Naploeonic Flag Bearers (1 Viewer)

[wlm]

Do you know where I can find individual standard (flag) bearers? I have been searching the internet and it is quite difficult to find a flag bearer in metal form.

I could not find any for Perry or Front Rank. Victrix does have them, but only if you buy the large kit.

Also how does one apply the colors for the flags? I see Victrix has stickers. Is that how the Napoleonic battle flags are created and mounted to the flags? Are they mounted to metal, or are they simply wrapped around a pole and stuck together?

I have seen some figures where one can insert the flag poles but they do not come with accompanying poles. Where does one get these?

Some of the few flag bearers I have seen (they are not individual and not for sale) have flags that are flying (rumpled). How does one apply stickers to these (carefully is the best answer I suppose)?

It seems like it would be real hard to paint some of the flags of the war especially French regimental, but also other nationalities.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.
WLM

 

[Grognard]

Hi WLM, please see:

http://www.hachette-collections.com...leon/votre-numero-1/vos-prochains-numeros.htm

http://www.hachette-collections.com...on/votre-numero-1/decouvrir-la-collection.htm

The Editions Hachette in France are producing a French Napoleonic Flag bearers collection. I already saw some of these on Ebay too...

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/SOLDAT-DE-PL...titsSoldats_PetitsSoldats&hash=item338e7f04bc

 

[marco55]

Do you know where I can find individual standard (flag) bearers? I have been searching the internet and it is quite difficult to find a flag bearer in metal form.

I could not find any for Perry or Front Rank. Victrix does have them, but only if you buy the large kit.

Also how does one apply the colors for the flags? I see Victrix has stickers. Is that how the Napoleonic battle flags are created and mounted to the flags? Are they mounted to metal, or are they simply wrapped around a pole and stuck together?

I have seen some figures where one can insert the flag poles but they do not come with accompanying poles. Where does one get these?

Some of the few flag bearers I have seen (they are not individual and not for sale) have flags that are flying (rumpled). How does one apply stickers to these (carefully is the best answer I suppose)?

It seems like it would be real hard to paint some of the flags of the war especially French regimental, but also other nationalities.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.
WLM

He in the states you can get just about any flag in any scale from the Flag Dude. www.flagdude.com
Mark

 

[Obee]

Hi WLM, please see:

http://www.hachette-collections.com...leon/votre-numero-1/vos-prochains-numeros.htm

http://www.hachette-collections.com...on/votre-numero-1/decouvrir-la-collection.htm

The Editions Hachette in France are producing a French Napoleonic Flag bearers collection. I already saw some of these on Ebay too...

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/SOLDAT-DE-PL...titsSoldats_PetitsSoldats&hash=item338e7f04bc

WOW .....

I'd like to get some of them...... I've got a lot of the Marshals and generals, so this would a great addition!

John

 

[Grognard]

WOW .....

I'd like to get some of them...... I've got a lot of the Marshals and generals, so this would a great addition!

John

They indeed look nice and are not too expensive (as long you can get them shipped to your place). There is a little video on the Welcome page (Accueil tab):

http://www.hachette-collections.com...s-armees-de-napoleon/votre-numero-1/index.htm

 

[theBaron]

Hi, WLM, I interspersed my answers, after your individual questions...

Do you know where I can find individual standard (flag) bearers? I have been searching the internet and it is quite difficult to find a flag bearer in metal form.

I could not find any for Perry or Front Rank. Victrix does have them, but only if you buy the large kit.

What scale are you looking for? Since you mention Victrix, I suspect you're talking about smaller scales suitable for wargaming. In 54mm-60mm, it's easy to find color bearers in metal, most manufacturers have produced them, appropriate to the subject in their catalogs. Check out First Legion, Frontline, John Jenkins, Tradition, Mignot, among others.

Also how does one apply the colors for the flags? I see Victrix has stickers. Is that how the Napoleonic battle flags are created and mounted to the flags? Are they mounted to metal, or are they simply wrapped around a pole and stuck together?

I have seen some figures where one can insert the flag poles but they do not come with accompanying poles. Where does one get these?

You can use fine wire for the staff. You can get brass rod stock at hobby shops, including shops that cater to model railroad enthusiasts, or online.

