I have managed to complete three more Continental Regiments toward my AWI project, a couple of days before the end of February which was the self-imposed deadline I had set myself:
The majority of these are Perry plastics with a few metal command figures thrown in to make up the numbers. First up, the 2nd New Hampshire:
Given the preponderance of hunting shirts in the Continental army I thought it about time I mixed in a few such figures in a regiment and the 2nd New Hampshire seemed to fit the bill nicely:
I also decided to give themtwo flags. I realise that most regiments most likely carried only one standard but, as the GMB flag packs come with two (albeit many of them speculative), it seems a shame not to use them both on a few regiments here and there:
The 2nd New Hampshires appear to have been a green-faced regiment which looks quite nice on the figures, although a little less-distinctive in the photographs:
Next in line is another Massachusetts regiment; Gist's regiment. While most of the OOBs for British Grenadier call for American regiments of 20 figures or less, a unit of 24 figures does make an appearance here and there:
This is the second brown-coated regiment completed thus far and, even though they don't fit the usual blue-coated stereotype, I much prefer painting them as the highlighting is more distinctive. I again sprinkled in a liberal helping of hunting shirts:
I also had to have a regiment carrying some stars and stripes. The two packs of Betsy Ross standards I purchase from GMB will however remain unused due to there being no apparent record of their having been actually carried:
Last up is the 1st Connecticut, without tricorne and waring red coats. The variety in the AWI uniforms always keep me interested in what the next regiment will bring, even though I am essentially painting the same set of figures:
While I find gluing together plastic figures frustrating at the best of times, I appreciate the variety of poses which can be achieved. The Perry figures are well thought-out and not difficult to put together, and the manner in which the muskets are carried can convey many different impressions ranging from a well-disciplined unit to one that has been on the march for a long time:
That said, I was a little unsure whether my posing on the officer ended up looking like he is trying to stop traffic so he can get the regiment across a busy intersection:
None of these posts would be complete without the by now ubiquitous casualty dials. Unfortunately the one on the right looks a little like a layer cake due to the fact that I used PVA glue and it slid around a little, but it still looks fine when viewed from above. It will be superglue all the way from now on though:
That is now one hundred and eight Continental figures completed, with just over four hundred to go:
It is now over a year since I started this project, and I expect I'll be going for at least another three months. I am however relieved I saved the Continentals for last.
Brilliant work Lawrence, I have to say I spread my painting out once I had enough to game with in smaller battles. Just picking up the odd unit when I felt like it. I agree the Perry miniatures are a good set, although I have plenty of metal and Perry figures mixed in and have just completed another artillery piece ๐
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt, I thought of mixing it up and getting enough together for a small battle, but will probably keep going in a straight line. Unless, of course, someone brings out a bunch of .pdfs of ready-made Patriots and Rebels scenarios.
DeleteThree brilliant looking units Lawrence, my fav are the Connecticut boys, in their red coats and round hats....just brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray. I had to include at least one red-coated Continental unit.
DeleteThose look great - wonderful looking units.
ReplyDeleteThanks Codsticker, it was good to get another three of tgem behind me.
DeleteMore terrific looking Continentals, Lawrence! Your armies are getting HUGE!
ReplyDeleteCheers Jonathan. The British AWI forces grew to be at least 50% larger than I had first intended, but it is nice to be able to have the various options should they be required.
DeleteExcellent looking Continentals! I find most Perry plastic kits are well thought out, better than Victrix, gripping beast or Wargames Atlantic in my humble, lovely finish although I always like the red faced brown coated regiments, but your green faced regiments are great!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
They were much easier to put together than I thought they would be, but still took a few hours for each box of forty figures or so. I still prefer metals but I'm glad I tackled these.
DeleteNice work Lawrence. I like the colour variance in the Continentals, but three months for 400 figures is stretching it a bit isn't it!? ๐
ReplyDeleteYes, when you put it like that it is probably a little over-ambitious. I running at around 100 figures a month at the moment but think I can step it up a bit. Of course the three recently arrived grandchildren on top of the four-year-old we already have might have different ideas.
DeleteGreat work Lawrence ๐ I too find the one officer pose in this particular set not the best, and to be honest, I would have liked to be able to make firing figures as well as marching, but these are small quibbles, as the Perry figures are really very nice indeed! You have done a fantastic job on all these, I particularly like your work on their faces....to me, that is the most important part of the figure and " brings them to life" when done well!
ReplyDeleteCheers Keith. Yes, he does seem to be a little awkward no matter how one tries to pose him, The Perry faces are nice to do and are always the first thing I paint on a figure.
DeleteWay to keep cracking through the AWI and these figures are great. Congrats on meeting your self imposed deadline. Thatโs the way youโll get through the next 400. ๐
ReplyDeleteThanks Stew. It is good to have targets, although I am wondering if getting through the next 400 in nder three months is a little ambitious.
DeleteBewdiful. The 'plainer' uniforms of the Mass. fellas and those Connecticut boys in red will add wonderful variety to your American forces!
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Thanks James, I am thoroughly enjoying all the variety among the various Continental regiments. The only problem with the Connecticut uniform though is that it will blend in nicely with the British.
DeleteGorgeous Lawrence. Such a delight to visit your posts.
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you Richard. I can also see and end to this project in sight now.
DeleteLovely work on these casual looking fellows Lawrence! And yes a surprising variety in uniforms.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. I like the "casual" description. I think that sums them up nicely.
DeleteSuperb work on these, Lawrence, and I am pleased to se a Connecticut unit included! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, and another one is on its way soon.
DeleteI hope and trust that you faired okay with Alfie Lawrence? I see that you commented on my blog (thank you), so presume that is a good indication?
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Thanks James. The winds themselves weren't as bad as some storms we have, although of course they went on for longer. A lot of debris across the property, but mainly leaves and palm fronds. Cheers for asking.
DeleteThat good to hear Lawrence. It was good news that it dropped to a cat. 1, but then it played tricks with you all on Sunday! All the best of the clean up.
DeleteRegards, James
Thanks James. The waiting to see what it would do was initially OK but then it dragged on. I have done most of our cleanup so things feel like they are getting back to normal now.
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