"15mm Caldwell Rangers and Canadian Voligeurs?" Topic

For those like me who game in 15mm (no Knuckleduster or Brigade for us!), what figures can be substituted or modified for Caldwell Rangers? British centre company with shako cut down and tufts filed off?

I already figured I'll use modified British fusiliers in bear skin with cords removed for Canadian Voltigeurs.

Any other thoughts, besides switching to 28mm Knuckleduster figures?!

15mm? What's that?

Cannon fodder? B-)

Not all of us have the space and $/£/€ for larger figures!

However, I am also painting 1/72 plastics for 1812 skirmish. Looking to refight the Raisin!

If only Frontier minis were still available!

It is nice to see more and more people gaming the War of 1812, even if it is n 15mm.

Sorry, I only collect 28mm War of 1812 so no advice. However, you seem to already have a plan. Good luck.

Blue Moon sell 15mm Voltigeurs…

link

Might these work as Caldwell"s Rangers?

link

Thanks, Skeptic. Unfortunately, Blue Moon are 18mm and would not fit well with most of my other figures, but they are nice figures!

The Voltiguers are spot on, but the upper militia may not be suitable. The drawings I've seen for Caldwell's Rangers show a short stovepipe style shako, like something from the mid to late 19th Century.

Minifigs has a good range of war of 1812 15mm figures

Since Caldwell's (or the Western) Rangers were armed with muskets, your best bet is to use British Light Infantry Battalion figures (not line flank company), since they wore the stovepipe shako. Clip off the wings and then file them smooth, since Caldwell's Rangers are described as wearing a plain jacket. It probably had no tails, but those are usually not very evident on most 15mm figures. Also clip off and file down the shako plumes, cords, and any raised cap badge. Then slightly reduce the height of the shako by more filing. It sounds like Minifigs may be your best option for a manufacturer; they are still in business, but have no U.S. distributor any more. Note that Caldwell's Rangers probably never mustered more than about 50 rank and file, so nobody is ever going to market figures specifically representing this unit.

I would take a look at using Portuguese li e troops, they xemm to have less elaborate dress with less trimming off needed.

Apparently there is some demand for them, as there are a few manufacturers that make them in 28mm. As suggested above, I'd look at Minifigs lines for suitable conversion fodder.

I bought a pack of eight 15mm Caldwell's Rangers by Falcon figures in the late 1990s at MIGSCON (distributor was with Chariot miniatures I think). The code number was CAN-3. As best I can tell that company is no longer in business but you might find some on eBay.

I have some pictures of the ones I painted if you are interested?

I also do not have any problem mixing Blue Moon figures with other 15mm ranges, but not in the same regiment.

Brian:

I'd like to see an image of those Falcon 15mm Caldwell's Rangers! Any chance of an image of Blue Moon War of 1812 with the Falcon or Minifigs for size comparison?

Thanks Jeff

Can't attach pictures to the message. Here is one picture of the Falcon Figures next to some Old Glory 15mm militia.
link

I will try to post something better to Photo bucket this week.

Brian

Another option would be converting some British Rifle Regiment troops (file off the shako plume and file down the shako). Minifigs makes some, see this link to order them from the UK.
link

The same conversion could be done on the Blue Moon Glengarry Light Infantry.

As I said earlier I think Flacon's 1812 range is no longer produced. Also my recollection is that the Falcon Caldwell's rangers had no command and were only offered in one pose: marching.
Brian

Thank you, Brian! They aren't too different, certainly no more than Minifigs 2nd and 3rd generation, which I mix already.

I wonder how Blue Moon's 1812 compare? I've seen some OG figures larger than BM and some smaller, depending on the range. Perhaps I should order the Canadian Voltiguers and find out? At least you don't have to buy 50 figures to find out, right?

I was going to use Minifigs British Rifles for the Glengerry and the Independent Company of Foreigners (Chesapeake Campaign). Both units dressed as Rifles, but were armed with muskets and bayonets. As you pointed out, an easy modification to Caldwell's Rangers as well.

Regards, Jeff

bruntonboy: you are correct, and I just remembered I already have some 15mm MF 1814 Portuguese line leftover from making a unit of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion! Less to cut and file off and suitably armed with musket. I have more conversion options to consider now.

Sorry for the delay, here are some more pictures. The Falcon Miniatures Caldwell's Rangers in the centre, Blue Moon Voltigeurs in Grey on the left and Minfigs British infantry on the right.
link

Thanks, BrianH!

So, the Blue Moon Voltigeurs are in shakos, not fur covered hat, like this:

The Caldwell's Rangers look like they are wearing a normal stovepipe shako with pom-pom. I guess I was expecting the short shako like this:

link

Either way, the Blue Moon figures don't look too much larger than the Minifigs, so it looks like the BM Voltigeurs would work for me.

I appreciate you sharing the images. It looks like you have a good collection for the 1812 engagements – enjoy!

Regards, Jeff

My mistake the troops in Grey Blue Moon Glengary Light Infantry painted as Canadian Chasseurs. The Caldwell's Ranger's headgear is shorter than the standard Falcon figures stovepipe shako, but I agree the sculptor cold have made it shorter like this:

link

Your welcome,
Brian

That explains it! I believe the Voltigeurs and Glengarry used to be in one bag of 50 figures, while now they have been seperate bags of 25 or 30 each?

Regardless, the BM figures seem to mix OK with MF on the table, maybe not in the same unit.

Thank you again. B-)

Jeff

That explains it! I believe the Voltigeurs and Glengarry used to be in one bag of 50 figures, while now they have been seperate bags of 25 or 30 each?

Regardless, the BM figures seem to mix OK with MF on the table, maybe not in the same unit.

Thank you again. B-)

Jeff