Commodore James Norrington (Hawthorne Village)

This figure was originally named Commodore James Norrington, and I kept the name.  He is a recasting of the original, but some conversion work was done (most notably lengthening his sword from a letter opener into a blade for a true gentleman).

The sculpt was lovely and captured the personality of an aristocratic 18th Century officer perfectly.

He was painted as an officer of the British Royal Navy.  He appears happy to command a detachment of Marines, since he currently lacks a ship.

Figure cast with Amazing Casting Resin.  Painted with a mix of acrylics and enamels.

Skirmish at Turnbull's Farm

From Lieutenant Francis Monypenny, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
To Col. Walter Stewart, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment

Dear Sir,

Your orders of the 3rd instant were punctually observed by Capt. Duckworth & myself.  Whilst ranging the countryside in search of the enemy's movements, we had a smart skirmish near Turnbull's Farm.

Both of Capt. Duckworth's light infantry companies, a company of militia, and the troops of our ally Louis XVI met the enemy in the clearing near Turnbull's Farm.

The enemy were one grenadier and one battalion company of the 80th Regiment, as well as the banditti of Col. Tarleton's corps.  The whole was commanded by Captain Phillips, whose daughter Sarah (as you may well remember) was arrested for her imprudently expressed opinions on our glorious Congress.  Captain Duckworth was tasked with escorting her to the court house for inquiry.

I was thankful to know that Capt. Phillips commanded the advance guard of the enemy, for a spy has indicated clear signs of disaffection within his company.  They said that their lives would not be sacrificed to find his daughter.  To regain his former popularity, he would have to take an active part in the coming fighting as a member of the advance guard, rather than remaining comfortably with the main army.

Both sides moved cautiously through the woods.  First blood went to the Gatenois Regiment, who killed one of Tarleton's troopers with a long-range volley.  The steady discipline of our French allies (as well as their superior quality powder) is something which should be introduced to more of our army.

In the confusion of our march, Sarah Phillips escaped.  However, Captain Duckworth retook her.

The battalion company of the 80th Regiment decimated the new-raised light infantry company with a volley.

As the smoke mounted, reinforcements entered the battle.  We received one company of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment.  On the other side, the Volunteers of Ireland entered.

Musketry near the cornfield caused no casualties, but Captain Phillips shot one light infantryman with his pistol.

The 80th fired at a unit of militia moving through the woods and caused one casualty.

The light infantry's volley hit one British grenadier.

The French Regiment Gatenois continued to hold the center of our line, causing a casualty in the Volunteers of Ireland.

A second company of the 2nd Pennsylvania appeared to reinforce the Americans, commanded by your humble servant.

Captain Duckworth ordered his light infantry to storm the fence and fight the grenadiers hand-to-hand.  How much has changed since we ran from crossing bayonets with the feared grenadiers!  But success frowned on the captain, as he lost his entire company for the loss of one grenadier.  I am assured by militia standing nearby that Captain Phillips himself killed two of our men with his sword.




The nearby militia returned fire and killed two grenadiers.

Tarleton's cavalry rashly charges the same militia...and is wiped out to a man with a well-timed and disciplined volley.  I salute the county lieutenants whose untiring efforts sent us these militia.  Their discipline was remarkable.

The light infantry on our left inflicts one casualty on the 80th Regiment.  This causes them to fall back in considerable disorder.  I move my company up and order a volley into the disorganized rabble, who rout and will take no more part in the fighting.


Our French allies of Regiment Gatenois continues their steadfast performance, causing two more casualties in the Volunteers of Ireland.  It is said that they were once the proud Regiment Auvergne, and truly they proved themselves worthy of the title.  Shaken by the flight of the 80th, the Volunteers rout as well.

Worse was to befall the British, for Captain Phillips is caught outside the cornfield by a volley from the 2nd Pennsylvania's.  He falls, likely unaware that his daughter has finally succeeded in freeing herself from captivity.

