"Les Higgins lancers for Waterloo Remodelled" Topic

I recall the name from my youth but never did get to see anything from that range. I imagined the kind of figures that are simple, until painted with superb skill, in gloss finish, in that retro effect.

Instead, after three days in paint stripper, I got back to revealing the detail that went into these. I presume they were labelled 1/72 or 20mm back in the day. The castings were just superb. The clock was ticking for an upcoming exhibition and these 24 were needed for the Duty Squadron. Frankly they are much more convincing than my conversions of AM Silesian Landwehr. All these needed was the sheepskin added.

I cut corners with the single stripe on the shabraque edge, I did mean to highlight the black harness and sheepskin, I still have not tried the pockets on the overalls. I can now see two portmanteaux lacking the yellow edge. But I like these!

Lovely!

Oh my, those are beautiful!

I just hate you. These troops made me audibly gasp. Wonderful job. H

I had a small number of Les Higgins' ECW figures in the late 60s/early 70s. I remember that they were nicest sculpted figures I owned – and I had a right mix in those days because you tended to buy whatever you managed to find!

I used to sell these in the seventies and they were in a class of their own then and they have not been diminished by time. You've done them proud.

DBDD

Brilliant!!

The project is very much in Liam's debt. These are lovely.

What Fred said!!!

Beautifully done, Liam. Higgins' old figures have real character to them and you brought it out nicely.

Fantastic work!

Superb work as always – thanks for sharing!

Absolutely lovely! Great job.

Thanks all. I shall miss these having spent over 24 hours just staring at them. The detail eg the kurtka buttons, the cap lines, the czaplka plate, was just superb, with no mould lines or any need for prep on my part. Most had lost their plume unsurprisingly. They are now all boxed up ready to go.

The only addition was the black sheepskin from Greenstuff, the horses (mostly Italeri plastic I think) and lances (unused from Art Min, but saved me 24 hours by not making my own).

I do still wonder if all troopers carried a lance in action, but they look good doing so.

Those are so nicely painted! I didn't realize how great the Les Higgins sculpts were, very very nice indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Quite superb and they have have really benefitted from the new horses.

Very striking Liam – my congratulations

I didn't realise LH figures were still available.

But why the change in horses (and that's a lot of boxes of plastic figures cannibalised for this project

They are not still available, alas. James apparently got some second hand, but I suspect did not realise just what he was sitting on with these. Days and days of paint stripper revealed detail that astounded me.

The horses? Well I wanted horses at rest and the plastic Italeri are (at the very least) as good as any metal ones. They also have a smoother surface which is ideal for "Contrast painting", which is speedy and, on plastics, probably better than conventional acrylics.

The boxes? The story, I gather, is that someone mistook their order serial number and ended up with dozens and dozens of Italeri Imperial HQ boxes. No use to the unfortunate purchaser, but he donated everything to "The Cause" (i.e. James C and Waterloo Remodelled). The Chasseurs a Cheval from that set I "upgraded" and you have seen them. There were still so many spares of the horses (and they were terrific mouldings with the ideal shabraque) that I could mount the 24. I still have quite a few unused to return to the "figure bank".

Plus another 24 coming from Art Min that we really do not need any more (but I will think of something different).

quite Splendid Liam without a shadow of a doubt
the 20mm Lnciers Rouge rule!!

I remember these fellows from my war gaming youth and they are still as wonderful as then.

Superb work and you are correct with your thinking regarding the allocation of lances.

The great man himself realised that the front rank was the most effective rank for these weapons and the subsequent ranks were sabre armed.

Once the initial contact has been made the lance is not a practical weapon in a close melee.

Keep up the good work, the project is enhanced by it.

Best wishes,

Chris

Very nice miniatures. They look Imperial.

Thanks again to all.

They arrived safely a few minutes ago thanks to "Special Delivery", much shredded paper, a box within a box and bubblewrap +++. All a bit like a Pharaoh's coffin!

Those are fantastic, I can't even come close- but each of us does the best we are able to. Mine have improved but not a shadow on these beauties.

It helps to have the great figures to start with.

But I am also a bit of a "Prima Donna". The project needs hundreds (many so) from each contributor. My largest input until the Duty Squadron was 40 figures at one go. Even then I think it was only 100 Chasseurs a Chev de La G Imp and then 100 Chevauleger Lanciers. I do tend to count buttons. OK, I still did not do the pockets on the overall fronts, or that strap on the bsck of the kurtka to retain the sword belt. These were real quick, the last Red Lancers took nearly a month.

My Somua tank, for 12e RCA Tunisia, in 1/72, is finally underway, with much grinding, drilling, hatch opening, brass work etc etc

Lovely stuff..