From Cavalier to Dragoon

 A quick paint conversion of the Del Prado King Gustavus Adolphus figure into a 1690 dragoon. This was a paint conversion with very little surgery being done:

My next figure will have the lace on the collar filed back as it shows up on the finished model.

Del Prado conversion

 From French Marshal to Hamilton's Horse.

The Del Prado figure of Marshal Turenne, Battle of the Dunes 1658 is a good size to match my 54mm collection and wears a uniform suitable for the 1690 campaign in Ireland.  Unfortunately he is waving a baton rather than a sword.  However, I was able to buy some sword arms and other bits from Tradition of London and quickly replaced his right arm.

The Turenne figure is quite common and can be found cheaply on eBay.  I now have five.  My plan is to create two four figure mounted regiments.

Otherwise the figure was pretty much good to go.  I decided to paint the figure as Williamite Hamilton's Horse, with grey tunic, faced in red.  The horse was repainted too:

Hamilton's Horse is on the left, with Turenne in black on the right:

Just to show the scale of these figures he is set alongside one of my foot units - Dutch Foot Guards:

Del Prado - Scale Issues

 In my previous post there was some discussion about the varying scales amongst Del Prado figures.  Here is an example.  Two figures from the same range, on the left Frederick Henry II of Orange and on the right a British Dragoon 1704.  It can be seen that the left hand figure is much larger in height and bulk:

If using these figures alongside conventional 54mm castings care is needed to determine their size before investing in them.

Jacobite Rising 54mm Cavalry

 I have been after some cavalry for my Jacobite Rising scenarios for some time.  In 54mm scale, metal cavalry work out to be quite expensive, with a painted figure coming in at around £100.  I need four regiments of four figures each.

However, there is an inexpensive source in the shape of Del Prado figures.  In their 'Cavalry through the ages' range there are a few figures that would fit the late 1600 - mid 1700 period.  One such figure is the 'Blenheim Dragoon'. These were available in large numbers and can be picked up for £ 3-4 secondhand.  The paintwork is a little dull and scruffy in places, but with some touching up and new facings they look quite good.  

Here are the first three regiment:

I am looking at other figures in the range, especially to provide cavalry for my 1690 collection.  More on that to come.

Waterloo - Command & Colors

For a long time I have wanted to try the C&C scenario for Waterloo using miniatures, and my 'Scrapbox' army allows me to do this, as I have constructed all the units to match the C&C scenario. The internet is peppered with other examples of this well worn battle being refought using the C&C rules, but I feel it is worth a go, using my five inch hex board and terrain.

So, here is an overview of the table set up ready for play:

The French are at the top, consisting of a mix of Minifigs, Prince August and Del Prado figures:

Reille on the left:

 Ney in the centre:

 D' Erlon centre right:

 Guard heavy batteries:

The Allies, consisting mostly of Prince August infantry, Del Prado cavalry and a mix of artillery, is deployed with Hill on the right:

Picton in the left centre:

And Perponcher on the left, with the Dutch/Belgians:

The Allies also hold the three strong points, that are also French victory objectives:

Hougoumont, on the Allied right:

La Haye Sainte in the centre, with Rifles in the adjacent sandpit:

and, Papelotte anchoring the Allied left flank, held by jaegers:

There are no Prussians in this scenario, so it will be a straight slugging match, with the French attacking and attempting to take the three strong points, or by destroying units to give a total of eight victory banners. The allies simply have to hold the French at bay and gain eight banners by causing French casualties.

Scrap Box Army - Completed

Today I fnished the last of the British units, completing the scrap box project. I have enough figures, generals and guns to play the Command and Colors 1815 scenarios, with all the right models. This has given me a Dutch Belgian contingent, with 6 infantry units. A gun battery provided by Minifigs and a Del Prado general and cavalry:

Then there are two British Brigades. The first consists of the 2nd Foot Guards, the 42nd Foot (Black Watch) and the 4th Foot:

The second Brigade has four units; the 1st Brunswick Line, the 30th and 5th Line and the 92nd Highlanders:

With a light cavalry Hussar regiment, a foot battery, as well has a heavy cavalry brigade, with its horse artillery the British contingent looks like this:

Putting the whole lot together, adding a battalion of rifles and senior commanders we have the allied army:

The cavalry are all Del Prado, as are the rifles and most of the commanders.