Dear Steve

These figures are obviously intended for the Battle of Inkerman so the uniforms would conform to the conditions at that point. There was a fair amount of variety in the uniforms as the units were assembled hastily though most of the greatcoat capes had the cross belts under the cape ( probably to keep the percussion caps dry). The canteen and haversack belts were usually over the top of the cape for easy access. The canteen and haversack could be on either hip but most paintings have them the way Strelets have depicted them (haversack on the figures right hip). The capes are about the right length though the officer's capes were much longer. The greatcoats are also about the right length though most Guards were of a tall stature and the figures are a bit short thus giving the impression of a less generous greatcoat. The greatcoat did not have turnback cuffs though some soldiers may done this if they had an ill- fitting coat. The bearskins are OK though some Guards fought in their field caps or bare headed. The Grenadiers should have a white plume on the (fig's) left side so these Grenadiers are Coldstream Guards with a red plume on the right. No plume - Scots Guards.

All in all a good effort from Strelets. Maybe the marching poses could be set two.

This diorama sets a challenge:

http://www.historyhome.co.uk/forpol/crimea/diorama.htm

The rifle flashes are done using fibre optics. The Strelets figures look better though.

David

OKAY These COATED GARDS are purely COMBAT which is awesome.StUck in the trench exposed on teh Inkerman Hill ,or exposed on teh hills above Kadikoi getting either coastal anabatic and katabatic wind 24/7.VERY GOOD Strelets.

Marcing well color party queensVictoria sentries etc i hope they do in Summer wear when the guards marched dowen teh ALma and open plains is more appropriate .If they do them tehn where is the BAND !!!?

I Hope this is not teh excuse producing these by STrelets to say they run out of Turks or i will definitely LOSE IT !!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Hank

Nobody was stuck anywhere at Inkerman as it was a battle of attack and counter attack and movement. Many of the smaller battles were in or by the ravines and gullies that the Russians were using to gain ground on the heights. The Guards Brigade was heavily involved in the fighting though other allied regiments were just as much involved. It was November 5th , cold and wet so nearly all the troops wore greatcoats.
I see this as Strelets honouring their commitment to produce the major combatants in the main battles of the Crimean War. The Turks should be at least 3 distinct infantry sets and not boxed in a big box- agreed. Though I have not heard anybody say the big box set has run out as opposed to a batch being sold out or how many were produced so I presume there are enough for all.

David

David , professori ...i always perceived teh guards were stuck fighting to a standstill like in mud ,unable to push or be pushed by the superior numbered russians off until the fresh french battalions arrived, saved them with BRAVO allez les bleus, right flank attack.the english prince himself almost cut off close to that time.(ahem mutter mumbles)

yes sets re appearing on ebay,some dealers have second stock arrive.huzzah !!! when arrive usa is H hour. I hope to see your painted ones before me.

yes infantry cavalry(be it bashi-bazouks ) 6 riders and horses with 24 bashi-bazouk infantry in one set
beg beg teh creep creep to S-R.

a turkish artillery set with ammomules and arabas carts.(throw in a camel and is concept to supplement hats nile war explosion).old type obus 12pdr and krupp
plus limber could cover this period well.Obus used thru ww1.i know get carried away....okay go paint me some turks and send to the forum,you have an artistic eye.

These chaps look a little stumpy to me.
British Guards were always selected from the taller soldiers.
Perhaps the heads are a little large, giving the illusion of short body size.
Otherwise, the overall sculpting looks good.

I wondering often, if they guards wore bearskins at waterloo would it frighten teh french infantry ?

Dear Hank

Inkerman was a lot like the Napoleonic Wars or the Peninsular War in particular and the Russian tactics were based on column attack so Nappy fans would feel at home with this battle. The victories in the Peninsular war were often shouted out, as a spur in the form of "come on lads remember...." the Spanish /Portugese place name (eg Albuera) pertinent to the regiment. The British and French used bayonet charges to thwart or hold up the Russians who were nearly always vastly superior in number. The role of allied artillery was important to the battle as was the superior Minie rifle. In 1813 it took 459 shots to cause 1 casualty and at the Alma and Inkerman, 16 allied shots to cause one casualty. The battle was left to the allied field officers who showed they were very able with some notable exceptions to conduct a successful battle "on the hoof". Michael Barthorp calls it " a ding dong melee" which seems a good description. The Coldstream Guards ( oops-the Strelets figures) had 60 men known for their marksmanship acting as individual sharpshooters or snipers (not skirmishers) who would have used available cover and acted individually. My guess is they would not have worn the bearskin in this role.

Tallness for Murat

My uncle was in the Grenadier Guards though not as tall as me (6 foot) he was still "lanky" looking. I think it was to do with stature as well. 5ft 8 inches was the minimum for acceptance at the turn of the 20th century though some battalions had higher height restrictions. This meant that there was quite a high proportion of six footers and above in the Guards and very few elsewhere in the British army. There were 4 Guards regiments then by the way.

David

Hi David,
What's the best work to read on Inkerman?
Also, you fellows don't yet have these Strelets Guardsmen, do you? You're talking about the masters, right?
Thanks,
David
dappleby@thomasquinas.edu