British Army Air Corps Miltary Band (1 Viewer)

Martin Tabony said:
Yes an attractive band, I could be tempted!

Martin
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Hah! - Do you mean tempted to buy one and paint it up - or make some sets yourself Tabs? If you do - DO make up a Drum Major - he's too pretty to leave out.:)

Actually, after watching some of the you-tube coverage - the band is usually around thirty strong - so my version looks a bit on the small side. I might go back for a few more - and get some bits to convert one to a Drum Major as well. By the way - RP World Models also has a mounted Lifeguard Band on offer too. Their pic shows a couple of mounted French Horn players though - so not sure how accurate they would be.

Glad you like 'em - just varnished my first six - as I like super-glossy - so will post another pic - when they're dry enough to handle. jb
 
Thanks John and Martyn - glad you think the same as me - and like 'em too.

Here are my first six completed and varnished - so now safe to handle. I haven't varnished over the gold plating on the instruments. See extra pic below for some more details of how these come - and hands painted on.



This pic shows Trombones, Euphoniums and Bass Tubas ( plus drums in plastic). Note that I have painted over the gold plating for hands on the Tubas - but left the others to show how they arrive. One coat of Ivory does the trick - applied carefully.

Note the two side-drums - which push onto a peg, cast-in to the figure. I've again left the smaller drums "as they arrive", to show them that way. The bigger Bass Drum - I have temporarily pushed into place on the Bass Drummer. ( I will cement them on when completed). Note that he is a sergeant - so will also attempt his rank and other arm badges too. You may see that I have given this drum a couple of coats of Matte Cream paint on the shell - and overpainted the front half with one coat of Oxford Blue ( which looks as if it needs sanother wash - the rear half will be red). Again - see below for some more of The Maestro's (Trooper's) pics for details - which I will attempt to copy in my Toy Soldier style.



Nice - or what? Thanks a million for the use of these Trooper. You ARE a REAL pal. jb





To be continued - jb
 
Looking good. I had some of my instruments plated by someone (no names, no pack drills) who offered to cast and plate. When I recieved them, the flash hadn't been removed before plating! So I went back to paint.:)

Martin.
 
Talking band numbers, I've got the band lay outs for 1905. Apparently before that date band strengths were up to the regiment. This lead to some interesting sounds, especially when a Scots unit with three drone pipes had to play with an Irish unit with two drone pipes! Anyway in 1905 the Army School of Music at Kneller Hall laid down some rules. I have these arrangements given to me by the late Maj. John Knox. They are hand written but I should be able to scan them if you want?

Martin
 
Martin Tabony said:
Looking good. I had some of my instruments plated by someone (no names, no pack drills) who offered to cast and plate. When I recieved them, the flash hadn't been removed before plating! So I went back to paint.:)

Martin.
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Well, I must admit - I like them better than paint. Maybe you could try again - and point out to the caster/plater - that flash needs removing first? I've also noticed a different "harder mix" of metal for the hands/instruments than the usual softer metal mix for the body of the figure. Maybe that has something to do with the plating process???

I do like the separate arms - hands/instrument idea - though it's easier to fit one arm to the body first - and then the second arm with the instrument hands - all at the same time ( where a third hand would come in handy!). I also paint the hands on the instrument first - and usually the cuff detail - as it's far easier to paint such tiny detail - off the figure.

I should have another half dozen or so nearing completion today - so keep an eye out - as Bands seem to get better, the bigger they get. jb
 
Martin Tabony said:
Talking band numbers, I've got the band lay outs for 1905. Apparently before that date band strengths were up to the regiment. This lead to some interesting sounds, especially when a Scots unit with three drone pipes had to play with an Irish unit with two drone pipes! Anyway in 1905 the Army School of Music at Kneller Hall laid down some rules. I have these arrangements given to me by the late Maj. John Knox. They are hand written but I should be able to scan them if you want?

Martin
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That would be nice to see - maybe put them up on here - as others who like Bands - might like to see them too ( as long as that's feasible ). It's a bit easier nowadays - with you-tube showing the actual bands/layouts etc. I just watch - and count.
 
johnnybach said:
That would be nice to see - maybe put them up on here - as others who like Bands - might like to see them too ( as long as that's feasible ). It's a bit easier nowadays - with you-tube showing the actual bands/layouts etc. I just watch - and count.
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Don't forget JB that the band numbers will vary dependant on (A) venue, sometimes two commissions mean the band splits in two to accomodate both, and (B) members being absent on leave or courses. The numbers you see will only apply to that particular occasion. Trooper
 
trooper said:
Don't forget JB that the band numbers will vary dependant on (A) venue, sometimes two commissions mean the band splits in two to accomodate both, and (B) members being absent on leave or courses. The numbers you see will only apply to that particular occasion. Trooper
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Hi Trooper - long time etc,. Okay - I'll assume a couple are on sick parade - one is in Jail - and the banjo player has an alternative engagement. I'm thinking of ordering another five instrumentalists PLUS a body/arms/sword etc, - to have a go at the Drum Major. He's just drop-dead-gorgeous, and can't think why JPW didn't include him in their 21 piece set. (always assumes they will sell me the ones I want! - as I'd like the front rank of five to be playing trombones - so will need another three of those).

Many thanks, once again chum - for the pics. Much easier to do a version with this amount of help. Hope I do them justice. jb
 
johnnybach said:
Hi Trooper - long time etc,. Okay - I'll assume a couple are on sick parade - one is in Jail - and the banjo player has an alternative engagement. I'm thinking of ordering another five instrumentalists PLUS a body/arms/sword etc, - to have a go at the Drum Major. He's just drop-dead-gorgeous, and can't think why JPW didn't include him in their 21 piece set. (always assumes they will sell me the ones I want! - as I'd like the front rank of five to be playing trombones - so will need another three of those).

