging you have a problem but I truly believe the world would be a far more attractive place if we all wore 1st Empire fashions.

      Hmm, okay, I just read that and I guess I may have a problem...

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    2. If you have a problem sir then you're in good company. I prefer to think of us as the enlightened minority and it is our responsibility to bring the word to the unwashed masses. Whether they like it or not.

      Delete
  2. I like the French command, not that my about to start some in 6mm have anything to do with it LOL


    Ian

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  3. Nice work Miles! :)

    Curt - I quite fancy a hussar uniform for myself. Any recommendations that you think would suit me? ;)

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    1. Ah, and why not. VERY flattering uniforms. I would suggest either the 1st, 3rd, 5th or 7th hussars. Beautiful colours. The 3rd is particularly nice with its grey, silver and red but the 7th is a perennial crowd pleaser with its green, gold and red.

      Of course this is not without historical precedent: Marshal Massena had a beautiful hussars uniform tailored for his mistress who accompanied him in Spain. I seem to remember it causing a bit of a scandal with his staff.

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    2. As Tamsin is British, why not a British Hussar uniform (although the French 5th is my own favourite). Check these reproductions out - you can see them in the flesh at Salute http://www.solent-saddlery.com/

      Pip pip

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    3. Ok first of all - Curt, I am so glad that I morphed my Peninsula project into War of 1812.
      Secondly - Tamsin I second Curt's suggestions but have a personal preference for the 1er French Hussards.
      Thirdly - my wife gave me a new Ipod for Xmas and it's a spiffy steel blue colour. When I registered it with Itunes I named it Bercheny Hussard (based on the 1er's Seven Years War title). Does this qualify me for the 12 step program?
      Cheers
      PD

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    4. Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I'll have to look at some colour plates to see what I like.

      @ Provost Marshal - I'll make sure to look at their stand at Salute. I'm not sure I could afford a full rig right now, but it's something to plan for (while I still have the figure to pull it off!)

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    5. @ TamsinP - there you go
      http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/unitesFR.php then click on Hussars

      You can't beat the sky blue and white of the 5th

      Pip pip

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  4. I know nothing of Napoleonic uniforms but the Higgins boat is great.

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  5. Nice work ;-) I don't know anything abiut napoleonic uniforms but I think yours look great.

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  6. Thanks for the comments. I must admit, I was a little lazy and didn't take the time to look up the uniform colors and just "winged it". I'll doctor them up up bit and attempt to bring the officers up to appropriate Nappy standards.

    On the other hand, there may be a use for these guys as is - they seem to be effective detectors of individuals who need to become a member of a 12 step Nappy program. Perhaps there may be some social good that comes from my lazy painting…

    :)

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    1. Any man who thinks he can 'wing it' though Napoleonic uniforms with this merry group of history dorks deserves to be hoist on his own petard. Next we'll you sending us the Iron Brigade in orange shell jackets!

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    2. ...Yes Mr. Hawkins, you will definitely get an arched eyebrow for any Mahdi seen in corduroy shorts and paisley vests...

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    3. I'm sure it's a well known historical factish kind of thing that in the proper sunlight and iron brigade shell jacket can take on a orangish hue. Yup I'm almost certain I saw that in an Osprey book, so that's a rock solid assumption.

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  7. Miles
    Great figures and boat.
    Cheers PD

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  8. Issues with colours aside these are really nice Miles. The landing craft looks fiendishly complicated and not something I fancy so kudos to you for making such a good job of it.

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Thanks for your comment! As long as you're not a spam droid I'll have it up on the blog soon. :)