A Gordon for Me (1 Viewer)

This is the book

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Only goes to show how a camera CAN tell a lie - not Guards at all. jb
 
By the way - talking RWF and the history of the "flash" - Do you have this book?

I picked it up in France - of all places - in a book-swap. It's a stunner - if you have it - well done - if you don't - do look out for it. B****y marvelous read! jb:salute::

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I have no problem with the date you've chosen, I was just making the point (for others) that although a dress regulation states a date, it can be a long time before the changes happen. I've heard lots of arguments over the years that a uniform "couldn't possibly be right" because the dress regs, etc. etc. As I'm sure you remember everyone hangs onto old uniform items for as long as possible, that's how you tell an "old sweat".
I thought the stable belt was the foot guards red and blue, but of course the buckle would be at the front! (not to mention the hat!) See I do get confused!^&grin:salute::

Martin
 
Aha! caught you! Mind you - I don't think you could see the hat in the first pic - that's why I did the full cover.

I do so agree with hanging on to old kit. I had a bush hat, once upon a time - don't know why - but I just loved that hat. When I lost it - it was like losing my best friend. Still remember it now. I'm sure someone nicked it. If I'd ever found out who.... they wouldn't need a hat!!

Yes - I understand the point. Who better in a Regiment to say " I don't care what they say - I'm hanging on to this jacket" - than the RSM. Who's going to tell him no?

Just the CO perhaps - IF he had the nerve!

Must be tricky to make a historical figure to retail, knowing it will be around for a while. For me it's easy - I decide - make it - and that's it! If others don't like it - well - tough! I can imagine the research you HAVE to do -(although some clearly don't!)

Never thought much about it before - interesting points.

Anyhow, Nos da bach, johnnybach
 
At least I'm young enough that one hell of a lot of the research was done for me by the generations before! That's why, although I might keep info to myself while working on a project, I see it almost as a duty to pass on anything that is asked for. Reference material seams to be easier to get a hold of now but there are still small details that slip through the net. After all if it hadn't been for the likes of Capt Roy Dilley's books planting the seed and Maj. John Cox (God rest his soul) passing ideas on. Who know what might have happened. I could have ended up a railway modeller!^&grin
Going by the amount of help trooper gives when asked, I wouldn't mind betting he feels the same.

Martin
 
Martin Tabony said:
At least I'm young enough that one hell of a lot of the research was done for me by the generations before! That's why, although I might keep info to myself while working on a project, I see it almost as a duty to pass on anything that is asked for. Reference material seams to be easier to get a hold of now but there are still small details that slip through the net. After all if it hadn't been for the likes of Capt Roy Dilley's books planting the seed and Maj. John Cox (God rest his soul) passing ideas on. Who know what might have happened. I could have ended up a railway modeller!^&grin
Going by the amount of help trooper gives when asked, I wouldn't mind betting he feels the same.

Martin
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You are quite right there Martin, I hate these people who adopt a dog in the manger attitude and refuse to help when they have the information to hand. The more we spread the word the more modellers we shall attract, good for the hobby, good for the makers, a win win situation.
Incidently, on the subject of old kit, when I enlisted back in 1957 we were issued with WW2 kit. I was in the Royal Air Force and the tunics still had the wartime black patch with the shytehawk printed in light blue/grey on the shoulders, and the buttons and badges all had the King's crown. Anyone looking at a photograph of me would have dated that some 12 to 15 years earlier. To a certain extent this also extended to the weapons, the army had been issued with the SLR, the GPMG, the Sterling SMP and the Browning 9mm pistol. We had the no 4 Enfield, the Bren gun, the Sten Mk2 and the old Smith and Wesson 0.38 "Victory" revolver.Mark you, I still think the No 4 took a lot of beating and the Bren was a beautiful weapon to use, if anything it was too accurate, fire a burst of three at a group of men and chances were you would put all three through the same man. Trooper
 
I used the Bren but converted to 7.62. Also I was a cadet instructor, so I used the No4. It is a very accurate weapon but when you have to kneel infront of a four foot tall thirteen year old, in order to hold up the front end of his rifle on the ranges, it's a pain!^&grin:salute::

Martin
 
Well, I for one would like to echo what Scott said - and that all help for an old duffer like me is very much appreciated - especially from you both. This little project of mine either wouldn't be happening at all - or would be a much smaller and less colourful thing when finished. I certainly wouldn't have been showing how I did it - without your input!

Agree with your comments on the LE No.4 too - lovely accurate weapon - lovely rear leaf sights (on the Bren too). Only had one for a year - and then the SLR came in for us. Liked the Sterling (NOT for shooting - easier to hump about - on exercise) - Browning - even better (for humping about). Can remember being stuffed in the back of one of those stupid air-portable Rovers working three radio sets, trying to send and receive morse at two in the morning, freezing my nuts off with the spout of an SLR stuck up my nose! It's also very difficult to say "Shay agayn all arpter wot you said bephore" with the gun in your gob!

Much easier with the long wheel base job - could lay down in a sleeping bag - and even put a brew on in the back! Might have got around to a bit of carpet - if they hadn't taken those back off us!! Far too comfortable!

"Join the modern Army - and see the World!" That's what the old Pearl and Dean adverts promised! The inside of a very small green cold vehicle was more like it!
A tent? - sheer luxury!

