Starlux Makover (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Another three figures have reached completion - and are shown in front of my others below. They are a Gunner (Canonnier) of the Young Guard, in campaign uniform holding one of the tools of his trade - a ramrod/swab. Centre is an Officer of Engineers, running with drawn sword, and lastly a Voltiguer (Skirmisher) of the French 10th Light Infantry - charging with bayonet fixed.

The Gunner was a straight re-paint - but the other two required a bit more work.

The central running figure of the Engineer Officer had the tip of his sword broken off at the supporting hand. The usual drill/pin method was used to lengthen the sword - and then a milliput blade tip was built up around it. A tricky repair, this one, as there was not much metal in the sword blade to work with. I used a tiny drill in my smallest pin vice to make the hole for a pin. Once everything was dry - then shaped and sanded - the figure was finally re-painted.

The Voltigeur also had a few broken parts to fix before painting too. Firstly, his plume to his cap was bent to one side - and on closer inspection a fracture was revealed which threatened to snap it off at the joint with the cap. I therefore removed it - and drilled and pinned it back in place - a much stronger joint now. His musket butt was detached - and the front end of the muzzle with bayonet were also missing. I re-attached the butt by pinning - and re-made the musket muzzle by drilling into the broken off stump - inserting a steel pin - and building the muzzle up with milliput once again. When dry, I attached a bayonet (made from a sword tip from my spares box) to the muzzle with a epoxy resin glue. A better picture of my completed group is shown below - where my latest three figures are to the front again. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Another three figures completed - and added to the fore of the pics below. Next to the kneeling/firing Prussian is a Cuirassier of the 8th Regiment. He is wearing a soft undress cap - and holding his heavy helmet in his right hand. To his right is a foot Grenadier of the Guard - in the uniform worn from 1807-1815. Both of these figures just required a complete re-paint. The third figure to their right in a white tunic is a Hungarian Grenadier of the 51st (Baron Spleni) Regiment, bayonet charging alongside the French Voltigeur doing the same thing. He also has had his musket repaired at the muzzle - and bayonet restored with a piece from my spares box, before repainting. I think that these two bayonet charging figures are among the least successful of the Starlux figures - as they look anatomically incorrect with their legs running to one side - and bodies facing another way. Apart from that - their uniform detail seems excellent. VERY Toy Soldierish, in fact.

A more elevated pic - shows them added to my other, already completed figures. jb

 

[johnnybach]

I have completed another five figures - which I have placed to the front of my other figures below. From the left they are: An Aide de Camp (don't know to whom - as the catalogue doesn't mention it); Next is a Drummer of the French Foot guards - with drum carried casualy over the shoulder; Next is a Gendarme in his best uniform (remember - to this day - the French Gendarmerie are STILL part of the Military); Next comes a Skirmisher (Voltigeur) of the 10th Light Infantry - and finally a Fusilier of the line - both in campaign order.

Another, more elevated pic, shows my repainted army - so far. (Note the partly finished Hussar second in at the rear - awaiting an arm to complete him - which I'll be collecting next week). It's getting busy down there - with 33 completed!

 

[johnnybach]

Here are my last three completed figures ( for a while). I have two more to complete with some spare parts - but they will have to wait until I get back to my work-bench - so will post them then - along with a full picture of ALL 37. These take the completed tally to 35 figures (foot and mounted).

Below are two members of "The Old Guard" - known as Les Vielles Moustaches (The Old Moustaches). Basically the same firing figure - standing and kneeling - in front of the Hussar you saw earlier having a sword restored to his empty hand. This is him with the completed sword - and fully repainted. See you next - around Xmas - when I can complete my little £50 worth!!{sm4} Have a good one - johnnybach

 

[Obee]

JB,

what a fantastic set of wondefully painted figures you now have... WELL DONE !!!!

Your paintwork really brings out the sculpting that was lsot in the factory paint.

I hope that they don't get popular and so gain is price before I get back to Europe and try and find some more for my colletcion

Any chance of sending me a copy (scan) of the full catalogue, they I'll know what to look out for.

Looking forward to 'reviewing all the troops' when you post a 'team photo'

Regards,

John

 

[johnnybach]

Hi John - thanks for the compliment - but remember - YOU started this whole story off! I think what has unfolded is a bit of a surprise - that there are 160 of these foot figures and 100 mounted types to collect and (maybe) restore.

