johnnybach's Scots Greys (1 Viewer)

johnnybach

johnnybach

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Joined
Nov 24, 2010
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13,663
RoyalScotsGreys.jpg


Hi everyone. As a newcomer to the forum, I have been asked by a few people to show some of my work. After just getting to grips with the camera/photobucket stuff (thanks everyone!), I thought I would show you something I have been working on - My Scots Greys Band. This was inspired by Britains sets 1270/1271 (Seven and twelve figures respectively).

The castings for my band were supplied by Dorset Soldiers. The horse/body are in fact re-casts of the main figure of the Britains set which were first made in 1939. Of interest is that in addition to the usual Britain's marks under the horse body, is the word "depose", which I believe indicates that the casting from which the mould was made came from Britain's Paris Office - though the moulds came back to the UK when that office closed. The non-standard instruments/arms also came from Dorset Soldiers' range - at my request.

The original instruments for both of Britain's sets (above) comprised:
Kettledrums; Cymbals; Tuba; Clarinet; Bassoon; Trombone and Trumpet.
I deleted the Cymbals (frightens the horses) and added:
Tenor Horn; Euphonium; Flute; French Horn; and Two Bombardons('cos they're my favourites!). I am currently working on a saxophonist to complete my band.

I am hoping to re-create not only an old favourite I could never afford when I was a small boy - but with the addition of the extra instruments, a set that Britains never actually made.

I may add that this set shows the style of toy soldier that I like. The emphasis for me, is on the "toy" rather than the military model. I like to touch my shiny new toy soldiers - but would be afraid to do this with some of the admittedly superb models produced by many other makers. So - I hope you like the look of them - though if they are not exactly your "cup of tea" that okay too. Have a happy Xmas - hope Santa is kind to you - johnnybach.
 
Hi Mike - Glad you like 'em. I gave them a very solid base - as (I Hate to admit it) I am getting a bit clumsy! As these only stand on three legs, I was forever knocking them over whilst I was painting them. So......... I gave them each a very solid base. I also forgot to add that the six figures at the rear are from Dorset's "Britains Re-visited" range - which actually kicked off the whole "band" idea of mine in the first place. Okay to doing some close-ups too, later.
 
Very cool johnny!!!

I like these alot. I have a solid cast 9th Lancers band that Britains did in 2000.
 
johnnybach said:
RoyalScotsGreys.jpg


I am hoping to re-create not only an old favourite I could never afford when I was a small boy - but with the addition of the extra instruments, a set that Britains never actually made.

I may add that this set shows the style of toy soldier that I like. The emphasis for me, is on the "toy" rather than the military model. I like to touch my shiny new toy soldiers - but would be afraid to do this with some of the admittedly superb models produced by many other makers. So - I hope you like the look of them - though if they are not exactly your "cup of tea" that okay too. Have a happy Xmas - hope Santa is kind to you - johnnybach.
Click to expand...

Hi, John, you're a man after my own heart! I like detailed figures, but I like to finish them in gloss style, too, to evoke the look of the toy.

Great job on your Greys! Could you show us some more pics of some individuals? I'd like to see some close-ups.

How easily did the kits go together? Did they fit well, or did you have to do any pinning?

Yes, well done! You've got a nice band, and it's great to welcome another painter to our ranks ;)

Prost!
Brad
 
Hi - Brit

Thanks for the comment - your 9th lancers sound good - I also have a 16th Lancers Band - something like the Scots Greys layout above. I will need to take a lot more photos, now that I have 'cracked' the photobucket code!
 
Hi Brad - Thanks for the positives. Yes, I will do some more close ups when the light is better.
The fit between new arms and bodies was a bit tricky. I asked Giles for arms with lugs - into holes in bodies - but as usual when they are not made for each other - some work was required. Superglue to the rescue!! - with the aid of a squidge or two of milliput! - but no pinning required this time as the lugs went deep enough. The heads on the bombardon players were removed and pinned after instrument went on though.
To make sure that no accidents occur later however, I made sure each figure has a VERY stable base. I know some people hate bases on horses - but I think that they just make sense. And lastly - yes - I'll always be a painter because the painting IS my hobby. Thanks for the welcome - johnnybach
 
