Starlux Makover (1 Viewer)

[DMNamiot]

Great stuff to see. I have been finding Starlux and Atlas items for a while here in Germany at flea markets and Belgium and France at Stores called Trocs which are basicly junk stores I frequent in search of various items and antiques because they have the best prices. I bought several mounted soldiers that I believe maybe a spinoff of Del Prado and I have also seen a lot of others marked Starlux. I will keep an eye open for these mounted figures. They look very nice and I bet they will be fairly affordable. Thanks for all the info guys.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

How exciting! I have just received advice from TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR, that they will be publishing a new article about john's (Obee) re-painting of these Starlux-Atlas edition models too. John may very well be used to this - but it will be a brand-new experience for me - as they asked me to submit a follow up piece on what I managed to discover about these metal versions of original Starlux plastics.

What's more - they will be sending me a copy of the new issue 47 - for me to see how it all looks! What a great surprise - and I'm so looking forward to seeing it:smile2:

I might add, that it was a great pleasure to consult with John about the articles - before we wrote our pieces for the magazine - the more so because of John's skills and reputation in the hobby - which was actually quite instrumental in my starting to paint at all - in the first place - though he had little idea that he was an inspiration to me at all! johnnybach

 

[Obee]

I might add, that it was a great pleasure to consult with John about the articles - before we wrote our pieces for the magazine - the more so because of John's skills and reputation in the hobby - which was actually quite instrumental in my starting to paint at all - in the first place - though he had little idea that he was an inspiration to me at all! johnnybach

Thanks for your kind words, John, its a mutal pleasure to produce these articles, and proves the value of the internet, when like minded poeple from around the world can be joined in the same hobby, we all enjoy.

Now its onto more painting

John

 

[kilted vampire]

These are pretty nice. I have heard of Starlux of course but only knew about the plastic line. Sadly, we do not see a lot over here. John, very nice work as always!

 

[theBaron]

Looking forward to it, John, though I think my subscription is due, I'd better check and buck up, if so!

I just saw some up on eBay within the last couple of days, too, mixed in with some other figures. The seller didn't know what he had, though he did note that one of the figures was marked underneath.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Looks like e-bay may be the only way you guys in the USA may be able to get hold of any of these Brad - as they don't migrate very far from their country of origin (France). I know Dave has found a few in Belgium - and maybe even Germany - but they haven't travelled that far.

Not expensive, and quite well made - for what they are - and can be re-painted very well indeed - by someone with the skills required - as John (Obee) has demonstrated so well. I'm sure you won't be disappointed - if you can find one or two at reasonable cost. Good luck with the hunt - Johnnybach.

 

[johnnybach]

Just to whet appetites for these Starlux(Atlas) metal models a little further Brad - I recently found this picture advertising the complete two collections of these metal figures from a French seller on e-bay.

I think that they look very colourful in his Vitrine (China Cabinet) - and he was offering the 264 figures for a very reasonable €700.

I'm not sure what the postal charges might be for this lot - but they could weigh in at a substantial sum!! jb

 

[johnnybach]

Having recently acquired another "lot" of Starlux ( Atlas Editions) in metal, via e-bay (see first pic below - where I have just unpacked them in the kitchen), I thought I might continue this story a little further. It may not be immediately apparent from the picture - but all of the 37 figures and/or six horses in this lot are either play-worn - with the inevitable bit of paint loss - or more seriously damaged in various ways. I suppose the most obvious example of this damage is the horse figure in the foreground - with his Caribinear rider dismounted nearby. Note the snapped off legs of the horse.

Next pic below - shows the same horse (the brown one on the right) after he has been repaired by drilling into each leg stump and inserting a pin to each remaining leg-part and fixing them together with epoxy resin glue. He was then stripped and repainted to this stage. {The other horse is being more extensively repaired - as part of the saddle/shabraque was missing - but more on him in later posts}

The next three pics (below) show the Caibinear rider - which was only partially restored and repainted, as he was in very good condition generally - now fixed permanently to the horse by the same pin/glue method. I intend to do this with all six of my mounted figures - as I'm pretty certain that quite a bit of damage has been caused by the loose fitting nature of these figures to the horse. (I'm not actually certain that these were ALL the rider's original horses for - as some are a better fit than others). This isn't really important - for me - as I intend to make the best of each figure that I can - I'm not seeking to restore them to an "as they left the factory" state. I'm after a clean and tidy Toy Soldier with each figure.

Here's how he looks now - restored and in the saddle: I think that these metal Toy Soldiers from France - are just great - and bought at little cost - can be restored to a good finish with just a little TLC. Hope you like them too - because as you can see from some others in the background - there's more pleasure (for me) to come, by repairing and restoring all 37 to their original - or better - state. I'll show you some more, from time to time. johnnybach

 

[Mitch]

Nice work on the repair and repaint
Mitch

 

[Obee]

Great find JB..

and a fine piece of repair work, I'm looking forward to seeing much more from you with these figures

AND another article in TSM soon???

John

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks chaps. Not sure these Glossy Naps are quite your cup of tea though Mitch - as they precede WWII by some time. As for another article John - well - maybe Mark at TSC might get a bit fed up of "more of the same". My Caribiniere did come out rather nicely though - I must admit.

I've been having another good snoop around the Internet - and e-bay again, in order to identify some of the figures in my new "stash" - and found some useful pictures to help with some of the missing details. Most of those "missing" bits are frequently ( and unsurprisingly) the plumes to the top of the hats being worn - so its quite useful to see a complete figure. Plumes are relatively easy to fix - as its usualy a case of drilling down into the head of the figure - inserting a steel pin - and building up around it with Milliput, which can then be textured with the point of a toothpick. Here's one I did that repair on last night. (sorry about the flash rather bleaching colours out - but at least you can see the new plume in place). Below that pic - see another one that I downloaded from the web - which came from a French Gent, e-bay seller - which identified the central figure for me as Commandant Manhes, who was an aide-de-camp to Marshall Murat.