Yes - the commercial factory ( in China) was working to economic parameters - so the painting sometimes did leave something to desire. BUT - the underlying sculpts of some of these Starlux figures ( first done in plastic), are often first class. And anther yes - they are STILL often available for a song. Mine came in at under £2 a head - and that includes the paint, varnish and brushes as well as the purchase price.

As to the catalogues. Remember the list that you gave me below John?

http://genieminiature.com/Atlas Figurines.htm

Well, this is a live web-site - and they have NOW included those catalogues for all of the first 160 set. Just keep scrolling past the list - and you will find ALL of the pages of the catalogue to download (as I have done). If you get stuck - I will try to forward mine on to you - though I don't have a paper copy to scan - as my printer is "Kaput". Any problems - give me a shout.

I have some extra bits now (from Giles at Dorset Soldiers) - so when I get back to the Ranch later this month - I can finish off the last couple of figures - and do a team photo - to include the figures I already had.

By the way John, I have a fourth of the second figure on the cover page - that I don't really want. If you would like him - just PM the address in OZ that you would like him sent to - and I'll bung him in the post - for you to give a few licks to - and add to your collection - with thanks for all of your help to me.^&grin

All the best for Xmas - hope Santa is kind to you - regards - johnnybach

 

[valmy33]

Hi John - thanks for the compliment - but remember - YOU started this whole story off! I think what has unfolded is a bit of a surprise - that there are 160 of these foot figures and 100 mounted types to collect and (maybe) restore.

Yes - the commercial factory ( in China) was working to economic parameters - so the painting sometimes did leave something to desire. BUT - the underlying sculpts of some of these Starlux figures ( first done in plastic), are often first class. And anther yes - they are STILL often available for a song. Mine came in at under £2 a head - and that includes the paint, varnish and brushes as well as the purchase price.

As to the catalogues. Remember the list that you gave me below John?

http://genieminiature.com/Atlas Figurines.htm

Well, this is a live web-site - and they have NOW included those catalogues for all of the first 160 set. Just keep scrolling past the list - and you will find ALL of the pages of the catalogue to download (as I have done). If you get stuck - I will try to forward mine on to you - though I don't have a paper copy to scan - as my printer is "Kaput". Any problems - give me a shout.

I have some extra bits now (from Giles at Dorset Soldiers) - so when I get back to the Ranch later this month - I can finish off the last couple of figures - and do a team photo - to include the figures I already had.

By the way John, I have a fourth of the second figure on the cover page - that I don't really want. If you would like him - just PM the address in OZ that you would like him sent to - and I'll bung him in the post - for you to give a few licks to - and add to your collection - with thanks for all of your help to me.^&grin

All the best for Xmas - hope Santa is kind to you - regards - johnnybach

Hi Johnnybach,

Merci Monsieur de redonner la vie à ces figurines Starlux. Compliment !

For myself, I prefer the plastic soldiers made by Starlux. In fact, the factory was sold at the end of the 90's.
The new owner, a singer and poet, F. Lalanne, did make those new soldiers in China. They used the original matrices, they were already very worn and hacked a few figurines. Small details, horses have nothing to do with the original molds: These new fabrications.
The original figurines, plastic, are painted in matt colors. They were made near Périgueux in France, more than 300 people worked for this company (from 1960 to 1990) ... but that is another story.
All molds were scrapped in 2000 and the company has disappeared.

If you are interested in the original Starlux figures, there are two books written by Alain Thomas & Jerry Meimoun.

Faithfully
Valmy

 

[valmy33]

Originals Starlux repaint:smile

1er Empire :






Civil WAR-Union cavalry dismounted :





WW2 - German unit



Faithfully
Valmy

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Valmy - Nice job on the repainted Plastic Starlux models. Glad to see some of them you have restored.

For myself, I prefer metal models - so my re-casts ( and Obee's) are the so-called "Atlas Editions" - cast and painted in China, I believe - but from the original (sometimes modified) moulds - as you say. Thanks for the information on the horses being new casts - that helps to explain why the riding figures sometimes don't fit into the saddle very well. From working on the horses, it appears that they are die-cast - so quite different in composition to the softer metal of the human figures. I found that the metal horses were quite difficult to drill into, though less difficult to modify with sculpting putty.

