Sunday 7 June 2020

Recent Paining - French Revolutionary figures...

Late last year we played Arcole (15-17 Nov 1796).  I provided both Austrians and some French, which got me musing on French Revolutionary armies.....   I did some research and found that Demi-Brigades had a huge variety of flags (using a palette of Red, White, Blue) with all sorts of geometric shapes.

Thus inspired, I invested in Napoleonic Baccus French in Bicornes, Infantry, Skirmishers, Artillery, Spanish Cavalry both Heavy & Mirlitons...   I also needed the Mirliton cavalry for Saxon Hussars, 1809 (missing from their page....), so tick that box as well.

Here are a few photos to show progress to date:

Infantry command units - many different flags....  The Infantry flags are "Napflags" from the internet.


Hussars in Mirlitons.  The standard bearers are ordinary troopers that have their sword removed and half a pin inserted.  

I was challenged by looking for what flags to use - not a lot of sources and what I had showed an attractive but complicated flag - then I found a whole sheet with cavalry, guard, etc.  A bit of resizing and "voila!"  1st & 2nd Hussars with flags.  


Generals - a SYW General, a Russian General & a Spanish Heavy cavalry officer.  All accompanied by a Guide d'Italie as Escort/Messenger.  



French General.  Bought as a Russian General - Plume and Feathers added.


Promoted from a Spanish Heavy Cavalry Officer....  Plume and Feathers added.


It seems that French Revolutionary Generals had three prominent Red, White & Blue Feathers (or feather pompoms) at the base of their plume.  I added three micro-beads plus a tall upright plume to get the desired effect.  The plume was a bayonet removed from a soldier's musket and inserted in a hole drilled in the Bicorne.  Photos a bit blurry - sorry!

I used the internet biographies on Wikipedia which have a number of suitably heroic looking Generals in French Revolutionary uniforms...

The SYW General has his Tricorne filed into a Bicorne and coat painted as a Greatcoat.

I trust that this has whetted your appetite.  Happy to share info & sources if you'd also like to add these colourful troops to your army.







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