Prints Militaire NR1 Russian Infantry of the Line 1812-15

Prints Militaire NR2 Russian Light Infantry 1812-15

Prints Militaire NR3 Russian Field Artillery of the Line 1812-15

Russian National Contingent finished: Pavlov Grenadiers

The last of my Russian contingent, almost two battalions of Pavlov Grenadiers. The marching figures are all nice early Hinton Hunt original castings; the charging battalion are also originals. The standard bearer is one of the conversions issued by David Clayton.

Possibly they could do with one more gun crew (they only have one, and a three man crew at that) but I now regard my Russian contingent as painted, and even catalogued. Total strength is 215 foot and 66 mounted figures, with two guns and limbers (which are Newline Designs).

Next up will be the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. These are mostly painted, I need to paint around 20-30 remaining figures and allocate them to complete units. The infantry include some Alberken/Minifigs 20mm figures. At present the cavalry resources are two regiments of lancers and one of cuirassiers, all Alberken/Minifigs 20mm figs (though I have a few Hinton Hunt separate arm lancers who I may add to this force). I am also considering transferring a Hinton Hunt Chasseur regiment.

Russian National Contingent reinforcements: Der Kriegspieler Hussars

Eight Der Kriegspieler Russian Hussars, painted as the Izioumski Hussars.

Russian National Contingent reinforcements: Der Kriegspieler Cossacks

A small unit of the Der Kriegspieler Cossacks, showing the three types in each pack, two Don Cossacks leading four Bug Cossacks, in their high and smurf hats.

Russian National Contingent reinforcements: artillery team

A bit of a mixture - Newline gun and limber, Hinton Hunt limber horses, Der Kriegspieler or Hinton Hunt artillery drivers. The two part base system accommodates a pair of horses and driver, limber and room for the gun on tow on the main base, with a second pair of horses with driver on a second base. This is the system I adopted for my British artillery, mainly as a way to stretch a limited number of horses further. Here each limber has a pair of horses, while I also have a number of additional 2- and 4- horse bases to add to the teams as required.

I have a few more Russian artillery drivers which I would be happy to swap for Russian gunners, if anyone has any spare - I would like to stretch to a second gun crew for the Russians.

Russian National Contingent reinforcements: another Der Kriegspieler infantry battalion

Awaiting an officer and their plastidip spray coat, a second Der Kriegspieler battalion in greatcoat and soft cap.

Russian National Contingent: more reinforcements

I don't know why but these seem to have taken a long time to finish. They are Der Kriegspieler 54 - Line Battalion 1812 in shako, on guard.

The officers are David Clayton castings (one needs his sword replacing). The standard bearer is one of David Clayton's additional figures. These standard bearers are not very aesthetically pleasing but are very ueful - I have several for other units to complete.

Crimean War Units: Russian Infantry

Specially for John, here are two units of Hinton Hunt Crimean Russian infantry who could not be used as Napoleonic units.

I thought I had already posted pictures of these units - I remember taking the photos - but I can't find them anywhere.

Of course the timewarp works both ways and I expect my Napoleonic Russians in hat and greatcoats (the Der Krigspielers posted below) to appear in the Crimean ranks in return.

Russian National Contingent reinforcements

A bit of lateral thinking means that these Hinton Hunt Crimean Russian infantry in greatcoat and cap (RC 14 and RC 15) will now do double duty and serve as a reinforcement battalion to my Napoleonic Russian contingent. The officer, as with the Der Kriegspieler unit posted below, is a David Clayton conversion figure.

My Russian contingent is awaiting the painting of a second Der Kriegspieler Line battalion (the figures in the first photo here), a further battalion of Pavlov Grenadiers, and squadrons of Der Kriegspieler hussars and cossacks.

Napoleonic Units: Der Kriegspieler DK66 Russian Line infantry in greatcoat

Helping me take a second run at my Napoleonic Russian contingent is this Der Kriegspieler battalion, with a David Clayton conversion officer figure. Rather worryingly, after painting each man in the battalion appears to be being played by Peter Bowles...

Der Kriegspieler reinforcements: Russian line infantry, hussars and cossacks

My Russians have been reinforced by two line battalions, and squadrons of hussars and cossacks.

Wargames Holiday Centre: Russian units - Line infantry

Wargames Holiday Centre: Russian units - Artillery

Wargames Holiday Centre: Russian units - Cossacks

The original cast lances have been removed and replaced by wire ones. These units have seen 25 years' continuous action at the Wargames Holiday Centre.

Wargames Holiday Centre: Russian units - Soum Hussars

Russian Artillery

The gunners are orihginal Hinton Hunt castings, the gun is a Newline Designs 20 pdr Unicorn.

I have some Russian artillery drivers and the Hinton Hunt catalogue recommended the use of the British limber horses. I have no Russian limber so have to choose between either using a Prussian or Austrian one, or seeing what the Newline one looks like and whether it would "go".

(P)Russian generals

Here are two one piece casting generals, one RN 85 Russian General, and one PN 64 Prussian General. I have had a small exchange scheme, painting one Prussian General as Russian, and one Russian as Prussian, to give some variety to my staff figures for these two contingents. A couple of the Prussian generals are featured in a previous post, including one with a simple conversion to remove his spy-glass and replace it with a sword.

The Russians are coming

Here are the completed RN 45 Russian Light Infantry. They are some of the extra figures produced by David Clayton; he did these by putting Russian heads on charging Swedish infantry SWN 4. While this looks slightly odd on bare castings (eg the Swedish sash), they look quite acceptable when painted. The officers are both Clayton castings too ; the one on the left of the picture is RN 34, the Clayton "extra" figure of officer in greatcoat and cap.