First Figure of the Russian Russo Turkish War Project
Greetings, fellow meanderers. Figures are still rolling in for my aforementioned "Pandemic Project II" (Russo Turkish War Russian Army: the 1877 RTW, I might add, as opposed to earlier ones). I decided that rather than waiting for the whole batch to arrive, I'd get stuck in with what was on hand. I also decided on giving the project a jump start by getting a complete figure done, both to get into the swing of things and to give me some inspiration and momentum. One peculiarity of the figures on the market is that there are no mounted command figures for the Russians. Thus, I knew that I would be in the conversion game for these (of course, I just HAVE to have mounted commanders). I also wanted to have the very excellent Kuban/Caucasian Cossacks among my mounted units. Thus, I searched around and decided to go out of period (surprise!) and pick up some Back of Beyond Caucasian Cossack Cavalry and give those a try...
...and of course, this first figure is a conversion (would you expect anything less?). This figure began life as a Copplestone Caucasian Cavalry trooper from their Back of Beyond line. I added the shoulder boards with green stuff.
For inspiration, I went with the uniform of the Russian Imperial Guard Cossack unit that was the personal escort of the Tsar. This works well enough for a one off high ranking command figure. In the below study, you may clix pix for BIG PIX... The Copplestone figure for Russian Civil War works fine for the Russo Turkish War as well. The uniform was traditional and basically didn't change much. I decided on the white Kubanka (hat) as a distinction for a high ranking officer. I'm happy with the look. Getting this figure done also acquainted me with Copplestone figures ahead of tackling a unit of them...
...the next unit to be mustered into service will be the other Copplestone Caucasion Cossack figures, also done up in the Guard Escort Cossack rig. In my Chocolate Box Wars system (another work in progress), each force can potentially field one guard cavalry unit--so these will be my Russian guard cavalry. I'll have some other Cossacks in the lists for "every day" use. But those will be the topic of other posts at another time, dear reader.
Ed, this is a really striking start to your project. The red with yellow trim on the chokha sets this horsemen apart. Nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jonathan--Always nice to give yourself the flexibility to include a snappy looking unit or two in the mix.
DeleteLooks very nice, splendid colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil--couldn't resist having it.
DeleteAnd very nice he looks too, this is another period I know little about, so I'll look forward to my history lesson from your good self.
ReplyDeleteHi Ray: I'll try to not steer you up any blind alleys along the way :)
DeleteA great start!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing quite like a Cossack to stir the blood of a wargamer.
Indeed: it certainly feels like things have gotten off at a gallop!
DeleteThe conversion came out very nice. Well done. I too often will paint up a single figure when starting a new project just to see a completed one; so I know where I am going. 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stew: I was concerned about the shoulder boards. They were not very distinct in shape, but cartooning in the details in the end brought them out nicely, I think.
DeleteVery nice indeed Ed
ReplyDeleteThis chap is lovely start to the project...
I look forward to seeing the finished unit.
All the best. Aly
Thanks, Aly: went right into the next stage from here. Should have the unit on display soon--what's well begun is half done :)
DeleteSplendid looking cossack officer! Yes,it's convenient that the traditional costume covers a large period!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain: Cossacks, particularly the ethnic variety, like these, are a "license to steal" in that regard. You could put them on the table anywhere from the Crimean war through to the Russian Civil War.
Delete