A Gordon for Me (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Well - 68 of them actually!

Before I begin making them from castings from Dorset Soldiers though, Perhaps a word or two of explanation is in order - as to why.

One of my favourite places in the UK is my local library. They have a pretty good section on Military History there. Now I like toy soldiers and best of all I like bands. When I picked up a book from the shelves and opened it up - I was sunk! The book? "Richard Simkin's Uniforms of the British Army - The Infantry Regiments" edited by Bill Carman (1985). Simkin was a Victorian artist famed for his water-colou illustrations of military uniforms - and Bill Carman a noted military historian who specialised in such uniforms. NB: I liked it so much - I eventually bought it via Amazon!).

inside the book were page after page of glorious pictures - lots of them looking more like toy soldiers than - well - toy soldiers. Here's a page - not entirely at random.

Best of all, for me, were the musicians and bandsmen. Surprisingly to me, at the time, lots of them were wearing white jackets - or in the case of the Scots, I was to learn, white doublet jackets - as worn by illustration "h" above,(I call him Harry). He is a Gordon Highlander with brass instrument in the uniform worn in 1864 - as painted by Simkin. I think I decided there and then, that one day I would make a band, dressed just like that. What should go in the band though? Well - that's a long story - which will hopefully unfold as we go along.

I eventually decided to make not just one band - but two - plus a Colour Party - and then - a Regimental escort to march along with them. The time-frame was decided by the white doublet jacket of "Harry" Not before 1856, when the single-breasted doublet came in - and not after 1873 when the white colour of the jacket was replaced by a red one. A further complication was the cuff - which changed from the 3 button flapped one,(also called the French cuff), shown by Harry - to a gauntlet type - as seen in the "g" group. This cuff came in from 1868.

What Regiment? - Well, I rather liked Harry's Gordon tartan - that yellow stripe really stands out. The clincher came when my friend "Trooper" came up with a wonderful photo of a Gordon Highlander Military Band taken in 1867 - which showed for real, Simkin's illustration - and here it is:

So, Gordon Highlanders then, but not before 1856 - and no later than 1867. Where were they during that time then?

Well, according to Trevor Royle, author of "The Gordon Highlanders: A Concise History", they returned to Britain from India in 1863 and were garrisoned in Edinburgh, until they departed to Ireland in 1866. In 1865 they embarked upon a series of recruiting drives across Scotland, prior to forming a Guard of Honour for Queen Victoria - in Edinburgh in July 1865.

So - that's the year for me then - 1865 - which sets the date for my Colour Party, Drum & Pipe Band, Military Band and Regimental escort headed by their mounted Colonel (Col. Lockhart) - to march once again. We're off!

My group will look like this:

Part 1. Colour Party. Two Ensigns with Regimental and Queen's Colours; three Colour Sergeant escorts - and their RSM with pace stick.

Part 2. Drum & Pipe Band. Drum Major, Pipe Major plus 7 pipers. Nine side-drummers (full size and half-size - or "cheese" drums) plus Bass Drum.

Part 3. Military Band - with 30 instruments - to include Trombones, cornets, Clarinets, Saxophones, Fifes, Tenor Horns Euphoniums, Bassoons, French Horns, Tubas, Bombardons, Ophicleid, Cymbals, Bell Lyre, Side drums, Bass Drum.

Part 4. Mounted Colonel plus two marching Officers, one sergeant and nine other ranks.

A total of 68 figures. The Colour Party and escorts, Drummmers plus Regimental group will be in red =- the pipers will be in green - with the military band in white doublets.

I intend starting with the Colour Party - but will probably start the Military Band after that - and maybe mix in some of the other groups along the way, by way of variation. It can become boring doing the same figure, over and over again!

Next post - will be the start of the modelling/painting - as some of the castings will need alterations and additions - to make the figure "work". I hope to show some of this - but bear with me - as I haven't undertaken this before. Feel free to chip in - but if I choose to ignore you - TUFF - but don't get too upset!

