OR A TRUE RELATION OF STRANGE PROCEEDINGS IN A SOMERSETSHIRE LOFT AND THE FIELDS ABOUNDING

Saturday 29 November 2014

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.



8 comments:

  1. Figures are looking fantastic,enjoy the show in Bristol and do tell us about it...
    Alan

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    1. Thanks Alan. Show as ok, but very crowded and I was feeling a bit tom dick. I picked up a 28mm Elizabeth 1st figure in plate armour (Kate Blanchett lookalike) but that was all.

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  2. A great looking unit and a great name!

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    1. Thanks Phil..... I rather like the word Pelican....it sounds silly.

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  3. Oh yes ! like this project greatly ! , Tony

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    1. Thanks Tony, your blog is an inspiration for this kind of thing, along with Corporal Trim's site (can't remember what it is called) and the Padre over at Vauban and Shandy.

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  4. Wow! Springinsfeld, I hadn't visited your various blogs for a couple weeks and BOOM! now there are all these new wonders to enjoy!! Great to see you posting and painting again. I love this unit! Any chance of seeing the Pelicans and friends in action soon? Also, Mob Rules holds a very special place for me too - it was the very first Sabbath album I ever bought (bought it on cassette) and one that I always return to. Dio!

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    1. Thanks Private. , I need to get some Bavarians done to re-fight the Schellenberg , but once I have hopefully I can get a battle in.

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