Down On the Farm (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

As I mentioned my last Brewery Dray Project - I thought another pic might be of interest. I have been restoring some horses recently too - so thought you might like to see how they are developing.

Below see fro front left; A completed pair of JoHillco small ponies that I painted up for my farm in brown. Next accross is another lying down - in cream undercoat at the moment ( I'm undecided as to a small grey - or maybe Palamino) - and lastly a standing young hunter from Crescent I've begun as a grey.

Centre row from left is a Britains horse feeding - which could become a Native American pony, one day. The two centre Britains Shire Horses - are destined to become another Dray pair of horses - as I recently visited Wadworth's Brewery in Devizes, Wiltshire - and had the honour of meeting Max and Monty ( also Archie - who is their third and a good bit younger horse). I had such a fabulous time - that after a lie-down in a darkened room, I determined to make up yet another dray as a souvenir of my visit. You can see that I have begun making up the tack on one of the horses - which bear an uncanny resemblance to the real pairing - whilst the other is more or less as found ( though I gave both a stand - as both have had leg repairs). Last horse to the right of the pair is by Fylde - and will probably become another "Western" mount, eventually - as I'm always looking for suitable mounts for that part of my collection.

Back row shows two Farm working horses on the left - who are destined to pull my plough - as they are the correct ones for that job. Next along is a JoHillco cart horse - and a very similar Pair from Britains ( note minor differences between them - such as mane on the opposite side).

All of these can now stand up - which was not the case for most, when found. Some will need minor fixes before painting - but that can wait until I know for sure, what they will eventually become. jb

 

[theBaron]

I may have said this before, but one thing that is great to see from your photos, John, and very educational to toy soldier fans, is how good many of the castings were, in the classic hollow-cast era. I think many people don't realize it, when they see an old Britains toy soldier, for example. Under that enamel, there is often a finely- and subtly-sculpted figure, simple, perhaps, but pretty good, especially compared to its solid-cast forerunners from the continent, like Heyde or CBG and Mignot.

Excellent work, and beautiful additions to your farm!

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

I may have said this before, but one thing that is great to see from your photos, John, and very educational to toy soldier fans, is how good many of the castings were, in the classic hollow-cast era. I think many people don't realize it, when they see an old Britains toy soldier, for example. Under that enamel, there is often a finely- and subtly-sculpted figure, simple, perhaps, but pretty good, especially compared to its solid-cast forerunners from the continent, like Heyde or CBG and Mignot.

Excellent work, and beautiful additions to your farm!

Prost!
Brad

TOTALLY agree Brad - and if bought as "repair jobs" - can often be obtained for a song! Once given a bit of TLC - they are then become "new castings" once again - and then it's simply up to the painter to decide how he/she wants them.

I like 'em glossy - and know you do too Brad - so especially glad you like 'em too. jb:salute::

 

[blaster]

I agree. The stripped down horse castings look very good anatomically and, in represent larger breeds, make a wonderful change from the equally great Historex horses sometimes.

Rgds Victor

 

[farmertony]

Thanks for posting.You are bringing back some fine memories for me.I wish now that I had not allowed my mother to pack all my toys off to a local orphanage when I left home(mid 1960s).

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks for posting.You are bringing back some fine memories for me.I wish now that I had not allowed my mother to pack all my toys off to a local orphanage when I left home(mid 1960s).

Never to late to begin to rebuild again Tony. Most of these were very reasonably priced on e-bay! jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a little sideshow to my Farm.

Now, I have a liking for large working horses - who, in my experience are somewhat gentle giants - but also have personalities of their own. Recently, and as a birthday treat from my eldest daughter, I made a visit to the Wadworth Brewery in Devizes, Wiltshire. During the visit to the brewery, I had the greatest of pleasure to meet Max and Monty - who are two of the most experienced dray horses - who are still delivering beer for Wadworth's to local pubs in the area.

