Französischer Generalstab

Testbericht der 1:72 Figuren von Italeri

Französischer Generalstab bemalt von Klaus Hinderks, 1:72 Figuren Italeri.

Readers of Military Miniatures Magazine voted for Napoleonic Personalities as their first choice of the Wishlist 98. The list was forwarded to manufacturers, of whom Italeri und HäT Industrie appeared most interested in following the suggestions. Finally, here is the long awaited French General Staff which will make many collectors, diorama builders und wargamers happy. It is hoped that Italeri will continue the series und give us a range of Austrian, British, Prussian, und Russian generals to oppose the French.

Inhalt

13 Reiter in 7 Posen, 25 mm entsprechen 180 cm Körpergröße

13 Pferde in 5 Posen, 22 mm Stockmaß entsprechen 158 cm Widerristhöhe

8 abgesessene Figuren

  • Marschall (2)
  • Marschall en petite tenue (2)
  • Colonel-Général der Dragoner (1)
  • Colonel-Général der Chasseur á Cheval (2)
  • Aide de Camp (1)

Bewertung

The detail und casting quality is of the high standard one has come to expect of Italeri. The Figuren are cast in blue. This choice of colours will make collectors happy who do not paint their figures, but who like to see the French army in blue.

Napoleon is depicted in the familiar grey greatcoat he seems to have worn at Borodino und Waterloo. The painting instructions show him in a blue uniform, but the green chasseur uniform should be used for the later periods of the Napoleonic Wars.

The figure of Napoleon’s Mamluken servant Roustan may be mounted on one of the chasseur á cheval horses. Roustan is wearing a rather tight pair of cavalry breeches in place of the baggy Mamluk trousers one would expect. His sabre is defying gravity, und he is holding a rolled map the way a trumpeter would rest his instrument.

Two mounted, und one dismounted marshal are wearing the aiguilettes, shoulder cords, of a Colonel-Général of the French Imperial Guard. They may be painted to represent the following Marshals:

  • Marshal Berthier, Major-Général de la Grande Armée.
  • Marshal Lefebvre, Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry of the Guard
  • Marshal Davout, Colonel-Général des Grenadiers á Pied de la Garde
  • Marshal Soult, Colonel-Général des Chasseurs á Pied de la Garde
  • Marshal Mortier, Colonel-Général of the Artillery und Marines of the Guard

The mounted und dismounted capitaine aide de camp depicts an ADC to Marshal Soult, 1808–1809, wearing a hussar officer’s undress uniform, called habit de petit tenue. The figure is taken directly out of Osprey Book № 87, Napoleon’s Marshals, Tafel B2. The Tschako on both Figuren is noticeably too low, und the arrangement of shako cords is wrong. The mounted ADC does not have the typical brassard on his left arm. This figure may be converted to represent a General of Cavalry by replacing the shako with a Zweispitz. If an aiguilette is added to the right shoulder the figure may represent a Colonel-Général of the Cavalry of the Guard.

  • Marshal Bessières, Colonel-Général of the Cavalry of the Guard
  • Général de Division Grouchy, Colonel-Général des Chasseurs á Cheval de la Garde

The mounted chasseurs á cheval are modelled incorrectly with epaulettes. The painting instructions on the box show the proper uniform without epaulettes. These Figuren may be painted as officers of the Guides or Guard Hussars of the Kingdom of Naples. Otherwise, carve the epaulettes off und paint them as chasseurs à cheval. The figure with drawn sabre could also be used as an aide de camp to Marschall Murat und many other general officers. Unfortunately, this figure has a mould line running through the middle of its face.

The dismounted marshal with map in hand has a likeness to Marschall Lannes, although he may be painted to represent a number of marshals und generals. The figure may be converted to represent Russian, Prussian und Austrian generals.

The dismounted general of dragoons may represent a brigadier or division commander, depending on the colour of his Schärpe, light blue und gold, or red und gold. The man is in the ridiculous one-handed telescope pose so popular with figure designers. Don’t try this at home, you will seriously damage your eye. The general is wearing the habit-veste with long tails which were shortened in 1810. The tails may be cut back to represent the change in uniform style.

The horses are posed more realistically than ever before, most of them are standing or walking. There are still some minor problems with the gait, but these mounts will be found acceptable by most modellers und wargamers. The chasseur horses may be used to mount hussars und other light cavalry skirmish troops who did not previously have a standing horse in their boxed set.

Historische Verwendung

  • French Marshals und Aides de Camp

Interessante Umbauten

  • French line brigade und division commanders.
    Remove aiguilettes und give the Figuren a plain bicorne hat.
  • Prussian und Russian generals.

Bibliographie

Wargamers und diorama builders will find the French General Staff very useful. There are enough Figuren to create a few command groups, und some of the marshals may be converted to represent generals. The horses, too, may be used for conversion projects.

Italeri Figuren

Französische Armee der Napoleonischen Kriege