ACW - Remembering the Iron Brigade (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

One of the many pleasures I have in living in the Madison, Wisconsin area is being able to visit the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum anytime I want to with relative ease - less than a 25 minute drive to the center of town, free to the public (donations accepted at the door), with fantastic exhibits of Wisconsin's participation in time of conflict from the Civil War through current day. For me the Civil War exhibit is incredible with many exhibits of the life of a Wisconsin soldier from 1861 to 1865, including a life size (1:1 scale) diorama of the Iron Brigade advancing through the cornfield at Antietam. In the December issue of THE BUGLE, the quarterly magazine of the Wisconsin Veteran's Museum (http://dva.state.wi.us/Bugle/Dec10Bugle.pdf), a number of Civil War articles were presented in anticipation of the start of the 150th anniversary of this War Between the States. One article in particular caught my eye entitled "From Paper to Iron" introducing a new exhibit for 2011. This exhibit opens July 2, 2011 and covers the original document that Gov. Randall signed in 1861 declaring Wisconsin's support of Lincolm's call to arms, and the formation of the Iron Brigade as its ultimate fighting force. Also, in this quarterly, on the last page, was a full size advertisement announcing that the Museum's gift shop was now offering W. Britain ACW figures and sets - of course the Iron Brigade set "Chosen Ground" was shown. I am excited about 2011 and the start of the 150th anniversary of the ACW and I look forward to many wonderful afternoons visiting this fantastic museum and its Iron Brigade exhibit. Its a great visit and well worth the trip.
Mike

WB "Chosen Ground" set with additional Iron Brigade figures offered by WB. Backdrop of Gettysburg by Hudson & Allen. Diorama base is a section of my 4 foot x 8 foot "play table" custom made for me by Ken & Ericka Osen of Hudson & Allen

 

[REVWARBUFF]

That sounds very exciting Mike. This should be a great year for all ACW enthusiasts. I hope Britains comes out with several great ACW sets this year in commemoration of the 150th annv.

I love your dio too! I never tire of seeing your work and always look forward to your new dio's. Keep up the great work and thanks for the info on your local museum.

Mark

 

[thebritfarmer]

Sounds like fun Mike and another great photo from yourself. I take it you have the other pieces to the Chosen Ground on order?

 

[mestell]

That sounds very exciting Mike. This should be a great year for all ACW enthusiasts. I hope Britains comes out with several great ACW sets this year in commemoration of the 150th annv.

I love your dio too! I never tire of seeing your work and always look forward to your new dio's. Keep up the great work and thanks for the info on your local museum.

Mark

Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed it. I am aware of some 2011 ACW figures coming down the "pipe" but I have been sworn to secrecy.

Sounds like fun Mike and another great photo from yourself. I take it you have the other pieces to the Chosen Ground on order?

You can bet I do Scott - Seems like its been a long wait, #31073 in February and #31074 in June - keeping my fingers crossed.

Mike

 

[The Lt.]

Thanks for provided the info on the coming event and a great photo Mike. Knew you'd be one happy camper once receiving the news. Got anymore photos headed our way?.........Joe

 

[Nooooo9]

It'd nice to know that there are good things coming our way. I'm looking forward to the Standard being mailed out so we can see whats coming out. I always enjoy your pictures.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

The Standard is wrapped up and on the way to the printer soon. W. Britain will be announcing an event at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in the new issue. We are hoping to see some of our collectors attend... details to follow.
Ken

 

[GICOP]

Great picture Mike.

Cheers

Martyn

 

[mestell]

Thanks Joe, Nooooo9, Ken, and Martyn . . . . .

The Standard is wrapped up and on the way to the printer soon. W. Britain will be announcing an event at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in the new issue. We are hoping to see some of our collectors attend... details to follow.
Ken

Have enjoyed working with Richard and you on this event - things are taking shape here at my end. Of course I'll be there and hopefully we can all go out to dinner afterward . . . . .
Mike

 

[mikemiller1955]

Thats a very nice picture Mike...always enjoy your work...

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Well hello everyone!
I thought I would share some information on the 'special figures' I will be making for the event at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum this year. I am converting some stock figures into one-of-a-kind Iron Brigade figures to sell at the event. Proceeds will go to the museum and Richard will post more information soon.

As Mike already knows, I occasionally cut heads or arms off stock figures and put things back together to create some variations. This always includes some new paint ranging from touch-up to color changes and additional detailing.

Here is a picture of three Confederates that are now in Mike's collection.

Here is a sneak preview of work in progress. I removed the heads with forage caps earlier today and I will be pinning new heads on with Hardee Hats.

As I progress I will post more pictures step by step. When I get time I will probably convert the remaining parts to new Yanks with forage caps and will let everyone know when these are done too.

I hope you follow the progress!
Ken

 

[Scott]

I just noticed a great detail to the Iron Brigade figures. It's summer and they have turned in their overcoats to the QM so they are not rolled on the top of the knapsack. Their blankets and "ponchos" are most likely inside the knapsack. Nice touch!!

 

[mestell]

Ken, as you well know I am anxiously awaiting these new Iron Brigade offerings. I am really looking forward to the Veteran's Museum event and both Your, Ericka's, and Richard Walker's visit.
:smile2: Mike

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Okay, as promised here are a couple more images of the work in progress. 'A grim harvest', you would think the Celts were here. The heads of 5 Iron Brigade figures were cut off and the necks were removed with my Dental hand-piece. Using carbide cutters the necks were removed and smoothed down to make positioning easier on the 'new' bodies. These will be pinned in place with a bit of wire after I drill a hole in the collar and the neck. CA adhesive (super glue) is used to bond the parts and then the same two part epoxy putty I use to create the masters is used to restore the neck contours.
I will post a couple more pictures later when I get to this part.

The back area where the neck and hair was removed.

These should be a good value to add to a collection. They are basically one-of-a-kind conversions made by the same person that sculpted the original.
Ken

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Here is a picture of the heads and bodies pinned together. The next step will be to re-sculpt the neck area. I have also reshaped the collar area on the figure reaching for a cartridge. I might add corporal stripes too.

It might take a few days before I get to the next step. After that I will spot prime and repaint adding more shadows and highlights.
I hope you enjoy!
Ken

 

[mestell]

Just brilliant so far Ken . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Well I thought I would show you a couple of pictures straight from the work bench. I had the parts laying in front of me so I went ahead and put 4 more figures together to represent other Federals... maybe the 17th Michigan.
Anyway here they are with the collars ground out and the heads shaped for attachment with pins and glue to the bodies. I will sculpt in the necks when I do the Iron Brigade grouping.

I like the three running figures grouped together.

As with the Iron brigade figures, I will do additional detailing and touch up with the new paint. When setting up larger displays I like some variation in the figures so these will fit the bill for that.

Ken

 

[thebritfarmer]

These are very nicely done Ken and thank you for allowing us to follow the process.


p.s. Where are the Zulus and 24th conversions ^&confuse ^&grin

 

[Mister Dave]

It's always a treat to watch a master craftsman at work, Ken. How many total custom IB figures will you have for sale at the event? (and how many of them will you be buying, Mike? :rolleyes2

MD

 

[jac28]

Mike - my wife and I went to the Wisc. Veterans Museum last summer.. It's a great museum.. I wasn't expecting anything like it! Here are a few photos (I may have posted these last summer after returning from the visit).

I highly recommend this museum!

Jim