They were two of the nicest giants you would ever care to meet - standing at over 17 hands tall - and weighing in at around one ton apiece! They were having a snack at the time - but still greeted our visiting party with gusto! We visitors joined them for a rather beery lunch shortly afterwards - and I 'm delighted to say - the beer was splendid too.

On our visit - I was very interested in some of the Dray carts that the horses pulled ( stored on site) - and one in particular caught my eye - which had the old solid wheels - and had been restored by Wadworth's - to be used at showgrounds around the Country - pulled of course by my two new chums.

My farm-stock has acquired two Britains Shire Horses ( over time), each of which has required a little TLC along the way - but I really didn't know what to do with. The answer to that question, of course, became simple AFTER my visit to Wadworth's was over - and I had slept ofF my magnificent lunch!!!

I'm gonna make up that Wadworth Dray - being pulled by Monty and Max.

So................in advance of that project - I thought I would check out how they might look - after a few conversions. So here's my next pic., of how one of my Shire' Horses is turning out - with just a few additional pieces of tack attached - and a basic coat of paint. My other horse - has just been cleaned up and restored - and mounted on a newly fabricated stand (base), for comparison. Both horse are very similar - and the Britains version will be an ideal figure for both Monty and Max - as they do look very similar to the real pair. I'll try and find some pics of the real Shire's as I take this project further. jb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Wow you did a nice job of the tack JB. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Britains did make a shire horse in tack but was short lived and I believe was only in the timber cart set.

http://www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/55/2408_l.jpg

 

[johnnybach]

Wow you did a nice job of the tack JB. Looking forward to seeing this develop. Britains did make a shire horse in tack but was short lived and I believe was only in the timber cart set.

http://www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/55/2408_l.jpg

Yes - that Timber Cart set's on my wish list ( at some point in the future) too Scott. Snag is - they aren't always that plentiful - and when they do go, they get expensive.

I suppose I will eventually make up a version of my own - just as I'm doing with the two "Britains Shire Horses (no.506)", now. These are more plentiful - which reflects in the lower asking price. The 506 is a nice "chunky" model, but of course, need a horse collar and all of the other leather tack for a Cart Horse making up from scratch. I'm using Milliput for this - and a couple of pieces of steel paper clip centres for the "horns" at the top of the collar. The horse feet which are such a feature of this figure are already there, cast in - and the resemblance to the real pair is uncanny.

I like to do the work one at a time - to see if it works out first - but am pretty satisfied with it, so far - so will start on the other one soon. I have just got back from Dorset - with some wheels and the front "undercarriage" for the cart - as well as a few barrels - so I guess I'll be off and running with this one pretty soon now. Here's a pic showing Monty & Max which I downloaded from the Wadworth site - with many thanks:



[ Note that this is a "modern, every day delivery cart - and mine will be different - and show the current restored old cart with solid rimmed wheels also used by Wadworth).

I have also had a bit of success with another "find" just yesterday, (NOT really Farm related - but - whatever!) - and can now cross a "Quo Vadis" Chariot Horse OFF my wanted list. Just need the driver now! You can see the newly cast "similar" horse to that of the original JoHillco horse which is much darker in colour - as it dates from the 1950's. I will have to make a few detail changes to make him fit in better - but am really pleased to have found him at Dorset too. You may see that I had begun repairs and painting up some of the the Chariot already - but nowhere near finished yet!

 

[nmrocks]

Nice Chariot JB, look forward to seeing your work on this one, being under the Farm section please tell me he won't be pulling a plow???
Merry Christmas my friend!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

Nice Chariot JB, look forward to seeing your work on this one, being under the Farm section please tell me he won't be pulling a plow???
Merry Christmas my friend!
Ray

Well Ray, I'd just found the nag - and I was so pleased to get him - I just thought that I would show him off - whatever thread I was on. AND, I was talking horses anyway. The only thing those two thoroughbreads will be plowing - is into some massed ranks of the enemy!

