Russian Guard Cossacks

[Bessiere]

I'm pleased with how these came out but posted them in WIP as I've finally learned that once you see photos there's always bits in need of some touch up. Finding definitive sources was not easy and I took some artistic license to give a little contrast to the various reds of the uniforms of 1812. Now go save the Czar and Emperor Francis.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[k.b.]

Nice Guard Cossacks Bessiere. Thought your omission of the figure with the lowered lance was interesting. How did you get them to sit so well on their steeds? A modelling knife and a heavy hand I suspect. (We’ve got to be extremely careful with these fellows. Yours truly has inflicted one or two nasty cuts to his fingers by not switching to a sharp blade).

[MABO]

Super clean paintjob. I like them very much!

[Bessiere]

Thank you KB. I stupidly didn't fit the men to the horses before painting and bending the legs out worked but the bugler was more problematic. My usual fix is to cut off the inside part of stirrups but I was excited to get started and neglected a few pre-painting requirements. I really like the upright lance figure and having 2 boxes figured why not? One set was loaded with flash and required extensive blade work while the other was perfect. I haven't had a good slip in some time, guess I've stabbed myself enough as those sore fingertips are most bothersome.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Bessiere]

Thank you MABO, very kind of you to leave a comment.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Rich W]

Wonderfully painted!

[Bessiere]

Thank you Rich,
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Minuteman]

I am a little behind the others here, but allow me also to applaud a very fine paint job. These Guard Cossacks are a great set of figures, and your artistry has brought them to life. Well done!

[Konrad]

You did a good job,mister.

[Bessiere]

Thank you Mark and Konrad. Very kind of you to comment.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Bessiere]

I agree this is a great set by Zvezda. I'm not sure why PSR had a low opinion of them. Detail seems to be crisp and correct. Guess they wanted more poses or something?
Cheers,
Bessiere

[MABO]

I agree this is a great set by Zvezda. I'm not sure why PSR had a low opinion of them. Detail seems to be crisp and correct. Guess they wanted more poses or something?
Cheers,
Bessiere

Here is the point:

The standard of sculpting/mould making was quite disappointing, especially when compared to the superb Alexander sets previous released by this company. The detail is there, but it is not sharp and clear like the earlier sets. We also disliked the odd way that the scabbards of most of the men stand out well clear of the leg. However anatomy is good on both men and horses, and the horses are reasonable well posed and correctly equipped.

But they are not treated to bad. They got no vote lower than 8.

[Santi Pérez]

Super clean paintjob. I like them very much!

I agree completely with Jan, Bessiere. You made a fantastic paintjob with these nice Zvezda figures (as are most of the sets of this manufacturer). It's a sight to behold to see the whole unit so uniformly painted in such vivid colours.

Best regards.

Santi.

[Susofrick]

Wow! Great work. Have the set and have even painted one of them many years ago. Maybe I'll try another one ...

[k.b.]

[quote="Bessiere"]I agree this is a great set by Zvezda. I'm not sure why PSR had a low opinion of them. Detail seems to be crisp and correct. Guess they wanted more poses or something?
Cheers,
Bessiere[/quote]

I acknowledge that evaluating miniatures is always a bit tricky and to some extent subjective. But I think the PSR way of evaluating is as fair as thay can possibly be. You really can’t compare these Cossacks with the Italeri French Dragoons which came out at almost the same time (Remember these figures were first released by Italeri ) .
The quality of the French Dragoons, or even Italeri’s French Hussars and Carabiniers was so much better, crisper, sharper (and all had an infinity of variations) when compared to these Guard Cossacks. In my honest opinion the Cossacks deserved no higher rating than 7 in any category - even though I do love the 4 main poses (2 troopers with lances and two with swords). The officer is a bit disappointing as is his horse but I am presently painting the bugler, and in my search for references for his uniform am beginning to see he is a better figure than I had initially thought.

[Kekso]

Very nice Cossacks... I like them a lot.

[Peter]

Wonderfull painted cavalry!