A couple of weeks ago I watched Ridley Scott's " The Duellists". As usual, it got me in a Napoleonic mood. I started looking for some Napoleonic figures that would work for painting up as duelists of the period. Perry Miniatures does have a set of figures specifically of duelists with spectators. It is a nice set, but I'm not sure that this isn't a project that will just be a one off game. I also was thinking of trying to kitbash Airfix Royal Horse Artillery figures into a couple of swordsmen, but with my limited number of figures of this set, I decided against it.
As the main protagonists in the movie were hussars, I looked at my different plastic 1/72 hussars in my collection. In the end I chose 2 Airfix British Hussars. I just glued them to bases, sprayed painted black and slapped some paint on. Although not the best poses, I am happy enough with them. The project also cost no extra money, which was nice.
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| The figure on the left is Gabriel Feraud of the 7th Hussars, the right figure Armand d'Hubert of the 3rd Hussars. |
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| Of course while duelling, one would keep their weapons closest to their opponent However, I think the pose works. |
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| I might do a little more touch up on the figures, and put a coat gloss coat on them. |
I've never thought of these figures standing (or crouching?) before John!
ReplyDeleteThey do work rather well.
I think the lack of too much detail in earlier figures works out well. Some of the newer figures would be too "bowlegged" to work.
DeleteA novel use for Airfix cavalry, who often wont stay attached to the horse. And best of all, free figures for duelling because you already had them!
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will stay on their stands better than on their horses.
ReplyDeleteGreat film and super figures!
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Yes, the movie's one of my favorite. Thank you for the comment, I still love the old Airfix Napoleonics, even if outdated.
DeleteThe repurposing of those cavalry figures as dualists works surprisingly well.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid they would look bowlegged; it looks like a natural pose for dueling, except the front foot should facectowards the opponent.
DeleteExcellent idea and very well executed, I must give it a go myself. Paul
ReplyDeleteEvery once and a while I get an idea for a project and think of my old Airfix figures. They may not be the best toy soldiers out there, but for old timers they bring back many happy childhood memories.
DeleteIndeed they do, mine are so old now that the plastic seems to have dried out and they have become brittle!! Paul.
DeleteSorry to hear that your figures are becoming brittle. One of the figures is from my original Airfix hussars that must be 50 years old, the second is from recent recasts.
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