"Perry Russian dragoons become Polish lancers, of all things!" Topic

Finally finished my conversion of the Perry Russian Dragoons in overcoats, to Polish Lancers of the Guard in the caped manteaux. Not perfect. I know that equipment could be worn over the coat, but I have never seen it portrayed as such. Too much work to remove the sword even though it is a bit straight for light cavalry. The end result is a bit dull frankly, but I guess that is realistic.

If anyone is daft enough to try to convert to any light cavalry unit (Portmanteau round, overalls on legs rather than high boots dictates that, rather than heavies, for French anyway) the job is easy enough. Head swap with Polish lancers in campaign rig, right hand swap to hold a lance, the sword hilt into the dragoon scabbard, Greenstuff to shape the shabraque, cross piece harness on horses' faces. The cape is the foil off better quality wine bottle tops (cheap stuff too thin), three parts (back and two fronts) with Greenstuff over that. The officer was more challenging, you may recognise Perrys' Blucher though! The trumpeter…not so sure he did not just wear a white cloak like the rest but……
Now could I do the same for British/KGL RHA I wonder? NO!
Get those Eclaireurs done next, before Gendarmes arrive in post!

More pics here;
imageshack.com/a/yIDz/1

great paint job me stil having problems with horses try to improve best to you al greetings serge joe

great paint job
me stil having problems with horses try to improve best to you al greetings serge joe

and that is real Waterloo mud they are based on, mixed with PVA glue!

Thanks Srge Joe. Good to hear from you again! Washes and inks cover many a mistake with horses. Amazing what a difference a white blaze on the face and off-white "socks" make. Remember you almost never see the white of a horse' eyes…..not unless he has been told to charge a square or a line of artillery! Do post some pictures yourself sometime. Well done for third place, wish you'd won though!

Nice conversion, they look great!

Interesting choice of bases. I don't recall seeing three cavalry figures mounted on round bases previously.

Nice job. Very creative. Lots of hard work!
Tom

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement. I have to say that the pics here seem overexposed, which is bad news for white cloaks. ImageShack (the link) seems better.

The round bases? Display only, not for any rules. It is a chance thing. Every time I use an operating microscope, my OR (UK is operating theatre, but I do miss Michigan Uni of Hospital) staff know to keep the plastic lens cover that is then removed…..they are baffled but do so. I end up with hundreds of crystal clear plastic bases. We do get glass ones but they are heavy….but even better!

Used them for many a figure;

Just curious. Is this going to be discouraging when(?) the Perry's produce Russian Uhlans in overcoats, or Uhlans in general?

It is unknowns like these, which prevent me from conversions myself.

(Who knew everything else would be available, including mounted Jagaers, wagons and whatever, before Uhlans?)

Perhaps the satisfaction is knowing it can be done?

BTW, great job on the conversions!

ilodic.

Do you know…I never even thought of that.

Trust me, I have no intention of repeating this exercise, although I had thought of a few British cavalry (at least the portmanteau is still round). Grinding down Blucher and then building him up with Greenstuff was bad enough. Adding the cape to the coat took ages and worked better on some than others. Even then there are problems. Really those swords were usually worn under the cloak….and of course no one would fight in the cloak. Off it came as quick as possible and rolled over one's shoulder.

IF…IF Perrys did cloaked figures they would come out far better than these. I am not sure how popular they would be even then. I love them, but the effect is "dull".

Still pondering your question….very interesting indeed. Working on 2nd Eclaireurs of Garde currently from Perry Chasseurs and Carlist Wars figures. Massive work involved….how I would love to see them done properly.