Napoleonic French - 3rd Provisional Croatian Regiment

When it came to renewing my Napoleonic French Army there was one unit that I had to recreate, this was the 3rd Provisional Croatian Regiment. I had originally used the early version Springfield figures to create the unit as shown in Kannick's Military Uniforms of the World. The replacement unit is all 3D printed.

To create the original rolled trouser look I had to digitally combine the upper half of a French infantryman with the lower half of a Spaniard.

On the workbench - September 2025

A more limited plan this month as I will be travelling, but I may get chance while doing so so assemble various kits/models that ae in my stash. As for painting I will be working on:

• Napoleonic French 3rd Croatian Regiment - well underway
• 4 units of WSS Dutch Infantry
• Some French Revolutionary generals
• 28mm Mexican Gunfighters
• Napoleonic French Grenadiers a Cheval
• Napoleonic French Chasseurs a Cheval
• Maybe get started on my replacement US units for Nam 68
• Start up the FDM printer - not yet done as I never seem to have a clear period to get started

Napoleonic Baden Infantry

My last item for August is the 2nd Baden Infantry Regiment. I had quite a number of left over Bavarian and Wurttemberg figures once I added more command figures to the units, but I had enough for a brigade of each so I needed a unit with a similar appearance, hence Baden who kept the helmet up until the end of 1812. They had numerous uniform changes but I hope I have correctly sorted out the 2nd Regiment in 1810-1812

As with the Bavarians/Wurttembergers the figures are Springwood hard plastic with 3D printed command figures.

WW2 Soviet Paratroops

Having fought two games with partisans using Battlegroup Bagration I was tempted by the possibility of using Soviet Paratroops as an option and so I then bought some files by Kojak and printed enough for two squads. them.

Looking at my pictures I spotted that I had forgotten to paint the googles, now fixed

Back to the Wild West

A bit of a non combatant collection, acquired/3D printed to meet the need to provide bystanders.

The bystanders were 3D printed, but not by me as the files were too expensive as I only wanted one of each and then I found them at Wirral Warboot at a good price. The cattle were seperate and I bought the files and printed them myself.

The cattle were sold as Nguni cattle for the Zulu War so I printed more in 20mm to use there

WW2 US Airborne - boosting the LMGs

Back in the past when I built my US Airborne force for a big game we were using an orbat where the MGs were the 30cal Browning mounted on a tripod. Subsequent research showed that should be a bipod mounted M1919A6. So once a file became available for 3D printing I acquired it and here is the result.

They look very samey, but once they are dispersed out to individual (Rapid Fire) companies it should not be noticeable.

WW2 US Command Cars

AS a bit of a change I 3D printed a pair of US command cars. On the right the earlier Dodge VC-1 and on the left the Dodge WC-6

The drivers were printed separately and were extracted from a model in a Beep

WW2 North Africa sdkfz 9s

Continuing on from my last post here are a pair of sdkfz 9s ready to support the DAK. These again are 3D resin printed to replace a couple of diecasts. I modified the base models to add stowage, but the crew were added separately.

WW2 German sdkfz 9s early and late war

As part of my replacement of diecast vehicles in my collection I have 3D resin printed two covered sdkfz 9s or FAMOs. These are 1/76 scale rather than the 1/72 of the diecast versions

Just painted in very simple early and late war camouflage schemes.

WW2 German Nashorn (Hornisse) self propelled guns

Compared to the last post here is a close cousin of the Bumblebee (Hummel) the Hornisse (Hornet) or as it is better known the Rhinocerous (Nashorn). Instead of the Hummel's 150mm it has a long barrelled 88mm AT gun, very useful apart from the thin armour.

Again 3D resin printed and camouflaged for the s.H.Pz.Jg.abt.560 on the eastern fron in 1943

Again I need to find some suitable crew.

WW2 German Hummel self propelled guns

Although I have a Milicast WW2 German Hummel I felt it was time to upgrade with a pair of 3D printed versions. Nice models ideal for wargaming use.

The camouflage was based on that of the 5th Panzer in Russia in 1944

Just need to find some suitable crew

Napoleonic Austrian Cavalry Artillery

Just like my Hinton Hunt Russian Artillery I sold off my Austrians, so again I have replaced them with 3D printed figures, this time from Piano. Like their predecesssors I am using the summer uniformed figures as Cavalry Artillery.

I haven't yet decided of how to upgrade the guns so for now I am using either my old converted Airfix models

and the horrible HaT ones

Napoleonic Russian Horse Artillery

When I sold off my old Hinton Hunt Russian Napoleonic Foot Artillery I already had plenty of replacement gunners, but the Horse Artillery gunners which were Italeri conversions looked out of place. So now I have 3D printed their replacement with files from "Kojak". I also printed extra guns to upgrade my existing plastic verions.

I have doubled up each "battery" to one 6 pdr and one unicorn to represent the larger 12 gun Russian batteries

6 pdr guns and unicorns.

