1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, Pipe & Drum Band. (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

After looking at the wonderful hundreds in Fubars ranks - these may look a bit sparse now!^&grin However, nil desperandum - another step towards the total today. My first Black horse takes his place - ridden by my first Tenor Drummer, flourishing his sticks/pads (bound to be a name for them!) manfully. Forgot to mention that these are all 54mm of course - and are taking me quite a time to paint each one - as I want them to be as nice as I can get them. They are such good, highly detailed castings - I just don't want to spoil them by rushing. (thats my excuse - and I'm sticking to it!).

.

Loads of tomato, courgettes, cucumber and marigolds up today - which also need a bit of time spending on them. Garden's dug though.

How did I EVER manage to fit employment into my day??? johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

I have just finished mounting the second Tenor Drum to the horse and rider, which was finished and waiting for the drum.. The drum took longer to paint than anticipated - which delayed me finishing the figure. A learning point for me - I could have painted the drums earlier, along with the first one - so have done all three now. A further piper was finished last night too - so have included the two extra figures in this pic. I have left painting the black edge of both bases - so that you can see which figures I'm referring to. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Just realised that I am at the half-way point to completion of my band. I have ten finished now - see below - and quite a nice little pipe band to display already - with rather less than ten to go actually, - as I am in the process of painting another four more figures and mounts at the moment.^&grin

 

[MapleLeaf]

Keep it comming Johnny were following
Awsome so far
Can't wait to see the end result
Maple Leaf

 

[aujj65]

Impressive at the half way line! I agree with ML, I can't wait to see the end result. ^&cool

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Jeff and Mapleleaf - I have four more underway at the moment - the last of the Three Tenor's (Fred Pavarroti?^&grin) - another piper - and two of my four Side Drummers. Im painting all four side-drums too, so I am ready to put them on the horse, when the figure is complete. Hang on - I'll show you - where's the camera.

Below you can see the two left hand horses are Tenor Drummer - and an all black Side-Drummer horse. To the right are Side-Drum - and Piper horses. The figures are probably self-explanatory. I've found that the piper is best developed to this stage (though trying him on loosely when the pipe-bag arm is first fitted - so that I can adjust it, if necessary) - before seating him permanently on the horse. The drones go on last, already painted - and require touching in to the pipe bag The Drummers are relatively easy - though the right arm goes on last - as I can paint the bandolier easier without it on. jb

 

[Buster]

Put the tomatoes, marigolds and arugula on hold jb,:tongue: this band is getting good! Like Jeff and ML, I can't wait to see the completed band.

B. {bravo}}

 

[johnnybach]

I gotta eat Buster - or I can't finish the band. When the time for planting is here - they just gotta get planted! Once they are up - they gotta git watered and fed too - just like us!

Toy Soldiers, by comparison, can get painted anytime. So.........regretably.............everything comes to he who waits! Now you wouldn't want me to rush - and spoil them - now would you?^&grinjb I'll send you a pic of the plants - later.

 

[Buster]

Well okay jb, since you put it that way ..... we wouldn't want you to waste away and not be able to hold a paintbrush, now would we! :tongue: Just go easy on the salad dressing. ^&grin

Will try to be patient, but it's never been one of my many finer qualities. :salute::

B.

 

[johnnybach]

I never was very patient - until I took up painting TS. I learned - very early on - that by trying to push things on and rush things through - you ended up missing things out - or just not getting the finish you wanted. So now - I try to think things through - and just take my time in doing the best job I can do - and most of all - ENJOY IT! If it takes a bit longer - so what! I'm in no rush - even though I'm looking forward to the finished result as well. That's why I like to pose the ones I have finished, every now and then - just to give myself an idea of how they are going to look when they are all done.

Below - is another little job that gives me a great deal of pleasure. Watching old mother nature at work. A nice time of year, this - where each day gets a bit warmer and seeds are germinating and green shoots are popping up everywhere. Just about to close up for the evening - and just watered it all. See my early lettuce plants in pots on the floor? I'll be putting a little bit of French Dressing on those in a couple-of-weeks.

