#8347 AWI British Cavalry

The American War of Independence was not simply a conflict between British soldiers and American colonists. Many thousands of colonists remained loyal to the Crown and served in militia, garrison and provincial formations raised in North America. These Loyalist troops fought as part of the British war effort and were particularly valuable because of their knowledge of the country, local roads and population.

Box front:

This set represents mounted and dismounted light troops serving on the British side during the Revolution. More specifically, the figures are suitable for American Loyalist or British Provincial formations such as the British Legion, Queen's Rangers, De Lancey's Refugees and similar light corps. The British Legion combined cavalry and infantry, while the Queen's Rangers also included mounted troops; both served as Crown forces and played important roles in the later campaigns. The British Legion was a Loyalist provincial formation containing both cavalry and infantry, and its mounted arm was used extensively in the Southern Campaign.

Test sprue:

The mounted figures wear short jackets and crested leather caps of the style commonly associated with Loyalist light cavalry. They are armed with swords and pistols for reconnaissance, raiding, pursuit and rapid battlefield action. The two dismounted poses represent light infantry, reflecting the mixed character of several provincial corps rather than a force composed exclusively of cavalry.

Digitized scans of the figures

The word British in the title identifies the side for which these troops fought, not necessarily their place of birth. Loyalist provincials were raised in America but served the Crown alongside British and German regular troops. With suitable painting, the figures may represent several of the varied mounted and light-infantry units employed by the British armies during the war.

Painted figures

Size testing:

Line drawings:

Sprue set up

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