A small stock up of the stash

Once the new Orion figures were released it was time for a quick top up of the stash in conjunction with Andy.

My haul includes

• The Orion figures will either create another USMC platoon or more likely boost the variety of figures.
• The Eld Cid Spanish Infantry will add a foot contingent to make up a Spanish force for Lion Rampant.
• The First to Fight German Heavy weapons provide correctly uniformed figures for my early WW2 German MMG teams as I found I only had figures in field caps
• The WSS British Cavalry and SYW (Jacobite) British Infantry are to complete my previously planned purchase

More War of Spanish Succession Cuirassiers

Completed all the units on the workbench,basically using up all the remaining Cuirassier figures in the stash.

A couple of generic German Cuirassiers as I could not find details of any specific units I wanted, I have given them a couple of Palatinate sandards to match the facings

Austrian Alt Hanover (front) and Cusani (rear) Cuirassiers

Danish 2nd Sjaellandske Cuirassiers (strictly they should not have backplates)

On the Workbench - August 2025

Having been 3D printing and built up a stock of figures and vehicles, I've decided to rethink my painting schedule and I will now be working on the following:-

• Bystanders for "What a Cowboy" - still slowly being painted
• WSS Danish Sjaellandske Cuirassiers - painting well underway
• Two units each of Austrian and German Cuirassiers - painting well underway.
• Napoleonic Russian Horse Artillery gunners and guns - started painting
• Napoleonic Austrian Gunners - started painting
• Selection of WW2 German vehicles that have been 3D printed
• a pair of WW2 US command cars
• Start up the FDM printer - not yet done as I never seem to have a clear period to get started

Currently being painted

From left to right, various resin vehicles, Napoleonic Austrian and Russian Guns and Gunners and WSS Cuirassiers

British Stuart M3A3s

Slow painting progress this month, not helped by forgetting how much time gets taken up 3D printing. These Stuart M3A3s are 3D printed and have sneeked past the queue to be finished along with a 5.5" gun in the background. The new Stuarts will replace some old Matchbox models, which will now be reused for the desert.

The 5.5" gun is to replace an old Airfix model, I have already replaced another.

Attack at Devizes 2025

Always an enjoyable day out whenever it matches with a family visit back to Wiltshire. It's a chance to met up with old friends, sadly slowly diminishing; see some different traders and see some different games although only sttod out for me this year.

WW2 Pacific air/naval action with some innovative modular islands

ACW Picketts charge at Gettysburg

Some nice Vietnamese hooches on the Charlie Foxtrot stand unfortunately only available in 28mm

Very little booty from the show the old Almarks Panzerjaeger book and I made a swap with Alan McCoubrey for an Airfix Henschel HS123.

Fresh from the printer

Just finished by first batch of 3D resin prints now that the weather is warm enough and I had a relatively clear run of days to work on them. Mainly they were printed with Elegoo ABS water washable resin, which works well on the figures

From top left to bottom right

• French Revolution Generals
• WW2 Russian Paratroops
• large tray 1 - see below
• large tray 2 - Napoleonic Russian Horse Artillery plus extra guns
• Napoleonic French Croatian Regiment
• Oddments - Camel riders, WSS Drummers and WW2 US drivers
• Napoleonic Austrian Gunners
• Naploeonic Polish Lancers
• WW2 US Paratrooos with M1919A3 bipod mounts
• Western Gunfight 32mm - Mexicans and Cattle
• Zulu War Cattle
• Napoleonic French Guard Chasseurs a Cheval
• Napoleonic French Guard Grenadiers a Cheval

Vehicles, etc

• Pair of German Nashorn
• Pair of German Hummel
• Three British Stuart M3A3
• US Dodge VC-1 Command Car 1939
• US Dodge WC6 Command Car
• British Stuart that will be replaced by the M3A3s
• British 5.5" gun to replace my old Airfix one
• Pair of open topped German sdkfz 9 "Famo"
• Pair of closed topped German sdkfz 9 "Famo"

El Cid Era Spanish

A bit of a whim purchase, I thought they would expand my range of options for using Lion Rampant. They do, and I've now ordered more foot to make up a bigger force (for now). The figures are all HaT from their El Cid range. Unfortunately most of the figures are still of their old bendy soft plastic.

In the meantime I have been getting the 3D resin printer back in action.....

Islands (in the sun?)

I acquired two sets of islands from Irongate Scenary at the Wirral Warboot. Although I was tempted to make them look more fancy I decided on keeping them robust enough to cope with normal game/club usage.

I may make another set with a more mediterranean colouring when I get the chance and inclination.

Progress against plan - 2Q25

Progress is beginning to pickup with 841 items completed, normally I would have completed over 1200, but there have been various distractions. Hopefully I can get back on track for the rest of the year.