Hope you enjoy the process - as much as I will - and hope I get there in the end with something worth looking at! johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

By the way - if anyone is wondering what on earth a "cheese"drum is, have another look at Trooper's old photo. Right in the centre front is a drummer in a Red Doublet (and hence from the Drum & Pipe Band) holding a smallish half-size side drum. That's a cheese-drum, which were apparently very popular around that time. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

My first job was to remove "flash" and clean up the six castings that will form the Colour Party. Each casting will need various items of equipment.

This one will be one of the two Standard Bearers. Note that I have mounted him on a 1" diameter round metal base. I nearly always do this - as an aid to stability. I like them this way - many don't. Just one of my "things".

Next, I have begun to form the Baldrick belt, in which the Standard will rest. This is made from a strong metalised strip (cut from a medicine blister pack). When painted - well, wait and see. It is cut and supaglued to appear from under the plaid. I actually tried it over the plaid - but rejected that as it looked too clumsy. I have another figure already in my collection (from Langley Miniatures) which has gone with my solution - they obviously felt the same. Another strip will go around behind the figure and "disappear" under the plaid. The cup will be formed from milliput.

This next pic shows the side view. I have added the start of a "dirk" - made from a bayonet from my box of spares - and the tail of the Officer's sash - which is worn from the left shoulder - and hangs in a tail. The sash will be painted onto the lower half of the plaid - which crosses the chest area.

The next pic shows the basic figure: mounted figure and Standard bearer with arm fitted. I have partially primed certain areas - I don't prime faces or light colour areas, but use washes of a flat undercoat. I think it gives a crisper finish that way. I also use thinned "flesh" colour to undercoat scarlet - as with Humbrol paint - I think it gives a better finish. Again, just one of my things.

In front of the figures are some weapons for the Colur Sergeants - and a Standard that has been primed - and the first coat of red applied. Weapons have been given a first coat of matt - as an undercoat.

.

Sorry for change in colour - it's nightime - get over it!

The second part of the belt has been positioned and glued in place. When firmly set, I will stretch it into place and cut and glue the loose end to form a perfect fit under the plaid. It will look as if it disappears under it.


I see what you mean Brad - this takes ages - and interferes with modelling time!!

Actually - because I have two Standard Bearers to do - this is one, further on in painting - to compare and see the additions. He needs a broadsword added which I am making from a spare - adjusted with milliput - and of course the Colour. You can see the top of the dirk which I have added - plus the cup for the Colour. You can also see the beginnings of the French Cuff - which is being painted on.

More later - TTFN johnnybach

 

[thebritfarmer]

Good god!!! you don't hang about do you ^&confuse ^&grin

Thanks for the SBS, I was going to ask if you primed your figures first.

Looking forward to the next installment


:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

I can't hang about - Gardening to do! Partial priming is fine for me. Too much spoils the detail - and I have found that certain colours are best without it e.g Scarlet. Darker colours are fine with primer. Oxford blue matte though, - doesn't need it etc., etc., I have worked out my own way through trial and error.

I take my hat off to the boys who have done this before though - it's tricky trying to think ahead to what you need to show. If I get fed up - I'll just do it - and tell you how I got there afterwards. Will persevere for a bit though - might get easier.^&confuse

Jeff - I didn't realise what fore-thought this takes! johnnybach

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks jb,

Well I am sure I speak for everyone that your thread is most appreciated!

Do you use Humbrol paints ?


Scott

 

[johnnybach]

Well, as it's the biggest project that I have ever tackled - I s'pose that I might as well show how I do it this time. Im sure that everyone tackles things a bit differently - so this will just be my take on it.

I have always used Humbrol paints - sometimes matte - and sometimes gloss - as all the figures get varnished - it will all shine eventually - just as I want. I get my paints either in the UK and bring them over - or here in France, there is a very small, part-time shop, about an hour's drive away, which was set up by a hobbyist to cater for train set guys. He's told me that I'm his only customer who makes toy soldiers! He always asks me to show him what I'm making - so I either show him pics - or better - take an example with me - when I go on a "paint mission". He loves 'em! He sells me Humbrol and "sort of okay" brushes - which are really for the train-set mob!

