The second unit to result from my butterfly fluttering between various projects is the first unit of the Spanish Napoleonic project - the Coraceros Espanoles or Spanish Cuirassiers, a unit equipped with cuirasses, helmets and equipment captured at the Battle of Mollet from the French 13th Cuirassier Regiment, according to René Chartrand.
I can hear the cries now “…why…there were only a couple of squadrons of them and they didn’t survive long in the army organisation”. The answer is simple I had six French cuirassier figures to spare from the French 1812-13 project and the uniforms are so close that I figured it would be a crime not to put them to good use. So here they are in their resplendent red jackets.
Of course this rather ties me to the middle period Spanish Napoleonic army (1808-1812) whereas the bicornes of the pre-1808 period are more appealing to me. So could this mean two Spanish armies…?
Very nice, and I wanted to include them in my Spanish army as well, but never got around to it. It's not often one gets a chance to field a unit of raw cuirassiers.
ReplyDeleteI like to think there would have still been a few bicornes floating about around 1808/09, although they would have been well-worn.
I do like the thought of the bicorne types. It makes me think of some of those coastal operations in the late 1700s - early 1800s...Hornblower and all that. Of course that might mean some of those flat boats.
DeleteOh dear Mark - maybe it will end up being THREE Spanish armies....personally, I think the period stated is the most "useful" - 1808-1812 are when most of the classic actions in the Peninsular War took place....then your Spaniards can combine with the Brits and Portuguese ...mind you, we may need a specifically "Spanish" French army to fight them....!
ReplyDeleteNo there won't be more than two. That later period doesn't appeal at all. I agree that the middle period is most interesting, but those top hat uniforms are a bit odd.
DeleteI have the same "regiment"...and I heard the same thing! Excellent job, they look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThey just look cool don't they? I suspect that they won't be as cool in battle though.
DeleteMark, your Spanish cuirassiers look sweet! Love the red tunic.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how effective these will be on the table, but they seemed like a good use of leftovers.
DeleteNice use of odds and sods,I have to say bicorne wearing Spanish are what I would go for although it's the variety that is most appealing about a Spanish army I think.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
I have decided that yes I will do both the early and later periods, but just a small contingent of each (I can hear the laughter already from that statement) and I will be starting with the boys in bicornes.
DeleteVery nice Mark...
ReplyDeleteWhat’s not to like about Cuirassiers in red uniforms.
All the best. Aly
They do look rather dashing, don't they? But I have this feeling I will see the front of this unit a lot...racing back towards me...and away from the enemy!
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