GSD229 Rubí's IR painting guide, reviewed

Today, I consider my general review of the WSS Austrophile regiments painting guides be complete, after checking the last one I had published so far, which is the regiment the Marquis of Rubí --after being appointed Viceroy of Majorca by Charles III-- hurriedly raised in 1713 to reinforce Majorcan defenses, while inside a Barcelona city that was already under siege...

I have found no fundamental discrepancies with Boeri, Hernàndez & Riart's encyclopedic work, but just a couple of side notes worth to be added. Despite one of such notes concerns the regimental flag I have already published under codes 15GSC229, 20GSC229 and 28GSC229, I have considered that no changes were deemed necessary yet --let scholars debate before!

Therefore, I have already made available an updated v1 version of this particular painting guide (GSD229), that can be freely downloaded from our Free Stuff page, or directly right here by just clicking on the image above.

Announcement in advance: I am currently awaiting the chance to acquire a new book on the matter, hopefully allowing me to check my current list of Two Crowns Spanish Infantry guides too --a task I'm going to start by mid-November, most likely. Besides, the substantial increase of my library on this matter will help me design and publish new flag sheets and guides of both sides --something hopefully happening next month too.

GSD211 Saragossa/Alcaudete IR painting guide, redone

Keeping up with my WSS Austrophile regiments guides review, today it's been the turn for the GSD211 Saragossa City one (a regiment better known perhaps as Alcaudete), whose v1 version was admittedly fragmentary and incomplete. Thanks to the latest work by Boeri, Hernàndez & Riart I have now been able to thoroughly review this unit history and uniformology from its creation to its ultimate withdrawal to Italy, and beyond.

Therefore, I have already made available an updated v2 version of this particular painting guide (GSD211), that can be freely downloaded from our Free Stuff page (or you can download it right here, by just clicking on the image above).

No amendments are needed to our flag sheets xxGSC211.

GSD210 Alacant/Richardi IR painting guide, reviewed

I have just checked my GSD210 Alacant/Richardi infantry regiment painting guide against the latest work on this subject by Boeri, Hernàndez & Riart. Thankfully, most of my compilations were correct, having to mend just a few details such as the grenadier cap style.

I'm happy to let you know it is already available an updated v2 version of this particular painting guide (GSD210), that can be freely downloaded from our Free Stuff page (or you can download them right here, by just clicking on the image above).

Besides, no amendments are needed to our flag sheets xxGSC210.

GSD204 & GSD205 Valencian regiments guides, redone

While reviewing the newest informations about the Austrophile regiments of Valencia (both City's and Kingdom's), for if something in my own painting guides had to be mended or completed, I have noted with dismay these were in flagrant contradiction with the pre-existing source I had based my own work on. Plainly, while my former source assigned blue coats to the Valencia City regiment and green coats to the Valencia Kingdom regiment, this new encyclopedic research I'm currently reviewing does exactly the opposite --even specifying the precise shade of green used!

After some hard thought and a side verification with a couple of additional sources, in the end I've chosen to give credit to the far more comprehensive work of Boeri, Hernàndez & Riart, even if this meant having to redo the affected painting guides from start to finish. As hastily as I've been able to, here you have ready for free download the painting guides GSD204 City of Valencia I.R. and GSD205 Kingdom of Valencia I.R. at our Free Stuff page (or you can download them right here, by just clicking on their respective image).

No corrections are compulsory to our flag sheets xxGSC204 or xxGSC205 after this review, apparently.

GSD203 Queen's Own I.R. painting guide, updated

I have just completed my review of the GSD203 Queen's Own infantry regiment painting guide, following the revealings given in the latest paper on this subject. I have found no mistakes in it, thankfully; but I've found instead a lot of supplementary information allowing me to give a more complete picture on this particular unit uniformology and history, until its ultimate reformation in Milan after the 1713 withdrawal.

Therefore, I'm glad to let you know to have already updated and uploaded a new v2 version of Queen's Own I.R. painting guide (GSD203), which is available for free download at our Free Stuff page.

No amendments are necessary to our flag sheets 10GSC201, 15GSC203, 20GSC203 or 28GSC203, either.

GSD202 Ahumada I.R. painting guide, updated

There are major changes in my painting guide for the Ahumada infantry regiment, after reviewing the latest research that Boeri, Hernàndez & Riart published in recent dates. The only information I had at hand so far was that one given by Kühn and Hall referred to this regiment's uniform and equipment in 1716, once that unit had been withdrawn from Spain to be redeployed in Naples, and later Hungary.

Now their whole uniformity history is fully known since at least 1705, and this knowledge may deliver you a few surprises! This is why I have just updated and uploaded a new v3 version of Ahumada I.R. painting guide (GSD202), which is already available for free download at our Free Stuff page.

