"Napoleonic Russia Was To The Rest Of Europe..."

"...A military and geographical puzzle."

This trio of 28mm scale metal models are sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their RN023 Infantry in Oilskin Covered 1812 Shako Marching set. The blister consists of eight similar-looking Napoleonic Russian soldiers sculpted by Alan Perry, with all of the miniatures depicted wearing heavy clothing to protect them from the Patriotic War's deadly winter. 

Due to my previous decision to paint the infantrymen using the 'official' palette shown on the Nottingham-based company's website, I primed them all using a double-helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before predominantly using a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black on their shoes and leggings, as well as their knapsacks, sabres and cartridge belts. One of the figures did have their coat open at the waist, so I decided to pigment him with white leggings (using White Star by "Two Thin Coats") and a "Vallejo" Heavy Green jacket. Both of these areas were later splashed with some heavily watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Biel-Tan Green respectively.

"Pendraken Miniatures" WIPs - This Panther G tank has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

I must confess that the ordinarily off-putting white leather straps of the Napoleonic era were surprisingly quick to 'pick out' using "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a dash "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Indeed, I even managed to complete the Russians' fiddly sword tassels with the same colour combination at the same time, before applying a little "Vallejo" Gold to all the scabbards' tips, and shako straps. I also gave all the models' greatcoats a positive drowning with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and then carefully dry-brushed them with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

As part of my final sweep I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to each model's tin water bottle and musket barrel, and subsequently used "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the rest of their rifles. Unlike my 'pilot' Russian piece, all of these sculpts didn't appear to be wearing gloves. But they did have scarfs, so I treated these knitted garments with a coat of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Steel Fist Miniatures" WIPs - These Foot Knights have primed, base coated and washed

Sticking with winter warfare, albeit two hundred plus years in the future, I have managed to assemble, base, prime, shade and dry-brush a pair of 10mm metal Panther G tanks by "Pendraken Miniatures", which I recently picked up from their stall at Colours 2023. These impressively hefty and detailed armoured vehicles are destined for my Battle of the Bulge campaign, and should provide the Axis forces with some additional firepower when they confront the three Canadian Sherman Fireflies I'm also currently progressing.

I've also managed to get my paint-brush on some more of the 28mm metal Foot Knights I recently received from "Steel Fist Miniatures". I'm hoping to start using a handful of these figures from the company's Italian Wars range next month, in some basic skirmishes using "Lion Rampant" by "Osprey Publishing", so am presently plenty enthused to get half a dozen more of the heavily-protected combatants completed in short order...