Repairing a Del Prado knight (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

I had bought this piece in London. On careful scrutiny, I noted that it came without a shield and the reins looked bad.

So I am adding a spare shield and will redo the reins. It represents The Sire de Montfort (Simon de Montfort).

 

[johnnybach]

I had bought this piece in London. On careful scrutiny, I noted that it came without a shield and the reins looked bad.

So I am adding a spare shield and will redo the reins. It represents The Sire de Montfort (Simon de Montfort).

View attachment 228935

That's a really nice casting Vic. Never thought of using those - as I have never really looked at them before. I'll look forward to seeing progress on him. jb

 

[blaster]

Hi JB,

I only found out about these figures recently. Made in China and issued as subscriptions, they are diecast and very tough to cut up (modify). The painting is basic with decals and the sculpting is variable. The two knight figures that I bought have funny bits and reins. One is made of sculpted resin and the other is of string glued in place. I am removing both types of reins and will replace the bits and reins with metal strips.

The Simon Montfort figure with replacement shield glued and painted red.


Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

My first attempt at painting on the shield a white lion rampant dexter on red background with white bordure....

 

[blaster]

The more I think about it, the decals are not satisfactory. They don't look authentic, more like a modern representation of a charge that should be more simplified. I looked on the internet and early drawings show crudely drawn charges, distorted or elongated to fit the field.

As these figures were made in HK, I think that perhaps, their knowledge of a typical heraldric charge from, say, lowenbrau beer, would be suitable.

Given the above, I probably would paint over these decals.

 

[blaster]

Well, I got the seal of approval from the chief herald... I won't want to be excluded from the rolls....

So here are two pics of the type of charges I would like to use. By repainting all the charges, I can create the same artistic look for the shield, surcoat and horse trappings. Anyway, the del Prado figure as it is, is not that well painted.

 

[johnnybach]

Well, I got the seal of approval from the chief herald... I won't want to be excluded from the rolls....

So here are two pics of the type of charges I would like to use. By repainting all the charges, I can create the same artistic look for the shield, surcoat and horse trappings. Anyway, the del Prado figure as it is, is not that well painted.

View attachment 230178
View attachment 230179

I too, don't like transfers Vic. Heraldic devices were made to fit the available space for them. As you show here, there are usually sufficient Medieval illustrations, often reproduced online ( Such as Rolls) - or stained glass windows, carvings on tombs etcetera, which show examples of how the originals looked.

Your smaller one above - shows Simon de Montfort - without caparison to his horse - but an Internet search for him - will show several other ones. As an example, here's a link to one such: jb

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detai...fort-during-the-battle-of-picture-id142085364

 

[blaster]

Hi JB,

I can understand why a commercial producer would rely on decals for heraldry.

Even figure modellers use decal transfers. They even have eye decals for large scale busts.

It's done. I can sleep knights now.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I've taken the first tentative steps to painting the charges. Note the crouching rear lion which will be rectified later.

 

[blaster]

Drafted the rest of the charges on the other side and on the front of the surcoat.

 

[blaster]

Altered some of the charges. The shield charge shows some early refinements. I also resculpted the quilted horsehead covering.

 

[blaster]

I continue to adjust the position and outline of the charges. Fore, aft, stern, starboard and top views (knautical terms?) were taken to aid in making these adjustments. The front two charges were further elongated to fit onto the horse neck area.

I dug out my books on heraldry to read a bit more. The early drawings were greatly simplified, but their claws and tongues could be coloured azure (blue) if on a red field. The lion usually has a bifurcate tail. Some photos show these charges as having been sewn onto the field. These are interesting details which I hope to represent in this model. On careful examination, the helmet has been epoxied to the right hand.

 

[blaster]

I made a start of applying putty over the outline of the charges.

 

[blaster]

Continuing to apply putty over the charges.

 

[blaster]

almost done. I apply the putty in small amounts. This gives me time to shape the outlines.

 

[blaster]

The charges were painted white.

Even at this stage, I prefer the enlarged charges to the decals.

 

[blaster]

I gave all the charges a wash in dark brown and outlined them.

 

[blaster]

I rolled out some putty and resculpted the horse's head quilted cover, making it thicker and started to paint the shield.

 

[blaster]

I noticed that the helmet was smaller than the top of the knight's coifed head. I removed the helmet (glued to the figure) and added putty to the back of the helm to broadened the rim.

The figure is actually cast in tin/lead, and not diecast which I had thought.

 

[blaster]

Now that I realized that the helmet can be removed, I looked back at one of the images and it shows Simon de Montfort with a pennant on a lance (spears?). The pennant is red/white with a zigzag divide. I am thinking of adding in his right hand this pennant. What do you all think?

This figure is more than a repair - it is a conversion.