2017 Recap part 1--French & Indian War

During this year of 2017, two new figures joined my painted French & Indian War collection.

The first figure is a mounted figure of Lieutenant-Colonel George Monro of the 35th Regiment.

A side view of Lieutenant-Colonel Monro.

The next figure fought against Colonel Monro and his British regulars.  He is a French militiaman standing firing wearing summer dress.

The new militiaman joins his comrade who was finished last year (see https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2017/01/painted-figures-of-2016.html)

Stay tuned for the next showcase of 2017 figures!

Militiaman Loading

This militiaman was closely copied from a figure in one of Don Troiani's paintings. The picture on the right shows the original painting and my miniature recreation.

This figure was heavily converted from the original figure from Accurate. Originally, the militiaman was waving his hat. After painting one of these figures, I used the other one to make the loading militiaman. The hat was cut from the hand and the arm was bent into position using heat. Due to failed attempts to bend the hand into a fist, I needed to sculpt a new hand onto him. The ramrod was created from a straight pin. The photo below shows a comparison of the original figure and my conversion.

And this is the finished result!  He makes an excellent addition to my American citizen soldiers.

Tarleton's Cavalry

The British Legion is one unit of the American Revolution which has attained lasting fame...or infamy, depending on one's perspective.  Commanded through its American campaigns by Banastre Tarleton, the Legion was known as an effective and sometimes ruthless fighting force.  Whether fighting in the North (for example, at Poundridge NY) or the South (Camden SC), the Legion was generally the victors.  They refused to charge during the Battle of Cowpens, but they later fought desperately at Guilford Court House and executed a lighting raid against Thomas Jefferson, missing him by minutes.

Figures are Chinese copies of Italeri; heads by All the King's Men.  Heavy conversion was required on the riders and some on the horses.  Painted with Testors paints.

Ambush!

It was just an ordinary patrol.  Five British infantrymen moving through the countryside as part of a foraging expedition.  But it quickly went awry.  Musket fire erupts through the forest as local militia seize this opportunity to harass King George's redcoats.

The soldiers of the 80th Regiment withdraws to a nearby hill and does their best to hold the militia at bay.  As they continue, the militia begins to encircle them.

It is clear to the corporal that they cannot hold out much longer against the numerically superior militia.  His only hope is that the other units in the foraging party will hear the musketry and come to his assistance.

To be continued...

Continental Artillery

Open fire!

At the beginning of the American Revolution, the Americans lacked several important components for a modern, 18th Century army.  Among these was a professional artillery corps.  By 1781, the Continental Corps of Artillery had been created and uniformed in blue coats faced with red.  Sergeants wore yellow lace on the coat, and all ranks wore yellow trim on their tricorn hats.

The crew prepare to load the gun

The Continental Corps of Artillery participated in many engagements. In 1781 alone (which year these figures are painted to represent), they fought in at least four battles: The artillery fought at the Battle of Cowpens, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, the Battle of Green Spring, and the Siege of Yorktown.




A Three-Pounder "Grasshopper" Cannon

Figures by BMC, painted with Testors paints.  No conversions were done to these figures.  The artillery piece was included in a set of DGN "American Revolution" figures.  It is painted to represent a versatile 3-pounder "Grasshopper" cannon.  Cannons were measured by the weight of the ball they threw; so a three-pounder cannon would fire a three-pound cannonball.

Volunteers of Ireland

The Volunteers of Ireland were a Loyalist unit during the American Revolution. The regiment was designed to appeal to Irishmen—particularly those from the Continental Army. The Volunteers of Ireland wore green facings, carried an Irish harp on their cap, and marched to a song called “Success to the Shamrogue.” (see https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2016/03/happy-saint-patricks-day-from.html) The regiment, which had been given the title of the 2nd American Regiment in 1779, was shipped to South Carolina in 1780 to aid Sir Henry Clinton in his siege of Charleston.

Charleston was captured, knocking South Carolina out of the war (temporarily) and the Volunteers of Ireland remained to garrison the area. They made up part of Cornwallis’ left wing at the battle of Camden and were able to hold off the Continentals while Cornwallis’ right routed the militia. Interestingly, at Camden, it is recorded that the Continentals charged at the Volunteers of Ireland’s flag before being solidly repulsed. The Volunteers of Ireland participated in futile chases against Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, and fought in the bitter South Carolina skirmishes. In 1781, the Volunteers fought at Hobkirk’s Hill. As a reward for their distinguished service, they were moved onto the British regimental establishment as the 105th Regiment in 1782. (1)

Their uniform is a short red coat with green brandenbourgs and a light infantry cap with an Irish harp. I love this particular combination, as it is so unusual and dashing!

Figures by BMC. The soldier loading his musket is a conversion.  They are painted with Testors paints.

(1) http://www.fifedrum.org/crfd/images/D105.htm

Young Philadelphia Gentleman

This figure represents a young gentleman in the 18th century meaning of the term.  A gentleman was a man who owned property and was financially well-off.  This young gentleman certainly fits that description.  Wearing a silver-laced hat, a ruffled cravat, and large silver buckles on his shoes, he shows that he is well-to-do.  While his coat, waistcoat, and breeches may look like they are all the same color, the coat is actually slightly lighter than the breeches and waistcoat.

The figure is converted from two Marx recast colonial "Johnny Tremaine" characters.  "Sam Adams" provided the entire body, while "Johnny Tremaine" provided the head and cupped left hand (the figure's left is on the viewer's right).  The head was sculpted to look like a younger person, and the hand was changed because the original figure carried a tricorne hat in his left hand. 

Just like in a previous post, in which I copied a costume my sister wore, he wears a costume which my brother wore during the filming of Beyond the Mask, a Christian movie set in the American Revolution.  The last picture shows both of them walking near a colonial house.  But there are still more family members to be created...

 

First Figure of 2017!

This Ideal militiaman is the first figure which I finished in 2017!  He is not an original Ideal figure, but is recast.  Since he wore a bicorne hat, I cut it down and sculpted a roundhat turned up on one side instead.  In addition, I lengthened his waistcoat, making him look more like a militiaman of 1776 than 1812.  His socks are medium blue with light blue stripes, an interesting combination which I like.  Click on the pictures to expand them.  Figure by Ideal (recast), painted with Testors Paints.

Painted Figures of 2016

One of my goals for the past year was to paint 25 figures.  I succeeded, painting a total of 26 figures.

The first group showcased is the center company of the 80th Regiment of Foot (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers).  They muster 11 men, including an officer and flagbearer.

 Next is a group of six militiamen completed this year.  The man waving his hat makes an excellently patriotic NCO, while the armed minister is ready to resist both Episcopalianism and George III.

 The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment received their own flagbearer in 2016.

 I began a French & Indian War collection in 2016 by painting this French-Canadian militiaman.  Comrades and opponents are not far behind...

In my opinion, no military diorama is complete without civilians, and these six personalities will add color and charm to any layout.  A tavern keeper, gentleman, porter, and printer all fill needed roles in my 54mm colonial world.

Another fledgling collection of mine is the Seven Years War in India.  It was bolstered with the recruitment of an EIC European and Sepoy.

Last but not least come these two enforcers from the American Revolution-era movie Beyond the Mask.  In the movie, these black-coated gentry follow the orders of Charles Kemp and harass his opponents.  I have given them the nickname "Kemp's Greys" based on their facing color.

And that was my progress in 2016!  2017 will see even more additions to my 54mm armies.  Stay tuned!