May 14, 2013

Zvezda Russian Noble Cavalry


This is me actually painting something, but not the thing I wanted, how surprising. I went to the hobby store - they seem to be low on everything as usual. I wanted some winged hussars or Cossacks - neither of which I could find. I have, on the other hand, some Streltsi painted up not very historically, and I have seen all the Zvezda cavalry boxes are down to the infantry boxes' price - well people, demand must be low. And yes, a cavalry box of 18-19 figs costed 1,5x as much as an infantry box with 40 figs. Sort this out. Anyway, I bought this little box because it seemed just fitting for my Muscovites.

Out of complaining, the figures are very nice as usual from Zvezda. 19 riders, horses included, with various weaponry and whatnot.


Painting is the usual 'quick' method with some brown wash and metal drybrushing used on the appropriate parts. I am beginning to suspect that the Model Master enamel paint is responsible for the high percentage of glossy finishes on my figures of late. And I will throw it out. 


The pack has 3 archers too, but they are not very useful with the charging figs. For the horses I used the technique Monty adviced the last time I was bragging about how bad it is to paint horses: undercoat, basecoat, dip, highlight on the barding. I added a brown wash to some too. Nice and easy, thanks for the tip. I haven't painted a single horse since that time (beginning of March) and I'm happy with it by the way.



Those sovnyas seem pretty dangerous. A polearm with a long edge, that is. For when straightened scythes just won't do.


I tried using a similar basing method as with the TYW cavalry to match them in height. I did not use any static grass though to make them seem different a little.



The command fig has a separate piece for his greatcoat. 


For the flag I used the one of the painted figs featured on the back of the box as a model.


I think these are very nice but maybe a little too anachronistic for the second half of the XVIIth century, although I'm not an expert on Russian armies of the age. I actually used so much brown on these that I'm starting to run out.

11 comments:

  1. they look very nice and dangerous. great work. I agree sometimes pricing is just ridiculous. but when you see a deal go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sometimes a deal is too good to ignore, nice work Andras!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These look excellent mate, I like the colours you chose.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is an impressive display. I did use Model Master once and people noticed the shine. They thought I'd used a gloss finish on the figs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks; it hasn't been this shiny for a while, then it comes, poof. I wonder how else could I put it to use as there's still a lot.

      Delete
  5. These look tremendous, what an awesome sight.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great work on these fine figures. Zvevda make some impressive stuff - I had some of their Macedonians a while back - very nice figures. Best, Dean

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'll definitely go for them if I get a taste of Ancients.

      Delete