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

[johnnybach]

Funny thing is - I have read often enough about that technique - but never even thought about using it before. That really lifted the pieces from the darker colours that I like, but were making the whole thing too dark. Never even opened that Lime Green before either. It has just been sitting there unopened. Can't even remember when (or why) I bought it. Glad I did though. Cheers Brian - jb

 

[johnnybach]

So the first four are nowcompleted and I know what the first rank will look like. Very satisfied with them, so far.

 

[Hazebrouck]

John,

These look superb!

The dry brushing technique on the bases always works well. A colour I have used in moderation (just a touch) with a lighter green on a dark green base is Humbrol Matt 24 (Trainer Yellow), but only dry brush very lightly. The yellow is the colour the old Tiger Moth trainers were painted so it doesn't contrast too starkly.

Has anyone an image of the mounted Lovat Scouts piper mentioned earlier in the thread?

The Lovat's Scouts history notes that from 1907 onwards there were four pipers per squadron and that they experimented with the pipers riding side saddle so that they could play ahead of the column. I have some difficulties imagining how that would work!

Thanks for sharing the process of painting these beauties.

Scott

 

[aujj65]

Hi Johnny,

Great stuf on the bases! ^&cool Black edging looks so much better imho and I agree with Brian and Scott that dry brushing a lighter colour on the textured part of the base is the way to go. I have used Yellow in the past on the Alma castings I have painted as I don't think I have ever considered buying Lime Green! ^&grin

Looking Tres bon!

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Hi both - Yes agreed - Brian came up trumps with both ideas there - and I will certainly remember that tip for the future too.

Brian (Of Yeomanary Miniatures) mentioned the Lovat Scouts Scott. He does some in his range of products - but I'm not sure whether he does the piper as you describe. I think that the easiest thing you could do whilst playing the pipes and sitting side-saddle on a moving horse - is fall off! The "experiment" didn't seem to catch on, anyway. Yeomanary Mins do have some dismounted Lovat Scouts - but not sure if Brian does mounted ones (yet). Maybe worth a PM to yeoman ? Maybe possible to convert this figure?

Glad you both like them - so far - jb

 

[GICOP]

So the first four are nowcompleted and I know what the first rank will look like. Very satisfied with them, so far.


............and so you should be jb, these look great {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Buster]

Yet another job well done JB, I like the variety of poses of the horses and the edging around the bases.

But, as for this statement:

I don't think I have ever considered buying Lime Green!

Looking Tres bon!

Jeff

I'm not buying a word of it! ^&grin

B.

 

[aujj65]

Yet another job well done JB, I like the variety of poses of the horses and the edging around the bases.

But, as for this statement:

I don't think I have ever considered buying Lime Green!

Looking Tres bon!

Jeff

I'm not buying a word of it! ^&grin

B.

No, neither am I!....:tongue: ^&grin ^&grin ^&grin

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Hey, thanks -but - I've only got to number four - there's another sixteen to go yet.

However - here are a few more bits and pieces that are underway - note that I'm beginning the base drum too - by way of a change. I'm also at the stage where I now know what I need to do - so can begin painting the parts that need painting before assembly at any time - so can do them in small batches - for example - the bag from the pipes - or the drones etc.

Maybe Jeff just doesn't like limes?^&grin

 

[aujj65]

Hey, thanks -but - I've only got to number four - there's another sixteen to go yet.

However - here are a few more bits and pieces that are underway - note that I'm beginning the base drum too - by way of a change. I'm also at the stage where I now know what I need to do - so can begin painting the parts that need painting before assembly at any time - so can do them in small batches - for example - the bag from the pipes - or the drones etc.

Maybe Jeff just doesn't like limes?^&grin

Oh he does.... usually in a large G&T! ^&grin

I'm most impressed with these castings and will make sure that I stop and have a chat with Brian at the London show later this month.

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Jeff - I'm not surprised that you're impressed with the castings - so am I. Have a good chat with Brian too, and find out how the 1st Lifeguards are "cooking"!^&grin

Note also - a very dark horse is underway. This one is about as dark a brown as I could make him - without being quite black. I think I will have a really black horse though - a bit later. Stll having too much fun experimenting with different brown shades at present.

So.....the odd slice and ice, finds its way into a few drops of mother's ruin with bubbles eh Jeff? I have been known to take the odd sip myself, now and again - just as a quencher at sundown, you understand - and to keep La Commandante company.

Cheers..jb

 

[trooper]

Reference the Scottish Horse piper, the original figure was made for Richard Newth-Gibbs and was riding astride. the uniform was as for the troopers, ie Highland bonnet, khaki jacket and riding breeches, puttees and ankle boots. don't know whether Richard sold it on or not, if I find out will post answer. Trooper

 

[yeoman]

Hi John

Glad you liked the tips with reference to the bases it certainly makes them look good.

Having read Alan's post with regard to the Scottish Horse Piper I am almost certain that I could make up the castings from my spares list to put together a mounted piper. I will investigate and get back to you.

By the way, my preference is for a wee dram before closing the day. Helps me sleep, well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Best Wishes,

Brian.

