Castings I have painted (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

I'll tell you what though trooper - wouldn't it be nice if every regiment in every army did a set of photographs like the one of the Drum Major, R/Sigs? Tailor made for any toy soldier enthusiast that picture, which shows nearly every detail required to make up a good copy in 54mm.

I know that I have said it before - but I'll repeat it. Many thanks for all of your help with all of the details and archive material you have given to me in pursuit of my hobby - which is very much appreciated. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Hang on just a minute. I have just found a button marked + on the screen, where I have stored that Mountie picture. It blows up the size - and I can see that the badge on his arm IS (just about) visible (lost resolution) - and contains ALL details above the gauntlet!

I told you I was a learner with this kit - but hey, trooper - I've got there! Cheers chum - where's my smallest brush! jb

 

[trooper]

Johnny, let me know if you decide to make a Signals band, I have photos of the musicians and drums. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

I didn't have one in mind at the moment - though if it's okay with you - I will tuck that one away as a possible for the future. In what era is the photo that you have of the Sigs band? I must confess, that I DID wear the trousers with the broad red stripe that the drummie is wearing - because that was part of our mess kit. I think that the band would also be wearing that short fur cap - and I KNOW that several castings firms make an RAF band like that - so would be easy to convert to R.Sigs. Mark that as a "One Day Sam!"

My favourite time period is the end of Victoria's reign and the Edwardian. The uniformed military bands around then seemed to just fizz with colour - and the older instruments - like my favourite - bombardon. Unfortunately for us - along came Khaki - and that was the end of that - although the Scots seemed to cling on to colour with their distinctive costume for longer than most (and that's why I like them so much). Also, bands seem to be able to make a come back - no doubt to encourage recruitment - so that's why I focus on them.

It IS still possible to inject a bit of colour into Khaki clad troops though, as my latest WW1 band from Fusilier shows. Bugle cords, drums, drummies kit etcetera can still lift these a bit - so all is not lost.

Anyway trooper - thanks for the offer - which I will take up I'm sure, at some time - but for now - I am focussing on Highland Bands & Others(still tinkering with possible regiments) around 1871 - about 70'ish figures strong. At the moment, I have a hankering for the Seaforth's MacKenzie tartan - so might transfer my ideas to them.

Napoleonics too - are full of colour - though as you may have seen - I have those covered - at very low cost - which is a bonus!

All the best - johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Hi trooper. Having slept on it - and woken refreshed - can't stop wondering what the R. Sigs band looks like. So......wouldn't hurt to risk one eye, I s'pose.

So would love to have a peek - whenever you have five minutes. I can then save it to my computer - and let it grow on me.

NB. Have done first pass at the Highland band details viz:

The whole group will be circa 1871. All except pipers will wear full bonnet - pipers a plain glengarry. CP, P&D band will wear the red kilmarnock (four flap) jackets. Pipers in their green, band in white with red facings - regimental party as CP, i.e in red with usual facings.

Colour Party - two Ensigns, 3 Col.Sgts, one W.O Total 6

Drum & Pipes.One Drummie
Eight Pipers
Six standard side drums
3 Cheese drums
One (Slim) Bass Drum Total 19

Band

Trombones 2
Trumpets 2
French Horn 2
Tenor Horn 2
Sax 2
Clarinet 3
Bassoon 2
Fifes 2
Euphonium 2
Tubas 2
Ophicleid 1
Bombardon 2
Bell Lyre 1
Cymbals 2
Side drums 2
Bass Drum 1 ( big 'un) Total 30

Regimental element

Colonel on horseback (drawn sword)
Officers (marching drawn Sword) 2
Highlanders 9
Sergeant 1 Total 13.

The CP will have rifled muskets at slope (or shoulder if not possible)

Regimental party - I will try for slope - but serge will be at shoulder (I know that I can get the figures at shoulder)

So - the total number of figures will be 68.

Any thoughts?? regards, johnnybach

 

[trooper]

OK Johnny, here they is. Trooper

 

[trooper]

And finally.

 

[johnnybach]

Well now - my eye! They IS a smart bunch of ladies - they is. Mincing along in perfect step too. Almost as if they just knew someone was going to make them up as toy soldiers. Very nice of the drummer to pose in all of those positions. No belts, I notice. Fanfare Trumpeter too. Hmmmmm, lovely photos,.....nice!

About thirty strong too - nice size for a band that! Oh dear....I knew I shouldn't have looked.

I s'pose I had better pencil some time into my diary for these girls then. Having just about come to the end of reviewing all of those lovely suppliers out there - and found a bucketful of new stuff that I would like to have - yet another one pops up! I now have a list as long as my proverbial!

Now - where am I going to store you - R for Royal - or S for Sigs?

Nice one trooper - sold! Thank you - once again chum.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi trooper

I think I'm beginning to get the hang of some of the features of the Internet. Your lovely pics of Sigs band set me to thinking this evening - so I decided to look around a bit. I found a feature on many of the Army Corps Bands (there are in fact 22 of them!) - and found yet another picture for R.Sigs. (above).

