Helmet Soldiers (1 Viewer)

[DavidHigson]

Has anyone had experience, good or bad, with these figures? They've been around for a long while, going through three owners but still producing kit form Napoleonic and Crimean figures.

If you have built them or used them in conversions, perhaps you could submit a photo here for our encouragement.

Thanks
David

 

[Fubar]

 

[9thHussar]

Hi David

they are great kits with loads of potential and have a large range of spare parts so you can convert other makes of figures too

Read Eric Kemps blog link off the main Helmet website for ideas.

You must be patient building up the parts - the end result is a proper scale 1/32nd figure - where else can you create a plastic 1/32nd Russian Napoleonic Cuirassier or Dragoon.

lots of ideas to be had

regards
9thHussar

 

[DavidHigson]

Hi David

they are great kits with loads of potential and have a large range of spare parts so you can convert other makes of figures too

Read Eric Kemps blog link off the main Helmet website for ideas.

You must be patient building up the parts - the end result is a proper scale 1/32nd figure - where else can you create a plastic 1/32nd Russian Napoleonic Cuirassier or Dragoon.

lots of ideas to be had

regards
9thHussar

Thanks for the reply,

I'm new on here and I've been swamped by the sheer number of posts covering all kinds of ready made and ready painted figures. Your pictures are an inspiration to figure builders everywhere. I've been following Eric's blog for a while, which encouraged me to pick up some of his stuff. After surfing across the web, I've seen very few pages with Helmet stuff on it (that didn't belong to Eric.) I used to build the figures back in the 1970's but assumed that they'd closed production like so many others. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Eric was still flying the flag.

I'm building a Mounted British Light Infantry field officer of the Peninsula era at the moment but picked up sufficient parts to attempt an additional figure. This time, a conversion to a Bengal Lancer officer of the early 1900's. I'll maybe post pictures on here when they're finished.

Dave

 

[9thHussar]

Hi Dave, post your photos on here when done,

I have many of the kits to construct/paint over time, but keep getting distracted with other figures. The thing I do discard is the old Britains horses as they are a little underscale - I usually flog them on ebay for Britains collectors and use larger horses such as Britains Deetail, Arfix, Italeri etc...

The Helmet kits have so much variety at a reasonable cost. Great nostalgia too.

Dave
9thHussar

 

[9thHussar]

hi David,
my current Helmet soldiers in production work in progress are a Prussian 1st Lancer 1815 Waterloo period , a French Horse Grenadier 1815 and 2 x French 1st Line Lancers all mounted on other makes of horses and full of action.

More hobbyists should try these kits as they are very unique and are a timeless model figure with character and much potential. They must be popular kits having been in production since 1969 but maybe not heard of by many modellers/collectors whom are unaware of their existence.

Regards
9th

 

[DavidHigson]

hi David,
my current Helmet soldiers in production work in progress are a Prussian 1st Lancer 1815 Waterloo period , a French Horse Grenadier 1815 and 2 x French 1st Line Lancers all mounted on other makes of horses and full of action.

More hobbyists should try these kits as they are very unique and are a timeless model figure with character and much potential. They must be popular kits having been in production since 1969 but maybe not heard of by many modellers/collectors whom are unaware of their existence.

Regards
9th

I quite agree. I'm having great fun constructing the Light Infantry Officer - I'll post pics when I've finished. I know what you mean about the smaller horses. I found a 17th Lancer that I'd completed year's ago and discovered even then I'd swapped the horse for something bigger. The standing horse that comes with this kit doesn't seem too bad for height and sits well with the seated figure.

I'm looking forward to starting the Bengal Lancer but I've been distracted by the preparations for Christmas and the knowledge that I'm getting a couple of the AIP Camel Corps sets for my birthday in January. I do think that the Helmet guys deserve wider publicity. I believe that Eric has plans to widen the range but he can't really do it if folk don't buy them. The range of spares is pretty good too. I certainly intend to pick up more of them next year. The only trouble is time.

David

 

[9thHussar]

Hi Fubar,

noticed that you used Italeri and Imex horses for the Russian cavalry. How did you cut down the moulded saddlery on these horses? I know that they are quite thickly moulded areas and you have to be very careful cutting with a craft knife a bit at a time steadily. When I cut off the bulk of the saddlery I then used sandpaper/emery cloth to smooth the area down before a paint job and then glued on the Helmet Soldiers shabraque whch does cover up any rough blemishes on show. How did you go on with your process? - awaiting guidance/ideas if you would be kind enough to advise.

Best Regards
9th

 

[Anth]

I have had good experiances with Helmet. They get the order right are true 1/32 glue well,fill in gaps. Now I want them to do a few bi-corn hats. Maybe a good time to start on the 7 year war!!!

 

[9thHussar]

Re: Helmet Soldiers EASY CONVERSIONS AIRFIX IMPERIAL GUARD

Hi

for quick n easy conversions I have made head swaps on the Airfix 1/32nd French Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard 1815.

I cut away the Grenadier head/bearskin, then pinned on the Helmet spares French Horse Grenadier head/bearskin which has no front brass plate as used by the foot Grenadiers.

I removed the grenade badge from the rear patch on the bearskin and filled the area over the patch. I also cut off the chin straps/scales. Lastly I cut off the oblong button patch on the soldiers cuffs.

The end result is a French Chasseur of the Imperial Guard 1807-1815. I have done x 3 so far with more to follow - just awaiting more heads from Eric at Helmet. Then they need painting up. The Chasseurs uniform differed having pointed cuffs and 2 tassles at the top front of the bearskin which can be painted on.

Will post photos on here when done.

9thHussar

 

[Fubar]

Hi Fubar,

noticed that you used Italeri and Imex horses for the Russian cavalry. How did you cut down the moulded saddlery on these horses? I know that they are quite thickly moulded areas and you have to be very careful cutting with a craft knife a bit at a time steadily. When I cut off the bulk of the saddlery I then used sandpaper/emery cloth to smooth the area down before a paint job and then glued on the Helmet Soldiers shabraque whch does cover up any rough blemishes on show. How did you go on with your process? - awaiting guidance/ideas if you would be kind enough to advise.

Best Regards
9th

I cheated. I used a dremel tool and a steel grinding bit. Chews thru very quickly and no worries slicing any digits off with a scalpel. Cleaned up like you say, a little sand paper, then glued on the Shabraques supplied by Helmet. Some are Timpo reissue for the Hussars.I did a dozen French Lancers too.Used the Helmet troopers on Italeri French Hussar horses.
Have 8 Timpo Chassuer A Cheval on the same Italeri mounts, but haven't painted them for the last 5 years or more.Same goes for a dozen or more Russian Cuirassier.All collecting dust.
Somewhere I have pix of the Helmet Brunswick Hussars I did.I'll have to find them.
Fub

 

[9thHussar]

hi Fubar

ok - figures gathering dust is a problem that I have - I must get them finished in 2012

thanks for the info

regards
9th

 

[Ragnar]

It makes me smile when i here other guys have primed up figs collecting dust ^&grin....good to know im not the only one!