Stagecoach - The Sequel (2 Viewers)

[GICOP]

I was a bit busy with real life today - so just had a bit of time to do a bit more with the Trumpeter, though splashed a bit more paint around some more horses too.

Still a bit more detail to go before he can be varnished to seal it all in - but progressing. jb

This pic shows that the Trumpeter of the 9th Cav (F Troop) has now joined his Guidon Bearer - and is on escort duty to the Wells Fargo Stagecoach. Looks like it's just as well - as my three completed Injun Braves, are just taking exception to the Stage passing through their Hunting Grounds!

This latest figure (Trumpeter) has been a nice one to work up - as I have had him in my minds eye for quite awhile.

I have three more Indians and four more Buffalo Soldiers to complete yet - with some different weapons - so keep an eye out for more to come yet. jb

These are all looking great together jb :salute::

Love the paint work on the Indian ponies and their blankets {bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Yo Dude! - Having great fun with the paint and brushes on them-thar ponies! Glad you like 'em^&grin

You don't very often get a chance to splash the paint about with European Cavalry - so I'm making the most of this opportunity.

Great fun to do though - and really enjoyable. I don't think this will be the last time I visit this area - they're just great to paint.{sm3} johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

A bit more work completed today on the remaining three Indian braves - and another Buffalo Soldier. These can be seen to the front of the pic - with those completed in the background of the two pics below. By now it will be evident that the Cavalry are far more repetitious than the Indian braves - who are far more individualistic. That doesn't mean they are more boring to do though.

Must say - I'm getting a lot of playtime out of just arranging what I've done so far. Good project this...................johnnybach{sm4}

 

[johnnybach]

More metalwork than painting today - as I made and pinned the last three bases to my six Buffalo Soldiers.

At front left , the Trooper is carrying his carbine in hand. This has been adapted from a Britains replacement arm - originally intended for another figure. The but was too small, so I cut it off and took the one from the now empty scabbard - which was glued and pinnned to the arm. I am also trying a different position for the sabre on the next (Front Centre) figure. You can see the end of the scabbard running from behind his leg. You can often see them carried in this fashion in pictures. The front hilt part will appear below his front bedroll across his saddle when painted up. I will paint up the horse before finally fitting it. You may be able to also see his arm holding a pistol also, with gauntlet made from the metal foil from a milk carton! Must make up some pistol holsters tomorrow. The last two figures will have similar weaponry to these two - but may vary the positions slightly.

Hope to get some more painting completed on these tomorrow - But Heinekin Cup Rugby on TV may slow me down a bit. The good news is - Crdiff Blues beat Edinburgh tonight - to head their pool. Hurrah!^&grin johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

Latest pic of developments below. I have mounted the cavalry sabre for three of the Buffalo Soldiers - as if it is tucked under the left boot - as appears in many pictures of them. I actually cut the sabre in half - and drilled each side of the boot - in order to squeeze it in - to give the impression of it being mounted on the side of the saddle, to hang there. As you may see - all are in various stages of my usual (somewhat haphazard) painting method, though the centre and right side front Trooper are both getting pretty close to completion now. I call it the "Make it up as you go along"^&grin method! jb

 

[GICOP]

Latest pic of developments below. I have mounted the cavalry sabre for three of the Buffalo Soldiers - as if it is tucked under the left boot - as appears in many pictures of them. I actually cut the sabre in half - and drilled each side of the boot - in order to squeeze it in - to give the impression of it being mounted on the side of the saddle, to hang there. As you may see - all are in various stages of my usual (somewhat haphazard) painting method, though the centre and right side front Trooper are both getting pretty close to completion now. I call it the "Make it up as you go along"^&grin method! jb

Looking good jb

Funny but the "Make it up as you go along" method works well for me also

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Gunslinger]

I can't wait to see the finished pieces!!

 

[johnnybach]

Well - howdy Gunslinger - with a handle like that - I can see why!

