British Heavy Dragoons

I have been working on a request for a British dragoon unit from the peninsular. The 1st or Royal Dragoons. The figures are "Connoisseur" and they are a very nice casting to work with. Horses were completed in oils with a variation of base colour between humbrol 74 (yellow) and 83 (ochre) and then Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna oils , this all gives a range of final horse colours.The riders were undercoated a dark grey as usual for these kind of top colours. The main red is Vallejo Flat red (70957) which is washed with a Citadel Devlan Mud (stoopid names!). It is then highlighted with a Vallejo flat red and scarlet (70817) mix .The blue used is a strong Vallejo Dark Prussian Blue (70899) which is then highlighted with a medium blue (70963) and flat blue mix (70962).

They have come up very well. I am not basing these , so will ask for photo of them fully completed.

Flag is GMB , a simple drill and pin to replace the cast sabre.

Also started work on a French Light Infantry unit.

Elite miniatures casting these guys, more next week.

Some British

This last week I have been working on horses and completed 32 of them various browns and a few whites. The warm weather has helped to speed the oil drying time.I was even able to varnish them as well. I usually have a few command figures on the paint board at any time as they can be easily dipped in and out of and one of these has been completed as well. A British command stand with a mounted infantry officer and a mounted highland Black Watch officer.(who has a suitably stern look on his face!)

The riders are both "Front Rank"  as is the far officers horse. The highlanders horse is an Elite miniatures. I was in Hereford recently on my travels and I came across a really great model & railway shop The Hereford Model Centre (they are online too). The kind of place you rarely find these days a real Alladins cave and.with friendly knowledgable staff.  I picked up a range of supplies including the "grass" used on this base . Made by  Noch and marketed by Gaugemaster - Code 192 Rough Grass Beige. It comes in a matting form about 9 inches by 7" and is about 1/3 inch thick (it was not the cheapest item  - it was about £7 for the pack but it will last a good while) . It can be cut or just torn to shape. I think it gives a really good look for dried out grass/scrubland. It was attached to the plywood base using white PVA prior to adding the sand and stones mix. I was very happy with the finish.