In preparing a Spanish army to recreate the battle of Mesas de Ibor, during which a small Spanish division fought the German division of the French army, I decided it was time to add some artillery. The German's are ready, so it is the turn for the Spanish. The Spanish I have are late war figures around 1812-13, in British style uniforms, so I will be using those to represent the Spanish at Mesas de Ibor, even though that battle took place in 1809. I have just finish two infantry regiments, but they need some artillery support. Hinton Hunt did not make Spanish artillery, but fortunately the late war Spanish artillerymen wore French style uniforms, so some simple conversions are possible. The battery below is made from a mish mash of parts from different manufacturers, but all together they appear to make a coherent whole.
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| I believe the battery above consists of parts from five different manufacturers; Dave Clayton recasts of Hinton Hunt figures, Der Kriegspieler, Hagen, Franznap, and SHQ! |
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| The draft horses are Der Kriegspieler castings. I have added some twisted wire "traces" which will be cut to size and attached to the limber. |
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| The front pair of horses have been fitted with Franznap traces which are cast with the wooden single tree already attached. |
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| The riders are French line artillery train riders with a British artillery train rider's head. |
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| The French artillerymen are the closest I come to genuine Hinton Hunt miniatures. These were cast and sold by Dave Clayton. The Hagen gun is a bit oversize, but still not totally out of the realm of reality. |
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| Dick Tennant always modelled the artillerymen march as well as deployed for action so I will do the same. Here is a mix of two Der Kriegspieler miniatures and two Dave Claytons. |
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| Here is how the draft horses will be arranged around the central yoke of the limber. |
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| The limber itself is an SHQ casting with a few modifications, including a suggestion of a yoke pole (I really don't know the proper name for all of the horse harness and limber parts) at the front to which the Franznap singletrees will be attached. |
Very interesting post on what you are using for the Spanish artillery, all works very well and should look great when the hit the table!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie. I certainly hope so!
DeleteDavid, I’m super impressed by this unit, and not just because they’re Spanish. The work in rounding up all those castings for such a complete unit and then modifying them where required is a labour of love. I can’t wait to see the gems that they will become once painted, Dick would be so chuffed to see his collection grow in this way.
ReplyDeletePS I want a Spanish command for Mesas de Ibor, I shall undoubtedly manoeuvre the guns just to see the unit switch from being limbered to deployed.
Hah! You know command of the Spanish is yours! That is, if I ever get all of this completed...
DeleteThese look great David. It’s a nice touch showing the crew marching as well as deployed - I like that idea!
ReplyDeleteI like it too, but goodness it makes for a lot of painting! It's all DT's fault!
DeleteI just love seeing projects like this coming together especially with the range of components you have acquired. I'm also taken with the marching crew.....just working on some KGL artillery and might see if I can pinch that idea!
ReplyDeletePinch away! Glad it inspired you to try something new.
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