Originally Published on the Spanner and the Yank Web Site. Used by permission.

AB Albanian Light Infantry (T2)

Let me start by admitting I know little about the Ottoman Turks, unless you are viewing them from an Austrian perspective. I purchased the four figures that comprise the Albanian light infantry primarily to provide you with feedback on these colorful figures. Having a few illustrations by Beaufort, they served as my only clue on the dress (c.1798-99).

There are four variations: Advancing, firing, loading and what I'd call a recon approach. They portray the "petit guerre" or avant skirmishing. Unfortunately, I primed them before writing this, so I only have a picture of the one I painted. It had one of the best faces I've seen from Barton, perhaps because there was no helmet or kolpack to hide it. The positioning is natural and the folds of his long blouse (sorry, don't know the proper name), make it a pleasure to paint. It has a sense of movement somewhat lacking in other AB miniatures.

They are the standard 18mm (1:100 scale) height. I would have rated this figure a "9" were it not for the fact that, very atypically, there's a large chunk of lead extending from his hip to the butt of his musket. It is too thick to remove without damaging the latter, and visible enough so that it's difficult to conceal. It would seem the thickness of the musket butt would have allowed it to be cast without this support. In any event, it drops the overall impression to an "8". From the front, it looks great. From the rear, ok.

A cautionary note for first time painters: I wouldn't start with these figures. The costume I painted is the most basic one I had -- most showing elaborate embroidery. It's hard making out exactly what he's wearing in the sash around his waste. I was able to discern it was rolled up with two handles protruding and one sheath. (The detail is a tad confusing without looking at the source he used.) So I painted a long dagger and pistol.

The Ottoman range consists of janissaries and some interesting cavalry. It is definitely worth checking out.

Good Gaming,

Mike