Saturday, August 6, 2022

Foundry Prussian Dragoons: Regt. No. 1 (Von Normann)

The next unit to be mustered into Prussian service is Dragoon Regiment No. 1 (Von Normann), the last of my brushwork for July.  This unit is made up of 13 Wargamer Foundry figures, including one based individually for small-scale shenanigans using rules such as Sharp Practice.

As is my method for 28mm SYW figures, these are painted using Foundry tri-tone paints on a black undercoat, in my own rough approximation of the Dallimore method.    The flag is from my go-to guy for SYW flags, Madrid’s Adolfo Ramos.  Four of these figures have been half-painted and lost in a box for the last 5 years, and rediscovering them recently got me serious about including them in a batch of Foundry figures languishing in my Pile O’Shame.   Some of them may actually be Russian dragoons, the labeling on the packages was unclear, but a dragoon is a dragoon, I think.  There are some tell-tale flaws that would tell the knowledgeable SYW game that these are slightly off - the Normann Dragoons had a red pompom on either side of their tricorn, which wasn’t cast with these models, and so I decided to leave well-enough alone.

Otherwise they are lovely figures.  I like how the saddle and equipment is cast on the rider, though occasionally there’s not a good fit between the rider and the horse.

I’ve been very intentional about putting my all into painting my Seven Years War figures.  With other periods, and certainly with other scales, the three foot rule of good enough on the wargames table is fine, and there was a useful discussion of this rule on the most recent Yorkshire Gamer podcast.   However, I want the SYW to be my showcase period, the elaborate uniforms and the colours practically demand maximum effort and as much talent as my aging hands and eyes can muster.  In fact, I went so far on Twitter recently as saying that unit for unit, the SYW is more aesthetically pleasing than Napoleonics in the larger scales.    Feel free to report me to the Heresy Police.  :)

 Here’s a madcap, hell for leather fellow, his tricorn long since lost in the charge and just wearing his protective harness, tearing around looking for someone to bash.  If he survives, I’m sure he’ll attract Frederick’s attention for his bravery and for the shapeliness of his calves.  I’m currently reading Tim Blanning’s biography of DAF, and he sends a lot of time detailing Frederick’s homoerotic tastes, whereas the late Dennis Showalter (bless him) merely mentions in passing that DAF was a bit grumpy towards women. 

With this project done, a unit of Victrix Early Imperial Roman cavalry has thundered onto my painting desk and is getting a more rapid brush treatment.   I hope to have some WIP pics of them here shortly.   What’s your current WIP?

Cheers and blessings to your brushes!  MP+

11 comments:

  1. Dashing fellows I'm sure.
    Can't wait to push them around the table.
    That is the nice thing about Lace Wars though, with the similarities in uniforms a lot of figures can substitute for others with a nit of a squint

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    1. I look forward to playing with them with you.

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  2. Smart looking regiment, I will have to paint this regiment for my armies.
    As James points out that's the beauty of lace wars lots of uniforms were of similar
    style and cut. i use my alter ego Jean Luc Pickard an 18th century Derrick Trotter (Dell boy)
    who deals in recycled uniforms and under table deals to provide uniforms to the Tiberian crown, Prussia, Austria or France. Any faults in the uniforms can be put squarely at his door, as long as he makes a profit life is custy.

    Willz.

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    1. Thank you Wilz and nice to see you back. This Pickard fellow sounds like a profiteering scoundrel. I'd love to see some of your chaps. Hast thou a blog?

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  3. Lovely job Padre and I agree - 7YW over Nappies for me also :-)
    Working on my War of the Roses army (between deployments) getting ready for some new rules to drop. Be well!

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    1. Thanks Paul. Glad to see I'm not alone in this heresy. I've just agreed to print and paint some of Henry Turner's new line of small scale SYW figures. I suspect I could do a much larger army in 15mm in half the time it takes to do it in 28mm. New rules you say? Curious.

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  4. Nicely done Padre! More WWII Soviets for me at the moment. Determined to finish the infantry before I get distracted by the add ons.

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    1. Thank you Michael. I made a long overdue visit to your blog and was mightily impressed with your winter Soviets. The chap holding the flaming molotov cocktail was especially impressive. Cheers, M

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  5. Beautiful job on the figures, Padre! Looks like they might ride off on their own steam.

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    1. Thank you pastor. They are indeed a rambunctious lot. I have a set of dismounted dragoon figures, just wondering if I should move them up in the painting queue. Hope you and Beth are well.

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  6. Very nice indeed - the colour combination reminds me of the 7 or 8 regiments of Swedish GNW cavalry I painted 18 months ago.....I think I need a drink!

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