As you have seen, I like to repaint mine in Glossy Toy Soldier style, and prefer metal as it takes and retains the paint that I prefer and choose to use (Humbrol), much better. The metal figures are also a bit more robust than the plastic originals, ( though these can get broken too). I read elsewhere (on another forum), that you have repaired and restored some of the figures that you have shown, because they were broken too. Glad you enjoy doing yours - and that you like mine too - thanks. I have a couple more to restore - so will show them when I have completed them - on this thread - though I'm having a problem sourcing a spare arm with one figure at the moment ( the original was missing).

I have seen some loose pages from the book(s) you describe - but have never been able to find a complete copy. Any Chance of a fuller reference? (Title, Date published, ISBN Number, Publisher etcetera?). If I can find them at a reasonable price, I would love to own one, or both. Trouble is, quite a lot of people - (especially in France - it seems), seem to think that anything to do with the name Starlux - is (falsely), worth a small fortune! I seem to be constantly reading in descriptions of sometimes battered items for sale, how "Incredibly Rare", some figures are - despite there being pages of them on offer! As you have seen with my recent purchase and restoration (bought from a UK source), this often isn't the case elsewhere, where prices are frquently more realistic.

Anyhow Valmy, keep up the good work - and show us some more of your work, from time to time, when you can. Merci et au revoir, johnnybach

 

[valmy33]

Hi Valmy - Nice job on the repainted Plastic Starlux models. Glad to see some of them you have restored.

For myself, I prefer metal models - so my re-casts ( and Obee's) are the so-called "Atlas Editions" - cast and painted in China, I believe - but from the original (sometimes modified) moulds - as you say. Thanks for the information on the horses being new casts - that helps to explain why the riding figures sometimes don't fit into the saddle very well. From working on the horses, it appears that they are die-cast - so quite different in composition to the softer metal of the human figures. I found that the metal horses were quite difficult to drill into, though less difficult to modify with sculpting putty.

As you have seen, I like to repaint mine in Glossy Toy Soldier style, and prefer metal as it takes and retains the paint that I prefer and choose to use (Humbrol), much better. The metal figures are also a bit more robust than the plastic originals, ( though these can get broken too). I read elsewhere (on another forum), that you have repaired and restored some of the figures that you have shown, because they were broken too. Glad you enjoy doing yours - and that you like mine too - thanks. I have a couple more to restore - so will show them when I have completed them - on this thread - though I'm having a problem sourcing a spare arm with one figure at the moment ( the original was missing).

I have seen some loose pages from the book(s) you describe - but have never been able to find a complete copy. Any Chance of a fuller reference? (Title, Date published, ISBN Number, Publisher etcetera?). If I can find them at a reasonable price, I would love to own one, or both. Trouble is, quite a lot of people - (especially in France - it seems), seem to think that anything to do with the name Starlux - is (falsely), worth a small fortune! I seem to be constantly reading in descriptions of sometimes battered items for sale, how "Incredibly Rare", some figures are - despite there being pages of them on offer! As you have seen with my recent purchase and restoration (bought from a UK source), this often isn't the case elsewhere, where prices are frquently more realistic.

Anyhow Valmy, keep up the good work - and show us some more of your work, from time to time, when you can. Merci et au revoir, johnnybach

Bonjour Johnny,

You can find the book on ebay. The first part is sold 60 € on ebay. For the second, it's more difficult because it's not printed again and the price is really expensive.
There are no ISBN.

You're right, the prices for 1er empire or Middle-Age plastic toy soldiers can be incredible. Passion has no price whatever... 200 or 300 € for a cavalryman; a trumpeter for me it's a joke.

You use Humbrol for your figures. It's a good choice and the result is fine. Personnaly, I use Prince August acrylic paint.
Glossy or matte colors... It's an old debate but the two ways are interesting. In fact, the question is what you want ? Old style school or new.

It's a question of taste !

Have a nice WE
Faithfully
Valmy

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Valmy. When you mentioned some books about the Starlux marque, I got a a little intrigued - so began looking around the Internet.

Is this the latest book you mentioned. Looks like Volume 1 - and written by Alain Thomas, Jerry meimoun and Phillipe Guillot. It's in French, of course, and available new from Amazon France (Not in the UK listings) - at around €80 ( which is around £65 currently). It has 256 pages - with around 600 colour illustrations, apparently.

