Monday, 19 May 2025

AWI Continental Militia

The first three of five Continental militia units were completed last weekend, to join the already completed eleven Line regiments. These were a lot more fiddly to paint than the Line however and I used around forty different shades across each unit to try to give them a less regular appearance:



















I styled one of the units after Stark's New Hampshire militia, mainly because that was one of the specific militia flag packs available from GMB:



















There are essentially only twelve different poses, six in the command pack and six in the firing line, but it was possible to mix these up a bit to provide some variety:









































There was also a Chester County Militia flag available, so the choice for the second regiment was easy:





































While I used a generic militia flag for the third unit, the Massachusetts 1st Regiment of militia:



















These are quite large units with two at thirty figures and one with twenty-eight, large enough to cover most British Grenadier and Sharp Practice scenarios, so represent another eighty-eight figures completed in total:



















Two more militia units to go, along with some rifle-armed skirmishers, six artillery pieces and some mounted staff. The end of the project is definitely now in sight.

20 comments:

  1. Your militia look great, Lawrence! These fellas look suitably motley. Thirty figures makes for large units.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan. They are some of the largest units I have painted, so slow going at times.

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  2. Not sure it says anywhere...are these Perry metal figures, Lawrence? Some lovely work on them, whatever their provenance!

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    1. They are Perry metals Keith. Some of the OOBs are heavy on militia so I'm hoping five units will cover it.

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  3. excellent work Lawrence - marvelous!
    cheers

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    1. Cheers Phil. I'm hoping to get back into Ancients again before the end of the year.

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  4. Great work Lawrence. Your efforts in making them irregular paid dividends.

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    1. Thanks Richard. After exploring my way through the first unit I got into a rhythm, so wanted to complete them all before I forgot how I was approaching them.

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  5. OMGOSH I love them. great job! Really looks great!

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    1. Thanks Stew. Another chunk of the project completed.

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  6. Absolutely glorious! I am always impressed by your rate of painting Lawrence, but even more so with these. On the face of it painting 'plainly' attired troops seems easy, but then you want to make each one a bit different, as you have. When I have painted such troops, I have longed for the uniform ones, piping and all!
    As well as the grand parade, there must be a game or three in the offing soon?
    Best regards, James

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    1. Getting close to a few games now James. Yes, exactly as you say, the novelty of painting militia can quickly wear off and there is nothing quite like a regular uniform to maintain a steady rhythm.

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  7. Splendid looking militia and some interesting points for me to remember when I get to my brown clad Spanish militia!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain. I found the Spanish militia much easier to paint as brown was the predominant theme, so quite a bit more uniformity about them. I'll look forward to seeing yours when they are completed.

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  8. Some mighty fine painting there, Lawrence!

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    1. Thanks Ray, quite a big batch this time.

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  9. 40 different shades!! A very nice effect though. This is also why I try to avoid irregulars, as usually much work than regulars! :)

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    1. Tanks Mark. I think they are actually more difficult, and certainly seem to take longer.

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