Some of the few flag bearers I have seen (they are not individual and not for sale) have flags that are flying (rumpled). How does one apply stickers to these (carefully is the best answer I suppose)?

It seems like it would be real hard to paint some of the flags of the war especially French regimental, but also other nationalities.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.
WLM

If you're interested in painting your own, I recommend giving it a try. Stickers and pre-printed paper flags are for girls, in my opinion. I like to paint my own.

I make my flags by laminating pieces of thin foil, such as foil candy wrappers (eg, wrappers from miniature Reese's peanut butter cups). I fold a suitably sized piece of foil into quarters, trimming if necessary, then I open the folded piece up again. I use CA glue (cyanoacrylate, aka super glue) to laminate the layers, folding the foil back up and then folding it around a piece of brass rod for the staff. As the glue is setting, I'll add folds to make it look more natural.

I also use lead foil that is slightly thicker than candy wrappers, collected from wine bottles, even from my dentist (the lead packets used to package X-ray blanks). With lead foil, I simply wrap one end around the rod and secure it with CA glue.

Then I prime and paint as on any other part of a figure. Have a look in my gallery of Frederick the Great's army; I have a couple of color bearers there, with flags made with this technique.

You can also use sculpting putties, to make the flag. Some painters of connoisseur figures use this method. You just prepare the putty according to any instructions, roll it thin, and wrap it around the rod stock you're using for the staff. Most putties take a while to cure, so you can add folds easily, before it sets up.

I like painting flags. It's a fun exercise, and it's also fun to tackle complex designs, to see if I can do it.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi WLM. As you're USA based - check out the following web-site:

http://www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com/Napoleonic.html

Here, you will find many troops - with Eagle Bearers - which usually have one guy holding a pole with an eagle on top of it (no flag attached). It was usual to detach the flag in battles - but easy enough to make one and attach it - if you want.

If you ask the owner (Ken) for a few of these figures, I'm sure he might help you out and sell you some. You can even buy finials and eagles from this source - to make your own from wire, or thin Brass Rod from hobby shops. Heavy duty paper-clips are a favourite too for poles - which just need straightening out and cutting to size.

To make the Flag - as Brad suggests - you can use a variety of materials. Lead foil is okay - but I have recently started making these from a Soda Can, after seeing another member here make one (Fishead). These cans are made from aluminium - and are thin enough to cut with scissors or a craft knife. Cut to the size you want - that will fit the pole - and just wrap the end carefully around the pole and secure with C A Glue. You can put in folds to the flag using finger pressure. Then prime and paint as normal - which is the fun bit.

You can always download pictures of flag detail from the internet - and play around with the "paint" facility on Word - to get the illustration down to the right size - and then print them off - to be carefully cut out and stuck to your metal flag - but it's more fun, and a challenge, to paint by hand. Should you choose the easy route though, and you're after Glossies - just overpaint with varnish afterwards.

Almost any figure can be used to create a Flag Bearer - as most figures come minus the arms. Suppliers such as Dorset Soldiers (in the UK) can sell you appropriate arms for a Colour Bearer - which have an arm to attach to the figure which is made to hold a Flag-pole. They also sell ready-made flags - with or without flag-poles ( so you can drill and attach your own pole - should you prefer). You can also, often find specific figures made up as a Colour Bearer for specific Regiments. If not, you then need to make a "Baldrick" ( which is the belt to go over the shoulder - with a cup attached to take the base of the flag), and put it on a plain figure. Make this with some putty ( e.g Milliput) - or even more lead-foil cut to size and stuck on - then painted afterwards. Here's the link:

http://www.dorsetsoldiers.com/catalogue.php?id=napoleonic&cat=menu12


All you need - are some of these materials - and a small helping of courage to "have a go". That's how most of us got started down this road - and after a few - it starts to get much easier than you first thought.

Hope that helps a bit - johnnybach.

 

[theBaron]

Great advice, John! Soda can aluminum is a good source for other scratchbuilding needs, too, like making fuselage panels for an airplane model.

I wanted to add, John and I work primarily in 54mm, but our tips would work in smaller scales, too, if that's what you're working in. Just everything is a little smaller.

Prost!
Brad