11th Bengal Lancers Mounted Band (3 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

There is a set by William Hocker (USA), of this Bengal Lancers Band, that I have been continually drawn to. However, as I'm a painter - and Bill doesn't sell castings - I was a bit stuck for choice.

So............I had a word with Andrew who is the owner of Replica Metal Model Soldiers (RMMS) about it - and his answer was simple. How about I make you one - and how would you like it?

What a question!

After a bit of thought, I asked whether I could have something like the old walking Britains horse - used for the earliest bands, and an upright bearded musician - with foot reins to control the horse - the pair to look something like Bill Hocker's lovely set, but different enough to upset anyone.

And this is what he came up with as a prototype





The body of the horse/rider comes in two halves and needs to be prepped (de-fuzzed), and glued together. The head is loose - so fixes easily by drilling into the neck ( makes it easier to fit awkward instruments like the Bombardon shown)The arms/instruments can be chosen from a long list of existing parts to suit what you want.

I ordered 16 instrumentalists plus a Drum Horse - so my Band will be 17 strong. It will contain many of the Brass instruments, large and small, plus woodwinds such as Clarinets.

So...............watch this space for the next few weeks - as I finally get my 11th Bengal Lancer Band.

I ordered a band on the spot.

 

[johnnybach]

I always try to make up one player in a Band - at first - in order to get my head around how I'm going to tackle the painting.

I decided to try the Drum Horse ( same casting - just different painting). The drummer wears the same uniform as the rest of the Band.

The beauty of making up the 11th Lancers for me - is that I already have a painting guide by Bill Hocker.

Here's my first attempt at him; ( he's on the only piebald - the rest of the Band are on Cream horses).



Plenty more left though:

 

[DMNamiot]

Love it! Can’t wait to see more

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Love it! Can’t wait to see more

Dave

I thought you might like them Dave - as I think you may have a Marlborough set of these??

Keep an eye out for your postie! jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a small update on progress so far.

As you can see - the two sides, base and head have been added to some of the Bandsmen. My ""Drummie" (Drum Major) is more or less completed - and the assembly and painting went well.

I always select a figure for a particular instrument - as some small modifications of instrument or shoulder joint etc., might be necessary to make it fit comfortably and "make it look right". I then mark the underside of the base in pencil with the name of the instrument ( e.g Clarinet 1) and bag the part until I'm ready to put them together. ( I find it easier to paint such things as crossbelts and neck areas with arms/instruments off - just as I did with the Drummies arms.).

Note also that I have also left the head off the Bombardon player, as this instument twines around the body of the player. Previous experience has told me that it's easier to fit the head last with this player.

You can see Bombardon, Tuba and Cornet instruments with their respective figures below.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Johnny

I do have a set or two of the Marlborough figures! I am actually considering doing what you are doing and getting the castings to make up a couple of other mounted Indian Regiments so I can have a few more bandsmen for my durbar display!

I am watching to see how you do it!

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Johnny

I do have a set or two of the Marlborough figures! I am actually considering doing what you are doing and getting the castings to make up a couple of other mounted Indian Regiments so I can have a few more bandsmen for my durbar display!

I am watching to see how you do it!

Dave

Okay Dave, I'll bear that in mind when I post updates. I had a bit of a warm up for these - when I painted up the Lancers first. I'm finding these quite easy to paint.

One tip for you - break the casting into three parts in your mind. There's the central figure of the rider himself. Then there's the horse head, back to the rider, and then there's the rear part of the horse to the tail. Front and rear parts are easier, as they are mostly whatever colour horse you choose. The central rider has more colours usually - and I like to work from top down with that.

You may also notice that I use an undercoat for a white horse. I use Matte 103 (Humbrol) for the undercoat - and Gloss 41 (Ivory) for the top coat,(sometimes needs two Ivory coats), as white always looks "too white", if that makes sense!{sm2}

Good luck with them - jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Another brilliant post JB. I always look forward to seeing what your next "set" will be and this one doesn't disappoint !!!!!!

 

[johnnybach]

Another brilliant post JB. I always look forward to seeing what your next "set" will be and this one doesn't disappoint !!!!!!

Glad you're enjoying them Scott.

Here's another update which I hope shows how I order the painting - and I hope shows how the Bombardon differs a bit due to the nature of the instrument which is easier to put on before the head of the figure.

 

[johnnybach]

Another update on a small amount of progress with some of the band.

The Drum Horse and rider are virtually completed.

Bombardon is progressing nicely - with instrument and head now on.

The third figure in front row is a Tuba player - and arms/instrument have just been started - after making sure they fit well.

The back three will be Cornet Clarinet and Euphonium players - as I have been filing suitable arms to fit. Pic below shows.

 

[johnnybach]

This pic just aims to show how things can progress - any way you want to. You just need not to forget which bits you have missed, this way.

Note that I paint the arms/instruments OFF the figure - as I can get to the front of tunic, crossbelt, collar, belt and cumberband MUCH easier and paint them. Once all paintwork is dry, I can assemble them and carefully touch any butting parts together with matching paint.

 

[DMNamiot]

Excellent tip on the arms

 

[johnnybach]

Here's both an update on the Bengal Band - but also a glimpse of Andrew's "Xmas Special" from Replica Model Soldiers.

The band is now just building up sections of paintwork - whilst the Xmas Special is a group of Fusiliers just before serving The Garrison Xmas Pudding. The group shows various figures with the centre-point of a very large Xmas Pudding being garnished with a sprig of holly by the visiting General. It was he custom for many Regiments to have SNCO's and/or Officers serve the men up with various courses of food on or around Xmas Day - and Andrew has very imaginitively used various castings to depict this.

I might add - that Andrew has sent me this set as a GIFT - so that I was both surprised and delighted to receive it - with many thanks.

(P.S. I'm painting them together - at La Commandante's request - as she wants the Fusiliers ready to decorate our Xmas table!!!).

jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Those look great! I guess I need to get off my butt and order some from Andrew. I guess I should figure out what band I want to do. Thanks for being a motivator for me!

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Those look great! I guess I need to get off my butt and order some from Andrew. I guess I should figure out what band I want to do. Thanks for being a motivator for me!

Dave

It's what this lovely Forum is all about Dave - helping others achieve what they don't know what they really want - eh?:salute:: jb

(P.S. I hope you enjoy them as much as I'm doing).