All of the American units now converge on the grenadiers defending the cornfield.  The grenadiers decide that their honor is still intact and withdraw off the field, carrying the body of their captain.

British casualties are 14 men, including Capt. Phillips; American casualties, 12.  Half of the British force did not even enter the battle.

As you requested, I remained out of the line of sight of the British force, for matters of a delicate nature precluded meeting them hand-to-hand on the field of Mars.  Some of my men believe that the enemy may have sighted me, but no one is certain.

Reports are current that Lieutenant Fenworthy, whose father is a well-known Radical in Parliament, commanded a company of the 80th Regiment which was late in arriving to the battle.  Common report says that Fenworthy has been heard to express some sympathy with our glorious cause of liberty and did not wish to kill any to further the schemes of Lord Germain and Lord North.

Requesting your orders for future dispositions of the advance guard,
I remain, Sir, your most obedient & humble servant,
Lieutenant Francis Monypenny. 2nd Pennsylvania Regt.

Sarah Phillips escaped...

Rule set: Muskets & Tomahawks.  Each side had two officers with a side plot apiece.  The side plots added a very nice touch of storyline to a skirmish game.  It is not hard to work the side plots into cohesive characterization of the officers.  Look for more adventures from them...

Captain Duckworth: Side plot: Hostage.  Failed, Sarah Phillips escaped.

Lieutenant Monypenny: Side plot: Spy.  Uncertain if succeeded, came very near the maximum spotting distance of the 80th Regiment.

Captain Phillips: Side plot: Disdained.  Succeeded, killed the equivalent of 5 enemy soldiers.

Lieutenant Fenworthy: Side plot: They were my brothers.  Succeeded, never entered the battle.

Mounted Militia with rifle (Accurate)

In the Southern campaigns of the American Revolution, mounted militia was an asset to the Americans.  Unfortunately, figures to cover these men are few and far between.

After a significant amount of conversion work, I finally have my first mounted militiaman.   He used parts from three different figures.  His body and head were from an Accurate militiaman, but the standing legs were removed and replaced with mounted legs from a Marx Paul Revere.  The long rifle was trimmed from a stack of such weapons and added with a little sculpting of his right hand.

His horse is an excellently sculpted one from  Classic Toy Soldiers.


The checked shirt was fun to paint and helps him stand out on the tabletop.

Ready to patrol the woods for signs of British or Loyalist troops!

2nd Pennsylvania Regiment - LOD Enterprises

Manufacturers that produce 54mm figures for the 18th Century are fairly uncommon.  Even more unusual is a new company producing this kind of figures.  When I first heard that LOD Enterprises was creating four sets of American Revolution figures, I was very interested.  Their sets have interesting poses and excellent sculpting.  Now at last I have finished painting my first figure from them.



No conversion was done except for removing the cuff buttons and painting them to match those of the 2nd Pennsylvania.




A group shot of enlisted men of the 2nd Pennsylvania from Armies in Plastic, ATS Toy Soldiers, and LOD Enterprises.

35th Regiment of Foot 1757-1759 (Replicants)

The 35th Regiment is perhaps best known for forming part of the ill-fated garrison of Fort William-Henry.  They defended that fort for six days against the Marquis de Montcalm and his French, Canadian, and Indian army.  After surrendering on August 9, 1757, the defeated British troops marched out of the fort the next morning, only to be attacked by Montcalm's Indian allies.  This event became known as the Fort William-Henry massacre and was immortalized in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Last of the Mohicans (and its many movie adaptations).

The 35th then made up a part of the British expedition sent to capture the French fortress of Louisbourg in 1758.  After a siege of about a month, Louisbourg surrendered.  In 1759, the 35th attained their moment of glory (if not as much fame as the Fort William-Henry massacre) when they fought in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.  The 35th formed the reserve on the British right flank.  The main British battle line fired a volley, then "fixed our bayonets and, under cover of the smoke, the whole line charged." [1]  Since this contemporary account was written by an officer of the 35th Regiment, it seems likely that the 35th charged alongside the main British line.