No amendments seem necessary to our flag sheets 10GSC201, 15GSC202, 20GSC202 or 28GSC202, thankfully.

GSD201 Catalan Guards painting guide, reviewed

Following my announcement as of yesterday, I've just reviewed my painting guide for the WSS Catalan Guards regiment, for if anything had to be mended, as a result of the latest research published by Boeri and Hernàndez on the Austrophile armies subject.

A few notes have been added here and there, although in the end the forementioned guide has suffered no major change, fortunately. Similarly, our 10GSC201, 15GSC201, 20GSC201 and 28GSC201 flag sheets remain untouched.

Anyway, this particular painting guide (GSD201) new v3 version is already available for free download at our Free Stuff page.

WSS guides & flag sheets upcoming updates

A voluminous new book on military history, dedicated to the Spanish Austrophile army in the War of Spanish Succession, has recently come into my hands. Authored by Giancarlo Boeri and Francesc X. Hernàndez, this extraordinary 479-page work is lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full-color drawings and diagrams by the celebrated artist Francesc Riart. Although published in Catalan language only, for the moment, under the title of "Els exèrcits de Carles III i Elisabet de Brunsvic" (="The armies of Charles III (*) and Elisabeth of Brunswick"), this one book is an essential addition to the library of anyone passionate about this conflict, which shaped the turbulent makeup of contemporary Spain.

The collaboration of these two undisputed experts, Boeri and Hernàndez, has shed new light on the military uniforms and vexillology information on the units serving the Habsburg cause —to such an extent, and of such quality, that has made me feel compelled to revise each and every one of my WSS painting guides, and possibly even this or that one of my published WSS flag sets in every scale (1/144^th, 1/100^th, 1/72^nd and 1/56^th, currently).

This is a job I'm going to do without any special hurry, logically, although I will try to keep it at a steady enough pace. Eventual news will be duely shared in this blog as they come.

(*) Current Spanish Historiography does not recognize as legitimate the "III" regal numeral of Charles Habsburg as king of Spain, referring to him instead as just "Archduke Charles" or "Pretender Charles", while assigning that numeral to Charles Bourbon & Farnesio (1759-1788). However, while it might be true that Charles' hurriedly pressed coronation in Madrid —during the ephemerously triumphant 1710 Allied counter-offensive— lacked most of the elements contributing to normality and legitimacy, nevertheless it can't be overruled that Spain wasn't a unified kingdom yet at that time, so his previous coronation as king in the Catalan-Aragonese States in 1706 was, unlike that one of Madrid, fully legitimate and following all the prescribed steps before the "Corts" or Parliaments of Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia. Besides, his effective rule from that point in Catalonia and Balearic Islands was long enough (8 and 9 years, respectively) not to be ignored as if it didn't exist. Therefore, maybe he can never be truly acknowledged as 'Charles III of Spain', but he was legitimately 'Charles III of Aragon' indeed. This is why of the book's name, transpiring a philosophy I do adhere to.

Stocks updated for 1:100 scale

Just as already done with other scales, I've managed to inventory what number of each 1:100^th scale model I still have in stock --with a few pleasant surprises, that can be checked on the corresponding page of this very same blog.

Also, I've taken advantage of such update for setting on sale the production prototypes of two SCW models that already existed in 1:72^nd scale, but not in 1:100^th scale yet: the armoured carrier and unarmoured tractor versions of IGC Sadurní tank. Both are sold as they were cast --i.e. with no driver included. Don't miss the chance, because both models are truly unique!

Now I'm going to figure out how to keep available to public our free download PDFs.

Zvezda products sale

Just as with Peter Pig's figures and models, when I briefly reopen Minairons miniatures webshop next month, I'm going to offer a 50% discount offer on all products from Zvezda --a renowned Russian model kit company whose products I've been retailing for the past few years.

Such sale comprises all of their WWII-related 1:144^th scale plastic aircraft, 1:100^th scale plastic vehicles and 1:72^nd scale plastic figures and ordnance, as well as their GNW-related 1:72^nd scale figures - all those we do have in stock, I mean.

Such sale is going to last just until end of stocks, naturally.

Peter Pig products sale

As a first step in the gradual process of dismantling Minairons miniatures webshop, I've thought it logical to cease retailing some third party products, such as those from Peter Pig --a British make mostly known for their 15mm white metal figures, as well as their 1:100^th scale resin or metal vehicles and accessories.

Such sale is going to consist of a 50% discount offer on all products Peter Pig in our website, currently comprising their 4mm Age of Sail ships and naval accessories, as well as their 15mm SCW and WWII figures, vehicles, artillery and accessories.

Such sale will start as soon as Minairons Miniatures website is reopen by mid August. And, quite obviously, it is going to last just until end of stocks.

