AWI / SYW Hessian Infantry

Its been a while but I finally got around to posting some images of two freshly repainted 28mm Front Rank AWI regiments. Apart from the command figures, these units were bought second-hand at a local wargaming swap-meet a few years ago. Their original old enamel paint job was rubbish, so I've stripped them and painted them up to represent Fusilier Regiments von Ditfurth and Erbprinz. The superb GMB flags really bring these units to life.Thanks to Rodger Wood for taking some of these photos which I've pinched from our Southern Strategists blog. These units will be part of my AWI Hessian brigade, but I reckon I can also get away with using them for my Seven Years War project as well. Until next time.....

Regt von Ditfurth (yellow facings) in action with Hessians and Royal artillery -Image by Rodger Wood

Fusilier Regts von Ditfurth and Erbprinz in action with Royal artillery - Image by Rodger Wood

   

Fusilier Regt Erbprinz

Fusilier Regt von Ditfurth supported by the Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot)

As yet unnamed Hessian general, but thinking of naming him something like von Smallhausen or von Fleihofen...a little bit of inspiration from 'Allo, Allo.'

AWI Hessian Artillery and terrain

Its been a while since my last post but I have been quietly working away at reducing my lead mountain. A number of years ago I purchased about 60 poorly painted second hand Front Rank SYW Prussian fusiliers at a local wargaming swap-meet. After stripping the old enamel paint-job with nappy cleaner, the almost bare-metal figures have until recently remained neglected. However, the vast SYW collection of fellow Southern Strategist, Chris Packer, has inspired me to finally give these troops the paint job they deserve. First I had to order enough command figures for 3 battalions of fusiliers, which I'm painting up as Hessians. I reckon I can get away with using these units in both my AWI and SYW projects, even though there were some minor differences in the uniforms. I also decided that I needed a couple of artillery stands to support the infantry, so figures and guns were also ordered from Front Rank. So far, I've managed to complete two stands of artillery and one battalion of infantry (von Ditfurth Fusiliers). I've also scratch built some terrain pieces over the last couple months after being inspired by the work of another Southern Strategist, master terrain builder, Rodger Wood. Below are some images of the freshly painted Hessian artillery and terrain pieces, with photos of the infantry to follow in the next post.

Freshly painted Front Rank AWI Hessian artillery

A scratch-built small swamp using 3mm mdf, polyfiller and Woodland Scenics 'Realistic Water.'

  

       Until next time !

SYW - Dillon's Regiment of the Irish Brigade

After months of sitting idle with only a black undercoat for any colour, I've finally finished painting up Dillon's Regiment of the French Irish Brigade of the 1740s - 1750s. I chose to have these superb Front Rank figures in full coats so that I could use them for the Jacobite Rebellion of the '45, as well as the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War.

This unit is very special to me due to genealogy research at the French military archives proving my ancestors served in a number of regiments within the Irish Brigade throughout the 18th century, including Dillon's. My next Irish unit that I paint will be Lally's Regiment as I've recently found out that there was a company within the regiment known as 'Stack's Company' during the period that the regiment served in the ill-fated Indian campaign of the Seven Years War. Captain Thomas Stack served as the company commander, while his cousin, Lieutenant James Stack served under him. 

The outstanding flags are supplied by GMB Flags, while the foliage was made by terrain guru, Rodger Wood of the Southern Strategists here in Christchurch. I've only recently started adding foliage to my stands but I'll continue to do so as I reckon it really lifts the final effect. 

The current unit 'under the brush' are some Napoleonic dismounted French dragoons that will take on my Spanish guerrillas.