British Brown Bess Fire Power: Taking Aim (3 Viewers)

[mestell]

Ever since the new British 43rd Regiment of Foot figures were previewed I have been drawn to those wonderful looking red coats. To go a long with these figures, Ken Osen recently announced a 43rd Collectors Club figure for 2025 entitled "Locking In".



I decided that this was a "must have" figure for my collection and therefore renewed my membership in the club. That was when I decided to make a small diorama of a British detachment "Taking Aim" with their Long Land Pattern (Brown Bess) muskets. The actual command was "Present" (take aim).

I am using a Belmont picture frame by Studio Decor for the base. I get these at Michael's Craft Store.


To prepare the frame, I first discard the glass, white mat, and backing. I then inserted a 1/4" thick piece of plywood planking, which has been cut to size and painted with two coats of primer, into the frame.

Next, is the CelluClay (another product obtained at Michael's Craft Store) application.



This product is used to cover the exposed plywood and to fill the interior of the frame, sculpting any contours desired. I also decided to anchor a section of Hudson & Allen HA2012, "Stone and Wood Split Rail Zig Zag Fence" into the wet CelluClay to add some visual interest. This was a spare scenic piece I've had for years. It's been long out of production and no longer available.

Please note that the frame has been protected by painter's tape.



At this point the base was set aside to allow the CelluClay to dry. This usually takes three to four days depending how wet the paper meche material was made and how thick it was applied.

. . . to be continued

Mike

 

[Dragoon]

Looking forward to watching this project progress. Sounds like you really have to have some patience with that CelluClay dry time.

 

[mestell]

So far I've collected the following 43rd figures, all of which are superbly sculpted and detailed:
#16154 x 5


#16203


#16206


#16207

 

[mestell]

Looking forward to watching this project progress. Sounds like you really have to have some patience with that CelluClay dry time.

It does take some time to dry. But your patience will be rewarded. Once completely dry it can be painted with a earthtone base coat in preparation for the ground work and foliage accents.

Mike

 

[mestell]

Played around with my 43rd figures on the base this afternoon for staging possibilities. The tree is WB #53020, "10 inch Maple Tree". Tomorrow I plan to paint the bare CelluClay with a coat of earthtone color.

 

[MLH13]

It's coming along, Mike. It's going to be amazing!

Mark

 

[mestell]

It's coming along, Mike. It's going to be amazing!

Mark

Thank you Mark. Really just getting started, lots more to do before it's finished.

Mike

 

[WBritain]

I am really looking forward to seeing the finished diorama Mike!

 

[mestell]

I am really looking forward to seeing the finished diorama Mike!

You and me both Ken. But you do realize it won't be finished until the 2025 Club Figure "Locking In" is available . . . I need 5

Mike

 

[WBritain]

Yes…I know because I need them too!

 

[BHogan]

Great looking diorama Mike. Are you going to add the colours too?

Brendan

 

[villagehorse]

Nothing like having a project to plan out and think about. After that, the satisfaction of seeing it completed and a job well done. This is one of those Mike. Robin.

 

[mestell]

Great looking diorama Mike. Are you going to add the colours too?

Brendan

THX Brendan. You bet I'm going to add the colours. I understand from Ken that the anticipated release is April.

Nothing like having a project to plan out and think about. After that, the satisfaction of seeing it completed and a job well done. This is one of those Mike. Robin.

Thanks Robin. The nice thing about this project is that I can take my time with it since the last 5 figures I will want won't be released until later this year. In the meantime I can just sit back and enjoy it's progress.

Mike

 

[Mike97]

Thanks Mike, your step by step display really helps guys like me who want to learn the “process behind the great scenes”.

 

[mestell]

Thanks Mike, your step by step display really helps guys like me who want to learn the “process behind the great scenes”.

Thank you for the nice compliment Mike. However, after viewing so many of your own beautifully done displays, I hesitate to think you need help from me. Truth be told, I could learn a lot of creative techniques from you.

Mike

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Oh yeah Mike.....this is shaping up very nice!!! I appreciate the step by step instructions. I have recently joined those who are using these frames to create some small dio's. Although, I have not used the Celluclay but have used Styrofoam insulation board with mine so far. I may try the Celluclay though having seen how you use it.

These figures of the 43rd are great. I was going to get them at first but opted instead for the Deux Pont range. Hoping to put together some kind of small dio of those figures similar to what you're doing with the 43rd.

 

[mestell]

I just finished painting the exposed CelluClay with a coat of brown latex paint which I had left over from trimming out the exterior windows and door frames and other accents of my house. I mention this because any brown/earth tone paint will suffice. Any "earthy colored" paint on hand will do. The purpose is to cover the CelluClay so that the grey doesn't show through when applying the ground cover. For easy clean up I recommend using an acrylic or latex water based paint.

When dry I will start adding the ground cover/dirt/soil and ground debris that I want to use.

. . . to be continued

Mike

 

[mestell]

Oh yeah Mike.....this is shaping up very nice!!! I appreciate the step by step instructions. I have recently joined those who are using these frames to create some small dio's. Although, I have not used the Celluclay but have used Styrofoam insulation board with mine so far. I may try the Celluclay though having seen how you use it.

These figures of the 43rd are great. I was going to get them at first but opted instead for the Deux Pont range. Hoping to put together some kind of small dio of those figures similar to what you're doing with the 43rd.

Thank you very much Mark. Since I started using these inexpensive Belmont style picture frames (due to being down to a very limited amount of display space) I have actually had more fun and enjoyment making the smaller displays vs the really large displays I have made in the past. It's a great way to showcase a few of your favorite figures but yet visually tell a bigger story

Mike

 

[mestell]

Now that the base color is dry, the base is ready to have the soil/dirt/earth and ground debris detail applied. I used Woodland Scenics Fine Turf Soil blend and Earth blend as well as some Woodland Scenics Fine Brown Ballast. This was all mixed together with actual garden dirt from my yard.



Using slightly diluted PVA white glue, I liberally "painted" the area to be covered with the dirt mixture.



Then, placing the dirt mixture in a fine mesh sieve/strainer, I generously sifted the mixture over the area until the glue was covered.





A very dilute solution of PVA glue was then
applied to insure complete adhesion. I used a teaspoon to do this with but an eye dropper or a fine spray bottle would work too. Once the dirt mixture was saturated with the glue wash, I generously sprinkled the area with Hudson & Allen Forest Debris. All of this was gently pressed in with my finger tips.



Once done, the base was set aside to dry overnight.

. . . to be continued

 

[Dragoon]

Quick question Mike, Did you seal the plywood base before spreading on the CelluClay? I've read of people doing that, but wonder if it's necessary.