Wednesday 15 March 2017

French Guard Cavalry Part 2 - 28mm Perry

Guard Lancers, 1st and 2nd Regiments. The famous Polish and Red Lancers. These are Perry figures and are in full dress uniform unlike their other Guard Cavalry for some reason. They also make them in campaign uniform but I much prefer full dress, especially for these Lancers. Both the Polish and Red Lancers use the same figures, but the colours of the uniforms are quite different.The lances themselves have been replaced with steel ones from North Star, and lance pennants are from Adolfo Ramos.

A decision to be made with the Polish Lancers is how to do the "Polish Crimson". This is another of those Napoleonic colours that is the subject of much debate (like Aurore for my last regiments of French Guard Cavalry). I didn't debate this colour as much though, deciding to go for quite a pinkish hue with the highlights over a deep red, to clearly contrast it with the red of the Red Lancers. Similar to the picture below.

Here's the 1st Regiment, the Polish Lancers. A lot of detail in these uniforms, especially the Czapka! The Perry figures come with a wounded General Colbert of the Red Lancers, so I replaced him with a Murawski officer figure for these Polish Lancers.

This regiment is special to me for another reason. It was the first regiment Napoleonic regiment I ever painted, in 1/72nd scale many years ago (and since sold). Good to have them back again!





Here's the 2nd Regiment, the Red Lancers, also nicknamed 'écrevisses' or the 'crayfish' due to their red uniforms. The Dutch Royal Guard Hussars were converted to this regiment in 1810, after the Kingdom of Holland was annexed by Napoleon.




They are led by Colonel Colbert, who has his arm in a sling as at Waterloo. Though given his extensive history of wounds it seems pretty fitting to have him depicted wounded anyway! He was shot in the arm in the Egyptian campaign in 1798, wounded in the thigh at Austerlitz in 1805, and shot in the head at Wagram in 1809. He was shot again in the arm at Quatre Bras in 1815, but still led his troops with his arm in a sling at Waterloo two days later. Interesting history worth commemorating, though I wish Perry would make him as a separate personality rather than being in each command pack for the Lancers!

Alright thanks for looking! Not sure what will be next, but Polish, Baden or French are likely. Maybe even Italians, we'll see!

26 comments:

  1. Colonel Colbert will be proud to bring this beautiful and famous unit to...victory! Great colors and excellent job Chasseur!

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  2. Beautiful, beautiful work Mark. You have absolutely nailed these two iconic regiments!

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    1. Cheers Carlo, there's often more work one could do, like eagles on saddlecloths, but they have reached a stage I'm happy with them cheers!

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  3. Stunning work, Mark! Are there any more handsome and elegant cavalry?
    Colbert was a tough cavalryman.

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    1. Cheers Jonathan, yes they are definitely some elegant uniforms, and Colbert sounds pretty tough and fearless!

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  4. Both regiments work very well. What reference did you use for your pinkish color?

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    1. Cheer Braxen. If you google online you will see many variations, and discussions. I used the print above for reference and differences in colours on surviving uniforms, but that may have faded somewhat. My impression after talking to a re-enactor on facebook is that the colour was very likely redder than I've depicted them.

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  5. Superb work, Mark. Arguably the most elegantly striking uniforms of the period!

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    1. Thanks Peter, yes definitely one of the best!

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  6. These look great Chasseur. I am very keen to see the Italians you do and to know what figures you intend to use. I have done some based on Perry's plastic French: http://theleadmountainboys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/napoleonic-italians.html

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    1. Cheers Simon, yes I've got two Victrix boxes I'll probably use but similar approach to what you've done with yours, great work by the way!

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  7. Mark as ever top quality
    Italians I used Victrix for infantry /Perry's for artillery/perry dragoons

    Also have you heard about over the hills check it out it's Napoleonic BP but with lots of period flavour nuances. It's by Ady and Quinton - Ady is the author of AT1&2
    Also they are doing kickstarter for gaming aids

    http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=448191

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    1. Thanks and yes that was my sort of plan for the Italians too. Will check out the OTH if I have the chance cheers.

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  8. Superb! Really awesome looking figures!

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  9. Fantastic looking lancers, both units look great.
    Best Iain

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