Wednesday 3 October 2012

Gebhard von Blücher

This past couple of weeks have been hell at work with the only real break our wargame Sunday past (or the Sunday before I can't recall?). I have had broken sleep due to my shift pattern most of that time and any time I was off I had barely 3 hours to myself to switch off. However I have today and tomorrow free and after returning this morning I took a short nap before getting this command stand finished. 
Sorry about the pics again, I took loads and most were a total blur, the shading hasn't came out well and there was no good pic from the rear.
 
I've had these guys lying around for a couple of years now with the pictures from 1 of my Prussian Ospreys in mind (Blucher surrounded by advancing landwehr). With my recent purchase of Prussians from Darren down in England and a few more from Dirk over in Germany (thanks guys!!!) I figured it was about time I knocked together a command base with the old warhorse.
  
The Landwehr are spare AB after I put my battalions together and the command figures I believe are AB although they maybe BH? the horses are definitely AB.
 
I pinned the head of the landwehr officer and drummer so they are looking over at Blucher etc as they ride past. I put loads of shade into all the figures but hardly any is seen? The officers whiskers came out really well. I gave my landwehr white webbing instead of black just to make them stand out. My landwehr are old veterans and get the best of gear ;0)
  
Of all the figures in the bunch this is the only 1 that troubles me. I was told by a friend he is Gneisenau? He certainly looks like the figure in the Osprey Prussian Staff book? The trouble I have is he is in full dress while all the rest are in campaign uniform. Still I was short of Prussian command figure and as he is saluting so he fits my wee diorama well.
  
I took this pic from my mobile a couple of weeks ago to show my thinking. The little bag on the right hand side has the 2 headless corpse of the drummer and officer before head repositioning.
A big thanks to John (von Blucher) for keeping me motivated with  my command projects. I was going to throw in the towel after my Austrian commands but John kept me inspired with his own French and Prussian commands and our weekly discussions. Sorry for not visiting every ones blogs more frequently, I am spending less and less time on line due to work and life. Hope everyone is enjoying their painting!
 
Also I bought a new copy of the GdB Deluxe rules recently from Dave at Caliver Books and the book arrived within a couple of days. Unfortunately a lot of the pages were stuck together at the bottom edge, however when I emailed Dave to tell him about it he sent out another copy straight away no problem. Just wanted to say I am very happy with Caliver Books service!!!

20 comments:

Sgt Steiner said...

Those look great

Shifts a real bugger !!

john de terre neuve said...

Fantastic Stand.

John

John (VonBlucher) said...

Paul,
It came out great!! Nice touch with the landwehr, as it adds something to the base. I haven't looked yet, but I hope you've entered him in the contest.

You're welcome, I think we inspire each other.

Joseph K said...

Looks great, I myself have the same idea, I just picked up a Perry plastic command spue to do something just like it....you have me even more willing to do it now

Ray Rousell said...

A great looking command stand, great idea putting the spare Landwehr on the stand, it adds a lot to the base.

Phil said...

A brilliant idea, it really feels to be there, and we want to salute the great general!
Fantastic work!

Stryker said...

You've really come up with a brilliant little display there - full of movement!

Dan said...

Wow Paul, you never cease to amaze me with your ABs, you paint a mean figure, I'm going to have to do something like this for my command bases.

DimaPrapor said...

Great! Very interesting composition, cool painting. Like it

GaryA said...

Great piece of work. It certainly takes the little fellers into the big league. Many 28mm stands wouldn't hold a candle to this one!

James Fisher said...

Brilliant command stand. I really like the idea of a 'diorama' that can also be a useful piece on a wargames table.

fireymonkeyboy said...


Absolutely love this. You've actually got the figures interacting on the base. Wonderful.

Gonsalvo said...

I agree; super job, Paul!

Peter

Paulalba said...

Wow!!! Thanks for all the encouraging comments!!!

I am not sure if I will leave my Kutuzov to later or just get him finished before moving on to some cavalry?

Thanks again!
Best
Paul

Ken said...

I really like this command base - so much so I'm going to nick your idea of marching landwehr and use it for my Von Bulow command base! Hope you don't mind!

Paulalba said...

Hi Ken, thats great. I'm very flattered ;-) im sure loads of people have done it on bases in the past?
look forward to seeing yours!
Cheers Paul

DeanM said...

Really fine looking units. Best, Dean

Scotsgrey said...

He is my favourite general and much loved by the young landwehr so a great choice to model him with. soaked in gin with periods of delusion he is the real victor of Waterloo for ignoring his Chief of Staff

Jason Meyers said...

Excellent work on this command stand Paul. I'll admit on your blog that it is one of the two I voted for in the "Challenge". :)

Jason

Paulalba said...

Thanks Jason, That is very much appeciated!!! ;0)