I usually get grief at the Airport when my hand-luggage goes through. Paint is classed as a flammable liquid - so can't take that. ("Hands up everyone - if you don't fly to Cuba - I'll spread this 14ml. tinlet of Humbrol all over the 'plane!!!") When I brought back around 50 castings, on one occasion - there was a big discussion - and much reading of regulations - before they agreed to let me on. Just for revenge, they confiscated La Commandante's eau-de-cologne though. Ha!

Anyone would think we were oddballs! johnnybach:salute::

 

[aujj65]

I can't hang about - Gardening to do! Partial priming is fine for me. Too much spoils the detail - and I have found that certain colours are best without it e.g Scarlet. Darker colours are fine with primer. Oxford blue matte though, - doesn't need it etc., etc., I have worked out my own way through trial and error.

I take my hat off to the boys who have done this before though - it's tricky trying to think ahead to what you need to show. If I get fed up - I'll just do it - and tell you how I got there afterwards. Will persevere for a bit though - might get easier.^&confuse

Jeff - I didn't realise what fore-thought this takes! johnnybach

Johnny,

Yes it does, doesn’t it! :wink2:

I always undercoat with a grey car primer as it brings out the detail and I find that painting on bare castings wears the paintbrush. But I am looking forward to your method of painting. :smile2:

:salute:::salute::

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

The first two pics show the second standard bearer and the three Colour Sgts. who are getting their first coat. I have used some primer on the Standard Bearer - but not on flesh. Note that I have used thin flesh colour as a wash for parts that will eventually be scarlet. I think this gives a better final colour to the doublet.

Different view:

This third picture shows a major modification that needed to be made. The arm holding the pace-stick for the WO figure was a right arm - with a lug to fit into the hole in the shoulder. This could not be fitted into the left hole - as the lug was on the wrong side.

I trimmed off the lug - then drilled a hole in the shoulder of the arm. I then fitted a "post" into the shoulder hole - for the arm to lacate on. I then had to file down the arm - and build up the other side with milliput. I filed the hand to look like the correct hand. It took b*****y hours - and all because I didn't specify which arm - left or right! (I thought everyone knew that an RSM would NEVER hold the pace stick under any other arm than his non-saluting arm!!!!). I will also need to make him a broadsword in scabbard - as he was holding a sword in the wrong arm!!!

The two colours are shown in first coat form. These were primed first with grey primer(Humbrol No.1)

I will be using these Gordons Colours as a guide to painting - they are in edinburgh Cathedral where they were laid up in 1864.

All for now. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Happy Dewi Sant (Saint David's Day) everyone

Painting continuing with the Colour Party(picture below). The WO figure on the right shows my method of doing tartans. I keep the figure as free as possible (arms etc) to facilitate painting. I do a simplified Gordons tartan for these - as the complete group will be of 68 figures. If I were to make the tartan more complex. I feel it would detract from the view of the whole thing. Hope that makes sense.
I go with Obees method for painting tartans (mostly) - but this is simplified for this group as a whole.(See his Ozzie web-site if you haven't seen it - it's excellent - thanks Obee).

I first paint all plaid and kilt with Oxford Blue (matte). This is a two coat job - the first acts as primer and undercoat. When dry I then paint a chequered pattern all over in green.(Jeff would just love that part! - that is the stage with WO figure). Next comes black lining - and lastly, the yellow stripe which will overlay the green. I will show this later. Once everything is dry - then I can add the arms - and touch in joints.

Incicentally, that's why I did the first figure until nearly complete. I often will do this when I have a lot of figures to do - in order to find out what works best - and establish a "method" for doing them - how tartans look - what snags will develop etc.

With this project, my first figure went according to plan, as I expected - so can do a few more at a time. I also "Hate" production line painting - I just don't enjoy it - as it seems more like work than enjoyment. I can quite understand it for making a living - but I do this for enjoyment - so will usually only do 5 figures, or so, at a time. It's just my way.

Further points to note from the picture - are the addition of a dirk for WO and Ensign - but not for sergeants - as they would not be carrying one - for this Regiment - at this time. I have found no evidence for them in many books and web-sites searched. Unless anyone can supply evidence to the contrary - that's it

Rear views

To be continued ..................johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Daffodils? Should be a leek, shouldn't it?

