ACW Kits/Conversions (1 Viewer)

[swalterh]

Hello

Here are some photos of a conversion I started this week. The conversion is a Blackcat Miniatures casting with a Conte plastic Iron Brigade head and some putty.

This IB uniform is serviceable for mid-late war (from Gettysburg to the end of the war) as the sack coat would have become more and more prevalent amongst the members of the brigade after the original frocks were replaced due to wear and tear while on campaign.

 

[Scott]

Nice! A little less putty material for the sack coat collar on your next one.

 

[swalterh]

Nice! A little less putty material for the sack coat collar on your next one.

Thanks Scott,

The Conte plastic IB heads don’t have much of a neck to work with due to the figures (which are sculpted correctly) having the high collar from their frock coats. I originally tried less putty then had to add more to make sure the joint line between the head and the casting was completely covered. Unfortunately sometimes the materials and parts we use don’t always lend to 100% accuracy if we want the model to look right.

Shane

 

[Fubar]

I have Hardee hats for the Black cat figures, as well as troops wearing frock coats.

No need to carve up good Conte figs.

Fubar

 

[swalterh]

Here are a few more shots of the BC IB conversion. These didn't load the last time, I guess I reached the limit.





The figures from other manufacturers are provided for size comparison. The conversion matches up well height wise with current WB figures (maybe a smidge taller). He's noticably taller than the figures from Conte. Not sure how FL sizes up with Britain's, but the nice thing about a conversion is that you can always adjust the height of the figure with head positioning. I have yet to repaint an FL ACW figure, but IMO the detailing of the BC kit is on par with most of the major manufacturers. The BC rifle is a little bit larger than the current WB rifles, but the details really pop with the inking technique I employed here.

I hope I didn't make the face appear too angry. I was going for a look of determination from our battle hardened veteran. Now that I see the face in the photos he looks like he might enjoy battle a little too much. (Perhaps he's a member of the 2% - see Grossman's "On Combat")

Thanks to all those who provided likes and helpful comments.

 

[Scott]

Thanks Scott,

The Conte plastic IB heads don’t have much of a neck to work with due to the figures (which are sculpted correctly) having the high collar from their frock coats. I originally tried less putty then had to add more to make sure the joint line between the head and the casting was completely covered. Unfortunately sometimes the materials and parts we use don’t always lend to 100% accuracy if we want the model to look right.

Shane

Shane,

It's work but I drill out a neck hole with a 1/16" drill and pin vise in the head and body. I use plastic rod and Zap a Gap to connect the two. The collar material then could be smaller if it doesn't have to a be a foundation. How are you connecting heads?

 

[swalterh]

Shane,

It's work but I drill out a neck hole with a 1/16" drill and pin vise in the head and body. I use plastic rod and Zap a Gap to connect the two. The collar material then could be smaller if it doesn't have to a be a foundation. How are you connecting heads?

Scott

I used a bit of putty and some super glue. I let the putty cure overnight then went to work on sculpting the collar. Tried a little bit of putty first, but could still see the joint line so I built up the collar to cover it.

These Blackcat kits are really nice. I didn’t realize Fubar had frock coat IB figures available. I must have missed them on the website.

Next time, I can drill a hole as you suggest or I could trim a little more metal away from the casting along the collar before I add the head. Both of these methods would allow the head to sit closer to the shoulders and might enable me to sculpt a smaller collar. I’ll probably try both and see how they work out. Either way, I’ll continue refining my method and hopefully get a more accurate result.

Thanks again for providing some tips. I’ll definitely give the drill method a try.

Shane

 

[Scott]

Shane, BTW, "I'm no expert but," I did a lot of CW reenacting from 1985 to 2005. The right shoulder shift pose you made is a very common way in the drill to carry the piece and it shows up in period illustrations and photos. More TS makers should make figures in that pose as it's good for parade, on the march, or going into battle. I've worn pretty good repros of the clothing and gear and that sometimes colors how I see toy soldiers.

I'm glad to see another collector painting and converting.

 

[Scott]

I have Hardee hats for the Black cat figures, as well as troops wearing frock coats.View attachment 120942

No need to carve up good Conte figs.

Fubar

Nice to see the yellowy brown used on the canteens. It's my understanding from relic canteen "buffs" that blanket wool was used at times to cover the cateens. You don't need the light blue piping on the front of the frock coats. Collars and cuff piping was regulation for the dress frock coat. The straps on the top of the knapsack were supposed to be for the "great coat" and it looks like you have painted that detail as the coats. Nice. I like that firing pose on the far left as you could build a two ranked unit firing that you can't do with the more dramatic firing poses.

 

[Fubar]

Yes, That's what you get from painting from memory in my tiny casting shop. Piping where it should not be. I could have walked 100 feet to my cave and LOOKED at a book, but did not.Was the first batch out of the molds.
I have about six variants of Confederate Infantry at right shoulder, some quick time, others double quick.Plus different hats and packs so you can make a fair number of variants. Mixed in with Conte plastics and metals, Britian'View attachment 121055igs they make a wonderful march column, or even better rear ranks in a battle line at charge bayonet.
Need some more Union poses like that.

 

[einaroneeye]

Nice looking conversion there, Shane, the painting is quite nice as well. Always enjoy seeing what others come up with in terms of converting figures and so forth. Keep sharing the wealth!{sm4}

 

[swalterh]

Hi Everyone,

I know some have asked to see more photos of my re-paints and kits. I've just discovered a new paint brand and am currently stripping down and re-painting my collection. Again, my mantra is consistency of colors and style so this is turning out to be quite an enterprise.

Here is a project that I’m currently working on for a friend. This is a re-painted Armestead figure from the Troiani "High Water Mark" set produced by Conte. He and his men will be going in a diorama case similar to the IB piece. I’m aiming to get this one done along with the Lions of Little Round Top project before July. Sorry about the poor lighting. My photo taking station is not exactly state of the art. I’ll continue to post updates of the projects as they progress.

 

[swalterh]

Figured I'd just lump all my ACW work into this thread so as not to clutter up the specific manufacturer's sections. Here's the CS Officer from LORT. Chamberlain and the rest of the Yankees are on the bench at various stages in the painting process.

 

[swalterh]

Some of the IB figures that ended up in the dio (Note: These were done when I was still using standard craft store acryllics and before I purchased the grass mat from TF). This Charging IB Officer is my all time favorite KO pose. I wish he would sculpt a Chamberlain figure similar to this.

 

[swalterh]

 

[jager7080]

Shane ,

very nice !! Thanks for sharing these pics...

Joe