Today I would like to run a bit of a spotlight on the more recent work that Doug Mason has done for the Wargames Holiday Centre.
This was taken during the Anniversary game of Waterloo earlier this year.
Over the years Doug had probably created thousands of his masterpieces for the W.H.C. more recently he’s been doing private commissions for a select few however when I met up with the man at Mike’s funeral I git talking to him about what I wanted to do with the Centre and how I wanted Waterloo to be a show piece.
Into the French Cuirassier, all these models were converted and painted by Doug.
It’s fair to say that without hesitation Doug offered to create one of his specials, I needed to replace the Dutch and Belgian cavalry, so one of the three regiments I was looking into seemed an obvious choice.
Trumpeter view here, showing how he’s built the trumet from fuse wire and solder, fantastic!
The manufacturer we chose was Connoisseur Miniatures, partly because there figures lend a lot to Doug’s talent with the soldering iron and a lot of nostalgia for both Doug and I.
Here’s another view of the squadron, horses tumbling and the poses of the figures animating the charge!
The Belgian Chevau Leger, or Light Dragoons were the regiment of choice and I think you’ll agree, they have come out magnificently. There’s not one figure in the thirty two man regiment that is like the original.
More action at Waterloo, this squadron got lucky and managed to get into the battery at 50%, well two squadrons to start.
To start with there is only an Officer and trooper in the catalogue, partly I guess because the trumpeter would have the trumpet slung while moving or charging, which let’s face it is where we want most of regiments to be. Connoisseur offer a whole host of accotrememts for finials, eagles, trumpets and backpacks etc.
Charging into the Guard Lights. Again all the miniatures here have been painted and converted by Doug.
So you can make the trumpeter fairly easily, then paint in the reverse colours. The standard bearer is a matter of cutting the sword away and drilling and pinning the pole in place.
The Standard Bearer can be seen in the foreground here.
I know, I know, I make it sound easy and trust me when you watch Doug work with this, it does look easy! Until you try it! Every figure in this regiment is an individual, every base tells it’s own story, Doug does this with such panache! I never tire of looking at his work!
The good news, well the great news is that Doug is thinking of releasing his own range of specials! Watch this space, I’ll be the first in the queue to buy some!