More pom poms and facing colours - cavalry
I have started painting my first cavalry regiment after doing my infantry battalions. First up are Chasseurs a Cheval and then Hussars (unsure whether to paint 1st, 5th or 7th regiment). I came across a picture stating that the pom pom was in the colour of a centre company. I never really thought about the colour of cavalry pom poms before. Can anyone enlighten me as to what the official pom pom colours were for French cavalry in 1809 (a search of the site didn't come up with anything). Some help with facing colours would also be appreciated. What is aurore? I have read that it is an orange/pink colour, but also that it is a golden orange. Likewise, what is cappucine? I pictured chamois as being a buff colour, but my Knotel pictures show this as a pale yellow. What paints do you use to represent these colours? I mainly use vallejo. Do they have appropriate paints, or do I need to mix a colour of my own? Thanks, CC.

Hi CC. I believe your right in regarding aurure as orange/ pink. I saw it as a peach colour. Humbrol Acrylic had a colour that was pretty close but I can't find the number. Hopefully wiser heads will remember it. Cappucine is "Dead Leaf" from memory, visualize a sort of tobbacco colour. Hope this is at least a start. Cheers, Andy

Captain, my sources show the following pompon colours for Chasseur-à-Cheval: 1st Squadron (Elites)= Red; 2nd = Aurore; 3rd = Sky Blue; 4th = Violet. My take on painting them, as follows: Hope that helps!

Greystreak, I believe that only the first company of the first Sqn was Elite however for Chasseurs both the first and second companies of the first Sqn had Red pompons with the Elite preferring a plume (as befitting an Elite Company) The remaining squadrons had colours as described but the second company of each Sqn was distinguished by a white centre to the pompon, there being other variations such as the pompon being half white half distinctive colour. Very nice art work by the way, a unit fit to grace any Wargames table. Glen

Aaack! :shock: Hold that brush, Captain Chook, I've stuffed up again! :roll: Right, that's this lot straight into the bin . . . :oops: :oops: :oops:

Greystreak, For 24 figure Regt, 1/2 coy elite so 3 elite figures;? Regards,

Sorry, 1/2 squadron elite,so 1 coy = 3 figures elite in 24 figure Regt, Regards,

Thanks for the replies, especially the great photographs from Greystreak and Craig. I was about to ask about the plumes after Eugene's comment, but Craig has kindly sent the photo of his plumed chasseurs so this solves that problem for me ( I considered chopping off the plumes). I have worked on the basis that many LC regiments had detachments away and often only fielded 3 squadrons on the day of battle. Therefore, my regiment is 24 troopers in 3 saquadrons with an elite company of 4 figures (had to get as many in colbacks as possible!). Thanks again, CC.

Thanks Craig, I think I've got the 'picture' now. Like I said, they've got into the rubbish for their manifold 'sins'. You will note of course that these Perry's figures are in post-1812 Bardin uniform, unlike your AB's, however I obviously had too many elites, and they were based in pairs, not 'threes'. In fairness, they were only my second unit of 28mm scale figures, so I'll have to chalk it up as a 'learning experience'. :lol: :oops: :lol: