More French Line Infantry from Minifigs

Slowly building up the number of French battalions, the latest to come out of the paint shop are some French line infantry. They are from Old John and were originally that highly versatile Minifigs S Range American Civil War US Marine figure. The uniform is very close to the early Crimean War French dress and, for a change, they are in light order, with no back pack or blanket roll. I think they look OK.

Ehmar Russian Artillery

These plastic troops from Ehmar have been lurking in a cupboard since long before I began my Douglas Miniatures Crimean War project. So I decided to dig them out and see how they look painted to match the metal figures. Size wise they work pretty well and in their new colours they are not too bad and will make a useful addition to the Russian artillery capability.

8th Hussars

After a break for the summer, production has restarted. This time it is another regiment from the Light Brigade. These, like the 11th Hussars, come from the Douglas Miniatures Napoleonic range. They are depicted in full dress wearing pelisse, plumes and cords, which was most unlikely in the Crimea. That said, they make a pretty sight. Their uniform is blue with yellow facings:

Also on the painting table are some Scruby French light infantry and Minifigs S Range French line infantry.

Painting styles

I thought it would be interesting to compare painting styles. I use the 'toy soldier' gloss painted style, but the Douglas Miniatures range look superb in the more normal wargames painting style, in matt colours, with highlighting and shading. These examples are produced here with the kind permission of John Cunningham, from his Vintage 20 Mil website:

The Russian Field Army

Not to be outdone, the Russian Field commander decides to parade his troops. Not quite as big as the British element, the Russian still look quite good en-mass. This stocktaking exercise reveals that with all the armies combined I have so far painted over 400 infantry, 130 cavalry and 5 gun teams.

The British Army takes to the field

Having almost completed the 1st Division, most of the Cavalry Division and part of the 4th Division, I thought I would deploy the whole lot, as I have not seen them all on the table together before. Here are the results:

In the foreground is the Heavy Brigade, then the artillery of the 1st and 4th Divisions. In the centre front is the 1st Division, with the Highland Brigade, and the Guards Brigade to its left. Behind is part of the 4th Division, The Rifle brigade, and the 20th and 68th Foot, making up one Brigade. In the rear is the Light Brigade with its Royal Horse Artillery support.


Closer shots of the Highland Brigade of the 1st Division, with the Division staff:

Another overview:

Scots Fusilier Guards

This is the third regiment that makes up the Guards Brigade, which forms part of the British 1st Division. The Scots Fusilier Guards deployed to the Crimea along with the Coldstream Guards and the Grenadier Guards and the Brigade saw action at the Alma and Inkerman during the early months of the war. The figures used are the Douglas Miniatures charging British Guards figure, but I bent the rear leg down to make it look as though they are advancing. The standard bearers are officer figures with the standard added. Meanwhile, the drummer was made from a running guardsman who had a broken bayonet. I cut the rifle away and added a drum from rolled up paper sealed with pva glue. The drumsticks are made from thin plastic rod - see below:

The drummer figure started as an ordinary guardsman with the rifle cut away and arms bent into  position.

 I then addedsome plastic rod drumsticks

The drum was made from a roll of paper coated in pva glue.

A bit rough and ready, but looks the part en masse!