"Two figure converted and major savings for me." Topic

Quite a few years ago I started a Spanish American project using 99% Old Glory figures. The project is as complete as any project can be with around 900 American, Spanish, and Cuban figures painted and ready.

Among the figure I purchased was a pack of Great Powers commanders from the Old Glory Boxer Rebellion line. I converted all the figures to SAW command figures except the Japanese officer. The figure was dressed like a hussar. He sat in the pending box for a few years (always in the back of my mind was a plan to deploy him as a Japanese officer).

A few years ago I found a dismounted figure with the same type of frogged jacket. I believe he was an officer from the 7th Cavalry. Now that I had both the mounted and dismounted version my planning went forward.

Plan 1:
Since I already had an officer (both mounted and dismounted) I would need to buy a late 19TH century Japanese army. I planned what I would need to fit with my current collection. The final cost would be several hundred dollars. To carry it to the next step I would also need to spend the same for a Russian army. I have a Russian force, however, it's in true 25mm and I just would not be able to field short Russians against tall Japanese. This plan was far too costly just to add to the lead pile to be painted up sometime.

Plan 2:
Over Christmas I was thinking that I could use the figure as a Haitian general. I went to the bit box looking for two (mounted/dismounted) flamboyant hats with heads. No luck.

Plan 3:
The actual solution. In the bit box, I found the head from the French general from the Great Powers command pack. Back to my books and I found an illustration from the Spanish American war of the Princess Hussars . Trim the hat and beard on the Japanese officer. Then swap the head and do some clean up on the dismounted officer. I am now working on an officer of Spain for the Húsares De La Princesa. I know the uniform will be more than a little dressy compared the balance of my Spanish forces, however, he is a Hussar after all.

Hahahah -- great plan and sounds like you are well on your way to fully executing it, VCarter!

Must say I find myself strongly identifying with your post, despite not owning a single Spanish-American War figure. It's more a matter of identifying with your obsessive focus, which transcends any limits of historical period or specific war or campaign. Hope you will post a pic of your Princess Hussar officer when he is done, along with his many comrades and opponents!