So I not only have a pic of the complete figure to help with repairs and re-painting - but have identified him as well. Great stuff!{sm3} jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a couple more pics giving an update on progress of two more of my six new (to me) Starlux Atlas Mounted Napoleonic soldiers.

Next to my first finished Carabineier, is another. A Port-Aigle (Eagle Carrier) colleague, which is nearing completion. I didn't have to do a lot of restorative work on the horse - which was generally in very good condition, though I will re-paint the base before final varnishing. The mounted figure has been extensively re-touched, rather than a full re-paint - and is coming along quite well. (Looks like the same basic figure with a different right arm). His Eagle and banner had to have the staff straightened and remounted - with hand re-worked with a touch of milliput (as the flag was too loose). He has also been glued and pinned in place on the horse - so will never come off again.

The Dragon (Dragoon) on the white horse has had rather more work done on the horse ( which is not completed yet). He was missing half of the saddle and shabraque - which has been completely re-worked on one side (second pic) and the saddle built up to take the figure - which was in nearly new condition. He originally did not sit well at all - leading me to think that this horse is a replacement for the original. Same maker - but just originally for a different figure. He now not only fits well, due to the saddle being built up under him - but again, has been fixed in place for life by pinning and gluing. The horse was further damaged on the chest area - where the joint ( he was made in two halves) had sprung. I disguised this nasty crack with a belt from the centre of his chest - to the cinch under the horses belly - made from a strip of milliput, which was then painted dark brown to match the rest of the leatherwork. A bit more detailing required for buckles, shabraque etcetera, and base to paint - and he too will be ready for a final coat of varnish.

The final three Cavalry figures and horses are also under development - but at earlier stages yet. After these are finished - only another 31 to go!!! I will show them all - from time to time - so this thread will stil have some time to run................... jb

 

[johnnybach]

First three Starlux (atlas) metal figures repaired and repainted in Glossy TS style.

 

[theBaron]

Nicely done, John! Y'know, I like the horse castings much more than the figures, they're particularly nice, as horses go.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

I think that I agree with you there Brad. Some of the horses are particularly nice. They were made by Starlux in plastic originally, of course - even though these are the later metal versions done by Atlas Editions - and I think it shows. It's strange to see the original sprue marks still in them from the plastic injection moulding process. I have filled and filed some of the more obtrusive of them though, before re-painting.

I have only two basic horse shapes in my six - a standing one and a cantering one. (there are others - but not in my "lot"). However, the saddle shabraque sections are quite different - and some of the riders sit better than some of the others - so sometimes can look a little stiff and unatural. I'm currently working on a Curassier - which really does sit well. Keep an eye out in the next day or so - as he should be ready quite soon for a pic.

I'm also pretty sure that some of mine aren't on the original horses - although it doesn't really matter much to me. I think that as these were first made to be demountable toys - it was part of the fun for folks to swap them around onto different horses. I've put the best fit riders on horses that look the best for each.

Another thing I'm trying to show - is that you don't have to spend a fortune - to end up with a reasonable looking Toy Soldier. From some chipped and playworn beginnings, some with parts missing or broken off - it is possible to get something that looks farly nice with an input of some TLC, and a dab or two of paint.

Their days as toys, however, are now over - and I'm doing my best to make them into nice looking Glossies for my Cabinet - and they won't be demountables for much longer.

Cheers! Glad you like 'em, so far. - jb

 

[johnnybach]

Next to be completed is a Cuirassier. This pair came together - and the rider fitted beautifully to the horse with very few problems.

 

[theBaron]

I must say, looking at the poses of the riders, they are growing on me. I hadn't noticed the attitude of the dragoon before, but his pose lends him an air. I do like how the figures are posed.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Cheers Brad - took me some time to choose who fitted where - and then adjust the figure/horse/saddle to make 'em sit better.

That Dragoon certainly fancies himself. I feel that he is passing a saluting dias - and is saluting someone of higher rank than him - but (he feels), lower status than himself. See how his nose is in the air ( I repaired that with a tiny bit of milliput!). The person's name he is saluting, could begin with N.

He will be the last of the cavalry that I'll be doing for now - until I get some spare parts for my last two. One is missing a complete arm and weapon and the other needs a replacement sword (probably with another arm too). Still, I have 31 foot soldiers to mess about with in the meantime. I'll be visiting Dorset Soldiers new shop soon - so will have a rummage with Giles for some suitable spares.

Having been concentrated on painting castings for a while - I had forgotten what fun it is to repair and repaint old painted/ damaged figures. It gives me a nice feeling to bring something back from looking a bit shabby - to a better figure again.{sm3} And yes, I agree - these Starlux metal figures do grow on you.

 

[johnnybach]

I have been trying to upload new photos of my latest pics to Photobucket - but it appears to have changed its format - and has now stopped working - and it won't upload any of my pics.

Can anyone suggest an alternative way for me to get my pictures stored on my computer - to the Forum????

Remember to keep it simple - as I'm not a computer expert. johnnybach

 

[GICOP]

I have been trying to upload new photos of my latest pics to Photobucket - but it appears to have changed its format - and has now stopped working - and it won't upload any of my pics.

Can anyone suggest an alternative way for me to get my pictures stored on my computer - to the Forum????

Remember to keep it simple - as I'm not a computer expert. johnnybach

Hi jb

Photobucket are changing to a new system:rolleyes2: but you should have the option to revert to the old system if you check their page. They tried it with me but I clicked back to the old syrtem which it works for me, not sure how long before they bring in their new system though

Cheers

Martyn