Tartan without tears

I learned today how to paint 10mm Highlanders without getting in a tizzy over the tartan. Buy Pendraken (AWI) Highland Light Infantry. They come with trews, not kilts, and my guide to AWI uniforms shows me officers of the 42nd and 71st regiments in white trews. The only tartan on display is on their hat bands. And you don't expect me to paint tartan hat bands that are less than 1mm deep do you. Rhetorical question.

I mentioned a few posts ago that I read Don Hagist's 'These Distinguished Corps' on the British light infantry and grenadiers of the AWI. I was struck by the fact there was a whole combined battalion of Highland Light Infantry. As the Highland companies were so large, I think four companies was the equivalent of a small battalion. I needed some more bases for the unpainted SYW figures and AWI Light Dragoons I'd had for years. So at the same time as placing an order for bases from Pendraken I ordered a few packs of other bits and pieces. One of these was a pack of Highland Light Infantry Skirmishing.

Having done a 6mm unit based on the 42nd Foot (Black Watch) last year for my nascent British SYW army, I thought I'd maintain the tradition by making the new arrivals, the light companies of the 42nd. According to my guide, the turn backs were a natty white, and cuffs & hats blue. Here is the work in progress against a batch of SYW Austrians in 6mm.

Also on the painting desk are a unit of Queens Rangers (AWI Loyalists), British Light Dragoons in Tarleton helmets (my book shows them in 'Emden' helmets, but I like the comb of the Tarleton), a brigade of SYW Austrians*, and a brigade and a half's worth of SYW Hanoverians. The Austrians will be 'based on' the Rot Wurzburg regiment (strictly speaking a unit of the Reichsarmee), the Hanoverians on Alt-Zastrow and Stolzenberg regiments, and the light dragoons on the 17th LD (later the 17th Lancers of Death or Glory and Charge of the Light Brigade fame). The 17th in the AWI period had white turn backs, cuffs and lapels - nice!

* these are to replace the two old bases of Austrians that I slapped red coats on for the Fontenoy games.

Old Zastrow's boys in the foreground, with the Queens Rangers and LD behind. This gives you a good idea of the difference in size of the 6mm Heroics and Ros figures and the '10mm' Pendraken range.

All looking very dark at the moment. When finished and based, and especially with lighter coloured horses, these will all look a lot brighter. Honest. The LD are especially splendid models, full of animation. The troopers posed with pistols and sabres.

Also in the painting queue are some pack horses, and some sheep. The later are suitable 'contributions' collected by the Lights from the local settlers. Could be a game objective.

I nearly forgot. I can't not mention that Spain ran out deserved winners against England on Sunday in the Women's World Cup final. A very frustrating watch for me. However, the women's game has come on in leaps and bounds in just a few years. As well as skill & tactical levels, the physicality has improved enormously, with the players becoming stronger and faster. At least at this level. The games are much more enjoyable to watch, so I'll be tempted to catch more in the future. And in an attempt to find some kind of silver lining to the result, I remembered that we still haven't won a World Cup under the Tories 😉. The thought of seeing that short-trousered little crook undeservedly gloating over a win, was almost worth the defeat.