AHPC XI: From Mike W - 12 x 28mm Mexican Fulisiers, The Alamo 1836

 In the first if this week's posts, I present 12 Mexican Fusiliers from the attacking force at the Alamo. I have quite a big 'Alamo' collection, covering this, the Texan Revolution and I'm starting to dabble in the later Mexican American War as well.

Figures in their pack before undercoating

These fabulous figures are from 'Boot Hill Miniatures' and under my own home brew rules, this represents a company of men (8 figures) plus command elements that will help a player to control and motive the unit.

Completed Company of Mexican Fusiliers

I undercoated the figures with a linen shade and then dry brushed white, red trim was then added to the jackets to give a representation of Mexican Summer Uniforms that were present in the Alamo Campaign.

Helmets were painted black, as were boots and bayonet scabbards. Flesh tones and hair were then also added along with oily steel and brass buttons and badges etc.

Four Fusiliers, all marching

A couple of figures ere then given light brown trousers, to break up the informality of the unit.

The other half of the company

A watered down Army Painter Dark Tone was then used to shade all uniform areas, with undiluted Dark Tone used on muskets and helmets. Flesh tone was used on skin areas before allowing to dry and completing with matt varnish.

The Company Command figures,
left to right: NCO, Standard Bearer, Drummer & Officer

I used a Mexican National Tricolour for this Standard Bearer, taken from a flag seen on the internet.

Fine sand and dried grass tufts were used to finish off the figures.

AHPC X - MIke W - US Mexican War - Indiana Volunteers (75 Points)

I had these figures at the back of my workbench since this time last year, so I thought it was time to paint them up and press them into service!

Undercoated & Based figures.

They will fit in with the rest of my US-Mexican / Texas-Mexican Wars collection, these guys are US Army figures, from Old Glory - I believe - and I have opted to paint them up as Indiana Volunteers, who were kitted out by their state in pretty much regulation US Army uniforms of sky blue trousers and shell jacket, dark blue cap and white belts and straps etc.

Finished Volunteer Company of 15 figures.

The figures were undercoated in white and then painted all over in sky blue - I used Vallejo paint as this is form an old set of ACW colours that I have and I assumed that the colour would not be too off for the earlier period.

Another view

I have done the officer and NCO / Standard Bearer in a dark Blue Shell Jacket, really just to make them different and this kit was available during the period. Also - to break-up the uniform feel of the unit - I added a couple pairs of White, grey and brown trousers into the mix.

Close-up of Officer and flag.

Once completed, I painted the figures with Army Painter Dark Tone to add shading and once dried, I worked on the bases, which I left based with sand and added a few 'dried grass' tufts of grass, to give an impression of the Mexican landscape.

The flag was taken from an online image of a flag presented to the 33rd Indiana Volunteers in the Civil War. Obviously not very accurate for the US Mexican War - but I will need to do some more research to get the right flag in place here. The flag is removable - so will not go to waste.

Another close-up showing basing finish with dried grasses

I base these figures individually on round bases and on the tabletop these 15 guys will represent a fairly strong company of 12 Other Ranks, an officer, standard bearer and drummer.