Many thanks, once again chum - for the pics. Much easier to do a version with this amount of help. Hope I do them justice. jb
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No problem LWF, I have quite a few pics of various bands and will help whenever I can. Keep the paint flowing. Trooper
 
Thanks for the explanation of the unit's origins, John! And once again, I must express my admiration for your skill and for the speed at which you can work. Really great results!

Prost!
Brad
 
trooper said:
No problem LWF, I have quite a few pics of various bands and will help whenever I can. Keep the paint flowing. Trooper
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Thanks Trooper - wilco - with thanks from LWF.:D

Pressing on - here are a few more which are ready for a photo. It's beginning to look more like a band now - rather than one or two bandsmen. Out in front, we have the musical Director - and in the first rank we now have a Picallo player, three trumpeters and a cymbalist. Odd layout, I know - but it's just the way I've painted them - um - oddly!{sm4}



Here are the rest - milling about - but they're half-'armless!^&grin Note the Staff Sergeant Bass Drummer ( Drumless at the moment) - and his armful of badges. Been at that for ages, to get this far! Drum is "a work in progress" - but currently has too much wet paint to play with. Might be able to get a few instruments and arms on before close of play, tonight. jb

 
theBaron said:
Thanks for the explanation of the unit's origins, John! And once again, I must express my admiration for your skill and for the speed at which you can work. Really great results!

Prost!
Brad
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Hey Brad! Thanks - but when it's tipping it down with rain (again) outside - what better than to pull up a chair - put on a CD or two - and get the brush working again. I'm enjoying these very much - and hope you like the plated instruments too. jb
 
Here's an update on the development of my last bunch of figures - which are well underway. I have to stop painting, for now - as these all have wet paint in various places. This is where my "Drying Room" comes in handy!:D


These six - are musicians, of course - with Euphoniums, Trombones and Tubas - and all have small details to finish them off, (just noticed the beret badge needs a small dab of silver). They will probably be able to join the rest of the already completed band figures, tomorrow. How do you like the gold plated instruments?;)



The drummer figures (pic. below) are more or less complete too - just the drums to go now. Note that I have been painting details onto the Bass Drum for the last few days - waiting for each section to dry - before continuing onto the next. (not finished yet). This is where Trooper's great pics are invaluable. I haven't done much on the two side drums - but as they are more or less similar to some panels on the Bass Drum - they should not take long. Might have a Band by Monday?:confused:

Rain continuing here - might have to start an Ark soon! I've posted off an e-mail to RP World Models - to see if they can help with a few more figures - as I'm keen to make the band size more like the real thing now - and also get hold of something to make into the Drum Major - shown in Trooper's pics earlier.

Watch this space - jb

 
Finished all of the figures this morning (early start!) - with the exception of the two Side Drums - which have just been temporarily fitted onto the completed drummers. Sorry 'bout that - but am taking advantage of a rare sunny day to take a few pictures - as I think they look okay. Thought the sun wasn't coming back!!!!:D

I think I have also worked out how to take some pics here - with the sun coming in through my bedroom window! Hurrah!

See some of my pics below - of ALMOST completed band (so far). Had a message from Bob at JP World Models - and he can do me another half dozen castings of these - with some parts to make up a Drum Major - so will be able to add these on at some point.

Another example of how some of the smaller British suppliers of Toy Soldiers have that "can do" mentality. Hope you like 'em too. jb:D











 
Both side-drums have now been completed and attached to the drummers. The band, as purchased, as a 21 piece band is now finished. I have asked Bob Pratti at RP World Models for another six figures - to extend the band to look more like the one shown in the earlier You-Tube clip - at Windsor - and he's agreed to make them for me. I'll add them once I have them - but that's all for now. jb

 
Hi JB,

this pic clearly shows the painting on the side drums and bass drums beautifully done.

Rgds Victor
 
Just played catch up with your thread JB, great finish and detail on these - very smart! {bravo}}

Jeff :salute::
 
blaster said:
Hi JB,

this pic clearly shows the painting on the side drums and bass drums beautifully done.

Rgds Victor
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Thanks Vic. I think my recent experience of trying to paint a few 30mm Flats has helped me considerably here. Gives you a different perspective on what "small" really means. I also much prefer (where possible) to paint drums etcetera OFF the figure. I had a few reservations about the plastic drums - but I must admit - they painted up without any problem - and stuck on easily, after I had filed down the "peg" a tad, before painting. Dry fitting like this is really essential, before painting, as the arms also benefitted fro a slight easing of the peg and slot. By comparison with Flats, these 54mm fully rounded figures seem ed quite "large"! I have also found a source of nice 00000 brushes.:D

.................................................................................

Hey Jeff - Glad you like 'em too. After a few tiny "tweaks" - these castings have turned out rather nicely - and were in fact quite an easy figure to paint - as most of them is Navy Blue. The beret really makes the difference though ( along with cuffs & collar) - as it stands out so well. The gold-plated instruments, of course, come with the figures - and look just gorgeous. Bob Pratti, from RP World Models has also agreed to send me some more figures (so my front rank of five will have 5 trombones - just like the real thing), which will be great. I'll resurrect the thread when that happens - and I find a slot to paint them up. I'm currently looking at a few more Bands from this supplier - using similar instruments.

At the moment though - it's back to Flats - and my second Elephant! {sm3} jb
 
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