Below that - you can see my third Tenor Drummer and Piper just fixed to their horses - drum already painted and will go on in another hour or two. Piper aboard too - both need lower outside legs painting next (insides already done). The next two horses will be ready for their riders soon - so will work on those two later this evening. Dog taken for walks in between times.............Who says men can't multi-task?

 

[Buster]

Have to admit to getting a great deal of enjoyment from puttering around the yard/garden myself, therapy you might say. :wink2: Nothing wrong with getting the hands a little dirty now and again. Keep up the good work jb ..... both inside and out. ^&grin

B.

 

[johnnybach]

Roger - Buster - Johnnybach.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Hi Johnny
Where do u get ur figures and how much
they cost?? What make of paint do u use??
I'm getting tempted to try
Thank u
Maple Leaf

 

[trooper]

Johnny, reference our earlier exchange regarding US mounted bands. Have just turned up these images and have attached them for your info. Trooper

 

[craig1985taylor]

Hey JB, just got up to speed on this thread & all I can say is amazing! Im loving the mounted pipers this really is a great idea for a set ^&grin^&cool can't wait to see the finished line up now!

Craig

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Mapleaf - The figures are from Yeomanary Miniatures. The owner is a member of the Forum ( look for yeoman) named Brian Harrison - and mine are the very first casting set of these. Contact Brian by PM - or - send an e-mail to yeomanaryminiatures@virginmedia.com for prices and postage per figure. As castings, they are not wildely expensive and excellent quality. If you do get some - good luck with the painting - as part of a distinguished Canadian history in both World Wars - I'm sure they will be well received. I always use Humbrol paints, by the way - and the Varnish is Tamiya Acrylic X-22 (High Gloss).

Hi Trooper - thanks for those two pics - how interesting are they? The top figure looks to be very awkward - as he is clearly giving it some wellie with his right hand. Looks a bit precarious. The second pic looks a bit more comfortable for the rider - but can see why they put him in the right hand file! Poor old horse. I intend to have my Bass Drummer in a rank - all by himself. The four side drummers will precede him - whilst the three Tenor Drummers will take the rear rank. Interesting to see some of the other instrumentalists holding reins AND playing the instruments in your pics. I've read that MY band's horses were trained to keep position regardless of reins being held - so have not put reins in hand at all. Must have been docile horses.

Hi Craig - glad you like them - unusual, to say the least - but they are surprisingly good looking, don't you think. Note the conversation I had with Brian (yeoman) who now intends making a version of the Mounted Piper as a Lovat Scout ( looks like just a head change required) - so there may be a chance for you to maybe have a go at one or two of these with Fraser Clan tartan on the pipes, at some point, if you fancy it. So do keep practicing with the paints - and drop him a note, maybe, if you're interested.

johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Latest update pic. shows that another two figures have been completed - a further piper and my last of the three Tenor Drummers. This means that I have eight figures now left to complete the band - four more pipers and four side-drummers, two of the latter, being currently underway.

 

[Buster]

Latest update pic. shows that another two figures have been completed - a further piper and my last of the three Tenor Drummers. This means that I have eight figures now left to complete the band - four more pipers and four side-drummers, two of the latter, being currently underway.

Looking pretty darn good jb, it's gonna be a really impressive sight when all is said and done ..... oh, and the more drummers the better!

Carry on. :salute::

B.

 

[johnnybach]

Cheers Buster! - wilco - out. jb^&grin

 

[yeoman]

Hi John,

Cheers mate, you're making a grand job of the band.

With regard to your comment with reference to the mounted piper of the Lovat Scouts, there is alittle bit more to do than just swap heads with one of these pipers. Alan will be taking the pieces back from the show and we'll soon have aset of mounted figures. watch this space.

All the best,

Brian.

Latest update pic. shows that another two figures have been completed - a further piper and my last of the three Tenor Drummers. This means that I have eight figures now left to complete the band - four more pipers and four side-drummers, two of the latter, being currently underway.