paints brigs for the British fleet.
This release is probably the largest single project we have undertaken at one go, involving 28 separate code numbers, and three headwear variants for 14 of those codes!
Sculpted by the wonderful Alan Marsh, these figures and vehicles represent the apogee of the Revolutionary spirit which saw the French Horse Artillery become the premier arm (in their own minds, at least) of the pre-Napoleon French forces.
The Wars of The French Revolution brought the use of Horse Artillery to the fore. Created in 1792 with two compagnies, each consisting of four 8-lb guns and two howitzers. By 1794 when it reached its peak there were 54 compagnies, an extraordinary achievement and one that shows the regard in which this relatively new form of artillery was held.
Thanks to Gribeauval and Cornet, the French artillery pieces were the best in Europe. The esprit de corps of this new arm of the Revolution was often remarked to be the highest in the army. There are two instances where gunners were reported to have mounted and charged enemy cavalry, without their guns, such was their bravery.
To celebrate these men, we have produced the two main uniforms they wore, and three different styles of headwear. There are a staggering number of uniforms known from the period, most of which are covered by the six variants we offer. As the role of horse artillery is to be highly mobile, we have provided all the crews in both foot and mounted variants, along with limbers, caissons and a wurtz wagon.
We have both four- and six-horse teams available in walking and running poses, as well as separate limbers. All limber teams were crewed by civilians, something which did cause problems at the time, as the spirit of the drivers did not always match that of the gunners.
All of these items can be also be used with our previously released foot artillery figures.