Progress on my broad themes:

1. Enhance existing armies - Underway
2. 3D printing terrain (FDM) - Nothing done yet as I still haven't had a clear period to run it.
3. 3D printing vehicles and figures (resin) - About to get started, I hope
4. Continue to clear out all unwanted items, including painted figures - Nothing done yet
5. Enjoy Games & Shows - Going well

Amplifying the above:

1. Enhance existing armies - already planned are

• Continue rebasing the French Napoleonics - Now waiting for figures to be printed
• then I will start on the Austrians - All the figures have been rebased, but I need to print and paint some replacement flying artillery gunners
• 28mm Female Gunfighters - Completed
• 5 units of Napoleonic Spanish round hat infantry (1 of which will be skirmishers) - Completed
• 4 units of Napoleonic Italian line infantry - Completed
• 3 units of Napoleonic Young Guard skirmishers - Completed
• WSS Danish Cuirassiers - Nothing done yet
• Hanoverian limbers for the SYW - Nothing done yet
• Some Spanish medievals for the El Cid period - Nearlt done
• plus the figures listed below to be 3D printed - Nothing done yet

2. 3D Printing Terrain (FDM)

• Test printing a Horsa using FDM - Nothing done yet
• Vietnamese hooches - I decided the hooches I bought were not well designed and I need to find something better
• Western European buildings - bought files from a kickstarter
• Spanish/Mediterrainean buildings - Nothing done yet
• New bridges (all eras) - Nothing done yet

3. 3D Printing Vehicles & Figures (Resin)

• Napoleonic Saxon and Westphalian Infantry - Nothing done yet
• Napoleonic Russian Artillery & Gunners - Replacement files have been purchased
• Napoleonic Polish Lancers, French Guard Horse Grenadiers and Chasseurs a Cheval - Nothing done yet
• WW2 Russian paratroops - Nothing done yet
• Gradually replace existing diecast and other poor quality AFVs in my collection - Nothing done yet
• Working on more figures with the Resin printer using the more robust resin I have found - Nothing done yet

4. Continue to clear out all unwanted items, including painted figures

• Re-assess each existing period, army, and units to consider if I am really going to use them - Nothing done yet
• Maintain stash (figure and plastic bits box) at 3 crates and hopefully reduce the numbers - Nothing done yet - but nothing substantial purchased
• Consider the future for my 1st version Springwood figures as I have the capability to replace them with more compatible figures to the 2nd edition - Nothing done yet - but I am tending to favour selling them

5. Gaming

• Continue supporting the Beacon Club and attending as many weekend events as possible - Well underway with additional periodic games at Si's "Officer's Mess" during the week.
• Try to attend the same number of shows as last year - Like last year only Phalanx this quarter

On the workbench - July 2025

Well June has been quite a month and my painting effort has been concentrated on our local pub rather that figures.

So there has been little progress and I am working on:

• Work on "El Cid" figures to modify my existing Crusader armies to Spain - well underway and I've nearly finished painting the figures
• Islands for Naval Games - well underway
• Start assembling the 28mm "Gangs of Rome" figures - still unstarted
• Bystanders for "What a Cowboy" - slowly being painted
• WSS Danish Sjaellandske Cuirassiers - Now ready to be painted
• Two units each of Austrian and German Cuirassiers - with the arrival of new figures I have sorted out a rough plan to progress.
• Start up the FDM printer - not yet done as I never seem to have a clear period to get started
• Restart the resin printer - as per the FDM printer
• If possible start on a US Army platoon for Nam 68

Mid month I hope to visit family in Wiltshire and get to the Attack show at Devizes.

Recent purchases

With the arrival of some new sets from Strelets, it was time to top up the stash.

So my plans for using them are from right to left:

• The Orion figures will provide some well needed figures to create a US Army and USMC platoon for Nam68 to replace my old Esci.
• The Chinese will add a bit of colour to any WW2 Burma or "Back of Beyond" game.
• The WSS Duch will become exactly that, a brigade of Dutch Foot
• Holy Roman Empire Grenadiers will boost my existing Austrian Foot
• The WSS British Cavalry were intended to boost my French Line Cavalry but somehow I only bought one packet instead of two
• Similarly the SYW (Jacobite) British Infantry should have been two packets, but the intention was to use a pair of these two items to make up the order to give free postage, but something went wrong

So I've already started on another top up list

Dutch Line Infantry for Trebian

Bunker Hill 1775 refight

Followng Phalanx the Gentlemen Pensioners gathered in Salford to refight the battle of Bunker Hill 1775. I was Prescott, one of the rebel commanders, commanding the defence of the front and south face main redoubt. The rules used were a modified Rebels and Loyalists (?), which all of us apart from the umpires were unfamiliar with.

The British on the move

The British threatening the redoubt, my command is the front facing off a feint attack

The assault rolls in, and the British Grenadiers break in on the weaker northern side

Overall a historicl ending with the British taking Breeds Hill with heavy losses, especially on their southern flans.

An enjoyable days gaming before friends had to depart to the various poimts of the compass.