A Gordon for Me (1 Viewer)

One last pic of Colour Party,with Drum Major and mounted Colonel - so far (nearly there with these elements). So ta-ta for now, dog needs feeding and a walk - johnnybach:salute::


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Both arms have now been fitted to the bombardon player, whilst the other figure has had more work done on the figure and arms. Apologies for focus problems - but this is the best I can do - I seem to havve button problems with the camera today - don't know why.



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Another view shows second arm on - and the new wing as yet unpainted - fitted in exactly the same way as the first one. I hope you can see enough to notice the progression. Will try charging the battery again. jb

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Wow you are making quick work of those jb!!!

Re the photos do you have a macro setting on the camera. Try clicking on that when getting in close to the figures. What you have posted though are fine and definitely shows the progression.
 
Problem is - I'm a rotten photographer - and can't figure out what it is that I'm doing wrong!. There actually may be a fault with the camera - as I hit the macro button - but it doesn't seem to work properly! I also find it is worse if I don't have something behind the figures, as it seems to focus elsewhere. I'll be okay when my expert gets back from South Africa - but until then - I'l; just do my best. At least you know what I'm trying to do!!!! jb
 
Well, I spent last evening re-reading the camera instruction booklet - and still can't find what I'm doing wrong - so perhaps this is the best it can do! Tried it out on this pic - which shows progress so far - omitting the mounted figure which paintwork was too wet to move. Will put him in later. (Note that the band will follow the Colour Party eventually - they are only in front to show development so far better).

I will be working on the two brass players later, which are coming along okay - and maybe starting off some more band players - now I have established the method/order for painting them.

They seem to work out best by painting face - white areas, tartan areas etcetera - and working down the figure. The arms instrument go on once these bits are mostly done, then wings - and when all of that is done (to the stage shown in the picture), I can do legs socks feet base etc. I won't repeat all of the pics of construction which repeat all of this on other figures - unless any unforseen problems arise - as it would be too repetative. I will post pics though of additions - as they occur - from time to time. I might also branch out into other figures from the group periodically - as you can become a bit "fed up" when constructing large groups of what are basically, very similar figures.

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The camera seems to know that I have had a read-up - as it seems to be behaving again now. Could be a fault - as the buttons are now working perfectly - as before.

I thought you might like to see progress on my first two musicians ( on the left) which have had socks, spats and shoes added. Once dry, they will both require a tidy-up and a touch-up to paintwork here and there - before varnishing. I decided to promote my first two, to corporal for the Ophicleid player, and Lance-Jack for the bombardonist (if that's the term!). [ I may need to re-do these, as they look a little clumsy]. Note that at this time, nco stripes were worn on both sleeves. I have found an illustration of a white doublet wearing musician from 1864 (A Cameron) wearing inverted red edged white stripes on the lower right arm only - so presume they are long service stripes, so will probably dish some of these out too, to selected musicians. (one for every four years for NCO's below sergeant rank).

Note also that I have started off the second bombardon player and two french horn players - in exactly the same way as the first two. I will start of some more tonight. This way I keep a rolling production going - with two or three at a similar stage of development. No rhyme or reason for which I choose now - just whatever I fancy doing next. The hard ones were the bombardons - because of fitting the instrument over the head - and causing the modification to a "compound arm".

Within the next day or two - the first two should be finished - whilst the others will continue to develop a little each day. johnnybach

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Another view of the two nearing completion:


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As the first bombardon player is almost finished - just requires base to be varnished - I thought that I would show the second one, who has just had the upper arm superglued into the shoulder socket and glued and filled at the elbow. I have left the upper arm unpainted, so that you can see the method and joint more clearly. I also left the cuff detail off this time - to show that it can also be painted later, when everything is dry. I also included the Ophicleid player, who is also nearly finished and to show the differences in details. Note the black buttons on the spats, which is the last detail done, before the figures are varnished. johnnybach

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I haven't shown "The Colonel" for a while. He too is almost finished - just the base to be varnished. He is an adapted old Britains Hollowcast figure (a re-cast version) with a right arm holding his sword at the carry. I had to remove the sword hilt from the scabbard (other side) and paint tartan over. I will show this difference next time with another original version of the figure.

