Russian Guards

These figures were painted in the very early 90’s. I have a feeling they were bought when Russian 15mm Essex figures were a new range. I seem to remember that I was really reaching a point of speed painting with them. I had some technique where I would spray the figures with a Matt  car spray. I woul then paint them un mounted. Meaning each one would be lain down side by side on some kitchen roll. Then each would be picked up and painted. When there was a simple brush stroke I would leave them all on the paper towel and just dab them in record speed with no handling at all. The result was okay. Fast forward 30 years and In the last few months I have taken them off their old bases. Added a few more dabs of paint and some flags from GMB. Although I didn’t have much clue what I was painting 30 years ago, I can now identify them as the Lithuanian and Pavlov Guard regiments. The Pavlov flag said on the GMB site it was good up to 1814. Please if anyone disagrees don’t spoil it for me.

Russian Grenadiers

I was on a roll after finishing eight of the Blue Moon line battalions so immediately completed the two grenadier battalions I had in the pile. After finishing 256 figures in one go doing these 64 extra seemed to just fly by (counting mounted officers as two figures). The paint job is far simpler than the one I am doing for the AB figures, but I do appreciate the sturdier bayonets of the Blue Moon figures. Was very pleased with myself as I worried these Russian Blue Moon grenadiers could have sat gathering dust for a long time on the pile.

Kiev Grenadiers

Moscow Grenadiers

Arakcheyev Grenadiers

Russian Divisional Generals

I have also been completing some divisonal Generals. They are a mix of AB and Boki miniatures. All the horses are AB. There is also a Prussian staff officer painted as a Russian staff officer. My conversion was made by just smoothing the sheepskin/bearskin covering.

Russian Cossack Artillery

I had been umming and arring over this set from Blue Moon. I had beeen wanting a Cossack artillery battery because..... actually for pretty much no justifiable reason. But I had been uncertain with the Blue Moon set as the figures looked a bit odd on the website. The heads and hats looked out of proportion and the artillery gear looked out of scale too. The ram rods look the width of a good quality Swiss Roll. But in the end I thought, sod it let’s add it to the order. So I did, another 12 figures added to the lead pile! But I have been determined not to let these small units purchased on a whim fester like the Russian Unicorn Ammunition wagons (really must get on with that). Instead I cracked on with them. I painted them up, based them and added 3 Blue Moon Russian 6 pounders.

I have been fairly pleased with the outcome. Am now convinced my eyesight is totally gone (the figures look great on the table, rubbish on the photos). With the paint on I didnt notice the large ram rods so much or their tiny faces as they just want to mount up and run away. In fact those giant Swiss Roll ram rods are going to prevent any bends and snaps. They will never fit down the cannon muzzles, but they are always going to be there. Unlike the AB figures who will only have bent or snapped stubby ramrods (but probably still be looking like a million dollars).