Sunday, October 8, 2017

Giant Commission -- Highlanders

It's my secret shame.  I, Scott Angus MacPhee, do not like painting highlanders.  I may not be able to call myself a Scotsman.

The tartans are tough enough, but when you add in the diced hose and checked hat band . . .

Still, I managed to finish these 72 highlanders in just two weeks.  These are the three highland regiments that fought at Waterloo: the 42nd, 79th, and 92nd Foot




42nd Foot "The Black Watch"

This is the most subdued tartan pattern.  The challenge in 15mm is to make the pattern visible without making it too bright.  I hope I kept to a happy medium here.


Glenn wanted his highlanders to be grenadiers, so I had a bunch of shoulder wings to paint.


Many of the figures had very fragile bayonet joins.  I strengthened where I could, but I ended up having to replace over a dozen out of 60 castings.


As always the flags are from GMB and are correct for each regiment.  This is my second time painting this regiment in 15mm. I have it in my own army too.




79th Foot "Cameron Highlanders"

Family tradition has it that an ancestor fought in the Hundred Days campaign.  I have no idea if that's correct or not, but the 79th Foot had several MacPhees (with the original "McPhee" spelling, check out pp. 65-80).

Grenadier Company: Private John McPhee (wounded)
I Company: Lieutenant Donald McPhee (wounded)
II Company: Ensign McPhee
VIII Company: Private Donald McPhee (wounded)

So it looks as though the MacPhees fought (and bled) at Waterloo, or more likely at Quatre Bras.  I will admit that I lavished a little extra attention on this regiment, trying very hard to get the tartans just right.




92nd Foot "Gordon Highlanders"

This is certainly the most colorful of the Highland regiments at Waterloo.  The bright tartan and the yellow facings really jump out at the viewer.  This is my second attempt at painting the Gordon tartan, but my first in 15mm.

I am working on the British and Hanoverian light infantry now.  When they are done, I will be finished with the British infantry.

12 comments:

  1. Outstanding!
    Loving the 15mm tartan, I know what a drag it can be.
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve! I am certainly glad to have them behind me!

      Delete
  2. Excellent work on a tough pattern!

    Christopher

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Christopher! I am pretty pleased with how they turned out.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Thanks, Phil! It will be a while before I tackle highlanders again, but I do figure I should have the 79th at least in my own army.

      Delete
  4. The effect is just right, laddie!
    Your ancestors would be proud!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Glenn; I'm glad you like them! Wait until you see them in your hand! I think you'll be very pleased.

      Delete
  5. Excellent results! I am with you on lamenting the tediousness of painting highlanders. Painting tartans, dice hose, and hat band take care to pull off and you have done a wonderful job. I have no desire to paint 72 of the little buggars. I have some 15mm highlanders that have lingered in my primered box for a year at least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jon! I have a 40 man regiment in 28mm primed and ready to go when I have some painting time for myself. The figures are very nice.

      Delete
  6. Superb work. Very tastefully done as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much like painting ancient Persians, eh? I have a few hundred waiting for me to start, and I'll be looking to your blog for inspiration!

      Delete