1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, Pipe & Drum Band. (3 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

Hi everyone. I am starting off this new thread, for a project that was begun as an idea from Trooper, quite a while ago. This was to create a rather rare sight, a mounted Pipe & Drum band. It began with an old photograph - and the idea was taken up by Alan Caton - who sculpted them - and then was converted into reality by Brian - better know as Yeoman here on Treefrog - who owns Yeomanary Miniatures.

Well folks - the first consignment of 12 mounted Pipers, of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Regiment (c.1915) has arrived - and I just wanted to share with you, some of the excitement that comes when the first parcel arrives.

On opening the package - out come these very neatly packaged figures, individually packed - and with all the information you will need for painting attached. I have to say that this is the most professionally produced castings package that I have ever received. Thanks both of you - and as soon as I have completed my latest project - I will be starting on these. Awaiting my second package now - which contains the drummers - which will be an interesting one - as it contains side, tenor and one bass Drum - which I am looking forward to seeing for the first time.

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

 

[GICOP]

Hi jb

Looks like another great thread starting up {bravo}}

Just an aside but was the package sent from the UK to France?

Cheers

Martyn

 

[craig1985taylor]

Hi JB sounds like a great project, I can't wait to see them evolve ^&cool^&grin^&cool

Craig

 

[johnnybach]

Hi both - I can hardly keep my hands off them either - but MUST be disciplined and finish my project in hand first. And yes - Brian posted these from UK to me here in France, Martyn. I had originally wanted them to be delivered whilst I was in the UK - as It's always easier, quicker and a bit cheaper that way - but timings didn't work out - so I asked Brian to send them to me here. You can see that it's picked up a customs sticker in Bordeaux (BDX) Nothing to pay - we are in Europe.^&grin

I might add - that I get excellent postal service from my local posties here - no doubt helped by a large box of (British) chocs at Xmas. Cheapest form of "insurance" I know. My lady postie tells me that French people rarely give them anything - except the odd verbals! jb

 

[aujj65]

Well, that's a nice looking kit of castings! ^&cool But!..Johnny, keep calm and carry on with the French Artillery first. :wink2:

This will be another one to watch. :smile2:

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Jeff. Superbly packaged by Brian, I must say. Not only that, but a detailed suggestion of which colours to paint them - and has to be a first for me - even colour illustrations of the two tartans which could be used for the pipes. At present, I am tempted to go for the Clan Shaw tartan which would have been used at a big parade towards the end of WW1 - which I 've read about. On the other hand - the Royal Stuart Tartan, which they started off with, when the Band was first formed, would show up as a splash of colour against the khaki uniform. Decisions, decisions.^&grin

As you say though - finish off the Battery first. (with maybe a little part assembly of one - later tonight!^&cool)

 

[GICOP]

Hi both - I can hardly keep my hands off them either - but MUST be disciplined and finish my project in hand first. And yes - Brian posted these from UK to me here in France, Martyn. I had originally wanted them to be delivered whilst I was in the UK - as It's always easier, quicker and a bit cheaper that way - but timings didn't work out - so I asked Brian to send them to me here. You can see that it's picked up a customs sticker in Bordeaux (BDX) Nothing to pay - we are in Europe.^&grin

I might add - that I get excellent postal service from my local posties here - no doubt helped by a large box of (British) chocs at Xmas. Cheapest form of "insurance" I know. My lady postie tells me that French people rarely give them anything - except the odd verbals! jb

Hi jb

There shouldn't be any need to have a customs sticker if the parcel is posted within the EU to another EU country. I have received and sent parcels to Corsica without any need for a customs declaration sticker.

Cheers

Martyn

 

[thebritfarmer]

Are you finished these yet ?



{sm4}{sm4}{sm4}{sm4}{sm4}



Another interesting thread that I will be watching.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi jb

There shouldn't be any need to have a customs sticker if the parcel is posted within the EU to another EU country. I have received and sent parcels to Corsica without any need for a customs declaration sticker. Martyn

Cheers

Agreed Martyn - there shouldn't - so why do the Brit Post Office stick one on? - and there is also a French customs sticker on my parcel? There shouldn't be any need for either - or indeed a passport either - but just you try getting on a ferry or a plane to another European destination without one! I have had countless discussions with customs officials/ immigration control officers (or whatever they are called now) of BOTH countries over the years - and Gendarmes in France - over what us "Europeans" SHOULD be able to do..... However - if you want to leave quickly without being delayed by car/body/luggage searches - you learn to just keep quiet and let the luvvies get on with their pointless, and doubtless boring non-jobs.

Did you read about the guy who was turned away from boarding a plane at Gatwick recently for having an imitation firearm in his hand-luggage? Here it is! I ask you - "Take me to Cuba - or the trolley-dolley gets it". He had to snap it off his Toy Soldier - and post it to himself at home - before they let him on. Surprised me that the Post Office didn't have him arrested for sending the same "immitation fire-arm" through the post! ( If that's what it is for a plane journey- then surely logic dictates thats what it is in a letter?).

