1/72 ACW mostly completed!
All the ACW troops are now done with a reserve of undone primed marching Union infantry, mounted officers, flag holders and at-attention units (unusable from Italeri, BUT Strelets has Union Standing and Confederate Standing, so mixing in these Italeri at-attention guys can be done).
Due to the fact that “war game” limbers use only two horses with a limber, a lot of extra horses are left over from the Imex and Italeri artillery kits, so either scratch built limbers will be needed or a source of 20/22mm limbers will be needed.
Italeri Union Artillery are 12lb Napoleons (Very nicely done). All crew in coats not Shell Jackets. Hole in wheels larger than Imex, flatter edged wheels than Imex. Much better look than Imex.
Imex Artillery crew are all shell jackets and has useless 6-9lb look cannon barrels. However, it just so happens that in Trans-Mississippi theatre, a LOT of 6lb artillery was used AND some of that artillery was made into Rifled barrels- they put rifling down the barrels even though the shot being used was round shot, not the “bolt” of the 3” ordinance rifle or the 10/20lb Parrot's.
Strelets marching and advancing troops are the second rank of all infantry; Imex and Italeri are the front ranks.
Imex cavalry all modified because of stupid poses (guys firing sideways). Strelets skirmishing Union cavalry acceptable but their mould has a few issues. No Italeri cavalry was purchased though these would be better sculpts and this will be investigated if more cavalry is deemed necessry.
All flag holders are custom made (drilled out hands, marching guy rifles chopped off etc). These came out perfect.
Italeri Confederate infantry mounted commander with pistol looking sideways is useless, so cut off arm, shave, reattach to shoulder with pistol down by side. Cut head off, reapply looking forward. MUCH BETTER.
Hot Glue gun INDISPENSIBLE to this collection being done. A fine-tip glue gun has been discovered (of course, AFTER the bulk of the work was done).
All units on clear bases.
Warning: Italeri owns the old Esci molds of US and CS infantry, and has packaged these in different art boxes. DO NOT BUY or wish on your worst enemy.
Some Revell Union Artillery was bought but these are long time now unavailable and actually not worth getting anyway due to Italeri superiority. However, Revell crews are the BEST. Italeri artillery crews look like parade by comparison.
Also note: all Italeri are 1+mm larger than all other brands. This is very noticeable hence they are in the front rank.
All brigade and division officers mounted on round bases (same as WW2 squads) with flag bearer; all cavalry mounted on round bases as well. The flag will be the division symbol; all brigadier stands (mounted officer plus foot flag bearer.. or mounted flag bearer if available) having that division symbol enhanced so you can EASILY tell which Brigade goes with which division.
Cavalry Skirmishers mounted on same size round bases. Infantry skirmishers mounted on 1” round bases so they are easily identifiable on the table.
All the figs are fast painted meaning no time taken to do the straps on the body.
All figs and wagons and artillery sprayed if on sprue, if not on sprue temp mounted to tongue depressors and spray painted Americana Matt finish.
Once put on clear acrylic, could not spray because the spray will cloud the clear base. Therefore, a matte finish liquid was obtained and painted on. This appears to have worked and the figs look to be long lasting.
Pictures are all forthcoming.