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!

North Star 1866 Prussian 12pdr and Crew

Very nicely detailed and cleanly sculpted figures from North Star's 1866 Austro-Prussian War range.

These will provide fire support for the Prussians and Bavarians in Bolt Action games.

I'm not sure if this type of cannon was used in the Franco-Prussian War, but it'll have to do for now.

The plywood base is from Hobby Lobby; a nice fit for the cannon and crew.

I was thinking of painting them up as Saxons with green coats, but didn't want to waste the nicely sculpted Prussian eagle on the helmet as the Saxons had a sunburst crest.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you like this latest piece for the Franco-Prussian War Bolt Action project. Plan to start on the Prussian or French Hussars next. Until then, best wishes and happy painting and good gaming!

Eagles of Empire French Line Infantry - Completed

Here they are with a nice flag downloaded from Warflags on a spare Perry 1st Empire eagle standard.

These are the last of the infantry figures from my Empire of Eagles order. I may get a box of their French light infantry later, but for now I need to start on a North Star Prussian artillery set.

As mentioned in the previous post, these figures are detailed with great accuracy to uniform and equipment.

Again, they are based as the earlier figures on 50mm Litko rounds.

Wonderful figures which were a joy to paint. Looking forward to painting up the French Hussars - after the Prussian artillery.

And a gratuitous shot with a toy "French" poodle. Until next time, happy painting and good gaming!

Eagles of Empire French Line Infantry - WIP

Just a quick blog post showing the WIP of the French Line Infantry. Waiting on the Minwax stain to dry.

Prior to the staining - block paint job. Lots of firing and reloading poses.

So much for now. Happy painting and good gaming to you all!

Eagles of Empire Bavarian Line Infantry

Here are two 8-man squads of Bavarian Line Infantry - one with dark green facings and the other with orange facings.

I used Vallejo Ultramarine Blue for the base uniform color and highlighted with Vallejo Deep Sky Blue. Maybe a little lighter than the actual uniform color, but this helps distinguish them from the darker blue coated Prussians and French.

The nice flag was downloaded from Warflags. Osprey says most flag staffs had a "sitting lion" as a finial, but a few units did have the spear point.

As with the Prussians, it appears no two figures are posed exactly alike - very impressive.

This is what they looked like after staining with Minwax Tudor Satin stain.

And with the basic block painting prior to the staining.

I must say, I kind of like the Ultramarine Blue look, before the highlighting. Next up are the French Line Infantry. Until then, happy painting and good gaming to you all!

Eagles of Empire Prussian Line Infantry - Completed

Here they are based on Litko 50mm rounds. They're very well-detailed, uniform and equipment-wise. 

They appear a bit slender when compared to the North Star Jagers, but "flesh out" well after highlighting.

They'll be in two 8-man squads;one with yellow shoulder straps and the other with light blue.

Next up are the Bavarians, which are similarly equipped and uniformed.

Thanks for stopping by and happy painting and good gaming!

Eagles of Empire Prussian Line Infantry - WIP

Managed to block paint them and brush on some Minwax Tudor Satin stain. They are fairly simple to paint as many of the more difficult details are hidden by the blanket/coat roll and also by the way they're posed.

Once the Minwax is completely dry - at least 24 hours - they'll get sprayed with Dullcote and then highlights applied.

As with the earlier units, these will be in two 8-man squads for Bolt Action.

With basic block painting prior to staining. Thanks for stopping by and happy painting and good gaming to you all!

North Star 1866 Prussian Jagers - Completed

Based on 50mm Litko plywood rounds. They'll be in two 8-man squads for Bolt Action - maybe..most-likely. After the Minwax stain was dried (no thanks to the cloudy weather), they were sprayed with Testors Dullcote; followed by some highlighting.

At a glance, they look like Napoleonic British 5/60th Rifles.

I should be starting on an order of Eagles of Empires figures - which should be at my local post office for pick up. A box each of French, Prussian and Bavarian Infantry, and a box of French Hussars as well.

Until the next post, happy painting and gaming to you all!

North Star 1866 Prussian Jagers - WIP +1

Went ahead and finished up the base block painting prior to giving it a stain/wash.

As mentioned in the previous post, these are great sculpts and the details are easy to make out and take to paint well.

The trousers and bed roll should be a darker gray, but I didn't want the details to get lost in too dark a color.

I'll have to pick up a can of Minwax Tudor Satin stain tomorrow as I got rid of the can I had when we moved back in March. I thought I kept it, but guess it got thrown away with a lot of other stuff when we were downsizing for the move.

Thanks again for stopping by, and wishing you all the best and Happy 4th of July for those Stateside.

North Star 1866 Prussian Jagers - WIP

These arrived the other day - less than 2 weeks to get to Steilacoom, WA. Just some preliminary work which will get the Minwax stain treatment later.

Very impressed with these figures. Great sculpting, proportions and casting.

Taking a break to go down to the town center and check out the 4th of July festivities. There's a beer garden that already opened an hour ago - it's 11am here! :)

Happy Father's Day! And Some French 2nd Empire Zoauves and Algerian Tirailleurs

With an expected busy work week coming up, I pushed ahead and finished up the Perry ACW Zouaves - as French 2nd Empire Zouaves and Algerian Tirailleurs. There are four 8-man squads (2 each Zouaves and Tirailleurs) which are intended for Bolt Action.

Even though the rules are skirmish, I have them based 2 figures per 50mm Litko round bases.

Two units of Algerian Tirailleurs; distinguished by one unit with white baggies and the other in all sky blue.

I like their sky blue uniforms.

Next up the Zouaves.

The two units are differentiated by one having white cloth wrapped turbans.

10 of the Zouaves  (with white wrapped turbans) were already painted; I swapped two of their heads with the Tirailleurs.

The Cigar Box Battle mat I got from Chris last year is used for the photos.

Besides these figures, I plan to get a box of French Line Infantry from Eagles of Empires. I'm waiting until their Bavarians are back in stock before placing an order.  Well, so much for now and thanks for stopping by. Until next time, happy painting and good gaming!

Franco-Prussian War Project - A Humble Beginning

Sorry for being away so long, but I finally have something to post. The start of a new project in well over a year. This time a new venture - into the short in duration, but deadly, Franco-Prussian War. Not sure how it'll play out, but I hope to use Bolt Action for squad-sized skirmish games. Adding to some Perry Zouaves already painted up will be another squad of Zoauves and a couple of squads of Algerian Tirailleurs. For opponents, I plan to order some Prussians and Bavarians from Eagles of Empires - once the Bavarians are back in stock. Anyway, here's the Perry figs in the initial painting stages.

Some images from the French Colonial Army of Africa uniform book I picked up last fall at Fix Bayonets' bring and buy.

Love them red baggies!

Both Zoauves and Algerian Tirailleurs fought with distinction at the Battle of Woerth - where the French were outnumbered 2 to 1.

So much for now - thank you for your patience and continued visits! Until next time, happy painting and good gaming!