ROMANIAN INFANTRY: RUSSO TURKISH WAR ERA

Outpost Romanian Infantry

Greetings, fellow shut-ins.  In this post, we follow up from our last work in progress post on the Romanian line infantry.  Like many, the lock-down has provided the context for me to put a dent in our big hobby "to do" lists.  In this regard, the major of my "shut in" goals has been to complete my Romanian Russo Turkish War contingent (by May 4).  Having done the cavalry some time ago, this meant working through the following: the Dorobanti Infantry, the Chassuers, the Line Infantry, the Artillery, and the Command. Of these, the line infantry was the largest challenge--by far...

...at 51 figures, this project represents the biggest number of figures that I have ever done in a single lot.  This part of the overall project loomed like the mountain stage of the Tour de France in comparison to the others.  Having completed it, I am now back on level ground and cruising as I move into the two remaining on the list, the artillery and the command. 

The French-inspired Romanian infantry uniform (left), and the significant Romanian Order of Battle in 1877 (right). The OOB is from the indispensible War in the East: A Military History of the Russo Turkish War 1877-78 by Quintin Barry, Helion and Company, 2012.  As usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX in this post (which should make the OOB readable).

I won't reprise too much of what I've already related about the Romanian Army of the Russo Turkish War other than to say that it was substantial and to recommend visiting the Balkan Military History blog for more information: beefy and still concise.  Having a significant contingent of Romanians in any Russo Turkish War collection not only is historically appropriate, but also provides a colorful addition that is right up the alley of any fancier of post-Napoleonic, pre-khaki military fashion. 

A close up study of the figures: like the Chasseurs, these figures are heavily burdened with equipment.  Moving beyond that to more positive thoughts, an observer with no knowledge of the Romanians and a general interest in 19th century continental armies could easily mistake these for French Foreign Legion or troops of one of the German minor states (tip of the hat to Aly for pointing out the latter).

The majority of my units are in this advancing pose. I figured it was general purpose and looked the part.  It is not far off from how the mid-century Prussians are shown carrying their rifles when they are advancing...

...I included two units in this slope arms pose for variety. After the fact, I found that I liked this pose better than I thought I would. Now I think that either would have suited well for the majority. 

Having been freed from their painting sticks, the Romanian Infantry deploys for action. 

 Excelsior!

ROMANIAN INFANTRY RTW: WORK IN PROGRESS

For starters: white primed and then paint bases, faces, hair, boots, and trousers.

Greetings, fellow shut-ins.  In this post, we continue on our Balkan pathways, returning to the Romanians of the Russo-Turkish War.  Taking advantage (if you can call it that) of the long term continuation of social isolation and working from home, I have embarked on the largest painting project I have ever attempted: Forty-five infantry figures and eleven specialty figures (!).  I have been on this project for the last two weeks, but am on track (fingers crossed) to have them done by this weekend.  Although daunting (for me), I figured this was a unique opportunity to tackle this part of the Romanian pile en-masse. I also figured that doing them together would be needed to render a consistent look. As usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX in this post.  Doing a large project like this deepens my admiration for fellow bloggists like Mark N and Stokes, who do such wonderful paint jobs on large figure count projects like this routinely: I doff my brush in respect.

 French-inspired Romanian Line Infantry Uniform.  At a glance, fairly simple, but closer inspection shows that it is more involved, particularly the piping and number of details on the headgear.  Figures are from Outpost Wargame Service (acquired through Badger Games in the US).

Next Step: paint coats, highlight coats, highlight trousers, and then do trouser stripes.

Musicians and leaders done: on large projects, I finish the specialty figures ahead of the rest. This interim milestone gives me a boost and also gets me familiar with the figures and the color palette, which helps when next shifting to the assembly-line work of the other figures.

Some of the piping detail work (repeat x45). 

Equipment, done: working my way up to the headgear. Not yet cleaned up, but getting there...

 ...the entire batch, marching towards completion.

Excelsior!

BULGARIAN LEGION OF THE RTW

 
Outpost Figs of the Bulgarian Legion of the Russo Turkish War (1877-78).

Greetings, fellow shut-ins.  In this post, we continue along our Balkan paths.  Turning aside from the earlier-completed Romanians, we diverge into the Bulgarians.  Specifically, a unit of the Bulgarian Legion of the Russo Turkish War.  

These were volunteer units, six battalions in all, that were equipped by and served in the Russian Army in the Russo Turkish War.  The major difference in their kit was their distinctive headgear.

For the Bulgarians, as with other balkan states, the Russo Turkish War is their War of Independence. The Bulgarian uprising against the Ottomans, and the subsequent Ottoman brutality against the Bulgarian populace, was a major catalyst that brought on the Russo Turkish War.  No wonder, then, that a substantial and highly motivated Bulgarian volunteer force made its way into the ranks of the Russian Army. 

The Bulgarian Legion was part of the Russian force that conducted the desperate defense of the Shipka Pass, one of the turning points of the conflict. The defenders, with their ammunition dwindling, at one point resorted to rolling rocks and logs down onto the attacking Ottomans. It is a dramatic story well worth reading about (at the above link) if you are unaware of this conflict or this particular episode.  Well, that's the background: here is my study of how I rendered this unit (as usual, you may clix pix for BIG PIX):

Followers of this blog may pick out the previously reported upon Billy Badass the Bulgarian among the figures. I chose to represent them in the winter green trousers as opposed to summer white. I also very much appreciate that these figures are actually portrayed in combat order as opposed to weighed down with equipment (see rant in previous post about encumbered figures). 

