Swedish Grenadiers 'Forlorn Hope'
While I've been busily painting up my GNW Swedish Horse, I've embarked on a slight detour: a Pikeman's Lament 'Forlorn Hope' of Swedish Grenadiers.
I've already got 48 infantry figures painted up, and since there were about 15% Grenadiers per battalion, the six that I've done completes it.
Plus, while re-reading the rules I noticed that the Forlorn Hope units are very powerful. One six fig unit is just about equal to two units of Pike or Shot, or 24 figures. Since my opponent Will's Russians consist of 12 Grenadiers plus an equal number of dismounted Dragoons, I could see that a 'Forlorn Hope Gap' was quickly developing! Clearly, something needed to be done (ahh, 'mission creep'!).
The problem was, where to get the figs? I've already got quite a number on the go, and didn't want to buy any more. So, I had a good look at the left-overs on the Wargames Factory sprues.
Now, I know that many gamers love to be able customize their figures with all the options that come with such sprues. But frankly, I would rather simply have two or three extra figs, thanks very much! If you look at the sprue pictured above you'll see that in addition to the three figures that comes with it, you get enough spare parts for an additional three figs -- minus the lower halves of the bodies and sword hangers.
So I went digging through my inventory at home and found that I had a box of Wargames Factory WWII US GIs that I had bought on sale (but had proven totally out of scale for the smattering of WWII 28mm figures that I already had).
Necessity is the mother of invention. Out came the hacksaw and sandpaper, and what you see below is the result.
Match up the US GI lower bodies with the 18th century upper bodies, add some glue, and 'hey presto'! (Sorry about picture quality, but my camera started acting up. You get the idea.)
I also had to fabricate the lower half of the greatcoat, so out came the inevitable 'greenstuff'. The paper you see serves as a guide for the slice of greenstuff.
I also needed to fabricate pockets on the greatcoat to give it the proper look. I cut out pocket shapes from wine bottle tinfoil and used a pin to make button shapes on the opposite side (small indentations facing outwards).
Below: the green spot covers the hole in the washer base.
Here are my completed Grenadiers, warts and all. The camera can see detail much better than I can, so I'll have to do some cleaning up.
Cheers!