Well, pardner - Ah'm a mite slow on the draw ( and the brush!) - and have just finished another modification - and felt so pleased - ah took another goldurn pic. Here they are now.

Compare to the standard hanging sabre on the three behind - and I think I prefer the "western" method. (Please forgive my poor photgraphy skills - as my camera doesn't seem to like the twilight hours - and always gives pics like this at this time of day. I think that I need to invest in some better lighting).

I only wanted to show the difference between sabre set-up any-ways-up, and I think the pic does that. Took me a while to figure out how to do it - but therein lies the fun in converting something to get it to look just how you want it (I think) . Glad to see there are a few of us about like that too, Martyn........johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

The front three members of "F" Troop are now completed - whilst the three towards the rear are almost there. I'm just waiting for bits and pieces to dry - so that I can paint the bases and then varnish those last three Buffalo Soldiers.

 

[aujj65]

Johnny, these have turned out very well considering you were making it up as you went along! :wink2::rolleyes2:

A great thread and a nice change from the usual subject topics on the forum.......

Jeff

 

[johnnybach]

Well, thanks Jeff - I suppose they are a bit different - and all triggered off by a chance find of two horses in a Car Boot Sale! - What a surprise that was - and I had no idea where it was going to lead.

I have been - very quietly - just astonished at all of the memories which have risen up inside me , as I have been painting them. That's what I meant by "Making it up as I go along!"

One thing has just led to another, you see.

Finding the horses led to the Stagecoach. - The Stagecach just had to lead on to one of the greatest films that ever was ( in my opinion - of course) ----"Stagecoach"

From there - came their opponents - the Plains Indians.

Also, as I have gone along - I have been learning a little bit more about American History - such as the aptly named "Buffalo Soldiers" of the American West ( named by some of their equally famous opponents - the American Indian Braves). So they just had to be around too.

Fascinating stuff - for a Saturday morning matinee boy from far away South Wales - going to the pictures, some sixty years ago - with all of sixpence stuffed in his pocket! ( threepence to go in - and threepence to spend on high living! - or Crisps, as we knew them then.)

As may be clearly seen from other contributors in this category - as a Toy Soldier man - I may not be the greatest painter in the World - but the subject matter that I choose to portray is highly personal to me - and I just love doing 'em, the way I do 'em!

Memories - with every one completed.

With this little project - John Wayne - the Deadwood Stage - Crazy Horse - even Geronimo - heroes of my Childhood, all - and the rest of them - live on - well, at least in my mind!

Just need to finish off these six US Cavalry - and three more Indian Braves - and then I will be onto my next little project. BUT the memories they have quietly unearthed will stay with me for a long while yet.

I think I've just found out why I like Toy Soldiers so much - They take me back to a time when life was simple, and easy to understand and it was just Fun to be alive.

Hope you like 'em as much as I do...............johnnybach

 

[GICOP]

After following this thread jb, starting tomorrow, I am going to watch the John Ford Cavalry Trilogy :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Ah! - beware Martyn - I have taken a few liberties with "The Script"!{eek3}

"Stagecoach" was set in the year 1880 - my lads are 5 years on - 1885.

The Cavalry which came to the rescue of the coach - were 6th Cavalry - and not my Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th.:redface2:

Also - the "Injuns" in the film - were Apaches - mine are of a more colourful sort!

Note that I don't feel too bad about "moving the goalposts" a bit here - as John Ford himself changed the script of the film around quite a bit from his
original adaptation of the short story "The Stage to Lordsburgh", by Ernest Haycox.{sm2}

So you see - my memories are getting a bit blurred as time moves on - though I am very clear on what I like - and, therefore what I choose to portray - and - I suppose - what I collect.^&grin

Hope you aren't too disappointed jb

PS - I've seen that film about a hundred times by now - so know the script almost by heart now!{sm4}

 

[johnnybach]

My new Buffalo Soldiers are now coming to the rescue of the Wells Fargo Stage - which is being attacked by a group of Indian Braves. I have three of the Indians to finish yet - but this is roughly how they will be displayed on a shelf in my cabinet.

