Mid War Spanish Additions (cont. 11) - Hibernia and the uniform that [probably] never was.

We are nearing the end of the current painting spree. The lead pile is now down to nine units and a couple of command stands. The Spanish have grown from a four unit contingent with artillery and a command stand to something approaching an army, and they are looking good (IMHO). 

However, as you will have noted the uniform fudges are piling up. This is because two things keep repeating time and time again: Firstly, uniform details for the mid war years are patchy at best; secondly,  Front Rank (and I'm only using FR for this collection) don't make every uniform style that is known and this requires me to convert figures as best I can. 

This particular unit addition illustrates these things reasonably well.

Regimiento de Hibernia.

The basics: 

The figures are by Front Rank with some minor conversions. 

The flag is by Adolfo Ramos. 

All were painted, as usual, by yours truly in Humbrol enamels.

Here's the intriguing bit for Regimiento de Hibernia. 

According to Rene Chartrand in Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2), in July 1809 William Parker Carroll (Hibernia's Irish colonel) asked Lord Liverpool for "scarlet jackets, green facings, yellow buttons' and 'regimental caps (shakos) with red plumes....There is no evidence that these uniforms were sent". 

However, other equipment specifically for Hibernia, presumably requested at the same time, was shipped in August 1810.

Here's the thing, although there is no evidence for the red uniform being shipped or worn, there is no evidence to say what uniform they were wearing instead! All we do know is that the traditional light blue uniform had completely worn out by 1809 and was. for some time, replaced by civilian dress. In 1812, presumably in a uniform of some form (unknown?), the unit became the garrison for Cuidad Rodrigo. Was the uniform red?

When it comes to the availability of figures, Front Rank fusiliers in bell topped shako do not have a plume / pompom: These pompoms were fashioned with Milliput. 

FR officers in bell topped shako come with a side mounted plume: These were removed and larger front mounted plumes (pinned and glued) were added.

A uniform that probably never was but, prove it!

Next up, more artillery.