thebritfarmer
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,444
You have breathed new life into our glossy section jb with your discussions, paintings and drawing.
Castings I have painted (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter johnnybach
- Start date
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Well - good-oh - lets shine forth then eh? I know loads of us love glossies - join in and show 'em what they're missing. Shiny soldiers began this hobby, (flats - perhaps - but shiny too), and I just love them because of it. So - as a certain sergeant Major on TV once said ( Another Welshman - by the way - and a lovely chap I once met!))
"C'mon Lads - show 'em off - show 'em off!)
Windsor Davies at the top - lovely boy! johnnybach^&grin
"C'mon Lads - show 'em off - show 'em off!)
Windsor Davies at the top - lovely boy! johnnybach^&grin
trooper
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 2,173
Agree with all the above. Asset certainly deserve more coverage than they get. They will put them selves out to help their customers, and if a customer wants a particular figure that fits in with their range and they think it will be viable financially then they will get it made, as witness the recent discussion of a mountie's gun team which is now going into production. A large proportion of the membership of the forum are fans of just two or three companies which results in a somewhat inbalanced view of the hobby overall which is a great pity as this means that many good items get ignored. We can just do what we can to redress the balance. Trooper
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Well I for one will be having some more of Asset's offerings - though it's difficult to say EXACTLY when at the moment because other things "stashed" or ordered are lined up first. When I do, however, I will do my best to post the results here.
I think, perhaps, because Asset - and maybe some other small companies - don't have a web-site where you can actually SEE the figures, they don't get the same exposure as the big boys. In fact , this works pretty well for me - as they are not spending a fortune on expensive web-sites - they can keep their prices reasonable. An ordinary foot figure casting from them is often less than £5 - which for good solid model quality - ticks the box marked "purchase now" for me. That's why I have quite a lot of them in my collection - and will be having more - including the Mounties with their cannon!
As to their customer care - First Class. Never any worries about goods arriving in anything other than excellent condition - ever!. And I have been ordering from them for ten years now. Need advice on what colour socks on a Highlander - ask - and either a picture or written description, carefully researched, arrives with the lads!
Their printed catalogue is online, however:
www.assetminiatures.co.uk
- and just go back through this thread if you want to see what one amateur made of some of them. I can't recommend them highly enough, they're just the Biz!
I think, perhaps, because Asset - and maybe some other small companies - don't have a web-site where you can actually SEE the figures, they don't get the same exposure as the big boys. In fact , this works pretty well for me - as they are not spending a fortune on expensive web-sites - they can keep their prices reasonable. An ordinary foot figure casting from them is often less than £5 - which for good solid model quality - ticks the box marked "purchase now" for me. That's why I have quite a lot of them in my collection - and will be having more - including the Mounties with their cannon!
As to their customer care - First Class. Never any worries about goods arriving in anything other than excellent condition - ever!. And I have been ordering from them for ten years now. Need advice on what colour socks on a Highlander - ask - and either a picture or written description, carefully researched, arrives with the lads!
Their printed catalogue is online, however:
www.assetminiatures.co.uk
- and just go back through this thread if you want to see what one amateur made of some of them. I can't recommend them highly enough, they're just the Biz!
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
I was looking at a photo album last evening, when I came across a phot of The Arc de Triomph in Paris. It shows what an effect the forum is having on me - as I immediately thought about my French Imperial Guards!
And this is the resulting picture. Ooops - no pupils in the eyes of the flautist - where's my brush! johnnybach:salute::
And this is the resulting picture. Ooops - no pupils in the eyes of the flautist - where's my brush! johnnybach:salute::
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
The French Imperial Guards are from Prince August moulds - supplied by a friend of mine named John Parslow - who makes these up as castings - and sells them on very cheaply. They do paint up well.
