THE FIGHTING PELICANS

Here we have the first part of Army Red for my Funny Little Wigs project, Colonel Horace Bampfield's Regiment AKA 'The Fighting Pelicans'

The regiment in array

Uncle Toby puts the sentinels through their paces

Bayonet practice

The Grenadiers bearing Bampfield's Pelican on their mitre

The colours (pre 1707)

Dr. Hare, the Duke's chaplain blesses the colours whilst the regiment sing a toast to the duke

" Marlborough the great commander

he'll conduct us, into the field

as brave as Alexander, he'll die before he'll yield

Sound the trumpet sound boys

let no man steal your ground boys,

ne'er let us flinch, nor give back an inch

so let his health go round boys.

This is the year of wonders

the gendarmes gor'd with bullet and sword

quake when the General thunders

Almanza was the word

Sound the trumpet sound boys

this to his health be crowned boys

Circle his brows with fresh oaken boughs

and thus let the glass go round boys."

All the line infantry and Dr. Hare are from the Replicants Culloden series, as there are very few early 18c figures available, but I've painted over any non Spanish Succession detail to make them look like Marlborough's troops. The grenadiers are my favourites. Replicants figures are ok, but come with serious flash, and the plastic is very brittle and breaks easily. I had to repair or replace quite a few muskets and bayonets on this lot. Uncle Toby and the ensigns are ebay finds.

I have some cavalry awaiting varnishing and then need to look into getting some artillery (non firing...I have some Playmobil cannons for serious FLW fun). If any readers can suggest sources of suitable figures for this project I would be grateful. I need more line infantry for the Bavarians and French, and suitable artilley crew and pieces.

Off to Reveille in Bristol tomorrow, so I may pick up something useful there. It's a great little show.