Tonight, the Kaiser's army (1 Viewer)

[whdamon]

I recently had the opportunity to obtain from a serious collectors gray army one of the Series 77 Heavy Prussian Cavalry from the early 70's. Below is a quick photographic documentation of the cleaning, repairing, priming and painting of this excellent artifact . As a side note, it is shipping out to a collector in NH who has the rest of the Series 14 collection and is very pleased to finally complete the set (14/3)

First photo shows the cleaning of the casting. Unfortunately I found the Spike on the pickelhaube had been broken off and lost (most likely to the horrible shag rug monster)
as such photo 2 shows my attempt at repair using fishing fly tying lead free wire and magic sculpt putty. (highly suggest visiting a fishing supply store and get a few gauges of this wire as it is highly malleable and strong. I also successfully use it ,after hammering it flat, for horse reins)


next up after priming, the figure was mounted on my Rube Goldberg figure painting device and an acrylic undercoat applied. Later
a layer of artist oils was applied to add depth and realism

last two photos are the finished piece. It was a joy to bring this older quality piece back to life I hope it meets your expectations

 

[Louis Badolato]

Wow, tremendous paint job! :salute:: The figure looks alive!

 

[Hazebrouck]

Very nicely done.

Scott

 

[Obee]

That's a great finish you have achieved in bring this figure 'to life'

well done,

John

 

[Obee]

I have just completed the painting of another Stadden figure a Garde-Reiter Trumpter to join the officer and guardsman that I painted about 2 years ago.



He was given to me by a local collector who thought he was Napoleonic, but going on that unique helmet with the lion on top that wasn't the case.

I'm very happy to have in in my collection of 'the Troops of the Kaiser'.

John

 

[Louis Badolato]

Just awesome, John!:salute::

 

[Dettingen]

All of these are beautiful! Thanks to WHDamon for tip on the fishing fly wire, I will be heading out to get some soon. I usually use sheet lead from old wine bottles for reins and belts but that is getting hard to find. The job that you did with the wire and putty to build up the spike on his helmet is really something!

 

[theBaron]

...I usually use sheet lead from old wine bottles for reins and belts but that is getting hard to find...

If your dentist still uses the old X-ray machine, not a digital one, ask him what he does with the foil packets that the film comes in. Before my dentist upgraded to a digital X-ray camera, he had stored up a bucketful of lead foil packets. He didn't generate enough of the waste to pay the various contractors who dispose of the material, and he couldn't just throw it out. During one visit, we got to talking about hobbies, and I mentioned lead foil. He asked me if I wanted some, and gave me the bucket.

The foil on most bottles these days plastic with a thin layer of metal on it. I've tried working with it, but it's not as good as metal foil, and I don't think I'm going to use it anymore.

I also use the metal foil from some candies, like miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, or Ferrero hazelnut candy. Folded over and layered with some CA glue, it can be shaped, and it takes paint well enough.

And there's also putty, for some applications. 2-part epoxy putty, like Aves Apoxie Sculpt, or Milliput, especially the fine grade, can be used for blankets, or to build up articles of clothing on a figure (eg, put a greatcoat on a figure), to make packs, and even straps, or flags.

As for malleable wire, you can also use wire solder.

Prost!
Brad

 

[29 Let's Go]

Beautifully painted. I love your clamp and stand, very creative.

Steve