Tradition credits the 35th with breaking the French Regiment Royal-Roussillon and capturing their colors.  The regiment is also said to have adopted white plumes after picking them from French casualties.  Unfortunately, none of my research has been able to confirm these stories.  Rene Chartrand summarizes: "Regimental legend has it that the 35th captured a colour of the Royal-Roussillon Regiment and also took white plumes from its grenadiers.  This is possible but period evidence or trophies to confirm the story do not seem to have survived." [2]

In 1760, the 35th took part in the battle of Sainte-Foy, when a French army made one last attempt to recapture Quebec.  They were then a part of the climax of the French & Indian War, the surrender of the last French stronghold of Montreal.  Afterwards they served in the Caribbean.

These figures are Replicants "British at Culloden" figures.  They are well-sculpted, though prone to significant amounts of flash.

No conversion (aside from flash removal and cuff detailing) was needed on these figures.  They were sculpted with lapels buttoned over and coat skirts unhooked, as befits the squally weather of Culloden.  While summer campaigns likely would not have looked quite like that, pre-1768 British figures in 54mm are difficult to find.  Besides, coat skirts could come unhooked in the heat of battle ;). 

Some question has arisen regarding the exact shade of orange used by the 35th.  I have followed David Morier and used a vivid orange tint, rather than an orangeish-yellow.


Notes

For more info about the 35th, including its service in the French & Indian War, please visit: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=35th_Foot

[1] Anonymous.  Seven Years' War Journal of the Proceedings of the 35th Regiment.  Online.  https://archive.org/details/sevenyearswarjou00flet/page/n93, 93.  Accessed August 21, 2019.

[2] Rene Chartrand.  Quebec 1759.  (Oxford: Osprey, 1999), 54. 

Queen's Ranger (BMC)

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to acquire a sizable quantity of BMC figures for a rather low price.  Some BMC figures are well-sculpted and some are not.  However, I was eager for the challenge of converting them all into formidable troops that could join the rest of my armies.

The first unit to begin recruiting was the Queen's Rangers, thanks to their easily-painted green-faced-green uniforms.  The Queen's Rangers was a Loyalist unit that became well regarded, battling Continentals and militia in the numerous skirmishes around New York City.  They were then sent to Virginia as part of Benedict Arnold's expedition to cripple that state's war effort.  The Queen's Rangers were extremely effective in Virginia, but were eventually part of the Yorktown surrender.

The original figure began looking much like the unpainted figure on the left.  Conversion began by softening the plastic in boiling water, then bending the musket arm to a more useful angle, since I was not creating the Anti-Drone Company of the Queen's Rangers.

Left figure: anti-drone work; right figure: everything else

 After that, only a few minor changes were needed.  These were:
1. Turning the legwear into gaiter trousers,
2. reshaping the cartridge box slightly
3. Adding a plume to the cap
4. Correcting the length of the musket
5. Adding a bayonet scabbard under the haversack.
6. Adding pointed cuffs to the coat (not strictly necessary, but I think it makes the figure pop)

With these changes (and of course, paint), the figure became quite useful and visually attractive.  Now for the rest of the Queen's Rangers to finish recruiting!



Rear view of the Queen's Ranger

Continental Army Brigade

These are some brigade-level shots of the Continental Army

On the left of the picture are the converged light infantry companies.  Next to them is the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment.  Behind the light infantry (though mostly invisible) is a light artillery piece and its crew, skillfully pointed by a French engineer.

The regular Continental infantry are in similar positions as before, but now they are backed by a substantial levy of militia.

Finally a shot of the seasoned unit, the 2nd Pennsylvania.  While they were featured in Redcoats and Ruffles before (http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2016/04/2nd-pennsylvania-regiment-by-armies-in.html), they have been reinforced by three new figures from ATS Toy Soldiers.

Royalty

These two figures are the first glimpse of royalty here on Redcoats and Ruffles!  Meet King Roland and Queen Miranda.

