Wednesday 3 January 2018

From PeterD - 28mm SYW Chasseurs du Fischer (60 points)

12 figures for the Challenge plus 2 on the right painted in 2016 for contrast.  Note the darker more monotone uniform.
Here's my first post for this year's challenge.  I've been participating since Challenge number 4.  This year I'm dealing back my target due to having to take on extra duties under one of the two hats that I wear.

These are 12 light infantrymen from of the Chasseurs du Fischer, an irregular unit from the French Army that served in the War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years War.  Fischer's unit was one of the better irregular units and grew to a 8 companies each of foot and mounted chasseurs.  They were heavily engaged in the Kleine Krieg throughout the war.




The figures are from Front Rank, who deserve a shout out for good service.  I had a small group of 6 chasseurs painted a year or so back and ordered 6 more to make a larger unit.  My package seemed late arriving, and after another Front Rank package arrived (which I ordered later) I contacted them to see if they could track it.  The next morning I got a note back saying that they'd sent out a duplicate package to replace the missing one.  Sure enough both packages arrived safely in the end, but Front Rank said to keep them both.



The right hand file are from the lot painted in 2016.   Need to fix the collar on the chasseur in the centre!

The figures are very nice and painted up nicely.  I like the droopy moustaches and the mix of loading/firing poses.  Front Rank figures tend to be stouter than Perry's for example, but with this period the bulkier clothing styles hides a lot of the extra bulk.  The mirliton (or flugelmutze to use the lovely German term) adds to the irregular feel.  Nothing better for skulking in the underbrush than a tall stiff felt hat with a long fabric tail on it!



From the rear

For the first set I'd painted, I found that the solid green I'd used was a little flat and so opted for a wash technique to bring out more details,  This was an old technique that I'd used for my 15mm Austerlitz armies 35 years ago, and can give the impression of an aqua colour print, which I like for Lace Wars armies.  I'm not sure that this was the best decision, but that bridge is crossed now.  Perhaps I'll go back and touch them up or add a deep wash over top.





Uniform information on even regular units can be sketchy for the SYW, and there were conflicting opinions on this unit to be sure.   While my fist six have white belts, black cartridge boxes and brass buttons, I opted for buff belts, brown cartridge box and pewter buttons for this lot.  I found this print to use as a guide, which also illustrates the problems inherent with keeping up with current hat fashions.

A (non-baker's) dozen foot chasseurs in 28mm at 5 points a pop gives me a starting volley for 60 points.  At least I've broken my duck.



Ok it's most of the new group.
From Ray

A fantastic first entry into this year Challenge Peter. The SYW was my first love in wargaming, although mine was in 15mm. I do like the shade of green you used, its a great match to the picture above. Its good to hear that Front Rank were so willing to help and let you keep the extra figures, perhaps I need to do an order or two with them???

Just as you said 12 of Monsieur Fischer's finest  will earn you a very respectable 60 points!
I'll leave the new meta label in, I wonder if Curt will delete it??? (I have no idea what you're talking about... ed)


28 comments:

  1. Welcome back to the fight Peter..

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  2. Great work Peter. The green turned out quite nicely and seems to be quite a good match to the art.

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    1. Thanks Curt. I am pleased with the result. I do like having the prints to work from, even if this one is a modern print.

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  3. nice unit, good work on the colour scheme

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  4. Well done Peter! I echo your comments about Front Rank - excellent service, and the "stout" castings are a treat to paint! Great work on these green lads.

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    1. Thanks very much Greg. Maybe we can haul them out when your next out our way.

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  5. Great unit and great service from Front Rank

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  6. Very nice chasseurs Peter :)

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  7. Nice bunch of irregulars, it's one of the things I like about the period , all the hussars and frei corps and a good colour match too.
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain. I agree on the light troops, I love the contrast between the regulars and irregulars.

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  8. Very nice indeed, that green really is rather fetching and the wash has done the trick. Those hats look designed to catch every single stray branch in the area!

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    1. Thanks Jamie. Style points, but not practical.

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  9. Nice work Peter. You got that green spot on!

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  10. Nice work on the Chasseurs, Peter - a very creditable skirmish line there!

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  11. Nice work, Peter! They are a very fine skirmish line! I like the green,but admittedly I'm biased towards light infantry troops! ;)
    I might have to source a pack or two of these fellows!

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    1. Thanks very much David, I thought that you might like them. Front Rank also do a FIW range for something closer to home!

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