Castings I have painted (2 Viewers)

[aujj65]

Below is my version of The 1st Royal Regiment of Foote c.1760. from Dorset Soldiers castings again. At the time I painted these, I didn't have any illustrations and was struggling a bit for details.

I made "educated guesses" on many details - which I now know are not quite correct. BUT my desire to have a band over-rode my caution - and I did it anyway. Incidentally, this was a major reason for me joining the forum - I realised that I couldn't go on in this fashion - I needed help and advice.

Hope you like them - more to follow once my "Studio" has been cleared for "Action". johnnybach

Hi Johnny, these are nice and colourful.

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Next are two pics of my Royal West African Frontier Force, c.1953. These are from castings by Asset once again. (Note that probably my two favourite suppliers are Asset and Dorset).

This group is made up to show the various Regiments which comprised the RWAFF at that time. They are Gold Coast, Nigeria, Sierra Leone & Gambia Regiments plus an Artillery Company. The uniforms are very colurful, whilst the regiments may be distinguished by the differing shoulder patches (difficult to see here) and cummerbund colours. I had a lot of advice from Colin Randall (Asset owner) to get these correct, which was much appreciated. The two sergeants at the rear are more easily identifiable as Artillery Company men - due to their dark blue waistcoats. This is an example of me going for the more authentic look in a toy soldier - than the previous 1st Foote example. Another difference is the more "toy" appearance of the Dorset range - over Assets more detailed castings.

 

[aujj65]

Another Tradition FIW set, this time its the turn of the British. As you may have noticed (or will do by the time I've finished ) I tend to favour Tradition and Fusilier Miniatures.

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Incidentally, you may be interested to note how I go about marking my pieces. This is another benefit of using the larger circular foot of most of my figures. I type out the identifier - as in this case - and then cut the paper label out, slightly smaller than the outer circumference - and glue it to the underside of the base - just like Britains used to do 100 years ago.

Helps you to remember exactly who they are - very quickly. If a label gets tatty - replace it. {Also helps keep the soldiers from scratching the table top and upsetting "La Commandante", when you are playing with them}. Incidentally, another side benefit is accruing my way because I am photographing my collection, bit by bit - I am dusting the shelves as I go! More Brownie points for johnnybach!!

 

[johnnybach]

I like Fusilier jeff. I have only just come across them - thanks to this forum - and bought a WW1 band from them - which I'm just starting. Very impressed - good value for money - and a firm I will be going back to again for more.

Next band I made up is from Asset again. Pakistan Army (1st Punjab) 1953. From Asset's Commonwealth Parade series of the 1953 Coronation.

I really enjoyed this one - very colourful and fun to make. The three guys in BD at the back were add ons - as this series is still developing. They are also one of the few figures I have who are wearing the first uniform I ever wore. Boy, did that tunic itch when it was new!! I also remember "shaving" mine! johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

NAAFI break up - dog is asking me for walkies - will have a go at some French Foreign Legion types from various castings later. Adios amigos - johnnybach.

 

[aujj65]

Asset make some great figures by the look of it.

Whilst on the general topic of the Colonial period I thought I would slip in another Fusilier set, this time an Elephant with Screw Gun. Sorry about the quality but it's an old photo again.

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Why have four donkeys - when you can have one elephant eh? Personally, I prefer the donkeys;

Note that with my version - where I tried to go for a Britains look, I gave the officer a sword, and two of the escorts a musket at the shoulder (c.1890).
These are VERY nice to play with. Made up from Dorset castings.

 

[johnnybach]

Whilst we are on the Dorset theme - here are a couple of pics of my French Foreign Legion Band - somewhere hot, around 1908, so they are wearing lightweight best tunics, white trousers and their trademark kepi with a full neck cover - to guard against the sun.

This band is pure fantasy for me, as it brings back memories of "Segeant luck of the Legion", who I can remember as a childhood hero of mine from some comic - I think it was the Eagle. I made the figure up from a French Infantry band set of castings - modifying the kepi by adding the neck veil - using the thin lead sheeting from a French Armagnac (brandy) bottle, milliput and super-glue.

These may not be totally historically accurate - but great "toy soldier" fun to make. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

These last two pics are some more French Foreign Legion.
The first are the cheap plastics - done as an experiment - but at least shows how the figures in the centre can be painted differently.

These bottom figures are from castings by Tradition of London again. More expensive - but top quality. The rear mounted figures are Billy Pesa on Drum Horse and a Spahi Arab - not strictly a Legion figure - but closely allied - and as Jeff says - you can never have too many camels on the forum. johnnybach

 

[PJDeluhery]

Johnny - you are a very talented painter. Love your work. Also, the FFL! Ya gotta love it. It was my boyhood dream to join the FFL and do all the cool things we saw in the movies. I have a FFL display in my cabinet and it is one of my favorites.

 

[johnnybach]

Hey - PJ

Mine too! I couldn't wait to leave school and join the Legion. Problem arose when I finally did - leave school that is - and didn't have a clue where Marseilles actually was! Where's the bus stop to join????

Then I met someone who was destined to become "La Commandante" and all thoughts of wearing a kepi - or becoming a commando - went up in smoke!

Just as well - the Legionaires you have seen today are at least back in France.
Glad you liked them. johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Hey - PJ - just had a thought - you say you have a display in your cabinet of FFL. Well, I showed you mine - Where are they then!! I love 'em just as much as you! Maybe we should start a new thread, What shall we call it?

How about "Calling all Legionaires in Foreign Lands"

Would that be enough to get everyone with FFL to show us their soldiers.
Now that would be COOL

 

[thebritfarmer]

How about this then laddie!!

Not painted by me though it is from Beau Geste and I won it in a competition.

 

[johnnybach]

Hey - you lucky old dog!!

Now they are beauties. Two questions - are they still in production & do they do them as castings??

Superb - betcha PJ likes 'em too. johnnybach

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hey - you lucky old dog!!

Now they are beauties. Two questions - are they still in production & do they do them as castings??

Superb - betcha PJ likes 'em too. johnnybach

Thanks

They do still make them but unfortunately do not sell castings.

 

[johnnybach]

Ah well - that's how this thread got started. You never know though, they might change their mind if enough of us decide to stop buying - and start PAINTING!

Still a very nice set though. johnnybach

 

[aujj65]

Yes, I know more Tradition! but this time from the model soldiers range but painted in Humbrol gloss. The set entitled The Spoils of War from the Napoleonic range.

Oh happy days.......

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Well - that is an unusual one - and I have never seen that before. Yes, they are quality allright - the only fly in the ointment as far as I can see, is - they are just getting a little on the expensive side - at least, for castings. We haven't discussed cost, or value for money yet - what do you think Jeff? jb

 

[aujj65]

Well - that is an unusual one - and I have never seen that before. Yes, they are quality allright - the only fly in the ointment as far as I can see, is - they are just getting a little on the expensive side - at least, for castings. We haven't discussed cost, or value for money yet - what do you think Jeff? jb

I think they were nearly 8 quid each but it was a commission so I just splashed the paint on. Castings do vary in price quite a bit I've noticed.

Jeff