Zvezda WW1 Russian Infantry

Okay, I admit these are great figures.  Normally I don't like assembling figures. I say to myself, "If I want a kit, I'll buy a kit." In this case, the arms still have gaps no matter how much I cut the peg down. And they are difficult to paint—painting each piece, being careful not to swamp the parts with paint. But enough complaining. These are beautifully sculpted, well proportioned, researched, etc. But what I really like—the look like what I think WW1 Russian soldier should look like. The running poses are perfect, the officer with binoculars has an air of Tsar Nicolas, the marching soldiers look like contemporary photographs. I've waxed romantic several times over Zvezda figures, but these are deserving.

A few other points—this is the first tree and cow I've painted. The tree is a twig spraypainted white and striped with gray/black to create a poplar. I like the way it looks, poplars seem Russian to me. Maybe its because there was a grove in Bondrachuk's "War and Peace."

The cow is an example of how this hobby makes you research crazy. I didn't know what species of cattle would be found in Prussia/Silesia. I'm aware of the black/white jerseys common in the US but wasn't sure. I googled and found the most common European cow is the Dutch Red Pied. With this hobby you find yourself researching regiment facings, insignia, cows, soil colors, tree species, and color of tile roofs. I guess that's what makes us nerds. Huzzah!

HäT Swedish Napoleonic Infantry

I'm glad these are done. Not really impressed with the sculpting, proportions or details on the guns, etc. To me, these look more like the dwarfish type of figures you'd find with metal figures. I also have a complaint that the specialist figures—the Lifeguards and so on, all have the same poses. Good grief, I've painted, repainted, removed the paint and tried to get these guys right. A lot of effort for units that showed up late to the battle (Leipzig) and hung around letting the Russian do all the work. And I'm part Swedish—my mother family came over in the late 1800s, settling in Minnesota. Our names were Andersen and Stromstead. Oh well.

I finished just after Christmas. I took some pictures and they all look like crap. So apologies for just one pic. This is the best of the bunch. I've been having troubles and been disappointed with the pictures I've been getting out of both of my cameras. I think it's the lights, I'll make some modifications and try it again.

On to finishing up some well done Zvezda figures.

Emhar Franco-Prussian War French Infantry

For me, these are the classic French infantry—kepis, red trousers, white gaiters. They are good looking figures and paint up well. I do agree with PSR's assessment. The straps and detail are too shallow and paint hides a lot of the relief. Yet, they painted up easily and quickly.

The Zouaves are a different story. Painting one of them is enough for a lifetime. Anyone the wargames FPW or ACW and paints of battalions of Zouaves, well hats off to you guys.  Two Airfix WW1 Germans are filling in as Prussians until I can get my hands on Emhar's Prussians. I'm not a fan of soldiers swinging rifles at the air.

 I believe one of this blog's followers, a decent cross-state chap in Kansas City if I'm correct, is a fan of the Franco-Prussian War. Cheers if you catch this, enjoy.

ESCI / Revell British 8th Army

Okay, unlike most WW2 fanatics, I've never been a fan of the North African desert battles, preferring the British/German duels around Caen. (Must be a lingering affect of my WW1 Western Front fascination.) 

But after seeing a documentary on El Alamein and another on Italy's attempt to take North Africa and Germany's intervention, I decided to dust off my 8th Army figures. Now I'm eyeing Armourfast's new Crusader tank and upcoming Valentine. It never ends! 

I originally bought these to paint as the Indian 14th Army in Impahl-Kohima. Oh well, I still have Matchbox and Airfix Australians to go. You may notice Revell's 'Scottish figures' from this set are missing. They will be painted as D-Day British Commandos.

HäT Napoleonic Bavarians. Finally!

At long last and with apologies for the wait—a full arms treat of Bavarians. 

Oh my, there's been a lot of turmoil at home interrupting this project, too many to list, but I finally based them last night. 

There's figures from four HäT sets here—cavalry, artillery, infantry and their latest fusiliers. 

One would expect the newest fusilier set to improve upon the previous infantry (which are actually grenadiers I believe.) But I was disappointed in the newest set. The belts, straps and cuffs were not as sharp nor well defined and a lot of the painting buttons and cuff are just guessing. That attributed for some of the delay. I did not find them a joy to paint (though I love the cornflower blue uniforms and yellow/red facings.)

On the left are two infantry painted as grenadiers (cornflower coats, red plume)

HäT Bavarian Infantry (8028) painted as jägers.

Bavarians Work in Progress

Here's some pic showing the Bavarians where they are. Some are further along, some look like they've been painted with a housebrush! The jägers are finished so that is a "sneak peak!"

Zvezda French Voltigeurs

Oops! Okay, before you all start commenting, I noticed after I posted these that I got a smidge of red on the flugelhorn (or loop-de-loop horn or whatever its called) while repainting the plume from green to red. Yeah, that's on oops on top of an oops.

The red's bugging you now, isn't it?

Not sure if I'm a fan of the macro lens. It shows that my painting can be pretty slap-dash at times.

So this is what my 'kleine Prussische soldaten' see coming out of the woods on their right flank!

Hey, where's the Lithuanian Dragoons I painted a while back! 

Painted the first figure about a year ago, finished up the rest just a up couple days ago. These are painted as Light Voltigeurs (Vaulters, heard they were intended to be ridden into battle in wagons alongside the cavalry, leaping over the sides like the famous photos of Germans hopping out of Hanomags. Napoleon was quite the visionary! 

If I get around to it, I'll do up a set as Line Voltigeurs (white pants.) I think these same figures can be painted as grenadiers—white pants, red plumes and epaulets. Considering Zvezda's scale-creep, they may be better served as the taller grenadiers.

These are basically painted to the box art. A whole box of them painted up would be a stunning display. Unfortunately, the average life span isn't long to accommodate painting a box of Voltigeurs. Or at least, not at the pace I plod through them. Not only that, but it looks like I have Bavarians to get started on.

Enjoy.