Russian Army Napoleonic ARTMI (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Hi All,

I had shared this old kit with you on another thread. I noted that the uniform depicted is not 1805, but of an earlier period. It would have to be rectified and refurbished at the same time.

Over the past week, I came across another unmade ARTMI kit in my stash and decided to make two Russian figures at the same time. The kit allows for two types of soldiers to be built.

The attached sprue shows yet another ARTMI kit of a French soldier (subject for another thread).

Rgds Victor

 

[Obee]

Victor,

I've seen these kits for sale on eBay but didn't know anything about them.
They look very much like HISTOREX, and you have done a great job in assembly and painting of the Russian, I'll be looking forward to seeing the Frenchman come to life soon.

John

 

[blaster]

Hello John,

I think that they are more like Airfix kits in concept, simpler construction and instructions than Historex kits. I think that they are quite suitable for conversions.

I came across more info on Russian uniforms for this project. Thus I will make side-by-side a 1805 Russian infantry grenadier with shako and a 1790s Russian infantry, possibly converting the latter to a drummer for variety.

I disassembled the figure (!) as can be seen. removed all the belts which were made of plastic tape.

A new head with shako and plume was substituted for the 1805 piece. The plume was attached by a wire insert to give some space between plume and shako. I decided to increase the height of the figure by about 2 mm with a wedge of putty. The moulded coattails at the back were sawn off and reattached higher. The buttocks were remoulded. The back of the figure was thickened and the turnbacks were resculpted. The upper arms were cut down.

The 1790s head was transferred to the new piece.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

New belts were added from metal strips. I reattached the marching order pack at an angle to align it with one of the crossbelts. The plume was then worked on with my fancy pyrogravure.

 

[Hazebrouck]

Nice to see you working on this figure Victor.

I have the Russian figure and the Austrian Infantry figure as well. They are numbered 1 and 2 in the series. I gather the French Infantry figure is 3.

I agree they are similar to the Airfix 54mm collectors series figures. They were made in Czechoslovakia.

The instructions on the back of the box are amusing- 'it is possible to compound a shape of rifleman or grenadier out of this set'. I hope to do more than compound a shape

Anyway, here are some images of the Austrian Infantryman for reference.

John,

I have seen these kits sell very cheaply on ebay. They are well worth picking up for parts alone.

Scott

 

[Mirof]

Here the French

 

[Markster]

Nice Kits ,very interesting ,thanks for sharing !

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

Thanks for inputting. Here is the 1805 Russian Grenadier almost done.

Rgds Victor