I had a tip-off that John has a few Chess Sets of Richard The Lion Heart & Saladin that he cast - so am awaiting a return e-mail to see if he still had some. If he does, they will probably be a bargain. I'll let you know how I get on. johnnybach:smile2:
I had a tip-off that John has a few Chess Sets of Richard The Lion Heart & Saladin that he cast - so am awaiting a return e-mail to see if he still had some. If he does, they will probably be a bargain. I'll let you know how I get on. johnnybach:smile2:
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Incidentally, if anyone is considering doing a version of this band - they might find these two old pages useful. They are from all that was left of a very tatty book from my local library. The print is by Funcken. I recognised what they were immediately - and sought - and was granted - permission to photocopy them by the librarian - and were very useful for my band.
You may note that they connect together if printed and taped together. jb
You may note that they connect together if printed and taped together. jb
thebritfarmer
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,444
Anne is extremely pleasant to deal and has been so helpful and as soon as I get my info straightened out and decide what I need I will be ordering from them. I also put a proposal to her to get their products on the web with photos.........stay tuned. 
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Marvelous news that Scott - I agree, they couldn't be nicer people to deal with - so I do hope it works out for all concerned. I would just LOVE to see their products on a screen - as I'm sure they would sell very easily then. regards, johnnybach:salute::
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Royal Welch Fusiliers with Mount Snowdon in the background. Colour Party circa 1910 with small fife & drum band behind - and Colonel on his horse - partly hidden by the Colour. (Drat! - done it again!) johnnybach
More Asset soldiers this time - maybe soon to be more visible - awaiting more news from Britfarmer (Scott).:salute:iolch! (thanks)
More Asset soldiers this time - maybe soon to be more visible - awaiting more news from Britfarmer (Scott).:salute:
iolch! (thanks)
Martin Tabony
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2009
- Messages
- 2,077
Royal Welch Fusiliers with Mount Snowdon in the background. Colour Party circa 1910 with small fife & drum band behind - and Colonel on his horse - partly hidden by the Colour. (Drat! - done it again!) johnnybach
More Asset soldiers this time - maybe soon to be more visible - awaiting more news from Britfarmer (Scott).:salute:
Oh it's the C.O.! I thought it was just a very tall Taffy.^&grin:salute::
Martin
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
There aren't any very tall taffs. jb%^V
aujj65
Colonel
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 9,151
Hi Johnny,
I must say you are pumping them out at a fair old rate! ^&cool
Asset make some really nice figures so when I'm at the London show next month I will take more than the usual few photos of the Asset stand.
Keep up the good work. :salute::
Jeff
I must say you are pumping them out at a fair old rate! ^&cool
Asset make some really nice figures so when I'm at the London show next month I will take more than the usual few photos of the Asset stand.
Keep up the good work. :salute::
Jeff
Martin Tabony
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2009
- Messages
- 2,077
Nuff said!^&grin:salute::
Attachments
thebritfarmer
Moderator
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,444
I moved the RHG to the uniform discussion as to not interupt this thread.
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Something a bit different. I thought I would let you share in the exitement of the start of a new project for me - with the arrival of a parcel containing castings - fro Dorset Soldiers. This package contains some 68 figures (and one horse!) which will make up - well - I'll show you as I unpack it!
Various elements packed and labelled as to their contents. Chose to open one marked "Colour Party".
Six figures consisting: Two Ensigns with Colours, three sergeants and one W.O. The arms, weapons, pace stick etcetera are set out in front. I normally do this at this point - to check everything required is there. If not, I can e-mail for extra bits straight away. (I normally advise receipt anyway - as a matter of courtesy).
This picture shows another thing I would normally do with a big group - split it down into elements. Here you see top small box - the Colour Party. Below in the larger box is the Drum & Pipe Band. This contains 8 Pipers, Six side-drummers, 3 Cheese drum side-drummers, Bass Drummer and Drum Major - plus various arms and drums.
The above shows the major element of this group - The Military Band. This element was the main reason for the projest - as I intend making these up wearing the white doublet - which was changed to red after 1873. My whole group will be painted as Gordon Highlanders as they were in 1867. The band is 30 strong - reflecting them as they appeared in Troopers marvelous photo - which began the whole thing for me. You can find this thread at the beginning of the Uniform section of the forum - under Historical Discussion - for those who haven't seen it.