Would you believe that the FIRST horse and parts of the Chariot came along with a large box of (mostly) Farm and Zoo animals anyway? It was a very nice surprise - but, of course, broken and incomplete when found. Maybe you can notice that one of the grab handles on the side of my Chariot body - is not quite 'kosher'? That's because it was missing when I got it - and I've re-modeled it with milliput. The draw-bar was also somewhat shortened - so a wire core was inserted - and milliput to the rescue again for the outer part.

I'm still missing the Roman Driver with whip - but have the four Roman Soldiers with shields who usually accompany this somewhat scarce set, which was made by Johillco in the 1950's - and is one of the earliest forms of Movie "merchandising" - as it was sold in Cinemas when the Film "Quo Vadis" was shown.

Here's how it should look (with thanks to Vectis Auctions).



I'll keep looking - but at least I can complete the vehicle for now - to await the driver - whenever he turns up.

Have a good Xmas yourself amigo - and I hope Santa is kind. Hola! jb

 

[johnnybach]

As usual, I seem to have several sub-projects on the go. In between eating and drinking too much though, I've managed to slip in the odd five minutes or so, doing a bit more on my latest Brewer's Dray project. I purchased a few neccessary bits and pieces from Dorset recently - which included the four wheels for the cart - and the basic front undercarriage and draw bar for it - but for the rest of the cart, I prefer to make up the body parts from my stock of sheet alloy. The pics below are fairly self-explanatory - but the bed of the cart and the swivel point for the front wheels have been fabricated and put together using epoxy resin glue. Axles made from brass rod pass through front undercarriage, (partly from Dorset) and the rear was scratchbuilt from more alloy sheet.

The barrels are from Dorset - which dictated some of the cart sizes for me - but my recent visit to the Wadworth Brewery, where I saw some of the restored carts was also most useful - as I took a camera and tape-measure. My cart will be pretty accurate for size - although it won't be quite as pretty as the modern restored cart that Wadworth use for shows - as the modern one has been somewhat modified to be used in a dual role; - Showground use - and can be converted quite quickly to a people-carrier role.

 

[nmrocks]

Well Ray, I'd just found the nag - and I was so pleased to get him - I just thought that I would show him off - whatever thread I was on. AND, I was talking horses anyway. The only thing those two thoroughbreads will be plowing - is into some massed ranks of the enemy!

Would you believe that the FIRST horse and parts of the Chariot came along with a large box of (mostly) Farm and Zoo animals anyway? It was a very nice surprise - but, of course, broken and incomplete when found. Maybe you can notice that one of the grab handles on the side of my Chariot body - is not quite 'kosher'? That's because it was missing when I got it - and I've re-modeled it with milliput. The draw-bar was also somewhat shortened - so a wire core was inserted - and milliput to the rescue again for the outer part.

I'm still missing the Roman Driver with whip - but have the four Roman Soldiers with shields who usually accompany this somewhat scarce set, which was made by Johillco in the 1950's - and is one of the earliest forms of Movie "merchandising" - as it was sold in Cinemas when the Film "Quo Vadis" was shown.

Here's how it should look (with thanks to Vectis Auctions).



I'll keep looking - but at least I can complete the vehicle for now - to await the driver - whenever he turns up.

Have a good Xmas yourself amigo - and I hope Santa is kind. Hola! jb

I look forward to your completing this set, looks like it could be really spectacular! (I've seen your work, it's really good!)
Turner Classic Movie Network played the totally restored version of Ben-Hur Yesterday(including Intermission!) it was spectacular, don't know how many times I've seen it but of course the chariot race is the climax of my top 5 all time movies!
Ray

 

[johnnybach]

I look forward to your completing this set, looks like it could be really spectacular! (I've seen your work, it's really good!)
Turner Classic Movie Network played the totally restored version of Ben-Hur Yesterday(including Intermission!) it was spectacular, don't know how many times I've seen it but of course the chariot race is the climax of my top 5 all time movies!
Ray

Yes - I remember it well too Ray, and have also seen it many times. Here's a clip with one of my favourite scenes - where the Welsh actor, Hugh Griffith ( a not TOO convincing Arab!), introduces his "four children" to us. Priceless scene!