Hi Craig - sorry about having tp post pics one at a time. I think I'm learning slowly each time I tackle something new. Today was getting pic onto photobucket - then back to forum. My daughter is going to give me a crash course in using the digital camera tomorrow - so I hope to improve. She keeps coming up with technical terms like "focus" and "keep still" - and other stuff like that! She seems to forget that the first camera I used was a box brownie! Still, glad you like the Scots Cavalry too. Best wishes for Xmas - and keep warm! johnnybach
 
Hi Mike. Glad you like them. My daughter who is keen on riding, loaned me a Horsey Magazine with some Greys shown in it. I used these as a guide for my horses. Yes I do use a varnish to seal all at the end. It gives the finish I want - and protects when handling - which is often. I used Humbrol Gloss 35 for these. I have learned from this forum that many are using Johnson's Kleer floor sealer - which works out much cheaper - so will give this a go for a future experiment.

I consider bases to be essential for me, for single cavalry type figures - especially as in this case, when they have three legs. I buy off-cuts of 3mil aluminium from an engineering shop nearby, when I'm in the UK. I got twenty bases from a small sheet that cost me £1.50 - so works out at 7 pence each for each of these! I don't have to worry now about knocking over individual pieces - or the dreaded domino effect! - johnnybach
 
Great work Johnny, I love your dappled greys.

Yes, Giles Brown has a huge range of figures, and I have have painted loads of them in my time. Dorset Soldiers is my main suplied of castings, and if he hasn't got what you wnat, he can even make it for you.

Keep up the good work, and lets see more :)

John
 
Do you know - I never thought I would ever write this.... Hi Obee!

I have been a secret peeker at your web-site for years now - and it is your style that I have been trying to follow, John. So thanks indeed for your kind comments. I also agree with your remarks about Giles Brown at Dorset - who I now count as a friend. My band came about after a discussion with Giles about its feasibility - when I saw his "Britains Re-visited" page in the on-line catalogue - which showed some repro Scots Greys. With Giles, the answer to the question "Can you do me a...." - is invariably "Yes - now what's the question again?"

Thanks again, John, now I know how to post pics - I will show some more
 
johnnybach said:
Thanks again, John, now I know how to post pics - I will show some more
Click to expand...

Looking forward to more wonderful painted troops, so keep them coming, I love to see what other people are doing.

Kind regards,

John
 
johnnybach said:
I consider bases to be essential for me, for single cavalry type figures - especially as in this case, when they have three legs. I buy off-cuts of 3mil aluminium from an engineering shop nearby, when I'm in the UK. I got twenty bases from a small sheet that cost me £1.50 - so works out at 7 pence each for each of these! I don't have to worry now about knocking over individual pieces - or the dreaded domino effect! - johnnybach
Click to expand...

I had a similar thought about the bases, for some Rose (Gammage) cavalry kits that I have. Some of his kits have a thin sheet base, maybe 2mm, and I think cast in the same white metal as the kit, but others, including the ones I have, have the "pedestal" bases that Gammage later used. They're really too chunky to be used in any kind of display (like their counterparts for his foot figures). Your example is a proof of concept for me, I think I'll try some thin sheeting. You're absolutely right--a mounted figure with only 3 feet on the ground will tip more readily, the base can help (sorry, Bernard!).

And please do try Future (Kleer, im Ausland), it does work very well, and is a much cheaper alternative.

Prost!
Brad
 
I guess that I'm just a pragmatist. To make a normal "foot figure" stand up - it usually needs a base - and nobody seems to mind much. But put a good base on a horse - and watch the fur fly! I just don't get it. If a base keeps my little horses safer from any potential harm - then they get one! If others don't want one - then don't!
Simples!! johnnybach
 
johnnybach said:
I consider bases to be essential for me, for single cavalry type figures ..... I don't have to worry now about knocking over individual pieces - or the dreaded domino effect! - johnnybach
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd have to agree with this too. I have some Prince August Moulds and so I cast the base from the mounted figures to use with a multitude of figures. If ots for a foot figure I get 2 or 3 from the base. I have even used that for plastic horses and figures, as it gives some weight to the figure too. Ken Cliff has a similar technique with his All The Kings Men mounted figures,
metal base, plastic horse.

John
 
I have to agree about the base on a horse, as you say most foot figures have bases. If you have a pairing of foot and mounted it also puts them at the correct hight. Can I just make one comment for your future mounted bands, without you thinking I'm being picky! The french horn isn't used by mounted bands, it's a left handed instrument and you need both hands (one inside the bell) so you can't hold reins aswell.

Martin
 
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