1:100 Miller-Ford racer & status update

I'm happy to share Minairons' latest release, the 1935 Miller-Ford racing car in 1:100^th scale. Once again, this new model comes as a 3D-printed product, so requiring no assembly except for the white metal driver to be attached in cockpit.

As for our family health issues, my wife is coping well with her lung chemotherapy treatment; also, she is making visible progress in her motor rehabilitation process (she was affected by a Guillain-Barré syndrome). This is going to take a long time still, but we both are optimistic at regard.

Nevertheless, over four months have passed now since this health issue started, so I'm likely still going to need to shut down Minairons' website from time to time, in order to perform all necessary housekeeping tasks while she is hospitalized. You know, a day is just 24 hours long!

As for the desired Minairons miniatures managament transfer after my retirement, I'm happy to let you know that a preliminary talk took place recently with a friend who had also been in the wargame business for some time, with satisfactory results so far. Hopefully exciting news in this matter to come within this year.

WSS Rubí's Infantry Regiment flags

I'm pleased to share a further addition to our War of Spanish Succession flag ranges at 1:100, 1:72 and 1:56 scales altogether. These new sets display the flags of the Maruis of Rubí Infantry Regiment, raised in 1713 by himself as Charles Habsburg's viceroy of Majorca, with the purpose to help defend the island face a foreseeable Two Crowns' invasion of the island - which actually happened in 1715. Along with the flags, I've also released a small PDF guide on the subject for free download, as usual.

Citroën saloon, now in 1:100 scale

The 1:100^th scale version of Citroën C14 saloon car is already here. Unlike its larger 1:72^nd scale sister, this one comes as a single piece, so requiring no assembly at all.

This new civilian vehicle has a few variants depending on spare tyres location and presence of fog lights, supplied at random.

New 1:100 scale towing van

I'm happy to share the latest addition to our 1:100^th scale Interwar range: a Ford AA towing van, which can be also useful for SCW or even WWII settings - may it serve as a pressed into service civilian crane, or simply as a scenery piece.

It's already available at our website, as usual.

1:100 Barbastro tank released

We've just released the 1:100^th version of the Barbastro tank, a handcrafted behemoth locally built in the Aragonese town where the thing borrows the name from, whose 1:72^nd scale equivalent is also available from a long since. Unlike its larger sister, this 1:100^th Barbastro is DLP 3D-printed in just two parts (main hull and a rotating turret), and it's complemented by two hard plastic machine guns.

Quite large for its poor armament and armour, it was built in very small numbers: only one prototype for sure, and up to three others later, apparently from a slightly improved design. It's uncertain whether any of them saw any fighting at all.

WSS Valois' Tercio flags

I'm pleased to share a further addition to our War of Spanish Succession flag ranges at 1:100, 1:72 and 1:56 scales altogether. These new sets display the flags of the Valois' Tercio, another Two Crowns' Spanish unit. Along with the flags, I've also released a small PDF guide on the subject for free download, as usual.

Hope you like them!

XIV International Brigade flags

I'm happy to share the latest addition to our ranges of Spanish Civil War flags in 1:100^th, 1:72^nd and 1:56^th scales altogether - the flags of several units belonging to the XIV International Brigade, otherwise known as "La Marseillaise" Brigade due to most of their members being French language native speakers.

Worth to mention that I've recently published too a further 1:56^th scale set - this one devoted to Anarchist units. Taking advantage of such circumstance, I've also redesigned the 1:100^th and 1:72^nd scales versions of such set, so as to make all them to share design.

Hope you like them!

WSS Queen's Own IR flags

I'm happy to share our latest product in the War of Spanish Succession flags ranges, in all scales. This consists of a paper sheet with the King's and Regiment's Colours belonging to the La Reina ("=Queen's Own") Infantry Regiment of Charles Habsburg's Army - released simultaneously in 1:100, 1:72 and 1:56 scales. Also a fourth 1:144 scale sheet contains the Colours of three different Austrophile regiments (Catalan Guards, Ahumada and Queen's Own itself).

Alongside with the flag sheets above, a brief PDF painting guide on the subject has been released too - as customary. Hope you like it all!

1:100 Vickers 105/22 howitzer

Our first release of 2024 consists of a 1:100^th scale Vickers 105/22 howitzer. This was a Spanish Army standard field gun manufactured in Reinosa under license, using British 18 and 25 pounder carriages. As with most of Spanish ordnance, Vickers guns were divided among both sides at the outbreak of SCW, being used on all fronts.

Unlike its 1:72^nd scale counterpart, which is white metal cast in several parts to be assembled, this new 15mm cannon is DLP 3D-printed as a single piece, so requiring no assembly at all.

It can be already orderd from our website.