British artillery (2)

Here are some pics of the new Perry British artillery in "cap-hats". The uniform these figures are wearing has generated a fair amount of discussion on the web, I think because many people (myself included) had no idea what it was or where it came from. These figures represent the RA serving in the northern theatre from 1778 onwards, wearing a "campaign dress" uniform . There are reports of artillerymen making single-breasted jackets from old coats. The uniforms look like "roundabouts" or sleeved-waistcoats, but the turn-ups at the front and back indicate altered regimental coats. I understand the sources for this uniform (and the caps) are references in memoirs and one of the von Germann drawings. I painted the turn-backs red rather than white as according the Osprey MAA "King George's Army 3" white turnbacks didn't generally reach the RA uniforms until 1783.

These are nice figures. The crew who are "running-up" their gun have excellent grimaces (not really visible on the photos) which suggest they are really putting their backs into their work. I was initially quite hesitant about placing two of the figures in the firing crew on either side of the gun's muzzle as I thought it looked too dangerous to be realistic; but apparently this is how they were placed (RtL has mentioned an incident at Waterloo in which a gunner slipped and fell in front of the muzzle just as the gun was fired, doing himself substantial injury). The two figures look as though they are turning their heads away from something loud and potentially rather nasty. The guns and crews are based on 60mm x 70mm bases for the "British Grenadier" rules.

8 figures. Painted April 2007.