If you counted the actual time I spent painting then this unit was knocked out relatively quickly. If you add procrastination time, about three months. These are Elite Miniatures Spanish 1808 infantry (from Elite Miniatures Australia). I have used them for just about all my Spanish Line Infantry and they will be also used for my Spanish ‘foreign’ regiments when I get around to doing them.

At least in the initial stages of the Peninsular War the marine infantry were one of the better formations in the Spanish army. For Black Powder I am going to rate them better than normal Spanish Line – by dropping the Wavering and Unreliable special rules.

They wore the same basic infantry uniform except in blue with red turnback, cuffs and collars. Technically the red plumes shouldn’t be there. Likewise this battalion is carrying two colours, when they should probably only have one. But you all know how much I adhere to a strict historical interpretation when it comes to my miniature armies. I have completely run out of finials for the flagpoles and I keep forgetting to order any whenever I do an order from overseas. One day I will get a stock in and finish the half dozen battalions I have that lack them – in the meantime they will serve without finials.

Next unit is an early war militia battalion in a mix of brown coats and stable jackets.

The Marines will see action in a game this weekend.