"Cuirassier casualties for Waterloo Remodelled" Topic

Just finished my latest project. I wanted to try out "Contrast painting" for bay and chestnut horses and it did prove very effective and much quicker than conventional acrylics. Watching a steeplechase recently, I was struck by the riderless horses, that carried on with the field regardless. That struck me as a need for Waterloo Remodelled and I did manage to find some of the last Zvezda cuirassiers in the UK. Two boxes yielded 38 horses for Dragoons and Cuirassiers of mixed regiments. The horses are simply superb models and I did think to add stirrups (but I forgot to reverse the musket for the dragoons!).

Then I was left with the riders, which are much better than I had realised, almost up to AM standard. I thought I would try bending limbs, twisting heads and shaving off their underside to create fallen cuirassiers. 14 of them is a fraction of what is needed, but they are a start. If only I had got a box of the Polish lancers, when I had the chance.

Finally I tried six unfortunates dragged by their stirrups. They are less convincing, but I am sure they will find a place on the diorama. Cuirassiers did favour black horses, if given the chance, but en masse against a black base, it is all a bit dull. Better based they should be OK.

Bring on the empty horses!

Great job!

Congrats my good friend!…

Armand

Clever and nicely done. Great addition to the project; James no doubt extatic!

Fantastic idea and work

Look great, and nice touch adding the stirrups. Superb detail as always

"Bring on the empty horses" was perfect. I knew it was David Niven's autobiography, but had never read it and had no idea as to the title meaning. I do know now!

I suspect James has other priorities right now and may well be in any of several Godforsaken spots right now. This may cheer him when he does have some down time. Just think how many downed Cuirassier he will need. In any instant there will be only so many riders hit, but still in the saddle (which is what is usually modelled). Even more fallen horses are needed, as they are bigger targets!

The stirrups were easy enough, made from a particularly thick foil off a wine bottle. I have no problem collecting those, but the straps are designed more for acromegalic legs….just a bit long.

Thanks all for the feedback. Really appreciated.

Very nice work indeed with super painting.

I have been faced with similar casualty requirements for my Antietam project, there are never enough.

I think that two of the dragged fellows will require promotion unless they have pinched the officers horses.

Best wishes,

Chris

Just made the mould for the first twelve fallen horses today , my little contribution to this vast project. Once I've got them into metal, they will go to the Eureka factory for a production run. The masters stay with me for conversion of the saddlery into Guard Light configuration, and then I shall cast them again.
So there will be plenty more Stricken horses to come.

Here is the daft thing. If you look carefully you can see the edges of the epaulette fringes, still showing their original silver finish. What possessed me to paint them over?

Partly I was recovering from something even more idiotic. I had every single one dragged by the wrong leg! So a left leg was in a right stirrup for example. I was sure no-one would notice when it did dawn on me. But that is what wives are for, she saw it in seconds. Correcting meant a big repaint repair job….then the error.

The prospect of fallen horses to the AB standard is very exciting. Thye will be commercially available I assume. If so, I will be watching out for them. A HUGE need.

Not sure how i've not heard about Waterloo Remodelled until now

What a brilliant project.

Is there still work to do?

Kind Regards

J

Is there work to do?

Oh yes………..

This is a useful update "straight from the horse's mouth" (from the boss);

TMP link

Thanks!….

Armand