"French Guards Chasseurs Review" Topic

"The Chasseurs à Cheval of the Guard had their origins in the Guides in the Army of Italy, providing Napoleon with his personal escort; a task they would continue to do throughout the consulate and empire. Created in 1800, by September of that year they were a squadron of two companies, and a year later grew into a full regiment. While they had the honour of being Napoleon's guard, they were also a light cavalry unit that on occasion saw action in battle, and they were always the favourites of the emperor. Many years before this set made its appearance Revell released their excellent set for this illustrious unit, so Strelets had a high bar to reach if theirs was to compare well.

The Revell set showed these men in battle, but with this set Strelets have offered us the same men on parade. This is because all wear summer full dress, the only form of dress that included the pelisse worn over the left shoulder as here. The rest of the hussar-style uniform is well done, including the dolman, barrel sash and overalls. The colpack has the correct bag or flamme on the right side and the cockade and flounders or raquettes on the left. However in full dress the men always wore the plume, which was long and very obvious, yet this is missing here – a serious omission. We would also query the overalls every man wears here. In general, full dress would mean no overalls, revealing the breeches and boots, but it is hard to ascertain whether overalls may have sometimes been worn in full dress, particularly when in the field. The officer, trumpeter and standard-bearer do not have a belt for a cartridge pouch as they have no firearm, which is correct…"

Plastic Soldier Review

link

Armand

That is a very good find. A very thoughtful review of what is clearly an excellent new release.

I was surprised to read;

"Also the pelisse fell out of use around 1809, so in theory that too represents the last date at which such men might have paraded looking like this."

On parade I would have expected to see it up until 1815

Yes Liam they full of sh*** as usual.
Don't know what sources they use but of course that is as wrong as the missing plumes are. Worse in fact.
Belts and cartouche were ceremonial items just like other facets, beside everyone had pistols for self defence and still needed them.

And actually the Garde* (only ONE OF THEM) Chasseur plume wasn't as tall as some line units. In this they were very consistent over the whole period as well.

The mash of full dress and campaign uniforms should have been handled with different designs over all the figures, but its clear the copy/ paste method of crafting and manufacture isn't going to be broken, except by the likes of Perrys.

Still, plumes aren't hard to make for experienced modellers, but thats not their market is it?
~d

Glad you like them my good friend….

Armand

>>Glad you like them my good friend….

I do, they're no doubt a welcome advance on what has been available for those who need them. And will cover the whole period and beyond I imagine.

Just some additional points of note:

- Of course they can be painted for just about any 'hussar' regiment anyway, and as 'Imperial' ADCs for that matter. It doesnt matter much that the 'bag' is on the other side of the colpack (IMO). And any plumes or pompoms added go front/centre.
- The reviewers insist it is full dress, which it isn't-wearing overalls.
- The review doesn't seem that 'independant' any longer, mangled English bears translation defects all over "The officer wears a simple uniform of coat over waistcoat with breeches…"
- The 'at rest' poses are natural but hardly an 'escort' on duty. I admire the carbines in use, something I've had to create myself by conversions in lead.

Well I'll leave them to those that want them,
bye chaps

I like them, and as SHaT1984 recognises they have a variety of uses, essential in the world of 1/72 which to my mind has the least complete ranges of Naps at any scale (plastic or metal). The horses are a disappointment.

ADCs are a neat idea.

Thanks!

Armand

As Lets Party WC says, it is odd that 1/72 is poorly served for Napoleonics (to modern standards of modelling that is)

We have the German or French metal makers (Art Min, Franznap, Hagen and a few etc companies). Many a plastic maker, (but they seem to largely be the type that made me weep as a kid in the late 60s, as the paint flaked off at the first touching and Airfix Cuirassiers were midgets and hussars were giants…..never mind the insanity of their kettledrummer).

I like these for being "at rest". The horses? I have seen FAR worse proportions in 28mm, esp wit
h everyone recently using the same awful castings with the massive chests and tiny rear ends.

I would love to see these painted up and imagine that changing the overalls to breeches and boots would be a paint job. Even then, the top two with the carbines, in picquet around the Emperor, on campaign….overalls? I would bet.

why should I waste my time to improve those miniatures while I can buy those in high quality? And yes there is much better stuff available in 1/72.