An update on the Jacobite 1745 Project

 Over the last couple of weeks I have made some decent progress with my 1745 project, I thought I might share some images with you and also my thoughts on what it might actually look like.

The project itself is aimed at Sharp Practice, gaming company level actions for the most part. I want a good mix of troop types but only really those that would likely have seen extensive action.

Extending out a bit chum Chris has decided to throw in his lot and pick up some figures (mainly I suspect because I didn't want to do the Irish and Chris felt this a must) this will add great variety to our larger games. He picked up a bunch of second hand Front Rank figures which I think will compliment well the Flags of War I mainly have as both are nice chunky characterful figures.

For the Government side I plan either 3 or 5 groups of 8 British regulars, these will be based on Barrels regiment, 2 groups of 8 Dragoons mounted and dismounted based on Cobham's. A few Loyalist volunteers as the Glasgow Regiment and some Loyalist Highland Militia to round it off. This gives me enough for a reasonable sized action and figures for a number of different scenarios. I may add some Government Highlanders but fancy these as skirmishers really.

For the Jacobite's 3 groups of 8 Royal Ecossais, 1 group of 8 Baggot's Hussars and lots of wild Highlanders supported by 2 or 3 groups of lowlanders.

I have no plans for artillery at this stage.

These particular pictures were taken with the Hudson and Allan Inn as the background, always a good place to start with soldiers of any nation I find.

The first figures to share with you are the first 4 of Cobham's Dragoons, I had a hard time with the saddle cloths as they should have black piping through the middle of the white border, I tried a number of times but it looked awful so I decided to get rid, I much prefer this look to be honest, hope it doesn't offend anyone's historical accuracy sensibilities. Like most of the figures I am painting these are the excellent Flags of War, my only criticism of these, and its a small one, is the lack of a third horse option in the pack of three. Not a big deal but I am a wargaming snob about these things.

Finally getting to grips with the photography, the new lights coupled with the mobile phone camera seem to have done the trick for the most part.

Now Cobham's, as mentioned, have black piping through the middle of the white edging on the saddle cloth and holster covers, I tried numerous times but it looked awful so I have decided to go without. Personally I think its the right decision, but that doesnt mean I am particularly happy about it.

For the Government foot its Barrels, here are a group of 8 with their officer, again Flags of War and very nice too. I plan to base these in fours which we have found works for us. The base size still to be finalised, probably 40mm frontage or similar, depth may be greater for highlanders to allow for more dynamic charging poses.

The close up here gives you a good idea of the detail on these fellas and also captures the madder red I have used quite well, I wanted a different red that wasn't quite so bright and really happy with this result.

With the departure of the redcoats a bunch of Royal Ecossais turn up to see if the Inn has anything worth drinking left over. Again all Flags of War and one of my all time favourite units. Sorry about the lack of check on the socks, I actually prefer this sergeant as he is. 

Looking forward to doing the standard bearers next, the Flags are fantastic.

Both sides will have Militia and Volunteers in civilian clothes, if I am careful with the basing approach these may be able to be used by both sides on some occasions, for the moment though these guys are the Glasgow Loyalist Regiment. two Ebor musketeers and two Perry's AWI drummers, one with a head swap.

The highlanders are not entirely forgotten, two Warlord ECW chaps who fit in nicely enough and another Perry AWI militiaman with a head swap and overalls painted as trews. Not as enamoured of this last figure but he might be OK at the back.

Jacobite Lowlanders, these guys have been done for a while and already based, although there is a good chance they will be re-based into fours. A real mix of manufacturers from left to right 2 Ebor WSS musketeers with head swaps, a Warlord highlander with Lochaber axe at the back and 4 Flags of War Lowlanders.

I particularly like how these two Ebor figures with Flags of War heads have come out.

Three more for the Glasgow regiment, all Ebor with two head swaps.

And a few figures I can use for both sides as they have no cockade, another Ebor with head swap and 4 Warlord highlanders.

The Flags of War bandaged head is lovely and goes really well with the Paul Hicks sculpted Ebor musketeer body.

The Glaswegians will need leaders and these three from Galloping Major are full of character, They are chunkier than the other figures so don't mix within units but work really well as leader figures.

Not to be outdone we also have a bunch of Highland Leader figures, mainly to be used as Jacobite's and all from the Flags of War character pack, I do like these chaps, even if the close ups are slightly out of focus.

So some good progress on this new project and some really lovely figures which I am generally pretty pleased with.

The photography seems to have improved, just the focus on the close ups to work on, I will get there promise.

Hope you like them, more to come in due course.