This last "box" contains the Mounted Colonel, two marching Officers, one Sergeant and 9 O.R's - to represent "the Regiment", with rifled muskets with bayonets fixed at the slope. The Officers will carry drawn broadswords except the "special" sword carried by the Colonel. Again, all parts are laid out to check each piece will be correct when assembled and finished.
So, for those of you who have never seen a casting - this is what they look like when they arrive en-masse. I propose to begin with the Colour Party - and then see where it takes me. I think I will start a new thread - and post elements or other interesting "problems/decisions/solutions as I go along. Don't know yet how long it will take - but I won't rush. I like to enjoy every moment. Hope you will enjoy the ride too. If you have any questions - give me a shout. Lastly, my thanks go to the many friends who gave their time and information which allowed me to have a go at this group (You know who you are!) Thanks chaps! johnnybach
Various elements packed and labelled as to their contents. Chose to open one marked "Colour Party".
Six figures consisting: Two Ensigns with Colours, three sergeants and one W.O. The arms, weapons, pace stick etcetera are set out in front. I normally do this at this point - to check everything required is there. If not, I can e-mail for extra bits straight away. (I normally advise receipt anyway - as a matter of courtesy).
This picture shows another thing I would normally do with a big group - split it down into elements. Here you see top small box - the Colour Party. Below in the larger box is the Drum & Pipe Band. This contains 8 Pipers, Six side-drummers, 3 Cheese drum side-drummers, Bass Drummer and Drum Major - plus various arms and drums.
The above shows the major element of this group - The Military Band. This element was the main reason for the projest - as I intend making these up wearing the white doublet - which was changed to red after 1873. My whole group will be painted as Gordon Highlanders as they were in 1867. The band is 30 strong - reflecting them as they appeared in Troopers marvelous photo - which began the whole thing for me. You can find this thread at the beginning of the Uniform section of the forum - under Historical Discussion - for those who haven't seen it.
This last "box" contains the Mounted Colonel, two marching Officers, one Sergeant and 9 O.R's - to represent "the Regiment", with rifled muskets with bayonets fixed at the slope. The Officers will carry drawn broadswords except the "special" sword carried by the Colonel. Again, all parts are laid out to check each piece will be correct when assembled and finished.
So, for those of you who have never seen a casting - this is what they look like when they arrive en-masse. I propose to begin with the Colour Party - and then see where it takes me. I think I will start a new thread - and post elements or other interesting "problems/decisions/solutions as I go along. Don't know yet how long it will take - but I won't rush. I like to enjoy every moment. Hope you will enjoy the ride too. If you have any questions - give me a shout. Lastly, my thanks go to the many friends who gave their time and information which allowed me to have a go at this group (You know who you are!) Thanks chaps! johnnybach
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
For some reason, the last photo hasn't appeared - so I will have another go (it was on the preview:
There now jb
There now jb
Last edited:
theBaron
Major
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2008
- Messages
- 10,338
Hi, Johnny, thanks for posting your latests! I know what you mean about the thrill of opening the package and seeing the castings for the first time.
A question for you--do you add the round underbase, and if so, what do you use for it?
I've sometimes added an bigger base, using a piece of tin or copper sheet. Some castings have very small bases indeed!
Prost!
Brad
A question for you--do you add the round underbase, and if so, what do you use for it?
I've sometimes added an bigger base, using a piece of tin or copper sheet. Some castings have very small bases indeed!
Prost!
Brad
johnnybach
Major General
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
- Messages
- 13,663
Hi Brad - yes it's a great moment - especially as this is the biggest single group yet for me.:smile2:
Okay bases. I started doing this about eight years ago with some castings with incredibly small bases. The Colour Bearer was so unstable (because of the flag weight I think) - it just kept toppling over. I contacted the supplier who said " Yes - your not the only one - I do make a bigger round base you know! All you have to do is ask!!"
B*****r !
