From TamsinP - Seven years War Russian Generals, Artillery and Cavalry (195 Points)

Well, here it is, my second entry in this year's Challenge, and it's a bit of a points bomb. Not on the scale of my Swiss pike block from the 3rd Challenge, or my pirates from last year. But still a decent sized haul of points.

So, on with the details. This entry of 15mm Seven Years War Russians consists of 3 mounted commanders, 2 artillery pieces with 6 crew and 2 limbers, 18 cuirassiers, 9 dragoons and 9 horse grenadiers. This completes the non-infantry portion of my starter army. There will be 2 regiments of grenadiers and 6 of musketeers to follow in January. All figures are from Essex.

One annoying thing about the Essex Russians is that the flags are cast in such a way that they can't really be removed which meant I had to paint them. So, if you look closely at the cavalry pics, you should see my impressionistic freehand attempts to reproduce the actual flags of the regiments. I went for the squadron rather than regimental standards to allow (eventually) for some bright colours in the army.

The Generals

General Count Vasilliy Oldvol

General Baron Ivan Tovokov

General Vladimir Yvorluncz

It doesn't show up particularly well, but I used a similar trick to JamesR to create small puddles on the bases (paint a dark colour into the pit then top it with several coats of gloss varnish. I will probably use gloss gel medium instead next time I try this).

The Artillery

The guns aren't fixed to the bases. This allows for them to be shown limbered and for different types to be swapped in and out. The drew have been painted in 1760 uniforms. The painted wood should be more of a brick-red colour, but this will do for now.

The Cuirassiers

3rd (or "Fedorovitch") Cuirassier Regiment

The 3rd Cuirassiers fought at Gross-Jagersdorf, Zorndorf, Paltzig and Kunersdorf.

Kievsky Cuirassier Regiment

The Kievskiy Cuirassiers were originally a dragoon regiment, who were converted in 1756. They fought at Gross-Jagersdorf, Paltzig and Kunersdorf.

The Dragoons and Horse Grenadiers

Tverskiy Dragoon regiment

The Tverskiy dragoons fought at Gross-Jagersdorf and took part in the 1758 invasion of East Prussia.

Sankt Petersburgskiy Horse Grenadier Regiment

Originally a dragoon regiment, the Sankt-Petersburgskiy Horse Grenadiers fought at Gross-Jagersdorf (probably as part of the cavalry reserve), Paltzig and Kunersdorf.

I've done these in 1760 uniform as well as Essex didn't have cavalry figures in mitres.

So, 39 mounted figures, 6 foot figures, 4 horses, 2 guns and 2 limbers. That should give me 192 points I think; maybe a couple more if Curt considers my impressionist freehand flags are worthy.

And a shot of everything so far to end the post.

From Curt:

Wow! This is amazing Tamsin. I could be wrong but think this is some of the best work I've seen from you. The paintwork is vibrant, clean and neat and I think you've done a wonderful job on free-handing the flags. As you say, they just give enough of an impression to convey their primary elements. I also really like the red gun carriages and limbers. 

I'm going to give a few more points for the flags which will place this submission at 195 points. Well done Tamsin!