Always on the lookout for more figures from the distaff side in 1/32, this figure of Queen Miranda caught my eye.  She is a perfect match for other 54mm figures.  However, the lot I purchased her with also included her consort King Roland.  After some thought, I drafted him into my collection as well. My sister helped choose which outfit he should don for his royal duties: the red coat with the light buff breeches, accented by several medals.

While his outfit looks vaguely Regency, he still belongs in the Redcoats and Ruffles world of the 1770s-1780s.  While tighter cut coats were coming into fashion in the 1780s, this one is still ahead of its time.  Likely as a monarch, King Roland was always seeking up-and-coming styles.

Figures from Disney’s “Sofia the First” collection.  They were painted with a mix of acrylic and enamel paints and sealed with Mod Podge.

Battle--Virginia, 1781

Documented in these pictures is a small encounter between the troops of His Majesty King George III and the Continental Congress, somewhere in Virginia in the hot summer of 1781.

 

The lines of regular troops march toward each other.  The 80th Regiment (Royal Edinburgh Volunteers) form the main strength of the British force.  They are opposed by the 2nd Pennsylvania, a crack Continental regiment.

Banastre Tarleton's feared British Legion sweeps down into the flank of the Virginia militia company.  Faced with yelling riders waving gleaming sabers, some of the militia break and run.  Others stay to continue their musketry duel with the Loyalist Volunteers of Ireland.

A company of Lafayette's elite light infantry moves to plug the gap left by the retreating militia.

With the militia breaking, the commanders of the Continental force see no reason to continue the fight.  They have probed the enemy's strength and will return with a full report for the Marquis de Lafayette.

Gaston Toy Soldier (Mattel)

"No one paints up like Gaston!
Makes a swell miniature like Gaston!
No one rocks a red shirt and gloves like Gaston!" (parody of "Gaston" by Menken & Ashman)


This figure is a delightfully bizarre addition to the world of Redcoats and Ruffles.  Even though his outfit is completely unhistorical, I still enjoyed painting him and adding him to my collection.



In "Beauty and the Beast", Gaston is the villain of the piece, with an uncanny ability to quickly rally a mob.  His other abilities (including shooting and expectorating) are recounted by his lackey Lefou in a delightfully ridiculous song. (left)


In the world of Redcoats and Ruffles (following Beauty and the Beast), Gaston is enemies of both Belle and Beast.  Does that mean that he would support King George III or the Patriots?  Probably neither.  Rather than following one side, he would have no qualms switching if they failed to support him in his goal of defeating Belle and Beast.

This Gaston figure was originally released by Hasbro in 2002.  Gaston was part of a five-figure pack that included Belle and Beast in human form.  Figure painted with enamel and acrylic paints, sealed with Mod Podge.

What new adventures lie ahead?

Gaskins's Virginia Battalion (W. Britains)

This soldier loading his musket is a member of Gaskins's Virginia Continental Battalion in 1781.  Virginia's Continental troops had first served with Washington's main army in the North.  When the British began operations in the South, Virginia Continentals were sent to reinforce them.  Since Virginia remained relatively war-free, this was possible.

But everything changed when Benedict Arnold landed at the head of another expedition in late 1780-1781.  Virginia's troops were in South Carolina, and troops were badly needed to stop Arnold's destruction.  Yet more Continental (regular, as opposed to militia) troops were raised, under the command of Colonel Thomas Gaskins.

Despite being a Continental regiment, Gaskins's troops were poorly supplied.  "Virginia lost a great deal of her stockpiled supplies following the sack of Point of Fork arsenal by a Loyalist and British force on June 5, 1781.  Even prior to this, proper linen for hunting frocks was lacking, leading the state clothier to make up 'short coats' or jackets of coarse canvas with blue facings as an expedient summer uniform." [1]

This soldier wears one of these jackets.  His haversack may be issued by the Continental Army, captured from the British, or a private purchase.  His cartridge box is a former British item, and he has not removed the "GR" marking from it. (see photo at left) 

However, this soldier proudly shows his allegiance to the ideals of the American Revolution on his canteen, where he has carved "Liberty" on its side.