I'll have to get hold of a four-horse Chariot, one of these days. jb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWcaKCU4s2Q

 

[johnnybach]

Back to the Farm.

Here's Farmer G again - and this time he's accompanied by his wife - who has been to the after-Xmas Sales!

[Britains 501 & 502] She came in another Job-lot - and missing her right arm - which came from Dorset Model Soldiers (Spares Department).

No.503 is the same figure - but with an arm holding a brolly - and would you believe - I have another Farmer's wife without an arm ........and another spare part which repels rain - going under the brush right now. See you later with a few more surprises yet. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Another addition to my pig-pen this time - or maybe I should say several additions.................

Momma has recently given birth to a ravenous litter - so doing what a good piggie-mum should do - it's meal-time. Not much for me to do with this Timpo figure dating from c.1950, other than giving it(them) a coat of pain to replace the original, mostly missing paint job.

I've put her with the rest of my porkers, who all seem very interested in greeting the new arrivals.

P.S. In case you're counting - I'm only counting her and the litter as one figure - though I think a charming one.

Happy new Year - jb

 

[johnnybach]

You have seen this guy before - as my extra drayman for my Hancocks Brewery dray - but here you see him at work in his allotment. A Britains figure, he comes with wheelbarrow as no.547. I found my wheelbarrow originally without a wheel and having lost one of its legs ( and most of its paint) in a rummage-through box at a local car-boot sale. A visit to Dorset uncovered a spare re-cast wheel - and a bit of scrap made a new leg for the barrow - and my pair were re-united at long last.

 

[johnnybach]

My next figure to get a repaint - is not really a repair at all, but I spotted him lurking on a Dorset desktop - and realised he was a figure that I have been after for quite a while. He's a Tramp (hobo in USA) originally made by Johillco. Such "down on their luck" men are more a rareity on the roads nowadays, but once were a more common sight moving from place to place - and often finding a few odd jobs amongst the farming communities - where they could pick up a few shillings or perhaps a meal and a roof over their heads for a night or so - in exchange.

So.....he's really a repainted re-cast of a wonderfully sculpted figure - and I'm very happy to give him a permanent home.

 

[Ivanhoe]

My next figure to get a repaint - is not really a repair at all, but I spotted him lurking on a Dorset desktop - and realised he was a figure that I have been after for quite a while. He's a Tramp (hobo in USA) originally made by Johillco. Such "down on their luck" men are more a rareity on the roads nowadays, but once were a more common sight moving from place to place - and often finding a few odd jobs amongst the farming communities - where they could pick up a few shillings or perhaps a meal and a roof over their heads for a night or so - in exchange.

So.....he's really a repainted re-cast of a wonderfully sculpted figure - and I'm very happy to give him a permanent home.

Great figure jb !

The fence goes very well with him.

"Hobos" were very common in USA during the depression. My mother used to tell us of them stopping at the farm, working for a day or two then moving on.

"Tramp" has a very different connotation over here.

Thank you for posting.

 

[johnnybach]

Great figure jb !

The fence goes very well with him.

"Hobos" were very common in USA during the depression. My mother used to tell us of them stopping at the farm, working for a day or two then moving on.

"Tramp" has a very different connotation over here.

Thank you for posting.

Thank you - and yes he is a great figure, I think. He was issued by Johillco both pre- and post-war, so I'm guessing that he may have been originally sculpted around the 20/30's - as the depression had an effect over here too. You don't see the same sort of homeless person "tramping the road" so much anymore (thank goodness), but instead a newer kind of homeless people inhabit urban areas. This guy also reminds me of George Orwell's poor - in his books about down and outs. At least they were looking to work.

My fence is an experiment with one of my favourite modeling materials - coffee stirrers - so if you factor out the cost of a coffee in one of our high-priced chromium emporiums - the raw materials are pretty cheap!

I was aware that our old word for these guys had been hi-jacked, and now means something different on your side of the pond - but I prefer it to vagabond - or vagrant.

Glad you like him too - jb:salute::