One of my favorite scenes, and left out of the Brannagh version, if I remember correctly:

Enter FLUELLEN and GOWER
GOWER
Nay, that's right; but why wear you your leek today?
Saint Davy's day is past.

FLUELLEN
There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in
all things: I will tell you, asse my friend,
Captain Gower: the rascally, scald, beggarly,
lousy, pragging knave, Pistol, which you and
yourself and all the world know to be no petter
than a fellow, look you now, of no merits, he is
come to me and prings me pread and salt yesterday,
look you, and bid me eat my leek: it was in place
where I could not breed no contention with him; but
I will be so bold as to wear it in my cap till I see
him once again, and then I will tell him a little
piece of my desires.

Enter PISTOL

GOWER
Why, here he comes, swelling like a turkey-cock.

FLUELLEN
'Tis no matter for his swellings nor his
turkey-cocks. God pless you, Aunchient Pistol! you
scurvy, lousy knave, God pless you!

PISTOL
Ha! art thou bedlam? dost thou thirst, base Trojan,
To have me fold up Parca's fatal web?
Hence! I am qualmish at the smell of leek.

FLUELLEN
I peseech you heartily, scurvy, lousy knave, at my
desires, and my requests, and my petitions, to eat,
look you, this leek: because, look you, you do not
love it, nor your affections and your appetites and
your digestions doo's not agree with it, I would
desire you to eat it.

PISTOL
Not for Cadwallader and all his goats.

FLUELLEN
There is one goat for you.

Strikes him

Will you be so good, scauld knave, as eat it?

PISTOL
Base Trojan, thou shalt die.

FLUELLEN
You say very true, scauld knave, when God's will is:
I will desire you to live in the mean time, and eat
your victuals: come, there is sauce for it.

Strikes him

You called me yesterday mountain-squire; but I will
make you to-day a squire of low degree. I pray you,
fall to: if you can mock a leek, you can eat a leek.

GOWER
Enough, captain: you have astonished him.

FLUELLEN
I say, I will make him eat some part of my leek, or
I will peat his pate four days. Bite, I pray you; it
is good for your green wound and your ploody coxcomb.

PISTOL
Must I bite?

FLUELLEN
Yes, certainly, and out of doubt and out of question
too, and ambiguities.

PISTOL
By this leek, I will most horribly revenge: I eat
and eat, I swear--

FLUELLEN
Eat, I pray you: will you have some more sauce to
your leek? there is not enough leek to swear by.

PISTOL
Quiet thy cudgel; thou dost see I eat.

FLUELLEN
Much good do you, scauld knave, heartily. Nay, pray
you, throw none away; the skin is good for your
broken coxcomb. When you take occasions to see leeks
hereafter, I pray you, mock at 'em; that is all.

PISTOL
Good.

FLUELLEN
Ay, leeks is good: hold you, there is a groat to
heal your pate.

PISTOL
Me a groat!

FLUELLEN
Yes, verily and in truth, you shall take it; or I
have another leek in my pocket, which you shall eat.

PISTOL
I take thy groat in earnest of revenge.

FLUELLEN
If I owe you any thing, I will pay you in cudgels:
you shall be a woodmonger, and buy nothing of me but
cudgels. God b' wi' you, and keep you, and heal your pate.

Exit

PISTOL
All hell shall stir for this.

GOWER
Go, go; you are a counterfeit cowardly knave. Will
you mock at an ancient tradition, begun upon an
honourable respect, and worn as a memorable trophy of
predeceased valour and dare not avouch in your deeds
any of your words? I have seen you gleeking and
galling at this gentleman twice or thrice. You
thought, because he could not speak English in the
native garb, he could not therefore handle an
English cudgel: you find it otherwise; and
henceforth let a Welsh correction teach you a good
English condition. Fare ye well.

(Exit)

 

[theBaron]

May I add, that's where I get my surname, from that ancient land.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad - yes you are right - it should be leeks - however, I felt that a field full of leeks was not so visually appealing as a field of daffs - so I put them in instead!

