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A Second Solo Painting Challenge Takes Shape. . .


Another great old Knoetel illustration, detailing soldiers from a few of Frederick's free infantry formations.


Not much happening in the way of toy soldiering the last several weeks, but that does not mean I have been completely idle either.  Just busy thinking, as we are wont to do, about what might be next in the painting queue.

For a long time, I have intended to assemble a small -- semi-fictitious -- Freicorps of troops comprised of various arms.  Strike while the iron is hot say I!  Or at least still warm.  Ok, tepid.  But in the wake of considerable summertime painting and tabletop activity, it seemed like an opportune time to do that in the interest of keeping The Grand Duchy of Stollen project moving forward with a fall and winter painting challenge.  

After a few evenings down here in Zum Stollenkeller having a look through the leadpile, here's what I'm considering.  Besides a squadron of recently purchased Minden Uhlans (14 figures and horses), I have dug out: 

1) Enough Prussian musketeers with Swedish cuffs to form a  two-company battalion of Frei Infantry (33 figures).  

2) There are also enough figures to assemble a two-gun battery of Russian uniformed artillery (13 figures, guns, and a horse). . .

3) A company of Croats (15 figures). . .  

4) A mounted general vignette of two or three figures and horses.  


A nice little clutch of figures to keep busy with as the days grow shorter and through the dark days of winter yet to come.  When there is not enough snow to be outside cross-country skiing of course.  As a very rough time frame, I think October 1st to April 1st, more or less, seems reasonable.  And if I manage to finish everything before that, so much the better.

-- Stokes

Comments

tradgardmastare said…
Sounds like a plan. I look forward to following their progress and eventually seeing them in action on the tabletop. Will they have baggage,loot and beer barrels they have liberated ?
3:22 PM
WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…
Funny you should ask! I have some crates, barrels, and a wheelbarrow with a crate of wine bottles that I painted up with some pioneers a few years back that could easily do double duty here.

Best Regards,

Stokes
6:13 PM
Steve J. said…
Sounds like a good plan and achievable, given the vagaries of life. Look forward to seeing in progress pics of the figures.
1:33 AM
Independentwargamesgroup said…
Seems a great idea Stokes. Have you considered a colour scheme yet?
11:00 AM
Gallia said…
Best wishes and success Stokes,
for your next things.
Bravo,
Bill P.
10:31 PM
Bloggerator said…
Stokes, I may have to join you in this with my Napoleonic project.

Let me think on it and I'll tip a commitment in.

Greg
3:32 PM
WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…
Oh, come on, Greg! You know you want to. ;-)

Stokes
4:02 PM
Neil Moulden said…
At least start with a plan. For myself I have been working on some Napoleonic Prussians. I'm well on my way with the first battalion, and plan on having 2 more done to finish the regiment by easter. I may even get an attached volunteer jaeger company added.

All the best.

p.s. I look forward to seeing more skiing photo's.
3:18 PM
Isembourg said…
They look great. More than that they make me want to order some new brushes, paints, and ermm order some new figures.
As a matter of interest. What rules do you use?
5:39 PM
WSTKS-FM Worldwide said…
The rules I have used the last 2-3 years are a home brewed set based largely on Featherstone, Asquith, and The Grants with a couple of my own tiny additions. I am trying to whittle them down to make everything fairly easy to commit to memory with minimal referral to charts/playsheets whileat the same time conveying something of the flavor of the mid-18th century. Getting there. When I am happy with everything, I'll share them here.

Best Regards,

Stokes
4:43 AM
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