WIP - 28mm Austrian Cuirassiers

WIP - 28mm Austrian Cuirassiers from Foundry

I recently finished a unit of 28mm French Napoleonic heavy cavalry.  It's only fair that my often-neglected Austrians receive some similar reinforcements, so here are a few WIP photos of an Austrian Cuirassier regiment coming together.  The figures are metal ones from Wargames Foundry.



Early stages...black primer, brown base coat on the horses, grey on the leggings

It's another grand-manner-style 24-figure regiment.  The cavalry are in a reserve pose, with their heavy sabres at the side.  It's a suitably sombre look for these Hapsburg heavies. 

A finished "stick" - these are test models from early May

The Austrian Cuirassiers are another favourite unit of this period (I have a lot of favourites in this period).  They are known for their black-armoured steel plate cuirasse.  Unlike the French Cuirassiers, the Austrians only wore a plate on the front, not the rear.  I have read some commentary indicating that this lack of parity led to the Austrians suffering harshly in some cavalry melees, but I'm not sure how relevant the armour was overall in this period. 

The black armour is hard to see under all of the straps

Trying to find the right black was tricky, and I'm still not sure if I've nailed it.  I used a Tamiya acrylic Gun Metal Black as a base colour, and then a slight highlight of GW's "Lead Belcher". I find the combo looks black but still metallic.  Good enough on the test models, so good enough for the first unit.

Rear view showing the water bottle and lack of rear armour plate

I have to say I love how the Perry cavalry avoids the monopose syndrome with both their metal and plastic figures.  As nice as the Foundry figures are (and I think the Perrys may have sculpted them too? Confusing...), these Foundry units lack in variety once they are based.  On the other hand, I hope this unity of pose will lend them a certain menacing air...

The rank and file troopers await transfer to gaming bases...

I started with a couple of test models back in May, but moved on the French cavalry. With the French regiment finished, I came back to these guys. So far I have 16 of the troopers painted.  Just eight, including the command group, to go! We have some family friends visiting soon, which tends to shut down painting production for me, and I was hoping to get these suckers finished before the company arrives tomorrow but it's just not going to happen.  I will try and get as many of these guys painted as I can tonight, but the debut as a unit will have to wait a little while...