Crimean War Russians

Aficionados of this blog may recall that I did a unit of French Grenadier Garde to start a Crimean War project (...almost 2 years ago now):

https://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2024/01/ahpc-14-french-grenadiers.html

Well its about time to get them somebody (Historical this time) to fight on the tabletop!

Bog standard Russian line infantry - a basic unit to get me started. I was going to get the lovely Great War Miniatures figs but I need to get some figures done and these get me going at a good price. I kinda prefer the forage caps (mutzes) to the helmets but at least they will be distinctive!

Planning this to be a project for AHPC 16. I really missed the challenge last year so hope to participate in a limited way this time around (hard to call it "Winter" in Hawai'i!)

EDIT: a couple of minor issues with the box were quickly addressed by Warlord Games. 

Their customer service was excellent!

AHPC 14: French Grenadiers

First post of the year and its great to be participating in AHPC 14 for my 10th Challenge! This year my target is a curiously specific 603 points, which is what I need to get me to 8,000 lifetime points.

"Mon dieu! Tre magnifique!" say the swooning Mesdemoiselles!

My Season 14 opening salvo is the start of my new Crimean War project. I'm starting with a French Brigade, and the Grenadier Garde is up first! As a larger, well equipped battalion it musters 36 Guardsmen and Officers. 

Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !

Why the red bases you might ask? Because they will serve on Mars for our Space 1889 VSF campaign first - obvious really! Once thats done I'll redo the bases for a more routine deployment to the Crimea.

Their features are wonderfully sculpted - doing them some measure of justice was a challenge!

Models are by Great War Miniatures, distributed via Northstar. Painted in classic triad style - no speed/contrast paints were harmed in the making of this unit. I also discovered a new technique for painting small buttons - a toothpick! (Thanks for the tip John, and for the emergency flag resupply!)

A Brigade Commander's view of their march to Victory!

So off the mark with a 36 figure mini-bomb @ 5 points each, plus 20 points for shelving in the History section.  You can see my entry at the AHPC blog here:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2024/01/from-paulog-vive-la-garde-200-points.html