I have given up - it's just far easier to say Yeah Yeah - and then get on with it.

As Jonesy might say "they don't like it up 'em guv!" Don't start me off......................I feel better now!

 

[GICOP]

Hi jb

Far too many "Jobsworth" around

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jobsworth

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

And its more than me jobsworth to stay around chatting to you all night M - I have pressing work painting up a couple of bucket carrying Naps to get on with.
I'm off! jb ( might have just a little peek?)

 

[yeoman]

Hi John,
I'm glad the package arrived safely. The second package should be with you within 24hrs. I was interested to see the extra labels added to the package. The Post Office insisted on the customs form and they appear to have added a Parcelforce label over the original tracking label I put on it, although it was not mentioned at the time of posting. It appears that the left hand still does not know what the right hand is doing! Anyway enjoy.

Best wishes,

Yeoman.

And its more than me to stay around chatting to you all night M - I have pressing work painting up a couple of bucket carrying Naps to get on with.
I'm off! jb ( might have just a little peek?)

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brian - Thank you so much for the delivery. I have been having a sneaky peek whilst waiting for some paint to dry on another project - and I like what I am seeing so far. I have just been looking at the horses, so far, and absolutely delighted to find that no two horse are in the same pose - so far. All too often with some models - all the horses look exactly the same - because the pose is identical. And when did anyone ever see a row of real horses in an identical stance? They twitch, rear or drop heads - lift a foot or swish a tail. They look just fab! Give Alan a big pat on the back for these poses - best I've ever had. Glad to hear that the others should arrive soon - I will send you a pic again when they arrive. Thanks too for a beautifully packaged parcel. Made the journey in one piece and all contents intact. I understand that these are the first mounted Band from Yeoman. Well, I hope that I can do them justice - and they won't be the last. Cheers for now - johnnybach.^&grin

 

[johnnybach]

I have begun the first step in preparing these castings for painting - and that is the assembly. All of Yeoman's casting kits come in parts, and with mounted troops, they now come with a good solid base. If they hadn't, I would have made some - as I regard them as essential for my mounted soldiers.

Each horse comes in four parts. Two halves - split down the centre line - a head and a tail. First job therefore, is to glue the two halves together - ensure the body fits on the base (two pre-drilled holes line up with lugs on feet) adjusting where necessary - fit the head once the body section is dry - and the tail which is glued into a hole will finish the job. Note how each horse has a different pose - which I think is a fantastic and thoughtful detail. These look meticulously sculpted - and I am very much looking forward to painting them. The next step is to clean up any "flash" or casting lines - which is done with scalpel, file and emery paper.

Note that I haven't begun the soldier figures yet - but will show prep work on them in due course. jb

 

[theBaron]

Another great project underway, John! Your band looks like top-quality, at every step in its inception, from sculpting to molding and casting, and now to your hand. I love Alan's mounted figures, especially the ones I have from Tradition.

A technical question now--and forgive me, if you've covered this in another build blog--but what glue do you use to assemble your horses? Or do you even use solder for some of the assembly? I use a 2-part epoxy for mine, and have at times also soldered the larger parts together, the two halves of the horse's body, for example. Just curious to know what everyone else does.

I'm going to follow this with interest, prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad. I'm using a product called "Araldite Rapid" for putting together the two halves of the horse body. It's a two part epoxy resin glue. I could never get the hang of soldering - so don't even try any more. Besides which, modern adhesives are so powerful nowadays, I just don't see the need for solder anymore. As only two of the horse's feet are sunk into the base upon which they stand, I will be drilling and pinning the other hooves to it. Belt and braces job for these beauties! I'll show you - if you like.

I'll be starting off with the 12 Pipers horses with this project - as they are so nicely done.

Just waiting for the final coat of paint for my previous Naps project - and they will be finished too. I often overlap projects. jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Just to throw my 2 cents in I just used super glue for mine. Seem ok so far

 

[kogu]

Seems to be another great project coming up here, JB.
What I find most amazing, is the differently posed heads on twelve horses.
That is outstanding and unique.
You hardly find that in the glossy Toy Soldier world.
Often you can be glad to have two different posed horses in a group of six or twelve.
Excellent work by Alan Caton and Brian Harrison and I am sure you will make the most out of it.
Konrad

 

[johnnybach]

Epoxy is said to be more durable, Scott. Wouldn't want an arm to fall off when someone buys them on e-bay in 50 or so years time - when my daughters put 'em on! (aftter I'm gone - by the way!) I should be about 120 by then! (hopefully){sm2}.

I can just imagine one of the e-bay watchers posting a blog..... "See - told you they wouldn't last!"

Yes Konrad - knocked me out too., though I shouldn't have been too surprised - as it tells you about the different horse poses in Brian's catalogue. If you don't have one yet - well worth asking him for one.

I WILL try hard to do them justice - rest assured. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Reinforcements arrived today. The drum section arrives. Received message sent off to Brian at Yeomanary Miniatures - with thanks. Beautifully packaged once again. No French customs stickers this time.