Heigh Ho - stop reminiscing - and back to work - Thanks both . johnnybach


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There you are Martin - Black buttons on spats.
 
Know what you mean about the morse, Johnny, I was a sparks as well. By the time my enlistment was up I was going morse happy, couldn't read anything without translating it into dots and dashes. We were part of the "Y" service and had certain stations that had to be monitered every hour. Took years to get out of the habit of waking up every hour on the hour. A long time ago, but sometimes it seems like just yesterday. Trooper
 
Ha! I remember when we were learning - every meal time we used to tell each other jokes with a spoon on the table as our morse key. If you didn't laugh - you either didn't get it - or your morse wasn't "up to speed"

Royal Sigs also had "Spec Ops" who could send and receive morse in different languages - but least said about that, the better perhaps. Sounds a bit like your "Y".
._ ._. (Ack Ar)%^V
 
All tank crew are radio trained,for obvious reasons but not to your level. There were some Royal Sigs lads in Germany that used to listen to the gaps between the dots! The idea does may head in. We once got jammed by the Russians with a sense of humour, blasting out "We're Jammin" by Bob Marley.
Give me an SLR any day, I see they're going back to 7.62 in Afganistan.

Martin
 
It was mostly voice in the end - but morse was always handy if you had a poor signal. It also kept the Rupert's hands off the radio - they would always be chatting using first names, ranks, map-refs in clear etc., Which drove you nuts. They - the supposed "clever people" didn't seem to realise that a couple of k's away, were guys just like us - listening to every word - and working out exactly who was where! I don't think they use morse any more now though.

Why back to 7.62 - did all the airfix kit break - again? jb
 
At the risk of becoming repetitious - I show below just one pic. This shows how each figure is continuing to develop by being built up, colour by colour - and stage by stage. The temptation is to add more colours too quickly, so that's why I prefer to work on around a half-dozen or so figures at any one time. This way I can move from one figure to the next - and it doesn't get too repetitious as they are subtly different. I also took a break to cut the grass - which allows paint to dry too.

I have included the completed Ensign - with his incomplete colleague alongside, so you can note differences. Note also that I prefer to work from head down - holding the base wherever possible - but often leave the bonnet until last - as I can pick the piece up carefully by the head if I need to. If I am using black - I sometimes clean off the brush by rubbing it on the bonnet.

Note that the mounted Officer has been worked on - again by holding the unpainted horse - which means paint doesn't get smudged or even rubbed off by handling. I find that this is a useful way of painting figures which are cast in one with the horse.

Socks are probably for all tomorrow - whilst the Sgt.Mjr. figure is also getting closer to being finished. There is a temptation to "overwork" some pieces that I have begun to get fond of - and he's one! Must know when to STOP!

Currently feeling quite satisfied with progress - and finding these easier to work with than I first thought might be the case.

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More tomorrow - Please note that if you have a question of what I'm doing - just ask - and I'll do my best to answer. johnnybach
 
johnnybach said:
It was mostly voice in the end - but morse was always handy if you had a poor signal. It also kept the Rupert's hands off the radio - they would always be chatting using first names, ranks, map-refs in clear etc., Which drove you nuts. They - the supposed "clever people" didn't seem to realise that a couple of k's away, were guys just like us - listening to every word - and working out exactly who was where! I don't think they use morse any more now though.

Why back to 7.62 - did all the airfix kit break - again? jb
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From what I gather from the lads, it's stopping power, 5.56 just hasn't got the punch!
 
They should have taken a tip or two from the Boys of The Heavy Metal Toy Soldier Brigade then, before they bought plastic guns!

Nothing stops a good bit-o-lead!

Jokes aside - I have a question for you - or perhaps you know who!

For my Gordons in 1865 - I have found an illustration of a Private in 1864 by Simkin, (which I intend to use for them - when I get that far). He is wearing a Black Sporran with five white tassels (two above three) - and is in marching order.

I am making my three Colour Sergeants in Review order - and I am proposing to give them White Sporrans - with the two long black tassels (gold at the top) - because I have only found them in that dress, albeit - undated. (see sketch of both below).

Do you think it might be more correct to have ALL OR's (including these Col Sgts.) in the former black sporran - or can I argue that as SNCO's in a Colour Party - they would be wearing the "dressier!" sporran - as their Colonel Lockhart wishes?

Wondered what you think? johnnybach

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This is just off the top of my head, so you know who( shhhh) might correct me! I believe all other ranks wear the same pattern in all but the A&SH where their sergeants wear a badgers head sporran. The pattern changed over the years as you know.

Martin
 
Good! - that's really confirming how I'm thinking right now - thanks Martin. Just realised that my illustration by Simkin dated 1864 is shown on page #1 of this thread as illustration "f". He's an OR and has the black sporran. The only others that I have found with the white sporran are undated - so, therefore, MUST be later.

Unless you-know-who says any different - I WILL go with the Black sporran with five white tassels for ALL Or's then, [ Other than the Military Band - of course - who have a similar shape sporran in white with 5 RED tassels in 1865).

Cor! - what a palaver all these jocks make - which all adds to the fun and games producing them, of course - and the spectacle when they are on parade.

Lovely - it's going well - like a Swan on top - going like the clappers underneath. Many thanks again - johnnybach:salute::
 
Well - as you know - I can't stand knowing that it's wrong. It's nice to know I can double-check! jb:salute::
 
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