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Friday 2 September 2016

Cavalry - Digital Sculpting

Austrian Cuirassier

Trooper


Back in July last year I posted a picture of the 'green' for the Austrian cuirassier, which received encouraging feedback.


Soon afterwards PA decided to move over to digital sculpting. The changeover has not been as smooth as hoped, and nothing has been added to the range since the Russians, which were that last of the traditional sculptures. Things are now moving again, the French infantry are ready to go, with a few production problems being ironed out.

The figure has now been replicated digitally, and we think it is pretty much complete. In response to  comments last year the reins have been stylised a little to give the impression of being double, without making the area around the bit too heavy 


There are a couple of minor changes I have asked Chris to make:
  • Modify the buckle positions on the harness, remove the top one at the intersection and replace with two more on the straps below.
  • Add a line around the holster cover similar to the one on the saddlecloth.
I think it looks very nice, if there are any error/omissions please let me know.

Trumpeter


Progress on this is not quite as advanced, and the horse, sword etc. will be replaced with the one above - so please just consider this as a taster.

I asked him to base the pose on the old Holger Eriksson mould PA26, and I think it will end up looking great.



Officer and Standard Bearer


There will also be an officer with a sword pointing forwards and a standard bearer, both based on the trooper.  Progress is not sufficient to show, as the plan is to tidy up everything on the trooper first and move on from there.

Dragoons

Once the Austrian cuirassier are complete, in order to keep things moving we are considering issuing a 'Prussian' dragoon mould. This will just provide torsos and heads to fit the same horse, and would contain:
  • Trooper, similar to above unless there are any suggestions (needs to fit this horse)
  • Officer
  • Drummer
  • Standard bearer
Dragoons were pretty generic, and with minor changes such as tricorn style and the way the carbine is slung (it will be separate) the Austrians, Prussians, French  and quite a few others could be covered.

If we can squeeze them it we could add some horse grenadier heads - if not they will have to be taken from the infantry.

Russian Cavalry

Unlike the Austrians, Prussians etc the Russians had their sword belts on the outside of the coat, so these will need some additional moulds.

The French cuirassiers also had belts on the outside.

Prussian Cuirassiers

These will need separate moulds as they wore coats with shorter tails.



..............as always comments welcome.








10 comments:

  1. Looks good to me. The horse is the spitting image of one of the Zinnbrigade ones but with the opposite leg forward.

    I suspect a number of dragoon officers will soon be promoted to Generals not to mention Colonels of Infantry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross

      I have asked for some staff officers not too far down the line, so if you have any good prints/poses either post a link or email them to me and we will sort out what can be done.

      Steve

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  2. Encouraging news - nice to see the new digital sculpts

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allan

      Thanks - I think they should fit in well.

      Steve

      Delete
  3. I cannot wait - but I guess that I will have to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jay

      I know there has been a long delay - I want some cuirassier as much as anyone!

      If you look on the PA blog you will see that they are finally getting some digitally sculptured 'Mithril Miniatures' released, so hopefully the SYW will not be too far away now?

      Steve

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  4. Thank you for the update. It is encouraging to hear that development is moving forward again.

    The new model looks fairly good. There are a couple of items of concern.

    The cartridge box seems to be missing. It would be on a narrow strap per his right shoulder with the box being on the left side.

    The leg has moved forward. In this position he would be unbalanced, wouldn't he? I believe that the leg should bend back slightly at the knee so that the leg hangs down and the foot is nearly under the hip. See PA41. The picture of the trumpeter looks better since he is leaning back.

    Can the trumpet be a little longer and have cords like PA39, or is that too complicated to mold?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rahway

      On most of the illustrations I have the cartridge box is shown on a strap over the left shoulder. It has been shown on the carbine belt part way down the back on the far side, you can just see it - there is little space on the backs of the semi flats so things have to be stylised a bit.

      The trooper and trumpeter will have the same legs - I will ask Chris if he can bring the leg back a bit.

      I will ask for a longer trumpet, the plan is to add a banner, but chords may be better?

      Steve

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    2. Steve,

      Here are a coupe of illustrations. You can find more in Pengel and Hurt;s volume on the Austrian cavalry.

      http://www.britishbattles.com/frederick-the-great-wars/seven-years-war/the-battle-of-lobositz/

      http://www.britishbattles.com/frederick-the-great-wars/the-battle-of-mollwitz/

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    3. Rahway

      There are illustrations shoeing the cartridge belt/box on both sides - for example Knotel shows it over the left shoulder:

      http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Austrian_Army#Cuirassiers

      Also, from a sculpting/painting point of view, having the belt over the left shoulder will allow more of the cuirass to be seen, on what is relatively small front of the figure.

      Steve

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