Austrian and Prussian Seven Years War Cavalry-18mm

 

Yes, it is time for the bigger brushes for the cavalry.  I have lots of these fellows to paint.  Three brigades for each side plus the impulse buys.  All in all it is a bit daunting. 

My morale maintaining method is to paint the command stands first and add the flags.  First though I paint all the unit's horses and their tack.  Then I glue the riders on having painted the tricky bits, sashes and what not.

So far, it’s working.  Let’s see the progress so far.

A squadron of Prinz von Preußen Cuirassiers for the Prussians.  Blue Moon figures.  I will have 3 squadrons of Prussian cuirassiers eventually.

The von Wechmar Hussars, also seen above. Blue Moon again.  Due to impulse buying I will have 4 squadrons of Prussian hussars.

 

Note their heretical flag.   A war-gaming point - not a religious one. We know King Frederick ordered his hussars to return their flags.  I had the figure; I had the flag.  A Not by Appointment one at that.  It had to be done, and it looks so nice.  Further Prussian hussar historical transgressions will follow.

Now, to the Austrian Hussars.  These are all from Blue Moon.

First up, the Nádasdy Hussars.  Duffy wrote that the Austrian hussars were not only often tactically misused but also mainly outnumbered.  An attempt was made to call out the traditional levy (Insurrection) of minor nobility and gentry to serve.  Ignoring their obligation they didn't turn out. Nádasdy reported that those who did were mainly townsmen and peasants.  All in all maybe Honours of War got it right?  I'm mulling it.  We may come back to this one.

The Paul Anton Esterházy Hussars here.  One more Austrian Hussar unit to do.  You will note the Esterházy are in a more irregular formation.  

This is informed by my reading that Austrian hussars were not trained as battle field cavalry.  The latter being a short hand for what their heavier comrades (and Prussian hussars) did.  Anyhow, I think it looks more dynamic.

 

The Austrian hussar flags are from Wargame Designs, and will do well enough I think.  They would likely look more impressive in 28mm.

Now, what remains to be painted in terms of cavalry? Three more units of hussars.  Six units of Dragoons and three of Cuirassiers.  I'm scared to count the infantry.  Also, 4 bases of Prussian artillery.  One Prussian and six Austrian guns and crews are thankfully done. 

Austrian and Prussian SYW 18mm infantry Progress

 

Above, IR 38 von Brandes Fusilier Regiment. Mostly Blue Moon with a bit of Lancashire Games padding in the rear rank.  Flags from Not by Appointment.

Hungarian Infantry, Regiment Johann Pálffy .  Again a few Lancashire Games figures in the rear rank. Flags from Kronoskaf.

Next, all from Lancashire Games, we have Le noble Jager.  I like these figures and we can note they are not readily available in 18mm elsewhere.  I should add, in case you want some, they are marketed as 15mm.   

By way of an officer, I’ve painted one in jager uniform colours with gold lace on his tricorn, cuffs and lapels.  According to Kronoskaf we just don’t know what the unit's officers wore.  I consulted and this looks like a reasonable guess.

With that I have reached a milestone.  My first Prussian brigade is complete. Here are the regiments in succession.

IR3 Anhalt -Dessau above.  Figures from Blue Moon.

IR2 von Kanitz figures from Old Glory.  Another shot of IR38 von Brandes below.

 

Things are progressing nicely.  We will see some cavalry next time, both Austrian and Prussian.

Austrians and Prussians Seven Years War 18mm

About 7 years ago I bought the (then) new Blue Moon SYW Austrians and Prussians.  Unfortunately, I didn’t realise I needed spec’s.

Then I began painting.  The toys had cunningly concealed micro strands of metal about them.  Micro strands that miraculously only appeared after painting.  They could only be removed with the paint around them and more.  It was dispiriting and I gave up.  The whole lot went back into two boxes with bad grace.

Recently, I started reading Jonathan’s SYW posts at his blog Parlouse and inspiration struck again. Here's a link https://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/search/label/18mm%20SYW.

I opened my two boxes and did some painting.  The swarf (technical term) is still tricky but it appears in the same places-mostly. The spec's help.   Thus, it can be removed post undercoat at the latest.  I wonder if this was just an early days problem?  I have a fair few other Blue Moon ranges and haven't found the same issue.

You can see the results of my endeavors here.  Above combined Hungarian grenadiers with Eureka command figures. Below you will note the excellent Prussian flags from David at Not by Appointment.  See side bar for a link.

IR3 Anhalt-Dessau below.  As you can see I've packed these fellows in 6 to a 30x30 base.  An expensive choice. Then again most of the figures were bought at cheaper prices than today.  It is the look I wanted and I'm pleased with it.  

 

I think I'm going to end up with three infantry brigades, ditto cavalry and some artillery and light troops.  I won't be fielding all the cavalry at once in most games.  I may give my Prussian Hussars flags even though I know they didn't carry them.  The reason being David has given us some nice ones and I have the figures.

IR2 Von Kanitz below. 

 

Next up will be IR7 Braunschweig-Bevern and IR5 Von Braunschweig  both are nearly done.

Although these fellows will see action with Field of Battle I'm mad keen to try out Honours of War. We will see more of this project as the units slowly accrue.  Surprisingly, I find them more demanding to paint than Napoleonics.  Even so, I have another batch of units on the verge of completion and we will see them next time.

I was pleased to find that Lancashire Games SYW infantry are compatible with Old Glory and Blue Moon. In 15/18mm you just never know until you try them out.