Also note that my camera seems to be behaving itself - don't know why? But "Hurrah!", anyway


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Thank you Sott - It is a very nicely posed horse - I do agree. I now have him (at least) three times - and here they are.

Centre is my latest - for this project - Gordon Highlanders 1865.
To the left - done as a Royal Scots Greys Officer.

And to the right - the original figure by Britains - produced first, way back in 1932 - and still as nice as ever.

[Note though - that all are repros!!]

I hope that you can see how the original figure with the scabbarded sword =- has had the hilt removed and repainted for my current Gordons project.

It only goes to show what can be done with a superb figure like this. A change of arm - or head - or both - and what emerges with a coat of paint - is yet another figure from the pages of history.

This is just an Awesome hobby! See now why I love castings? They are all THE SAME (more or less) original figure! johnnybach

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Genius !! Britains really captured the market with their hollow-cast series, so many regiments from so few moulds, so they weren't connoisseur models who cares! They were bright, colourful and SHINY !!!!!
 
I think you've hit the nail on the head there Scott. I must have some magpie in me somewhere. As long as they're bright, colourful and shiny - I love 'em.^&grin

Actually, that's the style I try to recapture with most of my efforts. "Best Britains" I think they used to call it. I believe that some customers used to specify that when they ordered figures - and paid a bit more for the "extras" to be painted on.

There IS something in a Britains model that has me reaching out to touch, as soon as I see one. Funnily enough, there is a little lad in our village, that pops in with his Dad occasionally - and always asks if he can see my collection. Whenever he does see them, his hands automatically reaches out towards them - but his Dad always tells him not to touch - until I say it's okay. I don't mind him touching though - as they are toy soldiers - not jewelery!

I still have that response too! yet he's 9 and I'm 67! I think once you have it - it never goes away. Well, that's my excuse, anyway. And that's the reason that I paint mine the way I do. As to colour - the more colourful - the better for me. I can see me doing more of the Agincourt Knights after these Gordons are done - as I very much enjoyed the ones I did recently. How are your Asset pair coming along? johnnybach
 
The second bombardon player is well on its way now - this is the state of play so far with these two.

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This pic shows development of five bandsmen so far. From the left - a completed bombardon player with another next to him getting closer to being finished. Again, you can see how I am generally working from the head down - and finishing a lot of paintwork before arms/instrument goes on. I would say from my experience, Highlander uniforms are one of the most tricky to paint - because of their highly colourful uniforms.

The next three along are two French Horn players and a Tuba player. Note how I mark each base (in paint) with what instrument - as the arms have all been dry fitted before painting starts - and I want to get the correct instrument on each figure. I hope that you can now see, more or less, the order of painting on the colours. I have also found that it is better to paint up the cuff detail before fitting arms - although leaving buttons until last of all.

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These are coming along nicely jb.

I have my first horse glued and primed so stay tuned for some paint. My trepidation was the glue, as once it is stuck it's stuck and good and proper 'an all. Think I have got it now though :redface2:
 
Hi Scott - yes - sometimes the Asset horses (cast in two halves) don't quite fit together correctly. If it won't fit right - remember the underside of the horse is the best place to hide the joint. You can also use filler - and then sand down across the horses back where the joint will show just behind the saddle area. I always give this area two or three "undercoats" to make the joint "disappear".^&grin

On to today's bits of work for some Gordons musicians.:)

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From the left: Second bombardon has now been tidied up - lower legs to do - possibly tomorrow. (Just noticed that I have missed the red piped collar at the neck - to do tomorrow). First french horn has had arms fitted to body and wings made and fitted to top of arms - as before. Second french horn less developed - but on his way. Tuba arms and instrument finished - last yellow lining on tartan required before arms can be attached.

The last piece raised another problem for me, which required resolving. He will be a Lyre-Harp player. The arms and instrument were adapted from a different figure. When the arms were offered up - they wouldn't fit. The left arm had a peg moulded in at the top - which would not fit into the socket - as it was moulded in for the different figure, much further forward.