A bit on the pricey side for me - I'd rather spend that on Toy Soldiers! Thanks for the heads up on the book though - I'll wait around for some used examples to turn up! jb

 

[valmy33]

Hi Valmy. When you mentioned some books about the Starlux marque, I got a a little intrigued - so began looking around the Internet.

Is this the latest book you mentioned. Looks like Volume 1 - and written by Alain Thomas, Jerry meimoun and Phillipe Guillot. It's in French, of course, and available new from Amazon France (Not in the UK listings) - at around €80 ( which is around £65 currently). It has 256 pages - with around 600 colour illustrations, apparently.

A bit on the pricey side for me - I'd rather spend that on Toy Soldiers! Thanks for the heads up on the book though - I'll wait around for some used examples to turn up! jb

View attachment 114066

Hi Johnny

Tome 1 : Middle Age, Civil War, Far-West, Modern army.

There's a tome 2 too with toy soldiers about 1er empire but it's really expensive.

Faithfully
Valmy

 

[Roustam]

Hello Valmy,

Is the second book now published?
I would be very interested in purchasing a copy.
Thanks,
Russ

 

[johnnybach]

I have found a little further information about Starlux books online. The book below was first produced circa 2000, by Alain Thomas and Jerry Miemoun - as a first attempt at cataloguing some of the Plastic Starlx figures - as an aid to collectors. The book had 144 pages, so the second book (shown earlier) - described as Tome 1 (i.e Volume 1) - is an enlarged 2nd Edition at 256 pages and with many more colour illustrations. Apparently it was restricted to 600 printed copies, and appeared in 2009 - as a limited edition, so not THAT many around to be found, though I have seen it on e-bay at €60, as Valmy stated. Oddly - the older book, with less info, can be found - at slightly higher prices ( seen e.g., for €77 - on Amazon.fr)

Looks like the Tome 2 (Volume 2) would be of MOST interest to me - as it apparently concentrates on the old Empire range - which includes many Napoleonic figures - which doubtless will include many of the "Atlas Edition" metal figures that I enjoy finding, and refurbishing in a Glossy Toy Soldier style. Sounds like it could be even more expensive though - although pictures of it also seem elusive.

Can you help with some information and possibly a picture of Tome 2, Valmy??

Note that I am posting these pics and info - in order to help anyone looking for copies. I'm not all that interested in the books myself, at these prices. johnnybach

 

[valmy33]

I have found a little further information about Starlux books online. The book below was first produced circa 2000, by Alain Thomas and Jerry Miemoun - as a first attempt at cataloguing some of the Plastic Starlx figures - as an aid to collectors. The book had 144 pages, so the second book (shown earlier) - described as Tome 1 (i.e Volume 1) - is an enlarged 2nd Edition at 256 pages and with many more colour illustrations. Apparently it was restricted to 600 printed copies, and appeared in 2009 - as a limited edition, so not THAT many around to be found, though I have seen it on e-bay at €60, as Valmy stated. Oddly - the older book, with less info, can be found - at slightly higher prices ( seen e.g., for €77 - on Amazon.fr)

Looks like the Tome 2 (Volume 2) would be of MOST interest to me - as it apparently concentrates on the old Empire range - which includes many Napoleonic figures - which doubtless will include many of the "Atlas Edition" metal figures that I enjoy finding, and refurbishing in a Glossy Toy Soldier style. Sounds like it could be even more expensive though - although pictures of it also seem elusive.

Can you help with some information and possibly a picture of Tome 2, Valmy??

Note that I am posting these pics and info - in order to help anyone looking for copies. I'm not all that interested in the books myself, at these prices. johnnybach

View attachment 114124

Hi Johnny,

The first book is blue and the second is orange. It's very difficult to find it. I've watch on the web but I' ve no result.

Faithfully
Valmy

 

[johnnybach]

I'll just slip in a quick update on the progress of one of my final pair of figures, whilst Wolfgang is still playing with the finishing touches to Holmes and Moriarti! " Darn these infernal check trousers, old boy!"

You might recall that I had to repair a standing figure holding a French standard - a "Porte-Aigle". Snag was - there was no flag! All I had was a figure holding what was left of a stout stick in his left hand. The flag had been broken off and lost at some time in the past. The pole was a very soft metal anyway, so best to remove it and start again.