Now, this pic is very good news, as it gives me some interesting options. This version of uniform shows waist belt - and also cross belts (black pouch at rear). This is great news for me, as IF I can obtain a casting with these features - I can go with this band - if not - I can go with the version without belts shown in your pictures. A head change to any of the units with the short fur cap (e.g RAF) - with a short plume grafted on to the side - and BINGO - One R. Sigs. band. I also read that a maximum number of 35 members are ever in the marching band, which looks right for your picture - and a list of instruments given show the usual suspects.

The net result should be a very easy band to make and source. Thanks to this forum - and help from folks like yourself, Jeff, Martin, Scott etc, I have learned - and continue to learn - how to use this amazing set of tools. My gob - as they say - has never been so smacked. So, for a change, I thought I would share a pic with you. Regards, johnnybach.

 

[trooper]

Hi Johnny, you are right about the variations that can be encountered due to the whims of the Director of Music or Drum major. For example I have photographs taken at the annual Cavalry Parade which show the side drummer of the Life Guards wearing a pouchbelt while a photo taken at the same parade the following year shows him without. Another set shows the progression of change for the mascot handler of the Parachute Regiment. At first he just wears the No 1 dress Blues, next he has adopted musicians wings and music cords, finally he is wearing the drum major's baldric of the disbanded 3rd Battelion.
Incidently, I would advise against using the RAF heads for your band as their headdress is not a true busby, you would be better off using hussar or RHA heads if you cannot obtain true Signals, RA or RE heads. Would suggest you check out the Squadron Range of figures on the Tradition site, you will find a lot of musicians there all of which are available unpainted. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

Agreed to all. Yes, true enough about the RAF head - it was just the first one that sprang to mind. As I won't be taking these R.Sigs on in the immediate future - I haven't really looked around yet for any castings at all. BUT - Why indeed take on extra cutting/filing/milliput work - when another option can make life easier. I will add your suggestions to my ever growing file of possibilities for a conversion for this one with thanks.

I realise that others are reading this so will add in passing, that's just what I do when I start to think of a possible band - I open a file - and jot down any thoughts, possibile donor figures, photos, suggestions or even sketches that pass through my head - or others - as they come. A bit like the "brainstorming" technique. When I start to get serious about it - then I sort through and eliminate bits and bobs - until I finalise exactly what I want to do, and how I intend to get there. It is more than very useful having knowledgable friends like you and others to bounce ideas off and seek advice from, I may add.

My proposed "Highland Band" was just such a process - albeit a far more complicated one than the R.Sigs one. Usually, the further back in time you go - the more complex the issues - due to the paucity of primary evidence that exists. Because of the variations you mentioned earlier - and the more complicated nature of much of Highland dress - I find the older Highland bands the greatest challenge. It's taking on that challenge that's the enjoyable bit for me.

So, all suggestions greatfully received. Incidentally, I don't know whether you have found it, trooper, (or any other reader), but if you're interested - the site "Bands of the Corps", shows all 22 current Corps band details - including a few very nice pictures. As you mentioned the Para band - there's a pic of them there too. Now that's another one I might do at some point in the future! Regards, johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

What am I thinking of, I can do this now!

Nice bridge - now I wonder where that is? jb

 

[trooper]

Can we tempt you further, Johnnybach? Trooper

 

[trooper]

And even more.

 

[johnnybach]

Yes you certainly can with that one trooper. You see, I wore that beret once upon a time. I wore it (but with No.2 uniform) at The Inauguerration of Charles as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon. I was attached to Army Air Corps with a detachment too aid control of helicopter and other traffic at "Tent Village".
I had a blue patch behind the "Jimmy" though

I wore it lining the route on the day, as everyone was required - and when Princess Margaret went past - I smartly presented arms - and was rewarded with a beautiful smile.

Never forgotten that - SHE was beautiful!

(Note to confused readers - not you trooper: The Signals badge is Mercury - but we call him Jimmy)

 

[johnnybach]

Okay trooper - see what happens when you send me pictures?

Recognise this guy?

And PJ - do you recognise this one?

Well trooper - I know what I'll be doing for about the next two years now - Going down memory lane!!

Seriously nice photos - those - thankyou yet again. johnnybach.

PS. I've only just found out how to use this thing, and I'm going to have to get some extra memory because I have saved so much stuff!

 

[thebritfarmer]

Very nice johnny!!!

Keep your eyes peeled for a HC band in ceremonial dress and let me know if you are successful. Perhaps bug the people at Asset

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Scott - I certainly will - though I'm after one in Review Order. It's the State dress you want - is it? I'm pretty sure that they do a Trumpeter in State Dress already.

I will mention it next time I write - snail mail to them, johnnybach.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi Scott - I certainly will - though I'm after one in Review Order. It's the State dress you want - is it? I'm pretty sure that they do a Trumpeter in State Dress already.

I will mention it next time I write - snail mail to them, johnnybach.

Yes they do have a trumpeter in state dress so I guess it is a start

 

[aujj65]

Hi Johnny, not a bad selection to choose from is there, should keep you busy painting for a while. Me, I've just been lumbered with one of those "need this job in a week" jobs, so I am a bit behind with the Alma figures.

Jeff