War of the Polish and/or Austrian Succession Spanish Horse

The two regiments of horse referred to in earlier posts have now been awarded their colours. They are now off to join their compadres in barracks until such time as they are called to action. These two units were painted for me by Old Guard Painting Services in the Ukraine and were great value for money even if they are a bit too detailed for my taste. They are gorgeous though. The figures were based by me, the castings are Elite Miniatures and the flags are I think from Vaubaner Graphics.

The regiment in blue are the Brigada de Carabineros Reales. They fought in Italy during the WPS and WAS. In red we have the Reina regiment was also active in Italy during the WPS and WAS.

More 18th Century Spanish

The final three Spanish infantry battalions are now ready for their barracks now that their bases have been suitably adorned.

La Reina (Black Hussar Miniatures SYW French)

Guardias Valonas (Cran Tara WAS Gardes Français)

The middle battalion is the Swiss regiment Dunant (Black Hussar again)

All three battalions on parade as they receive their colours (Maverick Models)

I have two regiments of cavalry awaiting their colours and I have rummaged around the spares box to find some figures to do as artillerymen, commanders and so forth. 

Back to the Sikhs....although I have to say I am tiring of painting them at the present, hence the basing frenzy with these figures. I've got three units of Sikh irregular cavalry, three Bengal Horse Artillery limbers and a battalion of Gurkhas on the go at present.

A return to the 18th Century

One of the, er, joys of having a major expedition into the cavernous unknown under the wargames table is when one finds long forgotten figures. Painted figures that is. So when the Linthorpe Cave Rescue Team (the wife) was last down for me it was with great pleasure (for me that is) that she came across a box containing six battalions of 28mm Spanish infantry for the War of the Austrian Succession or Seven Years War. Spanish? Yep. All nicely painted from my pre-spinal surgery days, which puts them at about six but more probably eight years old. With one exception the figures are all Black Hussar French, the exception being a battalion of Cran Tara Gardes Francais painted as Gardias Españolas or Valonas  (apart from the cockaded much the same uniforms).

From front to rear we have the infantry regiments Calabria, Ultona (Irish) and Napoli (Italian).

As the keen eyed reader will have spotted  I have  made a change from the basing convention I've used in the past for my SYW collection for these troops. The unit frontage remains the same but I've increased the base depth to accommodate drummers, file closers and spare officers/NCOs. This is an idea pinched off Jim Purkey and it looks good imho.

To follow very soon are the regiments Reina, Dunnant (Swiss), and the aforementioned Guardias. There are also two regiments of Spanish horse in need of standards before they can be added to the force. Then all I will need are some artillery and a few command stands.

Now, the Spanish didn’t do much in the Seven Years War apart from an attempted invasion of Portugal, so these troops are destined to fight in the Wars of the Polish and/or Austrian Succession, alongside my small Duchy of Modena army. As it happens my embryonic French army is also being mobilised to campaign in the War of the Polish Succession even though they will no doubt see action in the WAS and SYW as well. 

The Armies and Wars of the Sun King 1643-1714

Another great book dropped onto my doormat last week courtesy of Charles Singleton. I have to say that the Century of the Soldier series from Helion just goes from strength to strength. This stunning book is yet another highly anticipated volume from the talented Rene Chartrand, the first of what I understand will be a comprehensive series covering the French army during this period. Volume 1 concentrates on the Maison du Roi, or Guard, of Louis XIV, starting with the political and military situation found in France on the death of Louis XIII and the rise of the young Louis XIV to supreme command of army and state. Amongst the numerous campaigns described (from the start of Louis’ reign till 1671. Subsequent years will be covered in the next volumes) and of particular interest to me are the sections on France’s involvement in Portugese independence and the wars against the Ottomans in Hungary and Crete. The bulk of the book includes chapters on the command of the army, biographies of the main French commanders, details of their own household troops, orders of chivalry and of course the uniforms, equipment and campaigns of all the various troops that made up the Guard. There are a number of appendices, the most useful of which is the one describing one of Louis most dogged opponents, the Spanish army of the period. The book is literally stuffed full of lots of contemporary black and white illustrations and maps and of course, as is to be expected from books from this series, 32 pages of colour plates, including five pages of specially commissioned artwork by the talented Ed Dovey. A highly informative and pleasing read and one I can recommend for anyone interested in the early wars and armies of a Louis XIV. Roll on Volume 2, and the rest. 

Eureka 28mm Piedmontese for the French Revolutionary Wars

Earlier this year I was putting together the annual joint Eureka order for collection at Salute (30% discount and no postage or customs fees) Nic kindly sent me a list of his hot out of the moulds 28mm Piedmontese for the War of the First Coalition in Italy. I scrubbed most of what was in my original order and added four battalions of Piedmontese instead. Here are some photos of the castings which I have to say are in my humble opinion rather splendid.

A selection of the full range

Fusilier NCO, Grenadier Officer, Drummer and NCO

Fusilier officer, fusilier, fusilier er NCO, fusilier drummer

Fusilier firing line.

A few cavalry and a gun or two wouldn't go amiss.....

Some more Ottomans

I took advantage of The Assault Group (TAG) Crisis pre-order mega discount last year to buy a few more Ottomans (among other things, e.g. Cossack infantry). Pete kindly suggested that as there was little (none actually) point in him carrying the figures over to Antwerp just for me to take them home again he’d post them on to me free of charge complete with the show discount. Good man! I am a big fan of TAG figures but they are at the top of my price range under normal circumstances.

The figures below were painted for me by my mate Barry and based up by me. I think I’ve even managed to avoid getting static grass in anybody’s ears for a change!

Tufcheci infantry. 

Tufcheci musketeers. More non Janissary infantry are a must for a mid-late 17thC  Ottoman army.

Deli light cavalry. Light cavalry of any sort are lacking in my Ottoman army except for some Tartars and now these. 

Not that these will be much use to anybody!

June painting and production totals

June’s highlight was the Wild Geese annual event in Kenilworth ( as described in a separate post). Despite not being well for a week or so I still managed to get a fair bit done. Perhaps next month will see the last of the Sikh Wars marathon, or not as the case may be.


Completed (by my own hand)
3 Sikh Wars vignettes (snake charmer, fakir on bed of nails and Indian rope trick)
1 bullock and civilian drover
1 Sikh commander (Alexander Gardner)
10 Sikh irregular/feudal cavalry
10 Bengal Irregular Cavalry (Skinners Horse)
9 assorted baggage camels
2 camels pulling limbered heavy cannon (Sikh)
1 x Dr Brydon one of the “sole survivors of retreat from Kabul” vignette
2 British Sikh Wars command stands (5 figures)
40 Sikh Irregular Feudal infantry.
1 Bengal Foot Artillery Rocket section
3 Elephant drawn limbers (Sikh)

Games: 7 (incl 3 at Kenilworth)

Shows/Events: Durham Wargames Group annual show; The Wild Geese weekend in Kenilworth.

Not a bad month. I have also starting selling surplus and never-likely-to-get-painted lead on eBay. If anyone wants 28mm French Wars of Religion stuff let me know.