Hi to all and hope you are keeping well. After a week at home I’ve started to make a small dent in the grey army and clear the decks a little so I could make a start on this recent offering from RP Models entitled Battle of Aboukir. The scene depicts an incident during the battle where the French General Murat and the Ottoman commander Seid Mustafa became involved in one on one combat. I first saw some pictures of this proposed project by RP back at the Telford show last year whilst speaking to Hugo and was keen to get my hands on one once released. The first part to be released is the figure of Mustafa. I’ve gone for the 120mm version. I’ve noticed that compared to some other 120mm mounted figures I have in my collection from other manufacturers this seems to be smaller (thought I’m no expert on sculpting/scales)-this isn’t a criticism in any respect, just a personal observation and one it might be worth bearing in mind for anyone thinking of purchasing the smaller 75mm version.
The kit is superbly sculpted/cast and so far only needed a minimal amount of filling. The horse is cast in 3 parts with Mustafa’s legs moulded in situ. The Arab horse is beautifully rendered even down to the head shape peculiar to that breed. There are two moulded lugs on the base of the rear hoofs to attach the horse to the base supplied. I would normally paint the rider and mount separately but as part of the body was cast on the horse I’ve built it up to where it’s at now then started the painting. It’s very early stages yet and I’ve relied a lot on the Osprey book about Napoleon’s Mameluke’s as a reference re the style of dress and potential colour schemes. I’m going for a chestnut horse for Mustafa on the basis that some of the scant reference material I could find seems to portray Murat riding a grey/white horse. I think the chestnut will help show up the colour of the very ornate saddlery.
Apologies again for the poor quality of pictures-the camera on the phone doesn’t seem to have the definition quality but I’ll keep at it. One day.....

Thanks for looking,

Neal

Woah, following this one Neal. Excellent start.

Thanks Bob. Thought you were getting into the part of Mustafa reigning in the horse-Whoa!

Neal

Thanks Nap. Was it Mustafa, Murat or both re the research Nap? If it was Mustafa any help with reference material would be greatly appreciated even though I’m quite a way on with him.

Neal

Wow that's an impressive piece Neal....quick off the mark...looks great....keep posting... Mike

Thanks Nap. I’d seen these two whilst searching the net but not much in the way of close up or detailed representations of Mustafa.

Really appreciated Mike. Had to get this one once I saw it for the first time and enjoying putting my stamp on it.

Neal

Impressive start on Mustapha. Contacted Hugo to order both some time ago but have not heard back as yet, probably because of.all the chaos of late.

Many thanks clrsgt. Managed to get mine via SK Miniatures and I think El Greco have them in stock as well. I believe Murat isn’t due for release until sometime later this month allowing for the current situation. Hope you get sorted soon.

Neal

Thanks Nap. I’ve reserved a copy of Murat with Steve as and when they arrive. I was going to use the Rava picture above as the reference for Murat and seeing as the ornate saddle on that was red that’s why I opted for the green on Mustafa’s saddle. Like you say there are so many options colour scheme wise for Mustafa.

Neal

Spent some time last night working on the horse. I’ve painted the horse in oils over a base of Vallejo Flat Brown. I don’t tend to dilute the oils with any white spirit/turps when doing horses as it gives a slight sheen on the finish more in keeping with the horses coat (or at least that’s what I hope for). I’ve gone for a chestnut colour using a mix of Burnt Sienna and Cadmium Yellow with a touch of white. Shading is with Burnt Umber and a touch of black around the eyes and mouth and white for the highlights. The mix is from an old Military Modelling article on painting horses by Graham Dixey from 1993! I cannibalised my old Mil Modelling magazines when I ran out of space and cut out any reference material or articles on “How to” that I thought would be beneficial. Still some bits to do such as eyes, hooves and markings but it gives an idea of the colour with the green saddlery.

Really lovely stuff so far. Are you going to be painting a different colour for the damask on the shabraque, Neal? It looks a helluva job!

I have a resin 120mm rearing horse and rider in my GA. As a matter of interest, did you reinforce the back legs? I had thought to with mine because of the possibility of them failing under the combined weight on them.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, really appreciate the comments. The detail on the saddle/shabraque is going to be gold eventually. Undecided on the tassels as yet, whether to go gold with the trim edge or green tassels and gold trim to break all the gold up. As for the horse mounting I did consider putting pins in but the position of the hoof and lower leg would have meant I couldn’t drill up far enough to get the required support without weakening/snapping the hoof from the leg so I opted against it. There are two moulded lugs on the bottom of the horses hooves that marry up with holes in the base provided so I’ve just glued them. It seems a small 120mm figure Jeff and all in resin so the weight issue isn’t too bad.

Neal

Some examples of Mameluke saddles

Hello Neal...

Thank you so much for your kind words... Truly preciated...

The scale of the we use a parametric software. I know different companies and different sculptors have different size and the size you have its from software. We just put the dimensions and we did almost everything.

I want give congratulations for the excellent job... I know you will do a fantastic work.

There are a big chance to dont see this post... Im almost living in the hospital... Murat will arrive in a few days and i will start the shipping. I just ask you a little of patience because im doing the double of the shifts in the hospital and they are very heavy...

Thank you so much and keep teh good work...
With best regards
Hugo Pereira

Good luck to you Hugo, & stay as safe as you possibly can. You’re doing an incredible job, as are all medics the world over at the moment. You all deserve our gratitude for the sacrifices you are making right now.

Stay strong,
Chris

Hi Hugo. Glad you like how it’s coming along. Looking forward to the release of Murat but understand the difficulties involved with that in the current climate. I want to echo what Chris and others have already said on the forum regarding Healthcare professionals and the work and effort you and your colleagues around the world are putting in to combat this virus. It is truly humbling. Keep up the good work and above all, stay safe and well.

Neal