Wednesday 3 August 2016

Russian Elizabethgrad Hussars 1805-07

Elite Miniatures Russian Hussars very much looking the part!

One of my early recollections of my childhood was visiting some relatives in Mt Lawley on a Sunday, which for us was always so special.  Different food, a different house and yard to explore.  Lots of fun.  On one particular visit I was busy running about when I passed a room where the television had been inadvertently left on and was captivated.  Massed columns were attacking a battery of guns (even at this early stage of my life Airfix catalogues and Bruce Quarries Napoleonic Wargaming Guide had become part of my life!).

It happened to be the Hollywood version of War and Peace however I believe they had made arrangements to borrow some of the battle scenes from Sergei Bundarchuks grander Russian version.  I sat and watched the remainder of the movie and was captivated.


Another view of this 32 figure regiment
 I mention this only insomuch that anyone who has ever read "War and Peace" will know that Russian Hussars have a mixed reputation for their dashing courage and their rather caddish behaviour!  I think that Peter Moreby from Elite Miniatures has captured that wonderfully in these sculpts.  You can just see them with a girl, perhaps two of them, on one arm and a balloon of warm brandy being balanced in the hand of the other.
 
Lovely view of the cyphered shabraques


Officers to the fore
 These were painted many years ago by friend Nathan Vinson and I am sure he has no recollection of knocking them out.  He can be forgiven though as it was probably 15 years ago!  Hope he enjoys seeing them again.

They are going to get a fair amount of action in the coming months.

14 comments:

  1. The earlier colour scheme is very striking and Elite certainly have spirit :-)

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    1. Thank you Stephen, the Russians, as you well know, are a wonderfully colourful army to collect.

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  2. Another great looking Elite Miniatures unit. Thank you again Carlo for placing such a fine unit up on your blog. I think I do remember now painting them but very vaguely.

    Regards

    Nathan

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    1. Vaguely is still good Nathan as we all get older mate. These will see a fair bit of action shortly.

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  3. How in hell do you paint that many hussars? I struggle with twelve figure regiments. Fantastic looking unit.

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    1. I tend to throw money at people Brian though I do find myself painting a bit more again. I do love the yellow.

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  4. Fantastic looking unit, although I agree with Brain - my units have 8 figures! The early Russian Napoleonic uniforms are especially colorful, aren't they?

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    1. They certainly are Peter. Beautiful uniforms and I think the early range of Peter Morebys Elite range are his best, especially his French in bicorne.

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  5. Wonderful looking unit and large!

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    1. Thank you Mark - the size is pretty key for these units that's for sure.

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  6. A very grand unit Carlo .. and with certain mass to the unit. Nice and colourful ... and big.

    I have the same unit but in the later years of the war when their uniform was grey, green and a little yellow. Not nearly as eye catching on the table top and I've only got a paltry 24 figures!

    Salute
    von Peter himself

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    1. Twenty four figures is still pretty large Peter. I do love your Russian collection, especially your command stands!

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