Tell you what - just for you - and to remind me of the day at school when I ate a raw leek for a dare, - here you are:

I was going to say - have a leek on me - but on second thoughts, maybe not.

Just stick one in your hat, and as Welsh bowmen once did in this very land I sit in today, think of Wales. And Diown Diolch (thanks very much) for reminding me of one of the real emblems of my Home-land.

Cor - I could murder a pint of Brains best, just thinking about it now! johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad - me again - you got mme to thinking back just now - so I went in search of the album - and found this of me washing down an early meal (leek and potatoe pie) with my favourite beverage. Of course it was a year or two ago - but if you're ever in Cardiff - look up "The Old Arcade" in town - or "HQ" as all us Cardiff Rugby Buffs call it. The stuff on the table is Brains S.A. Nobody knows what the SA stands for. Some say Strong Ale - others say Skull Attack - yet others say Slurp Away. Whatever - it's LUSH!

.

Look what you've gone and done now - got me all homesick - you have - look you bach!%^Vjb

 

[johnnybach]

But enough of this Welsh stuff - back to work. Below see latest line-up. First left is Drum Major. Okay - I know - I wasn't s'posed to do him yet. But I like drummies - see - so couldn't resist starting him off. There's only one - so - well - they're mine so I'm doing him - right!

Next along is my Sergeant Major (RSM in modern speak). You can see that I have now progressed the tartan a bit. I used the waterproof fine-line black pen (see below figures - a tip from a pro that) to draw in the fine black lines across the "Blue Squares" left by the painted in green lines. Then with my finest brush, go over the green painted lines with yellow - not too heavily!

If I was doing just one figure - I would outline each side of the green lines in black as well , and touch in each tiny suare where the green lines cross with a paler green. But as I will be doing 68 - this is too much detail - and would detract from the overall look I intend.

Just wait and see - promise!

Next along is the first figure I began - Standard Bearer - who now has a broadsword. I made this from a French Sabre (straightened - from my stash - thanks Brad for that word!)- with milliput "basket" around the handle. see a real one below that. It's a beast of a sword with a massive basket, lined with red silk. I've made mine a bit "dressier", with a brass basket. The scabbard is still black leather, they became steel later than 1865.

More later

 

[theBaron]

Nicely done, John! I haven't tried plaids yet, and I like the way yours are coming out. I have some Prins August Highlander castings but have yet to assemble them.

Do you follow some kind of sequence that you follow, in laying down the colors?

Prost Waliserland!
Brad

 

[Martin Tabony]

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ToySoldier/tartan.htm

 

[Obee]

Do you follow some kind of sequence that you follow, in laying down the colors?

Brad,

Martin has pointed you to THE BEST on-line 'How to paint taratns' page...... I use it all the time, and find it brilliant....

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ToySoldier/tartan.htm

OK, now I'll stop braggng, its one of my pages , but you can see the results here http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/scots.htm

John

PS I'm currently painting 3 x Black Watch drummers, and have 5 more Seaforth drummers to go, all DUCAL.

 

[Martin Tabony]

Brad,

Martin has pointed you to THE BEST on-line 'How to paint taratns' page...... I use it all the time, and find it brilliant....

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ToySoldier/tartan.htm

OK, now I'll stop braggng, its one of my pages , but you can see the results here http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/scots.htm

John

PS I'm currently painting 3 x Black Watch drummers, and have 5 more Seaforth drummers to go, all DUCAL.

It's not bragging when it IS the best on line site!^&grin By the way did you paint my Scots ?(the ones marked William King)

Martin

 

[thebritfarmer]

Brad,

Martin has pointed you to THE BEST on-line 'How to paint taratns' page...... I use it all the time, and find it brilliant....

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/ToySoldier/tartan.htm

OK, now I'll stop braggng, its one of my pages , but you can see the results here http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/scots.htm

John

PS I'm currently painting 3 x Black Watch drummers, and have 5 more Seaforth drummers to go, all DUCAL.

Shame they closed up shop.