von Erlach | 16 Nov 2018 5:34 a.m. PST |
Having just received my order of Perry French dragoons, which I plan to convert to line light lancers, I was wondering what to do with the foot dragoons. Any ideas and suggestions? |
Lord Hill | 16 Nov 2018 6:32 a.m. PST |
I've made some into casualty figs – unhorsed Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Carabiniers (French and Belgian) running for their lives! |
deadhead | 16 Nov 2018 10:19 a.m. PST |
These cavalry dismounted are almost unique and have a marvellous potential for conversions. Let me show just four that I have used. A postillion for Napoloen's Genappe carriage, a Gendarme d'Elite, a Gendarme du Roi with Louis XVIII and an artillery driver of the Guard helping out;
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Lord Hill | 16 Nov 2018 12:25 p.m. PST |
Ha! They're great! The postillion is my favourite! |
Artilleryman | 16 Nov 2018 12:34 p.m. PST |
Deadhead, that is clever thinking and great execution. Talk about 'out of the box'! |
deadhead | 16 Nov 2018 12:48 p.m. PST |
What makes it so easy is that these figures are in plastic….and we get so many spare parts from other kits eg French Hussars or Carabiniers. They are just great fun to work with. Someone showed here a brilliant Carabinier conversion. I think he was carrying his helmet and bandaged head? |
oldbob | 16 Nov 2018 10:23 p.m. PST |
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von Erlach | 17 Nov 2018 2:37 a.m. PST |
Nice work indeed ! Thanks for your answers, any other ideas ? (Nothing against the existing propositions, I just like to have as many suggestions as possible before making a choice) The problem is that I am relatively new to the napoleonic era, that's why I need your help. :) |
Artilleryman | 17 Nov 2018 6:19 a.m. PST |
I just wonder about your initial idea for conversion. Starting with dragoons as a source of lancers seems to entail a lot of work. New helmet, new legwear and, most difficult, new horse furniture. Starting afresh, if you were determined on plastic conversion I would have recommended the chasseurs a cheval as a starting point. Then all you would have to do is add a lance and use any spare carabinier heads from the heavy cavalry box. Just a thought. |
deadhead | 17 Nov 2018 9:17 a.m. PST |
Bit of work on the helmets, add a fur turban, but otherwise absolutely right. What is conversion potential great about these foot dragoons is that; -They are plastic and anyone's spare parts box must be filled with spare rams, heads etc -They have both arms separate from the trunk. Any cavalry figure always has the left arms across the torso to hold the reins. -There is a minimum of detail moulded on indeed, so sword scabbards, infantry back packs etc are all left off to add if wished. The limiting factor is the heavy cavalry boots and the Bardin style coat but both can be altered.
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deadhead | 18 Nov 2018 2:20 a.m. PST |
Just to repeat, almost any heavy cavalry of the period, dismounted, other than those in overalls. Train riders of most countries artillery ditto. Only in last 24 hours, Baden Dragoons for example. TMP link please do give us some follow up in the end! |
von Erlach | 18 Nov 2018 3:22 a.m. PST |
Thank you everybody for your help. I am going to look in detail to all of this, and photos will follow in a couple of weeks, before Christmas hopefully. I am of to finish my Gordon Highlanders for the moment. :) P.S.: they could be transformed into Young Guard horse artillery right? |
von Erlach | 18 Nov 2018 6:01 a.m. PST |
The company which was transfered from the line hirse artillery for the 100 days. |
Lambert | 18 Nov 2018 10:13 a.m. PST |
Deadhead's artillery driver conversion is inspired. Great figure. |
deadhead | 18 Nov 2018 10:37 a.m. PST |
Cheers. Funny thing. Easiest of the lot. He is just a French Hussar head on Dragoon. He is probably also the most useful. The others are fairly esoteric. I do not imagine folk queueing up to create Louis XVIII's cavalry from Maison du Roi…even I do! |
deadhead | 19 Nov 2018 4:35 a.m. PST |
One thought that might appeal more, but it does mean filing off the boot tops (easy enough in plastic). Line Chasseurs a Cheval skirmishing. Just look at the train lad with the bucket above. Imagine him in green. Instead use the arms that come with the dragoons, but with a shortened musket. |