French Elite Dragoons

[Bill Slavin]

I went down a very deep rabbit hole again last month! I needed six regiments of French Dragoons and only had four. I had 6 mounted figures in the toy box, leaving me 18 figures short and my toy soldier vendor had told me that Italeri had stopped producing their 1/72 sets!
This inspired me to attempt some conversions. The Dragoon helmet is pretty unique but I had seen pictures of elite squadron Dragoons in bearskins, and thought I might be able to convert some existing figures I had to that purpose, namely some elite Italeri Chasseurs a cheval and some HaT Horse Grenadiers I had kicking around.
It involved a lot of conversions, which you can read about here on my blog if you are interested, https://tinywarsplayedindoors.blogspot.com/2022/02/french-elite-dragoons-and-more.html along with more pictures, but here are some pics of the results. My sculpting is a bit rough on some but overall I think they worked out okay...

[Bluefalchion]

That blog post was well worth the time spent reading it. Your conversions are very thoughtful indeed.

Now about those sets that came up for sale just as you were finishing your converted elites--did you purchase them? Future projects may be calling.

[Beano Boy]

You can also convert those figures into French Line Lancers.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=25145#p277688

Anyway i, like your conversions and painting. BB

[Bill Slavin]

Bluefalchion, it was an amazing estate sale with literally hundreds of 1/72 plastic sets selling for 5 euros a box. Hagen Miniatures was running it. But by the time I put in my order almost all of them had been bought. The list is still posted but my understanding is they are all gone. https://www.hagen-miniatures.de/

It was briefly exciting!

Bill

[Bill Slavin]

Hi BB,

I had considered getting some cuirassier figures and using their helmeted heads, but I liked the idea of the elite Dragoon units in bearskins. I don't think I have seen those represented before - certainly not in 1/72 plastic.

I also liked the idea of using what had in the toy box - it was an interesting challenge, and although my conversion sculpting skills are uneven. I find myself drawn to that more and more.

[k.b.]

First photo is magnificent Bill. It captures all of the magic that we most love about our hobby.
I understand your fascination for these old Hat Horse Grenadiers. When I saw them on the hat site many years ago I fell in love with them. ‘Tis a pity the horses are mere ponies …..

[C M Dodson]

Very nice indeed Bill.

Good work as always.

Chris

[Marvin]

Bravo Bill! I'm a big fan of what you've achieved with these. Your dedication to making it happen is commendable and it's worked very nicely. Of course, you're paint treatment of them is excellent (I remember painting those tricky little white crosses on the bearskins for my Horse Grenadiers)!

[Graeme]

Very good and very efficient solution to your problem Bill. Excellent conversions and, as always, beautifully painted.

The HaT Horse Grenadiers are great looking figures. The Italeri Chassuers are also lovely sculpts but they are really quite big figures, which makes them prime candidates for Elite Dragoons.

[MABO]

Very nice conversions, Bill. In the end a really good looking and dynamic troop of horsemen. And the elite dragoons will never been made in plastic. The Italeri Chasseurs could have filled another gap, but as Graeme said already, it is a shame, that they are so big compared with other figures.

Keep up your good work!

[Peter]

Excellent work again Bill!

[Kekso]

What's not to like?

[Bill Slavin]

Thanks, all. It's true, the Italeri Chausseurs are on the large size. Which is why, when I originally stuck one on a small HaT horse it looked like he was on a pony! Somehow, giving them all the Horse Grenadier heads, seems to have allowed the HaT and italeri to work together not too badly. I find the head size is always key, more than the figure height.

[Bessiere]

The best ideas are worthy of stealing which I plan to do. I have both the HaT an Italeri sets sitting waiting for an opportunity like this. You have made a good looking dragoon unit in to a truly unique and spectacular unit.

[Rich W]

Wonderful work again Bill! They all look great massed together!

[huib]

Great paintwork, Bill!

[Santi Pérez]

Excellent work again Bill!

Wonderful work again Bill! They all look great massed together!

Great paintwork, Bill!

I have no other option than agree with these opinions, Bill. It's a superb new addition to your Peninsular War armies.

Santi.