The Battle of Aspern Essling 21/22nd May 1809

[MABO]

What a mix of slaughter, work and paintjob. I think it is really important to see also these terrible sides of the history. Your projects bring them to attention as well.

[C M Dodson]

Thank you everyone for their kind comments.

These projects can be a bit demoralising at times and it is the lovely comments that provide inspiration to proceed further.

I find the research fascinating and once again forum members are a great resource for information and inspiration.

More caterpillars in production and perhaps some more town planning to break it up a bit.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Santi Pérez]

I’m delighted to see that you’re making good progress with your massive project and maintaining the high standard you set yourself from the outset, Chris. Keep it up!

[C M Dodson]

French Infantry officers.

These handsome fellows are printed by Battle Honours.



They are beautiful sculpts although they needed a lot of cleaning up and the accoutrements are extremely fragile. Indeed the plumes were very weak and only one survived.

Personally I do not like one cast pieces as the painting becomes very demanding. I also had an issue with scale compatibility when I ordered some bearskinned carabiners. These chaps were huge and have been sadly binned despite being very nice prints.

Personally I am in favour of the Piano prints with their lovely faces. More on them later.

Nevertheless, I am very pleased with these gentlemen who will be taking command of their units in due course.

Lots to do.

Chris

[C M Dodson]

Infantry Regiment Number. 47 Vogelsang.

This unit was in Division FML Ulm, part of Bellegarde’s First Corps.

I have used the usual suspects with some conversions to provide variety.



Oberst Graf Bentheim-Steinfurt commands.

Two more units and First Corps is complete.

Lots to do.

Chris

[MABO]

The officers are great!

[Santi Pérez]

The officers are great!

I was just about to say the same thing, but you beat me to it by seven days, Jan.

They look great, Chris.

Santi.

[MABO]

I was just about to say the same thing, but you beat me to it by seven days, Jan.

They look great, Chris.

Santi.

Benno worked on the forum, let's hope it will be more reachable in the future. Still there are a lot of updares to do!

[Santi Pérez]

I was able to log back into the forum today and was surprised to find a new design. I’m not sure if this is a permanent change or just a variation on the usual design caused by the problems we’ve been having recently.

Santi.

[C M Dodson]

Blankenstein Hussars Regiment No.6

These splendid chaps were a large unit of over one thousand men, forming Brigade GM Wartensleben.

I have used Mr Kanes prints and whilst the horses are perhaps more suitable for a heavier unit I am pleased with the end result.

Oberst Vincenz Von Gillert leads his men.








The Cavalry Korps is now complete. Phew!

Chris

[C M Dodson]

Austrian Engineers

I am extremely fortunate to count Thomas Mischak and Klauss Hinderks as modelling friends.

Klauss has previously helped me with printing troops for Aspern.

However, he has produced some engineers and has painted them as a gift.

I will muddy the boots a little before finishing the bases.

His artistry is fantastic and I am very grateful to him and Thomas for their generosity and support over the years.

Thank you to both.





Lots to do.

Chris

[C M Dodson]

The forum is chopping my pictures up which sadly negates the point of posting them.

I am trying thumbnails to see how they fare.





Chris

[C M Dodson]

Are there any plans to rectify this please?

Best wishes,

Chris

[Santi Pérez]

A brilliant gift from your friend Klauss, Thomas, and some excellent paintjob on the figures, which go perfectly with your own.

Santi.

[C M Dodson]

Infantry Regiment Number 50 Stain

This unit was part of the Second Corps in Brigade GM Mayer.

With 1062 effectives it was a small unit and I have combined the two battalions for convenience.

Piano figures supplied by Klauss but painted by me.

Oberst Von Urban leads his command.



Lots to do

Chris

[C M Dodson]

Floating Watermill

The Battle of Aspern Essling was hugely influenced by Austrian attempts at interdiction of Napoleons supply bridges over the Danube and the Lobau tributary’s.

All manner of floating debris was launched at the flimsy bridges with frantic French attempts to intercept these objects before they broke the vital supply lines.



One of these items was a large water mill of the type found locally, set on fire and launched at the French.

I wish to represent the importance of the Danube crossing as part of my narrative and to that end have typically digressed from the troops construction to this subject.

Mr Crynns did some research many years ago and this along with this link have proven invaluable.





I also found an article showing a very nice model which seems to fit the bill.





https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2010/ ... factories/

The first task was to construct the wheel itself.

By invoking my childhood model aeroplane constructions the wheels were scribed before fixing them to a central axle. I attached the central struts before cutting the hole needed for the axle to ensure it was true.





The blades were then cut with recesses, and attatched to form the cylindrical mill wheel.

I then constructed the two hull halves, decked them out and test mounted the unit to see how it looked.





The cabin was constructed from balsa with picture wire fittings.

I made the anchors with twisted copper electrical wire, picture wire and modelling chain.



The idea will be to use real water if possible for the Danube, hence the draft.

I was investigating colour schemes as a lot of Danube boats appear to have a beige hull with brown stripes colouring.

However, I feel that this monster will be fine in a wood brown with a painted grey green housing similar to Mr Crynns's research.

A thin black wash with some green to represent algae finished off this unusual piece.








Chris

[C M Dodson]

Village planning

I have returned to the construction of the two villages and wish to see what has been achieved whilst recognising what more needs to be done.

Walls especially need to be measured so that they fit in with what I have in mind.

The long garden at Essling whilst measuring approximately 150 metres by 75 metres ie 15 x 7.5 centimetres looks a bit silly next to the granary so I have provisionally made it 25x 10 cm to get the visual effect as an example.

I will construct it and see how it looks. Similarly the cemetery will need a view taking.

My ground planning is approximately 90x 45 cm for Aspern and 60 x 30 cm for Essling.

The idea is to fit in the models with a view to getting a ‘feel’ of the original layout without creating a down town Manhattan. The ‘foot print’ of the village is therefore correct to scale whilst trying to get the look of the original as far as is possible.

The church at Aspern was a focal point and to that effect deserves special attention in my opinion.





Essling was a smaller village. I intend to convert my Antietam church and use this for the chapel in Essling.

My man in Essling ( Harry) has stated that the original had a wooden tower so I think it will look the part with a small modification.





Fencing, connecting walls, wells, trees and flowers will be added when the sand table is sculpted.

I am of the opinion that a few more small dwellings for Essling would be appropriate.

Lots to do.

Chris

[Santi Pérez]

It’s a pleasure to see those beautiful buildings clustered together to form the layout of the villages. Just as much as the floating watermill from the previous post, which I hadn’t had the chance to mention and praise.

Great works, Chris!

Santi.

[Ochoin]

Interesting, Chris. "The Look" is all important in this hobby & I think your work is so effective because this is a priority for all you do.

donald