"Train of Horse Artillery Imperial Guard" Topic

I had all these Zvezda figures and vehicles etc lying around after converting the gunners to Foot Artillery of the Guard. Then I did the IGHA, converting Revolutionary War HA and felt I would just have to face up to it and get the train done. Not quite right for 1815 (Shako cords, round cuffs, long coat tails, lapelled coats etc but I could at least add fringed epaulettes

Every well done…oh…and btw…..no one will notice….

Absolutely amazing.

Another totally wonderful addition to the project by Liam!

Brilliant modelling as always and a worthy addition to the project.

A small point but I believe the wool shabraques were a feature of line artillery train units. The Guard train had a blanket and saddle design.

Keep up the good work.

Best wishes,

Chris

Absolutely right. Perrys show them thus for 1815 in 28mm and I painted them many years ago.

Front Rank interestingly show an earlier rig for the drivers and a sheepskin at that time (ie 1806-1813?). Rousellot illustrates the plain leather saddle and Paul Dawson's "N's Army at Waterloo) describes the dragoon saddle both with and without pistol holsters. Jouineau has several illustrations of the leather saddles and is great for the harness work generally. Conversion would have been just about impossible for the ridden horses..

What I have here is very much a compromise for IGHA in 1815 then. From the shako cords, the square cuffs, the cut of the coat (far from the KiInskis actually worn) the saddles….all are an anachronism for the Hundred Days, but should pass muster at the distance they will be viewed on the ultimate display. For the dismounted drivers (converted from Zvezda gunners) I overlooked the projections for the intended backpacks. On previous work I always shaved them off. Now it was too late, so positioning them, their backs to the horses they are leading, is essential. You can see one staring at you on the chap pushing the caisson wheel above. Sob

Some riders are dismounted, leaving the sheepskin even more obvious and I did not paint the surcingles. I tried in dark grey and they looked awful, so over painted them! Every horse is a wheel horse to judge by the harness moulding, but I left two thirds unpainted at the rear to hide that. Franznap do produce the required train horses (but not IG drivers) and, at 2 Euros each that would have been pricey for 72 (and they are a bit small).

Hi,

The problem we modellers have, in my opinion, is that our enthusiasm and energy allow us to overlook the obvious things until it's too late.

The camera is merciless but is a good tool to look objectively at our work and make the adjustments if required.

The I pad/ mobile is a good way of pre checking our wares before we proceed to showcase them. Even then, the keen, impartial eye of the audience will see things we have omitted.

It's a pity that your otherwise superb work will be lost in the ‘mix' so to speak unless one has telescopic vision. It certainly deserves showcasing.

Best wishes,

Chris

Given the Guard was formed at short notice in 1815 from the Royal Guard, returning veterans, Marine artillery and all sorts of new and old logistic stock, can anyone really say how they looked?

That is a very good point Captain.

Adkin actually mentions this in his companion stating that the young and Middle Guards had to make do with five companies attached from the line manned by cannoniers de La marine.

This included a horse artillery unit that was attached to the sixth Corps.

He also mentions that the Guard, who usually had the first of everything managed to get their black horses for the campaign . Fascinating stuff indeed.

Best wishes,

Chris

Of all the colours, black is the one missing from here. I usually have spray undercoated in black, so it is so tempting to have plenty of them. Here I tried the Contrast idea again. The end result is fine, but there are many challenges, such that I found it took just as long in the end.

The driver figures are all similar (other than heads turned, some in capes and some of those latter with arms repositioned) and Zvezda only offered two horse poses, one driven and one ridden. All blacks would have been very monotonous, however correct (if surprising!) for 1815