Polish Foot Battery

In keeping with my theme for September I continue to reveal shiny new trinkets!

I have always wanted a Polish Division for my Napoleonic collection. The Poles seemed to pop up all over the place alongside the French and were numerous enough to form a separate Corps at times. Their distinctive head gear, ferocious Uhlans and variations such as the Vistula Legion make them a striking addition and easily recognizable on the table top which is handy in big games.    

The battery deployed for action, three guns and a howitzer - FIRE!

My issue was the available models which simply didn't appeal! The Elite Miniatures somehow didn't inspire and the Front Rank range looked too "wooden". The older ranges simply looked too old so I waited! Warlord Games caused a stir in the loins with a plastic set which I snapped up only to find ugly separate metal heads which soon dampened my ardor! I shall sell them.

Looking along the battery. The howitzer is about to send a shell high above the enemy - FIRE!  

The stars aligned for me when Roger Murrow released his extensive and ever growing range of Poles under his Murawski Miniatures brand. These are sculpted by Paul Hicks who has come a long, long way since his early works for Gripping Beast. These sculpts are from the "modern" school but fit in alongside everything else in my collection just fine.

Barry Hill and his family of painters in the Philippines did great things with this battery getting the green uniforms and red braid/cords/pompoms just to my liking i.e. very bright! I can recommend his painting service to anyone, neat, quick, bold & bright! Chris and I based them, ammo chests have since been added. Maybe a limber or caisson would be fun?  

Zooming in on a gun and howitzer. these are lovely cannons.

Another close up, this time at the other end of the gun line.

That howitzer again! The officer is an Essex Miniatures chap who replaces the model ramming the gun barrel because he overlapped the base too much for gaming use. He fits in just fine, at least the other crew don't seem to object. 

I picked up an initial batch of four battalions, some skirmishers, this battery and 24 Uhlans, the infantry are all finished and obviously the battery too! The Uhlans came separate arms which I hate so are sitting a box still! Tony has access to a laser welder so may be persuaded to weld them on and then weld the lances in too. It just seems so unnecessary! Maybe I'm a spoiled brat? I don't know.

The final shot is from the rear as the battery fires on a distant foe. I am very pleased with these - cheers Barry. 

I have since picked up a fifth line battalion and 2 Vistula Legion battalions which still require painting. I can't have this many Poles without a general so some high command and of course the original nappy plucky Pole Prince Poniatowski himself are in a box also awaiting painting, Infact I am posting them to Barry soon.

Murawski have released more since of which the hussars appeal most. I don't fancy a horse battery or the Krakus either! Sadly they have fallen into the trap of starting another range ahead of finishing this one; the Baden infantry look very tempting though - must resist.

That's it for today, the remainder of the painted Poles will appear soon so keep your eyes peeled. Have fun out there, Jeremy