Also I knew a bit about the Papal Zouaves who went on to fight for the French Republic in the Franco -Prussian War. Myles Keogh who died with Custer. Myles was one of the Pope’s Irish soldiers- St. Patrick’s Battalion. Commanded by Myles O’Reilly. They had an interesting time of it.
I ploughed ahead and bought sufficient figures.
Then I fell at the first fence. I didn’t like QRF’s Papal Zouaves. What to do? Peter
Pig provided a nice ACW Zouave in kepi. But! The figures were a bit small by
comparison with the QRF biggies.
Something to sort out later and somehow I didn’t.
The project stalled. This happens now and then. Progress cannot be forced.
Fast forward and I ordered Studio Tomahawks
Kepis and Bayonets supplement for ACW and the FPW. Before completing this post Kepis and Bayonets arrived complete with cards. Two working days. I know people
who could learn from that.
Anyhow, it happens I have some Battle Honours ACW that were too big for my true 15mm ACW collection. Also, I have a somewhat under developed Franco-Prussian collection. True 15mm. Surely they both can have an outing now.
That’s not why I bought Kepis and Bayonets though. No, the prime motive was gaming the Risorgimento and The Fenian Invasion of Canada. For both I have small collections I had thought never destined for completion.
Now I’m looking forward to all kinds of fun. Naturally I will
report back. I should mention the Greek War of independence looks susceptible to the Studio Tomahawk treatment. I already have the figures.
Meantime I have resolved the Papal Zouave dilemma.
Blue Moon Zouave in kepi is just the ticket. Lots of figure variation and a
good fit with the QRF biggies. Of course with command that is 40 figures. Luckily there were 4 battalions of Papal Zouaves so that is fine. I will field 3 such once the figures arrive.
More as we go along. You see my progress so far on this page.
Very exciting return to this project. The "original" Freikorps 15s were too small for my 1859 project when I began it years ago. I have since moved on to Old Glory, Lancashire, and Mirliton although some of those early units still see service. Still use Freikorps 15s' guns, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan. My Old Glory Lancers have arrived and are a perfect fit. I do need two guns and crews and looked to Lancashire. Good crew but I could find any suitable guns. It might need to be Old Glory again.
DeleteGreat read OB, some lovely colourful units on show, super project.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie. Colour galore with this one. I'm looking forward to painting the Zouaves.
DeleteMore excellent stuff OB - you do find some obscure and interesting conflicts to collect figures for!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith and certainly guilty as charged! It still amazes me the variety of periods we now have on offer. Very different from when we started out.
DeleteA fabulous mix of colourful units and most interesting background to them too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are 'sorted' with figures of matching size, but I have found that a bit of 'pumping' up by adding an extra strip of the material used as the base (plastic card in my case) does the job to make smaller figs the same size. The 'trick' being hidden by the once the 'filler' (flock or whatever) is added to the base.
Best wishes, James
Thanks James. I have been known to use a bit of green stuff to provide the elevator shoes effect. So far these fellows are very compatible in size. More soon and thanks for the good wishes.
DeleteOB, you and I are kindred spirits when it comes to our desire to game niche conflicts like the Risorgimento and Fenians. Of course you go the 15mm route and I go the 10mm route. Lovely brushwork. Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed very niche! Thanks for the kind words. Your own 10mm figure painting is justly attracting a lot of praise.
ReplyDelete