"Units you just have to paint" Topic

In any period the vast majority of troops are "generic" types. Never the less gamers just have to paint certain units even if they are rarely used as what they are painted to be. For example, WWII Bersaglieri, Louisiana Tiger Zouaves, the 14th Brooklyn, Mamelukes of the Imperial Guard.

What are your "must paint" troops?

I recreate historic battles as wargames so if they weren't on the field they don't get on the table and I don't have time to paint stuff to sit in boxes…

Lauzun's Legion cavalry for my AWI games.

Painted the Old Glory 28mm figures for this unit about twelve years ago. Since then, they've only been on the table in two games -- but it was worth it!

I see a lot of Berdan's Sharpshooters in Union armies.

Scots Greys and Black Watch.

Second on the Black Watch. Or anything with dicing.

The Union Iron Brigade.

I have 40 unpainted Dixon zouave figures I've been husbanding in my special place for unpainted lead for more than a decade--maybe two decades. When I do get around to painting them, assuming they haven't been consumed by lead rot, they will be the 14th Brooklyn.

Farmers. Every milieu has 'em. For many military situations, who is currently starving to death is one of the significant factors. Usually, they have opportunity and get out of the way. Still gotta paint 'em if I can.

Once you paint an "only appeared in one battle" unit, I'm sure you will find more uses for it.

95th Rifles.

Walkers Fillibusters for 1855 Nicaraugua- German Colonialtroops for every Colony.

My Varangian Guard have only fought in a single scenario but we've replayed it many times over the years.

Spanish Conquistadores, Iron Brigade, Polish Hussars, Boxer Rebellion Imperial Powers.

For me it was the 95 rifles, but having done them it's back to the list.

Does anyone game the Zulu war and NOT paint the 24th Foot??

Apart from that, I never miss a chance to paint a Scottish unit if I can, preferably a Highland unit.

And ancient Spartans, and the Praetorian Guard. Classic Foreign Legion. Gurkhas. And any unit that wore red gets a special look from me.

I have a large contingent of AWI French which includes Lauzun's Legion. They have been used in my Yorktown campaign, but of course, that's it! They fought at Gloucester Point. My French contingent has few uses, but they look good! They are all Perry Miniatures and I really love the uniforms.

The 5th NY – Duryea's Zouaves. Those little s are everywhere

Berserks for my Vikings. I have far more than can be justified historically.
The Reuss and Waldeck (especially Reuss) battalion of the Confederation of the Rhine was to be my contribution for our club's Napoleonic armies, which were already quite advanced by the time I showed up.

Grelber

AWI – 2nd Battalion German Flats Militia and 1st Battalion Johnson's Greens (KRRNY) – family history is important. Also Brunswickers.

Napoleonics – Hanseatic Legion, Mina's Brigade, Saltykov Hussars among others – I like odd units.

Colonials – the Black Tyrone and Princess Patricia's Fore and Fit Fusiliers (the Fore and Aft) – can't beat Kipling.

Well, any Prussian SYW gamer worth their salt has to have IR 40 (Kreytzen Fusiliers)

For ACW that would be Berdan's Rifles, the Iron Brigade and the 14th New York (Union) and the Louisiana Tigers (Confederate)

Soldados de Cuera for me.

AWI- 1st Maryland,Riflemen

ACW- Iron Brigade,Hoods Brigade

Ancients/Medieval- Vikings

Christopher

I confess I also have 95th but also the 71st. Only two British regiments I have painted up. 60th on deck.

Zouaves FPW or ACW. Morgan's rifles, British Guard of any period. 1st Virginia Cav. ACW, Iron and Texas brigades, 95th Rifles.

I always wanted to paint Polish winged Hussars

Rich