Monday, August 5, 2019
Zieten Hussars - North Star 1866 Prussian Range
Just six figures, but enough for supporting infantry squads in Bolt Action skirmish games.
Nice, sturdy figures with good sculpting details to assist painting.
I found the flag on the web while searching for Zieten Hussars. It was only one-sided, so one side has the eagle upside down, but I curved the flag to minimize seeing this.
They're on Litko 60mm plywood round bases. This way the players won't be able to line them up in close formation, as I find they instinctively like to do.
Although these figures include a command pack, I couldn't distinguish the officer. All of the figures, except the flag bearer and musician, have carbines. I figured a "real" officer wouldn't have one.
Lately, my photos seemed to be washed out. Not sure if it's because of the lighting in my new place. I didn't seem to have this problem at my old place.
Next up are the Eagles of Empire French Hussars; which I may paint up as Chasseurs a Cheval. Then it'll be time for a play test to see if Bolt Action will feel okay for the period. Eventually, I may get some French and Prussian Cuirassiers. Until then, best wishes to you all and happy gaming and painting!
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They are beautiful Dean, I love the way you have based them too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. I think the round bases work better than squares for skirmish gaming - kind of gives them an automatic 360 degree feel. :) Best regards, Dean
DeleteGorgeous work, Dean! Your braiding on the saddlecloths is amazing. Your dapple grey is outstanding too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jonathan. The sculpting really is good for the saddle cloth edging design; the brush picked up the details nicely. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteNicely looking cavalymen, Dean! Your find with the flag is very witty:) I like the basing approach for skirmish, it should help keeping distance among figures. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dmitry. Not only spacing, but they should convey the feel that they are in skirmish and not tight formation. I've used squares for figures in skirmish games before and the players always seem to want to rank them up cleanly abreast. Warm regards, Dean
DeleteSplendid rendition! Happy to see a study of these excellent Northstar figs. Now that you mention it, I don't recall much to distinguish the commander (from the Leib Hussar pack) from the other figs. I think it was mainly the arm position (or more appropriatetly, one of the arms was the "command" arm, meaning it was a bit more straight) and the mustache. I have another set coming of the non Leib hussars, so I'll have to give that look!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Ed. Yes, I agree about the "commander" figure. I glued the separate sword arms before realizing the uniform was the same for all the troopers. I couldn't find him again looking at the pictures on the website. Oh well, I now have a reason to look for a true officer figure. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteHoly Cow, those are just amazing! I may have missed this but can you tell me why you chose Bolt Action over say Rebels and Patriots?
ReplyDeleteHey, William. Thanks for the compliment; as far as why BA. It's mainly because I already have BA and never picked up a copy of R&P. Also, I wanted to be free of set unit sizes (12, 6, etc.). That all said, I may end up using another set of rules. Oh, and I already have the BA dice! Lol! :) Best, Dean
DeleteThat’s a truly splendid bunch of horsemen you got there. The sculpts are excellent too and look very dynamic. Well done Dean!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Mike. It'll be interesting to see how they look compared to the Eagles of Empire Hussars I should be starting on most tick. Interestingly, those are also cast with riders and horse blanket as one piece. That is, both these North Star and the Eagles of Empire horses are plain bodies - with only reins and straps molded onto the body. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteDean, brave hussars!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denis! We'll see how they perform on the battlefield soon. Best regards, Dean
DeleteReally lovely pint job, and great looking figures.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Andy et al! Best, Dean
DeleteFantastic Hussars Dean!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! Appreciate the visit and kind words! Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteOh, They're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Michal! Appreciate the compliment. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteNicely done Dean like the colour scheme
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Matt. Yes, although the Lieb Hussars look like bad a%$# in their all-black uniform and sporting the skull & crossbones, I wanted a more colorful uniform for the tabletop. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteLovely dashing hussars! Great painting and smart basing!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain. I like the rounds a lot for skirmishing - and hopefully players will pick/move them by the bases and not the figures :) Warm regards, Dean
DeleteThese are great, you can see you have gotten your style down to a science. Interesting subject to, not often gamed here in US.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Kevin
Thank you very much, Kevin. Yes, it's kind of a cross between speed painting (using the Minwax) and then a bit of TLC with the highlighting. I've seen a few FPW games on YouTube, but those were mostly larger scale games (one in 6mm, IRRC). Probably a stretch to use Bolt Action for FPW, but I didn't want to invest in the time/$$ for larger forces for say something like Black Powder. Thanks again for the visit and kind words! Best, Dean
DeleteI've seen Bolt Action successfully modified for several other periods, so not a stretch for FPW. I think you can make it work. Why not the new rebels and patriots, wouldn't that be same scale, or is the engine not something to your taste?
DeleteI am at an age now where I totally agree with you on not wanting to paint hundreds and hundreds of figures. If I can paint say a hundred and twenty or so for both sides, that's my cup of tea then.
Cheers
Kevin
I've only played R&P once (at a convention), and although I am familiar with the Rampant family of rules, I think BA is actually better suited for convention play - with players with little to no experience; which I intend to use these in. The HTH casualty resolution particularly simple! Best, Dean
DeleteReally superb looking horsemen, Dean!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Peter! Best regards, Dean
DeleteLittle beauties my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Fran! Warm regards, Dean
DeleteGorgeous looking Hussars! Really a highly interesting period and you‘re making it look ever so tempting. One day I‘ll give it a shot myself...
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Nick! Your beautifully painted Eagles of Empire FPW figs for Soren awhile back was my inspiration. Kind Regards, Dean
DeleteBrilliantly done ... these Hussars!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind comments! Best, Dean
Delete