Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Spanish Dragoons






Hat 1806 Prussian Dragoons

I took delivery of some boxes of figures from Models2U yesterday - which was good news as it marked the end of the first phase of mustering for my Spanish army. The Light cavalry, Light Infantry and Guns are with Mark and I have sufficient infantry to be going on with.





In the plastic, so to speak.

I had been in two minds about what figures to use for my spanish dragoons, as General Du Gormand suggested Italeri Prussian Garde Du Corps, but I didn't care much for the figures. The HAT cavalry are no great shakes either, but they have a sort of Quixote-esque awakwardness to my eye that makes them a perfect fit.





 This post was originally going to be called "We'll hang out the washing on the lines of Torres Vedras", but it just doesn't scan. 

I might try to get a unit based tomorrow morning when I get in from work as these boxes should provide me with sufficient chaps to put together three units at current establishment. Once these are ready to go, I should be able to play most of the scenarios set out in the Spanish expansion.  There is one scenario that is very cavalry heavy, but I'm not sure I'll muster that many horsemen just to play one game. Three however should be an elegant sufficiency.


 It takes a chap who is very sure of himself to wear yellow...

 I've been thinking also about the Spanish light infantry. The Spanish light infantry figures are that are available are rather specialised, representing a few particularly colourful units. Now that Falcata is back in action, I was thinking that I might raise a unit or two of infantry in campaign dress and use those chaps as light infantry; the idea being that Spanish lights are effectively elite infantry - so these fellas could just be veterans.




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11 comments:

  1. I love the look of Spanish Dragoons, they're a joy to paint up, all that lovely yellow!!

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    Replies
    1. Mmmm, I can't say I've ever had much success with yellow.

      Though Uwes Skinners horse might tempt me.

      Delete
  2. Conrad

    I love the drying technique (and yes the song was irressitable if unsingable - dang now I've got the Monty Python Camelot song as an earworm). Do you spray them with a base coat in the same position?
    Cheers
    PD

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    Replies
    1. Nope. I base them, add a layer of PVA, then a coat of white and then off to Mark.

      Delete
  3. One doesn't often see Dragoons hung out to dry. Not sure why.

    Actually these figures, attitude wise at least look more Spanish than Prussian to me. I'm not keen on being burned at the stake for heresy but you could perhaps let some British or other cavalry stand in for a few Spanish units for that scenario?

    -Ross

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more on the subject of attitude - they seem rather Spanish to me. I think it might be something to do with the size of their hats.

      As for burning at the stake - its been a while, I think a certain amount of tutting is about the worst you'll have to face.

      We shall see - I don't like substituting figures though.

      Delete
  4. Yellow? Mmmm, get one of your painting wallahs to do the job - he'll need at least 10 coats of the stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wallah - what a wonderful word. Haven't heard it in years.

      Delete
  5. Actually, rather than Stand ins as in where the Life Guards pretend to be Spanish Hussars, I was thinking more of reworking the scenario to use the units you have available playing under their own names. Might need some weakening of good units, explainable perhaps by a bout of sickness in horses or men, or fatigue after a forced march.

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  6. I'm impressed with the progress you are making with your Spanish Army. The yellow uniforms are particularly striking.

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  7. painting wallah - hahahah! Have been called many things, but that sure ain't one of them!

    Two coats yellow at maximum - otherwise the detail will vanish!

    Mark

    ReplyDelete