9th Uhlans-Simply Irresistable!

I must say that these charging figures are for me the pick of the bunch. Not sure if thats because they are the latest I have painted, or because I havent painted Helions for a while, but I really like this unit. The poses and animation is first class...and I think they just look darn good! They are charging into (or out of?) trouble with that fanatical light cavalry look-reminds me of the Caton Woodville painting of the Charge of the Light Brigade which hangs above my games table. The white piping of the 9th make them stand out nicely on the table. Using my 1:20 TAYG figure scale 6 figures making a fairly representative squadron. I have 8 more primed and under way.

The Austrians are now being moulded and will be available by the end of February-which gives me a few weeks to clear the backlog of Prussians (frightening how quickly they amass!). The Uhlan flags should also be available at the same time-along with the first Austrian flags. (I have had a sneak preview of the new Austrians-they are worth the wait!). Looking ahead I am really looking forward to the Austrian cavalry.

Finally, on the Schleswig Holstein front I am now in a position to take pre-orders. If you would like a price list please send me an email and I'll send one out (matratmatt@yahoo.co.uk).

Next up will be more Helions.

My First Schleswig Holstein Unit Completed!

I have now finished the first of my Schleswig Holstein infantry! Andrew Stadden has done a first class job again, capturing the Old School look I was after perfectly. The figures are wearing the Prussian style uniform that was introduced very quickly, previously the "rebel" units of the Danish Army clothed themselves in their Danish undress uniform and volunteer units simply grabbed whatever they could. Some still retain their old Danish waterbottles but otherwise this is the regulation look. There were no flag regulations for SH units-this one is a type of "German" flag in use during the war.

The conflict itself was infantry heavy with extensive use of light infantry tactics more often associated with later wars of the 19th Century. In many ways I can liken it to the AWI, smaller battles, lots of dash, colour and a fair chance of victory for each side! All in all ideal for my vision of a good wargame!

The figures are now with the moulder. They will be produced as sets of 4 figures and as mentioned in my last post available via this blog in mid-February until I have a "proper" website at the end of March. As soon as I have them I will let eveyone know!

Next up will be the LONG overdue Helion 9th Uhlans.

Schleswig Holstein War-Update

The Schleswig Holstein infantry should be finished and posted by Thursday but in the meantime a short update on timings. I have had a few emails now and thought it best to give my planned roll out dates and my plans for the range! All the figures are on their way to the moulder and should be handed over by tomorrow lunchtime. The website will be up and running in mid-March, to coincide with Salute, but will be available through this blog by mid-February. While on the subject of Salute, subject to final confirmation, I will have my figures on display on the Continental Wars Society stand and will be generally loitering if anyone fancies a chat!

The next figures to be sculpted are mounted command figures for both sides followed by more infantry and then artillery. Cavalry and minor states etc. will follow after that. The war itself was very much infantry dominated and the intention is to cover both sides in great detail. There will be variations in poses for each infantry set and I plan to add additional units for each side in turn to allow the building up of forces simaltaneously. For those interested in the war there are only a few books in English, as illustrated!

Johs Nielson "The Schleswig Holstein Revolt 1848-1850" gives a great introduction to the conflict and has some superb colour uniform plates. I picked mine up from The Continental Wars Society stand at Salute 3 years ago and it was this booklet that reawakened my interest in the period!

Ralph Weaver's "The Armies of the First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-51" gives detailed information on uniforms, lots of colour plates and provides a general overview of the various stages of the war.

Nick Svendsen's "The First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-50" is the most comprehensive history that I have found in English and as a bonus it has the lovely uniform plates from the Nielson booklet repeated at the back.

Finally I ordered "The Battle of Schleswig April 23rd 1848" before Christmas. Written by Stuart Penhall and Ralph Weaver it contains a good account of the battle itself, a couple of useful maps, an order of battle and uniform descriptions. A very useful little reference.

I know that the last 3 are available from Helion and Caliver Books. In addition I would recommend the SchleswigWars Yahoo discussion group. I have had a large amount of information from its files and members. If anyone knows any titles I have missed I will be more than glad to hear about them.

Finally you may be wondering about the relevance of the Elite Company French 7th Hussars. Well I have to admit they are the "prettiest" cavalry I have painted so far-but they are also up for sale on eBay, so it is also a shameless plug! They no longer fit in with my future Napoleonic plans but are clearly itching for action on a battlefield somewhere!

Schleswig Holstein Infantry

Here is a work in progress shot of my latest figures, the Schleswig Holstein Infantry firing line. They are wearing the "new" Prussian style uniform which was introduced to replace the Danish uniforms that the Schleswig Holstein regiments had to wear at the outbreak of the war. I had hoped to post the complete unit about a week ago but 2009 has started with a big bang for me on the "real life" front. Once the dust settles I intend to send the masters for these and the Danish infantry to the moulders. The next figures will be mounted command for both sides.

The complete unit will be my next posting.

So, looking ahead to 2009-what are you to expect? In the past I have had a clear plan for the coming years painting, but since the start of this blog I have been more than a little guilty of being disjointed in my painting/collecting of armies! I have amassed a large lead pile over the last 12 months and so, however tempting it may be, I do not intend to break into any new conflicts-easier said than done! Be prepared for my own figures (obviously!) and Helion Austro-Prussian units. I do have many Eureka Crimea & Unfeasibly FFL figures to paint (to name a few) and will probably paint them up on an ad hoc basis. Coupled with my Peter Gilder figures and WW2 Germans I think I have more than a years work ahead of me!

A Picture Perfect Christmas

Christmas Day..what can I say? I had absolutely no idea I would be getting all of these!

I knew that the first picture was complete, but Marshal Bazaine and then "After Dybbol" (as I have named it) caught me completely off guard!

Bloody fantastic!