Bits and Pieces (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Well - here is my new Irish Guards Mascot - wth his handler - accompanying a small contingent of Irish Guards shown here as a Colour Party and Escort - with small Pipe and Drum band. (Keep forgetting that I have another two side-drummers in my stash to add to this group - must get 'em finished!).

The Mascot is from a casting by Langley Miniatures - whilst the rest of the group are from castings by Asset. Note that I have taken the date for the whole group as c.1900 - as the Colour Guard are wearing Slade wallace equipment. The dog at that time was named Brian Boru (1900-1910) - and wouldn't have been wearing the red coat then - but as the rest of the Guards uniforms would have changed little since that time - please forgive the more modern addition of the red dog-coat. Looks nice anyway - perhaps it was a cold day!

 

[johnnybach]

My second mascot figure is now complete - so I have put him and his handler with my existing Colour Party of the Parachute Regiment, around the 1960's, parading in their Number 1 Dress uniforms, commonly referred to as "Best Blues".. Their mascot is of course, a Shetland Pony. This one belonged to the Third Battalion, and was a Welsh one named Coed Coch Sampswn. The Coed Coch (Red Wood) is a World famous Stud - and this one was so named, because of his strength.

The Mascot figure is from a casting from Langley Miniatures again - and the Colour Party from castings by Asset Miniatures - both UK suppliers, and both still available by post via the Internet from both providors. jb

 

[johnnybach]

My next figure is a single piece that has been waiting patiently for me to get around to painting for a while. He's a French Dragoon at Austerlitz (so 1805), holding aloft a captured Standard. Bought as a casting from Fusilier Miniatures - as I just couldn't resist the pose. I added a small stone to the base beneath the rear foot of the horse - as it was only fixed to the base with one front and one back leg - so seemed a bit precarious. He's now much more stable. Lots of lovely little detailing with this figure - like musket, reins for the horse and basket hilt sabre - and of course - the flag. A picture was provided to help with the painting detail from the manufacturer.

 

[Obee]

I recently painted a simlar figure,

'Dragoon holding a captured flag at Austerlitz',

for a fellow collector here in Perth.

It comes from France, by maker Miniatures Historiques de Soldats de Plomb (MHSP) but isn't as animated as the Fusiler, nor is the flag as detailed.

Another friend of mine who was recently in France found some in street markets and antique shops and they are available on ebay.

More more from the series, check my page of MHSP

http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/mhsp.htm

John

 

[johnnybach]

Fear not John, I already had a look there first - for a few tips before I began painting him. I did see that 15th Dragoons figure - and noted the similarities ( and differences) in animation between the two. That pink facing is quite attractive - but red is my favourite colour - and won the day. I need to give mine a final coat of varnish.

Unfortunately - this part of France seems devoid of many TS collectors (or they're keeping hold of them) - as I don't see any at our local markets at all. Might be a Northern France thing. jb

 

[johnnybach]

I noticed from my pics - and John's (Obee) - that I had missed out the Regimental Number from the portmanteau behind the Dragoon. So I fixed it - and then gave the figure the last coat of Tamiya Acrylic Varnish - which mercifully dries in minutes. So - one last photo - which very appropriately is in full French sunshine today. (Maybe a bit too strong - still practicing my photography!).jb