Onwards and upwards.

Following the pleasing results of my first conversion of figures to tricorn'ed glory, I've embarked on a second regiment. Thanks to all who posted kind comments on the pictures.

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The new figures are equipped mostly with shakos which require cutting off (for the "hat" companies to be) or trimming and filing (for the grenadier company). A bit more work is involved but there's no rush. It'll make up the yet to be named third and final regiment in the Margravate army's first brigade.

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By the way, is anyone else having trouble with Sitemeter? They migrated to a new server recently and the hit counters have vanished. I do like to see how many visit this blog (5,200+ at last count) and from whence my fellow gamers spring.

The Assembling Might of the Markgraaf

On an upland heath IR 1 Prinz Georg and IR 2 Margravine Josefina's Own maneuver, screened by the Sobelsburg Jagers...

...watched critically from the rear by Babbington's Legion.


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So here we have them, the first two regiments of the first brigade in the Margraaf's army. In the distance is IR 1 Prinz Georg, screened by the Sobelsburg Jager Regiment. Directly behind them are Babbington's Legion, a mercenary regiment composed mostly of British Catholic exiles. Formerly in Gallian pay then in service to the Free Stadt of Cottbus, they now serve the Markgraaf as a steady veteran regiment. In the foreground is IR 2 Margravine Josefina's Own, the latest regiment to join the colors.

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The figures are Spencer Smith (IR 1) and Front Rank Miniatures (the rest). IR2 began life as 1990's vintage French Republican infantry before a little conversion work turned them into tricorn'ed heroes in waiting. All scenic work was composed using a basic brown cloth with some touching up using Microsoft Picture It photo suite.

Conversion job - finished

All done. Very tiring day driving so photos tomorrow. =)

Conversion job - nearly done

All the new figures are based and the flock is drying even as we speak. Once I get a set of colors done for IR 1 to bear in battle, I'll take pics...

Pootling on...

Not a huge amount to report. Real life tended to get in the way of hobbies these last few days. Still, I've begun painting the grenadier company of the Margravine's Regiment. They'll follow the same format as the "hat" companies, but their greatcoats will be in a lighter shade of green. I converted the shakos to bearskins but retained the peaks. They'll now be a form of bearskin distinctive to the Margrave's army, of a style known as "Josies" after the Margravine.

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Margravine Josefina noticed the soldiers of the grenadier companies squinting in the bright sunlight during an inspection parade of the new regiments. Being a compassionate woman she asked that something be done to modify their headgear to give them the same advantages as their hat company brethren. The generals don't particularly like the design but the "request" came from their boss' wife, so it stands. In any case, the grenadiers like it as it keeps the sun and weather out of their eyes, and appreciate the Margravine's concern for their welfare.

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The Markgraaf limits his comments to grumbling about the cost.

IR2 - Margravine Josefina's Own Regiment of Foot

The regiment on parade for the first time.

Some new recruits...

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On the whole I'm pretty pleased with the way these figures came out. As I mentioned earlier I discovered a batch in greatcoats and shakos which will be converted to a bearskin-wearing grenadier company for this regiment. Two of the new recruits are pictured to the left on the bottom photo. This morning I rooted out another batch of greatcoated figures - enough for the third regiment in the Margave's army! All I need do is to add a cavalry regiment of some kind, a battery of artillery apiece, and the armies of Dunkeldorf-Pfuhl and Hetzenberg will clash.

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All I have to do after that is to get them together on the same continent...

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The greatcoats are painted in loden green, a nice color for an Austrianesque army, I think. As usual I printed-off the regimental colors after designing them using the standard Paint program on my computer. They were hand painted with acrylics mixed with a little Klear polish, followed by a coat of Klear when dry to give the shiny silken effect. The basework will be done once the grenadier company is completed so it looks consistent.

Conversion job - 4

I've almost completed the new regiment converted to SYW-like figures from French Napoleonics. All that remains is for the musicians (a drummer and fifer) to be painted before I can begin on the the base work. I should have all done by tomorrow, and I'll post some pictures then.

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On the whole I'm pleased with the results. I have a batch of French infantry in bicorns which *may* bear conversion in a similar way, and some French Chasseurs a' cheval (I think) which might change to hussars without too much work. We'll see.

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Additional: Since making the above post I've discovered another 6 figures in greatcoats and shakos that can be converted to bearskin-wearing grenadiers. Although I was going to make this regiment a *light* one at 18 figures I can now add the grenadier contingent.