My solution was - to buy a Flag that might suit - and then work out how to fit it. Flag = Dorset Soldiers (Spare Parts Section), but another snag was the rather flexible staff left in the figure's left hand.

The solution was to remove it entirely, leaving the hand in place - and then drill through the hand to make a hole to accept a piece of brass rod - which would become the new flag-pole. The flag was drilled to accept the other end of the shaft of the flag-pole which was then cut to size and fitted together with epoxy glue. The new flag was painted before fitting through the hole in the hand and into the base (another shallow hole deilled in the base to accept it). Once fitted together to the repainted figure, the shaft was finally painted black - and here he is now with a new and much sturdier flag in hand. Oh yes - I bunged a milliput Eagle on top of the flag - which looks surprisingly like Wolfgang's Duck! Yum! ................... Hope you like him. jb

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Hi,
sure this man looks nice, personally I am useless at Napolionics but I like the attractive colour combination of that period especially on this uniform. The blue of the flag looks interesting with a nice purpleish touch to it - which colour did you use??? Given the small size I think that the imperial duck turned out really nice. Nice job indeed. Enjoyed this thread from the beginning - must dig up my Starlux models soon.
rgds
Wolfgang

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Wolfgang. The purplish hue to the flag is just a trick of the light and my camera, I think. I just use Humbrol Enamel paints - as I'm not as adventurous or knowledgable as you with your selections and variations. Glad you like the golden duck too!^&grin

I used Matt Oxford Blue as an undercoat for that part of the flag - and then plain Blue (Matt 25) for a top-coat - then gloss varnish to bring up the shine. In a couple of days, I'll give the complete figure another coat of Tamiya Acrylic Clear Gloss (X-22) to really bring up a deep lustre to the figure, and hopefully give it that Classic Glossy Toy Soldier look.

Will be good to see some more Starlux figures from you, as and when you dig them out. An underated, and not always highly visible brand from the past, in my opinion. I still have one more to complete, but am having a few more problems with a missing arm for him at the moment, so am making one up from scratch. I'm enjoying your dancing partners at the Falls! jb

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Johnny

I just got home from a trip to Lux City and found 40 of these great figures at a store there. At 2 euro a figure I decided to buy the hole lot. Some need some repair so I may need to discuss that with you sometime. They are all dismounted figures and are for the most part in good shape, aside from a couple of missing arms and a broken saber or two. I will get them out and take a photo so we can discuss them.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Dave - congrats - great find and price per figure. You're in for a bit of fun then.

As it happens - by coincidence - I have been working on a new arm for my last (mounted) figure today from my new lot (see pic below). This was my second attempt at an arm with trumpet - as I had to junk my first attempt - which just wouldn't work out ( not everything always goes according to plan).



Problem is the size of these figures (around 65-70mm scale) - so that conventional providers of spares don't carry that size. Just to show you what fun you are going to have - my above replacement trumpet arm is in four parts.

1. Top Shoulder section /2. elbow section (with dab of milliput) / 3.forearm section / and 4. hand with trumpet. If you look carefully - you might still make out some joints - if not - then it worked out well. I KNOW where they are!

What I did was to raid my spares box for arms - and cut and fit together the sections I wanted - then drill and pin each part together with a dab of superglue to hold each pin in place. ( I used a 0.9mm drill in a hand pin vice - and slightly finer wire for the pins). Started at the shoulder and worked down - waiting for each section to go off - before doing the next part. I made the gauntlet with a small piece of heavy foil from a Champagne bottle - (took ages to drink it all - hic!^&grin). Took an hour or two to complete. When the arm was dry, I drilled and pinned/glued it to the empty shoulder of the figure, going in deeper and with a heavier guage pin - and once dry - I undercoated with grey primer - just for luck, ( and help hide the joints). And there he is now - ready for a repainted arm tomorrow.

Hope I haven't put you off - as you just need to take your time and work it out carefully before you cut bits up. By all means - ask either me - or I'm pretty sure Obee might help - as he has more experience than me of fixing things like this. Don't forget to look at the catalogue for the foot figures either - as a guide to how they could look - but at only €2 each - don't be a slave to how they should look - you can adapt them if you can't find a spare part. (as I did with the one above - the original arm didn't look like that!). First step is to sort out the easy ones to repaint - then photo the broken ones and post 'em. Then we'll sort out where to go from there. You lucky dog! jb