Austrian Artillery of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763

Revell 1:72 Scale Figure Review

Austrian Artillery of the Seven Years’ War, 1756–1763, 1:72 Miniatures Revell 02579.

Revell Austrian Seven Years’ War Artillery expertly painted by miniature artist Benno de Groot. Gunner № 3, the Vormeister or gun commander, is giving the command to fire, and № 4 is about to touch off the fuse of the 3 pdr gun, while № 2 (rammer) and № 5 (gun layer) are standing by. Hundreds of captured Austrian 3 pdr guns of this type were used as battalion guns by the French Napoleonic Army from 1809 to 1812. A picture of an Austrian pièce de 3 livres may be found on page 41 of the popular L+F Funcken book Uniforms and Weapons of the Armies of the First Empire. The Revell figure set of the Austrian Artillery includes enough guns and crew figures to recruit three artillery battalions for the popular Volley & Bayonet game system.

Contents

  • 22 Gunners in 15 Poses – 25 mm equal 180 cm Height
    • Officer (2)
    • № 1 – Loader with Roundshot (1)
    • № 2 – Spongeman/Rammer, sponging the Barrel (1)
    • № 2 – Spongeman/Rammer, standing (2)
    • № 3 – Ventsman, Vormeister, stopping the Vent (1)
    • № 3 – Ventsman, Vormeister, commanding fire (1)
    • № 4 – Firer, standing (2)
    • № 4 – Firer, lighting fuse (2)
    • № 4 – Firer, firing (1)
    • № 5 – Aimer with Trailspike (1)
    • № 5 – Aimer, standing with Trailspike (2)
    • № 6 – Ammunition Number, running (2)
    • Gunner/Handlanger, standing (2)
    • Gunner/Handlanger, manhandling gun (1)
    • Gunner/Handlanger, manhandling gun (1)
  • Austrian 3 pdr Gun and Ammunition Chest (3)
  • Artillery Limber with 4 Horses and 2 Riders
    • Artillery Train Rider (1)
    • Artillery Train Rider, whipping Horses (1)
    • Artillery Limber Horses (4 Poses)
    • Austrian Artillery Limber (1)

Evaluation

Excellent choice of subject, these Seven Years’ War Austrian gunners are unique in 1:72 scale. Given the quality and accuracy of this kit, there is actually no need for another, similar set covering this subject. There may be some market potential for an Artillery set covering the Austrian Netherlands Artillery Brigade which had lapels on their uniform, although the lapels might just be painted on.

Historically accurate poses. This figure set includes the required poses for three different situations of the artillery firing drill: manhandling, sponging, and firing the gun. All six of the main gunners № 1 to № 6 are available in the proper pose to represent each of the three critical moments, without the need for conversion. Clearly, this is the industry standard by which other artillery sets must be judged.

The gunners are equipped with the Austrian grenadier sabre which was issued to them in 1758. Purists may want to replace the sabre with a Hirschfänger hunting knife which was standard issue before 1758.

The standing Gunner/Handlanger is the most versatile figure in the set, he may be used to represent gunners № 1 through 6 when they are not currently engaged in their assigned tasks. This figure can be the loader (№ 1), standing by while the gun is fired or manhandled, he might be the aimer (№ 5) waiting for the gun to be fired or rolled back into position after firing, or he could be one of the Handlangers ready to manhandle the gun after firing.

Satisfactory casting quality. Noticeable flash and mould lines need to be removed prior to painting. We used the Rai-Ro ZEP-70 hot spatula to brush mould lines off the figure.

At 180 cm height, these figures are much too tall to represent Austrian gunners of the period who might have been 165 cm tall on average. In fact, 180 cm was considered Gardemaß in the Prussian army, and these giants would surely have ended up in the Potsdam Guards Battalion.

Historical Employment

  • Austrian Artillery, 1758–1763
  • French pièce de 3 livres battalion guns, 1809–1812

Possible Conversions

  • Austrian Netherland Artillery Brigade, 1758–1763
    With red lapels simply painted on.
  • The Continental Artillery, 1775–1783
  • Seven Years’ War artillery of other nations, 1756–1763
    Convert the riding boots to gaiters

Bibliography

Revell’s Austrian Artillery is a must-have for Seven Years’ War enthusiasts. Unfortunately, Revell never completed this popular figure range, and wargamers will have to use compatible troops from other manufacturers to complete their armies.

Seven Years’ War Miniatures