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| DK 176: Swiss Line Infantry Battalion |
One of the things one quickly begins to accumulate when collecting vintage figures are various problem castings that it's difficult to know what to do with. In my case the worst example was a set of sixteen DK 176: Swiss Line Infantry. These rather promising figures had everything going for them except one thing - a complete lack of musket butts! What made this especially annoying was that they were just what I needed to go with Chuck's 1809 French standard bearer. Even more importantly, I wanted some redcoats!
After considering various options involving milliput and superglue, which didn't look very promising from a strength point of view, I decided there was nothing for it but to have a go at making some of my own using a soldering iron. I've never dared to do this before, but having consulted an expert (yes, that's you Roy), I equipped myself with some self-fluxing solder, a soldering iron, some micro-files and a pair of flat sided pliers.
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| DK 176 with modifications! |
The next thing I had to know, of course, was what Chuck's DK 7: French Line Infantry Command, Standard Bearer would look like standing next to him. I'm not exactly sure how I managed to squeeze the lettering onto this, but let's just say that it's a relief to know I won't be doing any more of these for a while!
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| DK 7: French Line Infantry Command, Standard Bearer |
I chose the 3rd despite the fact that, "as any fule kno", almost all the depictions of the 3rd show they had the peculiar habit of wearing their pom poms slightly off-centre and wore their shako cords even more eccentrically. My excuse is that, as neither Marcus Hinton or Duke Siefried catered for such peculiarities, I didn't have any choice, and besides, not all the pictures of them show them like this! The truth, of course, is that I just couldn't resist their snazzy black facings and white piping.
Normal Prussian Lancer service will resume in the next post.
WM
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| DK 7: French Line Infantry Command, Drummer |
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| DK 7: French Line Infantry Command, Officer, Charging |
Beautiful figures , I admire your daring with a soldering iron ! , Tony
ReplyDeleteLovely strong red there, fantastic painting and a big improvement with the added butts!
ReplyDeleteMatt these are simply wonderful! Very impressed with the soldering iron work - I've never attempted such a thing myself. Any hints on restoring bayonets and swords?
ReplyDeleteGreat work - I have been advised to use a soldering iron in conversion work in the past, and I always have to lie down for a bit when I think about it - I just know I would reduce perfectly good soldiers to puddles of melted metal!
ReplyDeleteThese are really very good indeed - very impressed. Painting is lovely, of course, but I've come to expect that!
Thanks for showing us these - inspirational.
Wow! You have outdone yourself - all of those look great!
ReplyDeleteThank you chaps! Can't resist a red coat, and no mistake.
ReplyDeleteThe secret Ian, is to make sure you have a good clean, newly-filed surface to work on, about six pairs of hands and lighting reflexes so that you can get your pincers on to them when they're still warm!
Wellington Girl (9) says they look like Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and do you know, she may be on to something. So, in order of appearance, may I present John, George, Paul and the supremely talented Mr Ringo Starr!
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I am very, very impressed. My own soldering technique is very much a work in progress and I cheat and use paper flags!
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed Matt, you have rescued those little chaps from buttless ignominy. They are now fit to stand proudly in any army!
ReplyDeleteAs we have come to expect, your painting is superb
Roy
Excellent work, and a beautiful flag.
ReplyDeletePaul