So I asked - and he sent me some stamped metal discs - about 1" diameter, which I added to all Colour Party. Result - much better stability for all. So I started to make a standard request for them.
Eventually - the guy went bust!! Drat!! thought I. Then a light bulb went on! Ding!!
1" metal washers - zinc plated with small hole in centre were the same size. By now I liked the look and loved the stability (makes them a bit base heavy too). So I started using these. I fill in the centre with superglue too - to which I add metal filings. Result is perfectly flat base - to which I usually add a paper label with typed message
e.g. Gordon
Highlander
Ensign
c.1867
I then draw a circle round it - just smaller than 1" and cut it out and stick it on - just like Britains used to c.100 years ago. I usually put the base on before painting - good to hold onto whilst painting too - keeps hands off the figure. Also - daughter wanted me to mark them in some way - for e-bay use - when I (eventually) shuffle off this mortal coil - and go to see the head-shed in the sky!
My printable response was - "If I can't take 'em with me - I'm not blankety-blank going!!"
We all had a good laugh - but I took the point!^&grin
So that's the why and the how. I'm filing off all the crud right now - so need a good wash and brush up! See ya! johnnybach:salute::
Okay bases. I started doing this about eight years ago with some castings with incredibly small bases. The Colour Bearer was so unstable (because of the flag weight I think) - it just kept toppling over. I contacted the supplier who said " Yes - your not the only one - I do make a bigger round base you know! All you have to do is ask!!"
B*****r !
So I asked - and he sent me some stamped metal discs - about 1" diameter, which I added to all Colour Party. Result - much better stability for all. So I started to make a standard request for them.
Eventually - the guy went bust!! Drat!! thought I. Then a light bulb went on! Ding!!
1" metal washers - zinc plated with small hole in centre were the same size. By now I liked the look and loved the stability (makes them a bit base heavy too). So I started using these. I fill in the centre with superglue too - to which I add metal filings. Result is perfectly flat base - to which I usually add a paper label with typed message
e.g. Gordon
Highlander
Ensign
c.1867
I then draw a circle round it - just smaller than 1" and cut it out and stick it on - just like Britains used to c.100 years ago. I usually put the base on before painting - good to hold onto whilst painting too - keeps hands off the figure. Also - daughter wanted me to mark them in some way - for e-bay use - when I (eventually) shuffle off this mortal coil - and go to see the head-shed in the sky!
My printable response was - "If I can't take 'em with me - I'm not blankety-blank going!!"
We all had a good laugh - but I took the point!^&grin
So that's the why and the how. I'm filing off all the crud right now - so need a good wash and brush up! See ya! johnnybach:salute::
theBaron
Major
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2008
- Messages
- 10,338
Good solution!
I was labelling mine, too, but haven't in a while. At first, I was painting a description on each one, but that got old pretty quick, especially as I approached the time where I needed an Optivisor. Then I switched to printing paper labels, using Word.
I made a table, and used the smallest font that would fit and still be readable (Times New Roman in 8 points). That worked really well, when I did the first batch, because I used up the whole sheet.
But as I added figures, and only needed one or two new labels, my thrifty PA Dutch sense was offended by the waste of a whole sheet of paper for just one or two postage-stamp-sized labels.
Once I get enough of a batch of unlabeled figures, I'll probably print a new set. I just used white glue to attach them.
Prost!
Brad
I was labelling mine, too, but haven't in a while. At first, I was painting a description on each one, but that got old pretty quick, especially as I approached the time where I needed an Optivisor. Then I switched to printing paper labels, using Word.
I made a table, and used the smallest font that would fit and still be readable (Times New Roman in 8 points). That worked really well, when I did the first batch, because I used up the whole sheet.
But as I added figures, and only needed one or two new labels, my thrifty PA Dutch sense was offended by the waste of a whole sheet of paper for just one or two postage-stamp-sized labels.
Once I get enough of a batch of unlabeled figures, I'll probably print a new set. I just used white glue to attach them.
Prost!
Brad