From ByronM: 28mm Napoleoinic French Dragoons (120 points)

Let me preface this whole entry with the statement....  I HATE HORSES!  Both in real life and in miniatures. 

In real life I have never understood why after the invention of motorcycles people would ever choose to ride something with 1 horsepower when they can have something with 150 horsepower, I mean the choice is obvious.   

I mean really, is there even a choice as to which is better to ride?
150+ HP and pure sex on wheels, or 1 HP and smells like manure....

In miniature, painting horses intimidates me as they are much like painting human flesh, just a lot more of it.  It is really hard to get right, insanely easy to screw up, and everyone will notice and point out when it isn't right.  Therefore I really try to avoid painting horses if at all possible.

I have however needed to get a unit of cavalry done for my (very slowly) growing 28mm French Napoleonic force for a while now, and this unit got primed for last years challenge and then set aside as I just didn't want to deal with them.  This year I decided I better get to them sooner rather than later or they would once again roll over to the next years challenge.

Theses are all the plastic 28mm Perry Miniatures Dragoons with a Flag Dude banner.  Knowing that I disliked the horses, I started with them.  Having read that the Dragoons were the bottom of the Cavalry types (having started as infantry being trained as cavalry) and therefore very often had to deal with any mounts they obtain rather than being able to count on standard or uniform mounts for a regiment, I decided to make the unit up of as many different types of horses as I could.  Not knowing anything about horses though I had to go looking to find out what kinds and colours they did have.

 After finding out about Bays, Palominos, Chestnuts, Greys, and more, I got to work.  Then I found out about facial markings and socks.  Did I mention, I hate horses?  Anyway, after far too long on the painting table, I came out with the following which I am actually OK with.  Which is fairly uncommon for me, as I tend to think of 80% of the stuff I paint as crap, but despite my dislike for the animals and painting them, I am actually OK with how these look.

Done with the horses and basing, it was time to move onto the Dragoons themselves.  Which led to another love/hate issue.  I really love the Napoleonic era and the games it produces, and I really love the figures when completed, BUT could they not have made simpler uniforms!!!!  Jackets one colour, piping another, facing another, every unit having little modifications to the standard, ARRRRRGGGGG. 

The Dragoons traditionally had a green jacket with scarlet facing, white gloves, and wore a gold helmet with a black mane.  Several units had slightly different piping around the facings or cuffs.

I am very sure I did some things wrong with the colours, for example I found 2 sites that said grey pants, then later found several others that all said a light tan or beige pant was the standard.  However, at this point they look OK on the table as a unit and that is how they are going to stay that way.  I am sure I will get slammed for not being historically accurate with them at some point.

Minor issues aside, while I disliked painting the project, I am actually OK with the results close up, and I am very happy with how they look on the tabletop.  Which is what Napoleonics are all about, tabletop effect, and that they have. 

So one full unit of 12 Dragoons based and ready for some games.  That should net me 120 points for my total.  

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Beautiful work Byron. These Dragoons look tremendous! Your whining aside, I think you've done a terrific job on your horses, troopers and groundwork. I especially like the blending and definition on the horses -  really lovely stuff there. I like this box of Perry plastics - the figures produce such wonderful looking units all of which just cries out to be painted and enjoyed.

'Simple uniforms' and 'Napoleonic Period' are two completely divergent concepts, Byron. You have to come to terms with that or move onto something like Necrons. ;) The entire reason I collect and paint Napoleonics is the completely mental uniforms. Next to Italian Wars and Samurai, I don't know anything that can beat Napoleonics for variation and colour.

121 well-earned points for you Mr. M; including a little extra for the proud Eagle and it's banner. I look forward to seeing these on the tabletop soon. Great job.