Zouave Command Group  

In an earlier post I commented on the lack of figures in the Douglas Miniatures Crimean Range for French forces, with them being represented by just the single advancing Zouave figure. It was suggested that Wodensfeld ACW figures might be the solution, so a quick email to John Cunningham saw some samples arriving rapidly in the post. There is quite a variety of figures in the Wodensfeld range, which are also of varying sizes. I settled for these:

The uniform and headdress is very close to the DM figures, and these were the tallest of the Wodensfeld samples. Here they are next to the DM Zouaves:

I think they will work well. It might be a while before I paint them as they are in the stash of projects right now!

Russian Artillery 

The second part of my artillery project is now completed to match the British, also completed today. I have painted a second limber and added an artillery commander, a Strelets figure:

I have also painted a Strelets heavy gun, manned by a crew from the same company in a small defensive position. This was made from match sticks, cocktail sticks and DAS clay:

Next, back to painting Russian infantry!

British Artillery - Limbers and Gun Teams   

At long last I have completed the British artillery by adding two limbers and a second gun. The limbers and horse teams took a while to assemble and paint, but the result was worth while. Here are the teams, the guns, with their newly appointed commander, a Strelets plastic figure:

Hinton Hunt Crimean War Range  

The long disappeared figure producer Hinton Hunt produced a modest range of Crimean War figures, although nowhere near as extensive as the Douglas range. Most of the Hinton Hunt figures (if not all) are obtainable today from John Cunningham. I bought a few British Guards figures to do a comparison and here are the results, with the Hinton Hunt figures on the left. Height wise they are not bad, although the Douglas figures are more slender overall. On the table the units mix quite well:

 

This is a complete unit of Hinton Hunt British Foot Guards, painted a few month ago. The range has two types of officer figure, but no drummers or standard bearers. I converted standard bearers from charging officer figures:

Quick Update 

Although I have not published much during the last two weeks, I am making steady progress. I am nearing completion of a second Russian limber, as well as assembling and painting two British limbers, a gun and Royal Artillery crew. Hopefully some pictures will be available at the weekend. This will complete my planned artillery component, although I am thinking about some siege guns and redoubts.

I have also begun painting another Russian unit, this time a line grenadier battalion. That should be ready soon. Following that I will start on a third British heavy cavalry regiment, the 5th Dragoon Guards. That will just about finish all the unpainted figures that I have, so will need to consider the next steps!!

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20mm Flags by Adolfo Ramos  

In an earlier post there was some discussion about a source of Crimean war flags, having discovered a company in Spain, Adolfo Ramos. I thought I would try some and I found it is possible to order in a variety of scales. I purchased some samples of the 20mm version. They are quite expensive, but are very well produced and with a high quality finish. My picture does not do them justice. It is possible to buy the flags already mounted on a pole with the cords fitted. They are wonderful, but even more expensive.

The biggest concern I have is the size. The 20mm flags in my view are a bit too big for the Douglas Range, but would probably work with the Minifigs S range, which have quite large poles. Anyway here is a picture of three examples of Russian flags next to a Douglas standard bearer and you will see what I mean:

R11 - Russian Lancers   

I have now completed the third and final examplw of the Russian cavalry types in the Douglas Miniatures range, namely the Uhlans, or Lancers. Dressed in the normal great coat attire, so common in the Crimea, these troopers are quite easy to paint. One figure had a malformed pennon, and so I reduced it and added a guidon. The unit represents the 12th Lancers: