French line troops (1 Viewer)

[fishead19690]

Here are some castings from ATKM that I picked up and painted, they are french line fusiliers even though he he had a couple of grenadiers thrown in the set, I painted them all up as line fusiliers. The fusiliers should only have one cross strap and no shoulder eppulates (the fringe on the shoulders). They are nice figures for the price and painted up well. I bought more of them to paint up and also bought some extra heads to mix with Hat plastics for conversions, they mix very well with Hat figures size wise!
I made the flag cover out of 2 part putty and a piece of twisted wire.

 

[fishead19690]

I have another set on the table getting ready for paint. I also have some Hat in greatcoats I,m converting into line fusiliers with the ATKM heads.

 

[johnnybach]

Nice work with straight ATKM and conversions. I note also, that you use metal washers to both enlarge bases - and give the (mostly) plastic figures a bit more weight at the base. Nice trick that - as it gives a light figure far more stability. I sometimes do that for all metal figures too - when they come with a very small base - or my conversions alter the original balance of the piece too much.

I'm getting more and more impressed with Ken's figures through watching what you are doing with them. Also agree with what you get for very reasonable prices. Well done - nice jobs. jb

 

[fishead19690]

Nice work with straight ATKM and conversions. I note also, that you use metal washers to both enlarge bases - and give the (mostly) plastic figures a bit more weight at the base. Nice trick that - as it gives a light figure far more stability. I sometimes do that for all metal figures too - when they come with a very small base - or my conversions alter the original balance of the piece too much.

I'm getting more and more impressed with Ken's figures through watching what you are doing with them. Also agree with what you get for very reasonable prices. Well done - nice jobs. jb

Thanks Johnny! I put metal washers on just about all my plastics and castings now, Like you said they stand much better and I like the feel much better on the plastic figures, that weight on the bottom of a light figure and they never tip over which also works great for the way that I store them. I have small plastic tubs that I store my painted plastic figures in and I just stand them all up in it and it seams to help out on paint loss because there not all just thrown in there rubbing against each other. The bases keep the figures from rubbing against each other.
I can get all the washers I want for free from work also from the electricians, They have tons of them and if I can,t find them all over the floor I just ask and they give me what I need. I like the ones the electricians use because the hole in the center is smaller but in a pinch I can always use the 3/8 washers that we use, but like I said I have no problem getting all I need of the smaller ones.

Flag bearers and kneeling guys need larger washers and a few figures with wider stances also. I,ll sometimes cut the base the figure comes on with scissors to make it fit on the washer style I have the most of or even cut the figure from the base all together and cover the washer with 2 part putty and sink him into it. Whatever works, washers are the way to go!^&cool

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks Johnny! I put metal washers on just about all my plastics and castings now, Like you said they stand much better and I like the feel much better on the plastic figures, that weight on the bottom of a light figure and they never tip over which also works great for the way that I store them. I have small plastic tubs that I store my painted plastic figures in and I just stand them all up in it and it seams to help out on paint loss because there not all just thrown in there rubbing against each other. The bases keep the figures from rubbing against each other.
I can get all the washers I want for free from work also from the electricians, They have tons of them and if I can,t find them all over the floor I just ask and they give me what I need. I like the ones the electricians use because the hole in the center is smaller but in a pinch I can always use the 3/8 washers that we use, but like I said I have no problem getting all I need of the smaller ones.

Flag bearers and kneeling guys need larger washers and a few figures with wider stances also. I,ll sometimes cut the base the figure comes on with scissors to make it fit on the washer style I have the most of or even cut the figure from the base all together and cover the washer with 2 part putty and sink him into it. Whatever works, washers are the way to go!^&cool

Washers are very handy too, for Bass Drummers, or other larger musical instruments like Bombardons or Tubas (especially in metal) - as the drum on the front of the figure makes it forward-heavy, and the others can also become unstable with small bases. I save my metal filings - and after gluing my figure to the base - drop in some super-glue and a pinch of filings into the washer-hole. Once the mix is set, this can be filed flat. Adds a bit more weight to the base - and helps the figure fix permanently to the new base. jb

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Great coversions and a fantastic paint job. Usually I am not at all "thrilled" by Napoleonics I must admitt but your coversions and fantastic painting make me think twice - Great job
Thanks for shareing
regards
Wolfgang

 

[Warrior]

Terrific paint jobs on those figures Tim, you did a great job on them for sure.

Ken makes a nice figure, his Napoleonics are well sculpted.

 

[whdamon]

Impressive painting. These look great
Walt Damon

 

[fishead19690]

Thanks for the kind reply guys! George were you not selling these for awhile for Ken already painted up awhile back? I believe I saw a few of them at your table at your last show. I hope he does more Napoleonic castings in the future??? Some of his casting are a bit goffy looking,Cartoonish. I don,t like the British castings but the french ones are nice and a great value!^&cool Lets hope he does more and the sculpting keeps improving like it has been!

 

[TomB]

Here are some castings from ATKM that I picked up and painted, they are french line fusiliers even though he he had a couple of grenadiers thrown in the set, I painted them all up as line fusiliers. The fusiliers should only have one cross strap and no shoulder eppulates (the fringe on the shoulders). They are nice figures for the price and painted up well. I bought more of them to paint up and also bought some extra heads to mix with Hat plastics for conversions, they mix very well with Hat figures size wise!
I made the flag cover out of 2 part putty and a piece of twisted wire.

Great painting...amazing how much a difference a good paint job does to the plastic figures...I reckon the twisted wire for the flag is a classic...regards TomB

 

[mikemiller1955]

Tim...your painting skills have really improved...these are nice!

 

[Mike57]

Excellent painting Tim, I see from your pictures that it looks as though you paint on mass, factory styley, I have tried this to speed up my production, but find it doesn't suit so I do about three at a time. I have yet to buy any of the HAT plastics, but looking at yours I think I should seek some out. Again great job.
Mike

 

[fishead19690]

Excellent painting Tim, I see from your pictures that it looks as though you paint on mass, factory styley, I have tried this to speed up my production, but find it doesn't suit so I do about three at a time. I have yet to buy any of the HAT plastics, but looking at yours I think I should seek some out. Again great job.
Mike

Yes I paint in mass but it has its good sides and bad sides. It speeds up the painting as far as painting all the black parts then say bases, faces, eyes ect.. ect.. The draw back is that I get bored and move onto another project and have piles of half painted figures and I tend to miss stuff on the figures with this method but the other up side is coming back to the figures that have been sitting around and having most of the work done already getting them finished when my interest is sparked in them again is a lot faster. Just as long as I remember to get back to them that is???:rolleyes2:
I still have half painted piles of figures from 7-8 years ago!:rolleyes2:

Yes the Hat figures are great, at least the latter ones when they switched over to the better sculptor. I have seen your work here and its looks incredible! I try and paint in mass as you can tell from the photos so it gets tough at times not to miss a few details here and there but I try and give each figure a quick look over to make sure I didn,t miss anything and then I see them blown up on the computer real big and then you notice all your mistakes, that has really help my painting and now I give them a better look over with a magnifier now.
Thanks again for the kind words, now I have to try and get my figures to look as good as yours!

 

[fishead19690]

Tim...your painting skills have really improved...these are nice!

Thanks Mike! I guess you have been around long enough to remember how bad my painting use to be?:rolleyes2::tongue:

 

[fishead19690]

Great painting...amazing how much a difference a good paint job does to the plastic figures...I reckon the twisted wire for the flag is a classic...regards TomB

Thanks Tom! The campaign Flag cover was made out of 2 part putty, the twisted wire is toward the bottom of the putty flag cover and painted red and is hard to see in the photos because I have it tied off to the back of the flag. I,m thinking you thought the flag cover itself was made from twisted wire????
I have used the twisted wire trick many times for making rope twine, it comes in handy on napoleonic figures because they used twine that looked very similar twisted wire to carry there water bottles and other stuff.

Its real easy to make also, just get some fine wire and twist 2 or 3 strands together in a chordless drill.^&cool

 

[Warrior]

George were you not selling these for awhile for Ken already painted up awhile back? I believe I saw a few of them at your table at your last show.

Nick from Crown Miniatures has/had a bunch of painted French, I have the War of 1812 figures.

IMO, he made the better choice, I like the French a lot.............

 

[Fubar]

Beautiful paint work Tim. I seem to have reached a peak a few years back, now declining. It's patience thing , I don't have as much as I used to!
What do you know about Victrix 54mm Plastic French Flank company sets? I haven't seen them in person but I did a number of 28mm . I love multi part / pose plastics.
I think I will do a Waterloo display again next June so of course I need MORE figures! Some Victrix and ATKM Heavy Cavalry are on the list. Your troopers are gorgeous.
FubAr

PS, 28mm Russian VS French and Allies next weekend. OVERLOAD. 1200 infantry , 200 Heavy cavalry another 96 Light cavalry and 48 guns and crews. That's just the Russians. Probably more of a set it all out play a few turns and just BS as we enjoy the miniature spectacle.

 

[fishead19690]

Beautiful paint work Tim. I seem to have reached a peak a few years back, now declining. It's patience thing , I don't have as much as I used to!
What do you know about Victrix 54mm Plastic French Flank company sets? I haven't seen them in person but I did a number of 28mm . I love multi part / pose plastics.
I think I will do a Waterloo display again next June so of course I need MORE figures! Some Victrix and ATKM Heavy Cavalry are on the list. Your troopers are gorgeous.
FubAr

PS, 28mm Russian VS French and Allies next weekend. OVERLOAD. 1200 infantry , 200 Heavy cavalry another 96 Light cavalry and 48 guns and crews. That's just the Russians. Probably more of a set it all out play a few turns and just BS as we enjoy the miniature spectacle.

Scott, that sounds like a great time, I wish I could join in! Don,t forget to take out the camera! Those Victrix sets are nice too bad only a few of the sets are available in 1/32 scale. I have the 2 french sets of voltigiers and grenadiers that they released in 1/32 and also the British set but I only painted up a few of the french. I still have a bunch to build up and convert but I have not had a chance to get around to them.

I noticed that they have a french artillery set in the works for 1/32 also. I,ll have to pick up a few sets of those guys! I have been tempted a few times to buy a few sets of those nice looking 1/28 sets but I can,t afford to get into another scale but its still tempting with all that is available in that scale. I,m looking forward to seeing what you have done in this scale! Don,t forget to break out the camera!!!

Here are a few pics of some of the Victrix figures that I have painted up so far, pretty much just a few Voltigiers right now but I have more French and Brits already built sitting waiting for there turn on the paint table and even more waiting to be built, but I don,t have to tell you how hard it is to get the time and inspiration to get them painted up!

 

[Fubar]

Great collection Tim. I'll try a box. I sold off my KC Infantry. Some of the 1st Napoleonic troops I bought MANY years ago. I got them from George back when they were $18.00 a fig.
Still have the Empress Dragoons, Scot's Grey's and Cuirassier. I still have a box FULL of HAT plastics, conversions, assorted metal kits, Helmet kits ect. I'm down to just wanting to paint guys in Greatcoats!
Keep up the great work on those troops!
FubAr

 

[fishead19690]

I got some paint on some of those plastic conversions and still have a bunch more still sitting half painted. Here are some pics of some of the plastic conversions painted up.