Jeff - I'm not surprised that you're impressed with the castings - so am I. Have a good chat with Brian too, and find out how the 1st Lifeguards are "cooking"!^&grin

Note also - a very dark horse is underway. This one is about as dark a brown as I could make him - without being quite black. I think I will have a really black horse though - a bit later. Stll having too much fun experimenting with different brown shades at present.

So.....the odd slice and ice, finds its way into a few drops of mother's ruin with bubbles eh Jeff? I have been known to take the odd sip myself, now and again - just as a quencher at sundown, you understand - and to keep La Commandante company.

Cheers..jb

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brian - Yes - I was thinking to myself that it would be an easy conversion to just change the head of the CMR piper - to one of the Lovat Scouts(LS). Snag is - I have never seen the LS head that you use - a bit like this, I'm guessing?

Closer view of a WW1 Officer headgear - which I think is actually called a Balmoral? showing off the diced band and badge rather well, though not displaying any tourie in this view.

Any chance of you posting a picture of one of your Lovat Scout soldiers here Brian? We could all then get a better idea of how the figure might look?

Lastly - it wasn't actually me that raised the query, but one of my chums - Scott (Hazebrouk) from Australia in post #103. Not that I would mind at all in adding a figure like that to my collection at some point. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Further to my last - after a wee trawl around the web - I found this interesting little group of soldiers (below) - which includes as the second from the left, that very figure that Trooper may have been referring to - the Richard Newth-Gibbs figure of a Mounted Lovat Scouts Piper, circa 1914. (its a bit wee). Looks like a very easy conversion to make up a similar figure on a standing or walking horse - with existing bits from Yeomanary Miniatures. Can't quite make out the tartan on the pipes/ribbons - but as they are red - MIGHT be Royal Stuart???? (Though I believe it should show Fraser Hunting Ancient tartan).The figure is very like the CMR pipers that I am painting.

Hope this helps, Scott? "Slangevar", Brian.

 

[johnnybach]

However - back to the day job - below, see piper number 5 in an avanced state of preparation. I have just attached the mostly pre-painted drones to the pipe-bag - and touched in the bag and bass drone tip (the biggest one - next to his head). Just black lining to go on him. I have given him a bigger mustache - and his horse has lighter coloured hooves - as paler horses often do (from pictures). The horse also has "a pair of socks" on his back legs. I used mixtures of cream, ivory and brown paints for these features. The base has had just one undercoat of matt green - but will, of course, be painted to match the first four piper figures.

Next to the piper is my darkest horse, so far. A mixture of browns and black, this one, which has been worked up close to finished - so his rider is developing to a first fit soon.

Lastly, I will be beginning to work on my first drum horse later today. The Bass Drum has had the first coats of yellow and red applied to rims and shell - whilst the top and bottom have had two coats of Ivory. The cords are painted on last of all - but I will probably put on a further coat first - and maybe darken the red down - as it does look far too bright at the moment. The horse provides a good "rest" to allow coats of paint to dry. I usually like to paint drums off the figures - wherever possible (unless they are cast in). I find that this allows far neater painting of the features than painting in-situ, for me. Just takes a tad longer - due to waiting for coats to dry thoroughly before handling again.

 

[yeoman]

Hi John,

Yep, that looks like the one. Requires body in WW1 service dress with '02 bandolier - check, Lovat Scouts head - check, standard walking or standing horse - check. I can use the arms from the Canadian Pipe Band with cuff modification and viola there you are. Just to make it look proper if I get the Lovat Scouts head stitched onto the body then the tapes can be stitched on the back. I can then add the regiment to my Yeomanry Cavalry Range, seems like a plan.

I am attaching a picture of the signals set as requested.

Regards,

Brian.

Further to my last - after a wee trawl around the web - I found this interesting little group of soldiers (below) - which includes as the second from the left, that very figure that Trooper may have been referring to - the Richard Newth-Gibbs figure of a Mounted Lovat Scouts Piper, circa 1914. (its a bit wee). Looks like a very easy conversion to make up a similar figure on a standing or walking horse - with existing bits from Yeomanary Miniatures. Can't quite make out the tartan on the pipes/ribbons - but as they are red - MIGHT be Royal Stuart???? (Though I believe it should show Fraser Hunting Ancient tartan).The figure is very like the CMR pipers that I am painting.

Hope this helps, Scott? "Slangevar", Brian.

 

[johnnybach]

Good Plan - Brian. That sounds as if it could be a rather popular figure to add to your range. I will earmark that particular one - would look rather smart on a dapple-grey that one - and will probably add in those signallers too at some future point. Very nice indeed. johnnybach

 

[trooper]

Johnny, reference your comments regarding the pale hooves on the gee-gees. Where a horse has white socks that hoof is always very pale, virtually white with a slight touch of brown, irrespective of the colour of the other hooves. See drumhorse attached. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

Well - darn my socks! Now I didn't know that maestro! So I nearly got it right, by pure accident. Must be something to do with pigmentation in the lower limbs.

Thanks for that little gem Trooper - I WILL remember that for the future! Nice to see a favourite artist at work with your illustrations too. Good old Harry! Aren't they little gems - those postcard pics? love a good drum-horse too - me.

Learning all of the time....................jb