40mm AWI progress

[schoey]

Excellent paint job, like the combination of firing and loading.

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

Nice painting - I particularly like how you have done the cross belts on the 15th, as it looks as though they have been allowed to revert to their natural (ie buff) colour in the field.  Can I just ask - how did you come by the standard bearers, as the uniform depicted is specifically for the 15th's light company, which would not have had their own flags, nor be allowed to carry the battalion colours?

The Continentals are also good - rare to see an AWI gamer who doesn't insist on having a rainbow assortment of hunting shirt colours, whereas in reality the colour was specific to that battalion (ok, maybe a few tonal variations).  Another little tip is that when a handful of regimental coats was issued to a battalion, they tended to go to the sergeants (and corporals, if there were enough) in order to emphasise their rank; officers tended to have their own made up for them.

[Alan Mercer]

Thanks.  I took the reference for the 15th from Troiani, where he mentions that the 15th were issued slop jackets etc on the voyage out, I have seen it somewhere else, can't remember where. Neither reference suggested it was just for the light company. It gave me an opportunity to produce a slightly different look from the usual.

Whether the slop jackets would have survived into 1778/79 is a good question, probably not and most likely they would have been back in regimentals, albeit probably cut down.

[Akersminis]

I love the plaint work on these. I think you did a excellent job in showcasing the detail and creating a very clean and concise look. That is often a challenge for many I have found over the years so I commend you on it. I can't wait to see the collection on the whole when it is complete.

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

Thanks.  I took the reference for the 15th from Troiani, where he mentions that the 15th were issued slop jackets etc on the voyage out, I have seen it somewhere else, can't remember where. Neither reference suggested it was just for the light company. It gave me an opportunity to produce a slightly different look from the usual.

Whether the slop jackets would have survived into 1778/79 is a good question, probably not and most likely they would have been back in regimentals, albeit probably cut down.

You are quite right, he does indeed.  The 15th was one of several regiments intended to serve in the Southern colonies initially (they were present at the attack on Charleston, SC in early 1776, but then headed north to NYC) and so would have been kitted out for warmer climes.  The "slop jacket" was one such item, made from old regimental coats (as opposed to the "roundabouts" worn by the Light Infantry battalions from 1777, which were made from the red light company waistcoat with the sleeves of the regimental coat added to them).  As long as there was a supply of old coats, then it is quite likely that the regimental tailors would have continued making the slop jackets - I suspect their unsuitability for more northerly climes might have been a more likely restriction on their use.  Incidentally, a similar item, but in white (possibly with coloured facings) was issued to new recruits trained for service in America, who would have worn them crossing the Atlantic; they were only properly  kitted out after being assigned to a regiment on arrival in America (not necessarily the corps they had been recruited by/for, which usually involved all sorts of horse trading).

[ian220756]

Lovely stuff Alan - particularly love your faces - very realistic
Ian

[DintheDin]

Not only the faces are very realistic, but also the postures are so well chosen to show a firing line in action!
And you did so well their leather! 

[Alan Mercer]

Thanks for all of the comments. The main problem, if it is one, with the Front Rank 40s, is that they are such great figures that they demand my absolute best efforts. So they take longer.

My next challenge - the 71st (I already have the Sash and Saber figures for this). Big question, tartan or white overalls? I have seen both done, white would be easier, tartan will drive me nuts, but which is right? Somebody will no doubt say both!!!

Plus, for the light companies, cut down coats, or sleeved waistcoats?

[schoey]

In the Osprey books the 71st -

Savannah, they are portrayed in white trousers (although campaign weathered), and in Cowpens they are in brown trousers.

[Lysandros]

Thanks for all of the comments. The main problem, if it is one, with the Front Rank 40s, is that they are such great figures that they demand my absolute best efforts. So they take longer.

My next challenge - the 71st (I already have the Sash and Saber figures for this). Big question, tartan or white overalls? I have seen both done, white would be easier, tartan will drive me nuts, but which is right? Somebody will no doubt say both!!!

Plus, for the light companies, cut down coats, or sleeved waistcoats?

It's got to be white overalls as that's more historically correct. Also a lot more bloody easier to paint. The detail isn't so crisp as front rank with sash and sabre figures but they have plenty of movement.
Can't wait to see

[Baron von Wreckedoften]

The white overalls were summer issue; for the winter months, regiments in N America were issued coloured woollen overalls, usually in brown, blue or black, bought by public subscription.  Records show the 71st had blue in the winter of 1776/77; unknown for the winters of 1777/78 and 1778/79; tartan for 1779/80 (see Troiani) and brown for 1780/81.  The "small kilt" (philabeg) was worn in garrison; I suspect the reversion to tartan overalls was when the winter ones did not arrive from Europe for whatever reason, and they cut up their kilts, each of which would produce two pairs of overalls. 

In terms of regimental coats/sleeved waistcoats for the light company, I will ask some US friends who specialise in AWI highland re-enactment, but I would be tempted to leave them in their coats.  The light companies of the 1/71st and 2/71st only served briefly with the 2nd Light infantry, before being sent South with the main body of the regiment in 1778 (leaving only the two grenadier companies in NYC).  Whilst in the South, Campbell formed a troop of 50 light dragoons from the regiment, and they were equipped with 50 sets of cavalry accoutrements supplied by Erskine, which may or may not have included some Tarleton-like helmets (again, I'm asking my US contacts).

[Alan Mercer]

A quick diversion while painting the 71st a rebel command base. I’m fairly happy with it after the adventures it has been through.

Painting went fine, gloss varnish coat went fine. Spray Matt varnish needed in disaster, a strong gust of wind caught both figures and blew them down onto a concrete path. So I have had to repaint the damaged areas, rebuilt one of the horse’s ears that was crushed and re-varnish them, which ended up with a small amount of whiteout. Cue another small repaint!

[DintheDin]

Oooh! That was quite and adventure! But now they look perfect! Excellent sculpts and a painting of top quality! Congrats!

[schoey]

Like the command base, very nicely done.

[GamesPoet]

Enjoy seeing your painting, congrats!