Deployed as a brigade using single stands as battalions. 

The Bulgarian Legion was organized into three brigades of two-battalions each. I have two versions of my current VnB variant for the post-Napoleonic era, one that uses two stand battalions and one that uses one stand per battalion.  Had I to do it again, I probably would have done four stands in order to give me the ability to field brigades (either one, at two stands per battalion, or two at one stand per). When I do finish my Chocolate Box Wars system, this unit will fit right in as a volunteer or auxiliary option for the Russian force.

Three veterans of the Bulgarian Legion photographed sometime in the early 20th Century--a formidable looking trio even in their advanced years.

[Finally, this is an appeal to fellow bloggists who may be more tech savvy than I: for some reason, when my blog is updated and comes up among lists on other blogs, there is no accompanying thumbnail image (for those blog lists that have this enabled). This seems a recent issue, having come up on a previous post in the last week. I haven't changed anything about my blog settings or the way I'm posting images. Can anyone enlighten me as to why blogger is not picking up a thumbnail to preview on blog lists, or how I might fix this?  Feel free to email me directly at edmuel@gmail.com with suggestions if you would rather do that than commenting: thanks!]

 Excelsior!

IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS, LIGHT

Signs of change: the first bit of color arrived this weekend (clix pix for BIG PIX to see).

Greetings, fellow shut-ins.  Inspired by the enjoyment that I've derived in these challenging times from reading other bloggists stories of life under isolation, I thought I'd meander into a non-hobby post of my own. On Friday, the last snow pile disappeared from our yard ("garden" for our friends in the UK), and as I was sitting out on the steps of our back deck on Saturday, I spied a pinpoint of blue sticking out from among the beds on our rock ledge  (above).  This served as a prompt for me to shift things from winter to spring.  But amidst the news that the worst weeks of the pandemic are now upon us here in the US, it also serves as a sign of better times to come.  So, between bouts of working remotely today (Monday), I went through the ritual of the seasonal swap....

 ...I gave the garage a good clear out and cleaning...

...and swapped out the winter equipment for the spring/summer kit, most significantly, stowing the snowblower and bringing out the lawn mower...

...the Foo Dogs were brought out of storage and  took up their places on the front steps, officially marking the shift in season...

...out back, it was still a bit early to be putting out the deck furniture: we are expecting some mixed precip later this week, but no accumulation. So after that, the deck will be outfitted...

...but still, other signs of life out back have appeared... 

...and today was the first day where you could see that the grass was actually mostly green (something that always seems to happen overnight).  Just on Sunday, the wife and I were commenting on the fact that there were only a few patches where the grass seemed to be growing.  So after swapping out the garage, et al, I thought I'd continue with a short walk on our property...

...we have about 1.5 acres of woods behind our house...

...the entrance to which I rather fancy as being shaped like a doorway into another space...

...the walking sticks have been put out for the season (found just after entering the woods)...

...the trail then proceeds back from there.  The wife is the gardener, and I'm the forester.  I created the trail system and tend to the woods...

...in another sign of spring, the intermittent marsh at the back of our property is inundated...

...although not so much that you need to use the stepping-logs (yet)...

...turning the corner and skirting the back of the property...

 ...more signs of spring sprouting from the forest floor...

...turning back towards the house...

...and coming through the gate and out of the woods...

...to where our household saint abides and watches over all.

COME WHAT MAY, TIME AND THE HOUR RUNS THROUGH THE ROUGHEST DAY

--Macbeth, I, iii, 148-49

In our next post we will resume normal hobby programming.

Excelsior!

BILLY BADASS THE BULGARIAN: WIP RTW

 Outpost Bulgarian Legion Command Figure, Russo Turkish War

(clix pix for BIG PIX)

Greetings, fellow shut-ins.  This is just a quick post showing an interim step in a work in progress.  I'm currently working on a unit of the Bulgarian Legion of the Russo Turkish War.  In so doing, I thought I'd finish up the command figure (above) ahead of the others.  I have to relate that I was not expecting much when I started on this fellow, particularly since he is draped in a greatcoat, but this was one of those figures that surprises you by emerging into something special as you go.  I was struck by how this sculpt is much more a "personality" figure than something you might find among others in a command set.  It strikes me that he would fit in nicely as a single figure in a pulp adventure line set in the "back of beyond" or the Russian Civil War: "Billy Badass the Bulgarian."

No dandy waving a sword and shouting encouragements, Billy is in on the action: very in keeping with the fighting reputation of the Bulgarian Legion (even if it was officered by Russians: we can overlook that bit and assume that there could have been Bulgarian officers at company level--where the pistol action is).

Coming soon, the rest of the Bulgarian Legion.  It will almost be a shame to mount Billy in a unit stand mixed with other figures as opposed to by himself--but I'm sure he'll bring something to the look of the outfit even so (and i'll know he's there!).

Excelsior!