Three hundred and thirty nine years ago today, the largest cavalry charge in history broke the back of Turkish forces besieging a starving Vienna. At the fore of the charge was Polish Winged Hussars. Leading the relief force and riding with the Winged Hussars was King John III Sobieski who proclaimed after the stupendous victory "Venimus, vidimus, Deus vicit" (We came, we saw, God conquered.) Never again would the Ottoman Turks seriously threaten Western Europe.
On 12 September 1683, at the Battle of Vienna the Polish Winged Lancers rode into history becoming one of the most iconic troop types of all time.
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The possibility of a Polish Winged Hussar kit has been brought up in numerous threads and by numerous people. But I thought the anniversary of the Battle of Vienna was a fine time to create a consolidated Winged Lancer thread.
Here one can voice support (or not) and share knowledge on this renowned troop type.
The "Golden Age" of the Winged Hussars began in 1577 at the Battle of Lubiszew. Fighting Swedish, Russian, and Ottoman forces and often triumphing against fearsome odds, some of their other great victories were Kircholm 1605, Klushino 1610, Khotyn 1673, and the seminal Battle of Vienna 1683.
Obviously Winged Hussar armor evolved over their existence.
I would argue for a kit centered on 1683 when their armor reached peak ballerness.
Their most distinctive feature and the source of their name was the wings worn on the back. These wood bows were fitted with raptor feathers.
The pelts of big cats like leopards were worn. Supposedly bear, wolf, and lynx pelts were reserved for veterans.
The Winged Hussar's most famous weapon was rightfully the lance. However they also carried and employed hammers, sabers, koncerz (stabbing, armor penetrating sword) and pistols.
(Koncerz)
(Saber)
