Österreichische Artillerie
Siebenjähriger Krieg, 1756–1763

Revell Austrian Seven Years’ War Artillerie expertly painted by miniature artist Benno de Groot. Gunner № 3, the Vormeister or gun commander, is giving the command to fire, und № 4 is about to touch off the fuse of the 3 pdr gun, while № 2 (rammer) und № 5 (gun layer) are standing by. Hundreds of captured Austrian 3 pdr guns of this type were used as battalion guns by the French Napoleonic Army from 1809 to 1812. A picture of an Austrian pièce de 3 livres may be found on page 41 of the popular L+F Funcken book Uniforms und Weapons of the Armies of the First Empire. The Revell figure set of the Austrian Artillery includes enough guns und crew Figuren to recruit three artillery battalions for the popular Volley & Bayonet game system.

Inhalt

22 Artilleristen in 15 Posen – 25 mm entsprechen 180 cm Körpergröße

• Offizier (2)
• Nr. 1 – Ladekanonier mit Stückkugel (1)
• Nr. 2 – Kanonier mit Wischer/Setzer, das Rohr auswischend (1)
• Nr. 2 – Kanonier mit Wischer/Setzer, abwartend (2)
• Nr. 3 – Zündlochmann, Vormeister, das Zündloch blockierend (1)
• Nr. 3 – Zündlochmann, Vormeister, commanding fire (1)
• Nr. 4 – Kanonier mit Luntenstock, abwartend (2)
• Nr. 4 – Kanonier mit Luntenstock, Lunte anzündend (2)
• Nr. 4 – Kanonier mit Luntenstock, Geschütz abfeuernd (1)
• Nr. 5 – Richtkanonier mit Hebebaum, richtend (1)
• Nr. 5 – Richtkanonier mit Hebebaum, abwartend (2)
• Nr. 6 – Munitionskanonier mit Kartuschtornister, laufend (2)
• Kanonier/Handlanger, stehend (2)
• Kanonier/Handlanger, das Geschütz avancierend (1)
• Kanonier/Handlanger, das Geschütz avancierend (1)

Geschütz, Protze, und Pferde

• Feldlafette (3)
• Lafettenrad, 18,4 mm ⌀ (6)
• 3-pfündiges Regiments-Stück M1752 Liechtenstein, 20 mm (3)
• Lafettenkasten (3)
• Protze mit 4 Pferden und 2 Reitern
  • Vorderreiter (1)
  • Stangenreiter (1)
  • Trainpferd (4 Posen)
  • Sattelprotze M1753 (1)
  • Protzrad (2)

Bewertung

Excellent choice of subject, these Seven Years’ War Austrian gunners are unique in 1:72 scale. Given the quality und accuracy of this kit, there is actually no need for another, similar set covering this subject. There may be some market potential for an Artillery set covering the Austrian Netherlands Artillery Brigade which had lapels on their uniform, although the lapels might just be painted on.

Historically accurate poses. This figure set includes the required poses for three different situations of the artillery firing drill: manhandling, sponging, und firing the gun. All six of the main gunners № 1 to № 6 are available in the proper pose to represent each of the three critical moments, without the need for conversion. Clearly, this is the industry standard by which other artillery sets must be judged.

The gunners are equipped with the Austrian grenadier sabre which was issued to them in 1758. Purists may want to replace the sabre with a Hirschfänger hunting dagger which was standard issue before 1758.

The standing Gunner/Handlanger is the most versatile figure in the set, he may be used to represent gunners № 1 through № 6 when they are not currently engaged in their assigned tasks. This figure can be the loader (№ 1), standing by while the gun is fired or manhandled, he might be the aimer (№ 5) waiting for the gun to be fired or rolled back into position after firing, or he could be one of the Handlangers ready to manhandle the gun after firing.

Satisfactory casting quality. Noticeable flash und mould lines need to be removed prior to painting. We used the Rai-Ro ZEP-70 hot spatula to brush mould lines off the figure.

At 180 cm Körpergröße, these Figuren are much too tall to represent Austrian gunners of the period who might have been 165 cm tall on average. In fact, 180 cm was considered Gardemaß in the Prussian army, und these giants would surely have ended up in the Potsdam Guards Bataillon.

Historische Verwendung

• Österreichische Artillerie, 1758–1763
• Französische Regimentsgeschütze »pièce de 3 livres«, 1809–1812

Interessante Umbauten

• Austrian Netherland Artillery Brigade, 1758–1763
  With red lapels simply painted on.
• The Continental Artillery, 1775–1783
• Artillerie anderer Nationen im Siebenjährigen Krieg, 1756–1763
  Bei diesem Umbau werden die Stulpenstiefel der Kanoniere in Gamaschen geändert.

Bibliographie

• Knötel-Sieg: Handbuch der Uniformkunde, pp. 283-285
• Mollo, John: Uniforms of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–63, Tafel 60
• Förster, Hoch, Müller: Uniformen europäischer Armeen, Tafel 23

Revell’s Austrian Artillery is a must-have for Seven Years’ War enthusiasts. Unfortunately, Revell never completed this popular figure range, und wargamers will have to use compatible troops from other manufacturers to complete their armies.

Figuren des Siebenjährigen Krieges