The figure began as a Britains "Deetail" Civil War figure.  The kepi was removed and a roundhat with cockade sculpted in its place.  Cuffs and collar were also added, and the bayonet scabbard removed.



Figure painted with Testors and CraftSmart paints; sealed with Mod Podge.



[1] James L. Kochan.  Don Troiani's Soldiers of the American Revolution, pg. 166.

Liberty's Kids Lady Phillips (Disney Cinderella Keychain)

The first figure of 2019 is finished!

This elegant lady is an English gentlewoman known as Lady Phillips.  She appears in the animated television show Liberty's Kids.

Lady Phillips lives in England while her soldier husband serves in America.  But unlike some Britons, Lady Phillips is good friends with Benjamin Franklin and certainly does not favor coercive measures towards the colonies.




Lady Phillips' daughter is the sometimes feisty Sarah Phillips (who was featured on Redcoats and Ruffles at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html).  It is unknown whether Sarah was named for her mother.

(Sarah is a recast Marx "Cilia" figure, giving some idea of scale between her and Lady Phillips)

Lady Phillips was previously featured on this blog as a work-in-progress (see http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/01/lady-phillips-work-in-progress.html).  Her base is marked "(c) Disney, C.I.I., Made in China".  I have no idea what company CII is; however she is an excellent match to other 54mm figures and worth tracking down.

Painted with a mix of enamel and acrylic paints; varnished with Mod Podge.



Lady Phillips prepares for a visit to a wealthy friend or neighbor and bids you good day.

Lady Phillips Work-in-Progress (Cinderella Keychain by Disney)

Many of the figures showcased on this blog have had conversion work done to them.
Two examples are Liberty's Kids' James Hiller, shown at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html and Sarah Phillips at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html.  But I have never shown a converted figure before painting.

Meet Lady Phillips, mother to Sarah Phillips mentioned above.  She began life as a Cinderella keychain (of all things), but had an 18th Century appearance.  The white parts (with the exception of her hands) are later additions by me.  I use Milliput, a self-hardening epoxy clay, for conversion work and have been pleased with it.

Next stop: painting and basing!

2018 Figure Recap

In 2018, I painted 26 figures to add to my growing collections.  Each group of related figures is highlighted below.

Click on any picture to expand it.

 
Three American militiamen by Accurate.  The mounted militiaman is a conversion of an Accurate body with Marx legs and rifle.  The horse is from Classic Toy Soldiers.

The militiaman in red cap has been featured on this blog at
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/03/militiaman-from-mollo-and-mcgregor.html

Three Continental soldiers from ATS.  The two in blue coats will join the 2nd Pennsylvania, while the third joins the light infantry (featured in http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/11/continental-light-infantry-in-hunting.html)

These three soldiers are British Infantry at Culloden, produced by Replicants.  While they suffered from much flash, the figures themselves were splendid and a joy to paint.

Moving on to the British, the 43rd Regiment of Foot has begun its mustering.  In a pinch, these figures can double as British marines.

(Why did I paint three soldiers of every unit last year?  It certainly was not intentional)

At last, a unit with four figures!  These men are from the Hesse-Cassell Regiment von Bose.  They were previously featured on this blog at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/04/hessian-regiment-von-bose.html.

Yet another unit with three recruits!

These soldiers are from the French Regiment Gatenais, and sport distinctive purple lapels and cuff piping.

The 18th Century is not complete without civilians.  Six new figures (including two reinforcements for the petticoat brigade) have moved into town.   Five are based on movie characters from Liberty's Kids and Beauty and the Beast.

Four of them have been featured on Redcoats and Ruffles at:

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/11/beauty-and-beast.html

More information on each figure (if he or she has not been highlighted already) to follow, including manufacturer, conversion, and paint.