1:72 French 6 Horse Limber

1:72 French artillery limber with a six-horse team

A set for assembling an artillery limber drawn by six horses, in 1:72 scale. The limber is a two-wheeled cart onto which the barrel with its carriage was hitched so that the gun could be towed. Without it, an artillery battery on a diorama looks as though the guns got into position by themselves.

The real subject

The French artillery of the Napoleonic Wars rested on mobility. A battery had to be able to move quickly, take up a position and drive off again, and it was precisely for that that the limber with its team served. Six horses were usual for the heavier pieces, while lighter guns were drawn by four. The crew rode on the horses or walked alongside on foot, with the driver controlling the team from the saddle of the left-hand horse.

Building and painting tips

Glue and paint the horses separately and only then hitch them up, as you will otherwise not get at their undersides. The harness is brought out well by a thin line of a darker color into the engraved grooves. The wooden parts of the cart look better after thin glazes than after an opaque color. Dry-fit the set beforehand and think through how the team will stand in the terrain, because a straight row of horses looks unnatural.

Who the set is for

• Collectors of figures in the small 1:72 scale
• Builders of dioramas and battle scenes
• Players of tabletop battle games
• Those interested in the military history of the period

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.