There may even be room for a few more, from time to time in the future. If so - I'll keep you up to speed with any developments........jb

 

[GICOP]

Ah! - beware Martyn - I have taken a few liberties with "The Script"!{eek3}

"Stagecoach" was set in the year 1880 - my lads are 5 years on - 1885.

The Cavalry which came to the rescue of the coach - were 6th Cavalry - and not my Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th.:redface2:

Also - the "Injuns" in the film - were Apaches - mine are of a more colourful sort!

Note that I don't feel too bad about "moving the goalposts" a bit here - as John Ford himself changed the script of the film around quite a bit from his
original adaptation of the short story "The Stage to Lordsburgh", by Ernest Haycox.{sm2}

So you see - my memories are getting a bit blurred as time moves on - though I am very clear on what I like - and, therefore what I choose to portray - and - I suppose - what I collect.^&grin

Hope you aren't too disappointed jb

PS - I've seen that film about a hundred times by now - so know the script almost by heart now!

That's a bit like me and "ZULU" jb {bravo}}

I shall be off line for a few hours after lunch:salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

As this element of my project is now completed - here are F Troop of the US 9th Cavalry about to ride out on patrol.

 

[theBaron]

John, I have missed this thread, and I caught up now. All I can say is...WOW! Outstanding restoration and conversions! I love it! Great SBS, and I love your commentary, too.

Regarding F Troop, it has a special meaning for those of us who grew up in the Sixties and Seventies (or who watch reruns):

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058800/combined

I like your choice to paint the cavalry as the 9th. I've gotten an education on the Buffalo Soldiers from a member of our club, whose father served as a very young man, in the 10th. He sculpts his own figures, and has put together dioramas of the 9th and the 10th, in various scenarios, including supply train. It's a great subject.

Congratulations on another great piece, prosit!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Ha-ha! Brad - where've you-been!

Okay WW2 it ain't - but yes, we have been having a bit of a blast from the past here! Glad you like these Buffalo Soldiers, Plains Indians ( to be completed) - and our old friend - the Crescent Stagecoach - now fully crewed and ready to rock'n'roll. Just three of the Western Plain indians to complete - and we're there.

Well - almost there(for now).

Let me explain.

Slightly ahead of this project, I collected a brilliant story teller, who pointed me in the direction of the 9th and 10th US Cavalry - and their history. Randy ( our own Polar Bear), has gently eased me into some of the fascinating stories behind many former slaves (pre ACW), who found a role in helping to bring law and order into the Old Western Plains and helping to set up and police your National Parks. These were given the name of "Buffalo Soldiers" by some of their oponents - the Plains Indians - which I felt that I would like to to portray in my little scenario here. I HAVE therefore, taken some liberties with the script of the film "Stagecoach" - which I originally intended to follow.

Not only that - but coming later - will be some more examples of Buffalo Soldiers from Nick Albanese ( of Watertown WI), who sold me some more castings - of these wonderful old characters from the USA. But that - as they say - will be another story - and possibly another thread.

Glad you like 'em anyhoo, pardner................johnnybach

 

[johnnybach]

I seem to have become stuck with painting my last three Indian braves for this little project. The problem is that they are so well made ( by Tommy Atkins) - with tiny, fiddly little details - I don't want to spoil them. I have been working on them for the last week - but can't seem to get them finished. So - will post a pic now to show that I'm still at it.

I have been painting other bits and pieces too - but not relevant to this thread - so will show those later. jb

 

[aujj65]

I seem to have become stuck with painting my last three Indian braves for this little project. The problem is that they are so well made ( by Tommy Atkins) - with tiny, fiddly little details - I don't want to spoil them. I have been working on them for the last week - but can't seem to get them finished. So - will post a pic now to show that I'm still at it.

I have been painting other bits and pieces too - but not relevant to this thread - so will show those later. jb

Johnny, the tiny fiddly bits are worth it in the end, these are looking so good. {bravo}}

Jeff