The solution was to trim off the peg on the arm to form a flat surface. Then a new "post" was made from some scrap material and firmly bedded into the hole at the shoulder (you can see the stump sticking out), with super-glue and milliput. When dry it was cut to the same width sticking out as the shoulder thickness (about 2mm). A hole, slightly larger than the peg diameter was then drilled in the shoulder (see at the base of the figure). This was then offered up and adjusted to fit with a file. The other arm was left as original - as this fits, fine.

Once the arms are fitted (after the figure has been painted) the joint will be glued, sanded down to a smooth shoulder - and once painted, the joint will disappear. This shows how important it is to "dry fit" pieces together before painting - as assuming a piece will fit could be disasterous. :p johnnybach
 
Latest pic below shows several members of the band now at various stages of development. Haven't done as much on them - as the weather has turned much more like early summer - so busy with the garden. Bombardon is ready to varnish now - and first french horn not far off either. Tuba player (hiding behind instrument needs wings fabricating for shoulders - and second french horn needs arms on. At the rear are the next set of bandsmen in preparation, with some of their arms/instruments in front. By now, I trust that you can see how each figure progresses - and a production line is developing along with them. As one figure is added to the "completed" list - others are coming along behind.
I'm currently quite looking forward to the bell Lyre (also known as a Glockenspiel in some parts) player - and how he will turn out. Another slightly unusual figure to see in a band, I haven't made one for a Scots band before. He will be the fist one in the rear rank (see peg I made moreclearly in his left shoulder here).


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These are oh so cool johnny, I am learning a lot from this thread. Thanks much for sharing you tips and expertise with us.
 
That's nice to hear Scott - I'm pleased that what I'm trying to do is being understood. It's a bit difficult for me to know without some sort of feedback, that anyone gets what I'm trying to do. I think that the end result - when all 30 band members are finished - and then - when all 68 of the whole group are eventually done - will be so well worth the work. It also shows,(at least I hope it does) - just how labour intensive making such toys really is. ( and maybe - just why buying ready-mades can be so expensive). If I were to charge myself for the time it takes to produce these - I probably either couldn't - or wouldn't - want to afford them!

However, you will be finding this out for yourself soon, with your own Household Cavalry project. However, I do promise you, the sense of achievement when you end up with a good finished product, is so well worth the input of blood, sweat and tears, you just won't believe it!

My motto, when I feel that all is not going well ( which does happen to us all) - is "Nil Carborundum". Translated, this is:

Don't let the little B*****ers grind you down! Just persevere - and you will get there in the end!

To bring it all down to earth though, It's been a good day today, I planted my potatoes! All the best - johnnybach:salute::
 
johnnybach said:
That's nice to hear Scott - I'm pleased that what I'm trying to do is being understood. It's a bit difficult for me to know without some sort of feedback, that anyone gets what I'm trying to do. I think that the end result - when all 30 band members are finished - and then - when all 68 of the whole group are eventually done - will be so well worth the work. It also shows,(at least I hope it does) - just how labour intensive making such toys really is. ( and maybe - just why buying ready-mades can be so expensive). If I were to charge myself for the time it takes to produce these - I probably either couldn't - or wouldn't - want to afford them!

However, you will be finding this out for yourself soon, with your own Household Cavalry project. However, I do promise you, the sense of achievement when you end up with a good finished product, is so well worth the input of blood, sweat and tears, you just won't believe it!

My motto, when I feel that all is not going well ( which does happen to us all) - is "Nil Carborundum". Translated, this is:

Don't let the little B*****ers grind you down! Just persevere - and you will get there in the end!

To bring it all down to earth though, It's been a good day today, I planted my potatoes! All the best - johnnybach:salute::
Click to expand...

There are going to look SOOOOOOOOOO great en masse.............what glossies don't though :)

Making them to sell would be a nightmare I think, I have a new appreciation for what goes in to getting these guys to market and that doesn't include shipping, packaging etc.....

Tatties planted eh? I'll be looking forward to some King Edwards with plenty of salt and vinegar :salute::

Made some progress on the cavalry so I will be updating my thread this weekend. Pleased with them so far :)

Cheers :salute::
 
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