I wasn't planning on another update this soon but I broke my last decent drill bit for my Dremel rotary tool so thought I'd post some more on the command figures while waiting for some more drill bits[1] to arrive courtesy of Amazon (hopefully today).
My last post saw the three command figures largely dismembered; the ensign needing a new head, the officer a head swap, and the drummer a head and arms swap! So, after crafting another solder hat for the ensign, here they are put together and starting to take on their final appearance.
Since then, all I have managed is a bit more filing and some final detailing added with greenstuff as going near them with a soldering iron at this stage would undoubtedly see any solder on them revert to a shapeless blob.
So, with still some tidying up of the greenstuff still to do, here's the officer, ...
I'm quite pleased with these, especially the drummer as he looks quite natural despite being a fairly extreme cut and shut job. The officer and the ensign will both have boots, the ensign some nice tight ones that can just be done with a paint job. I'm not sure whether the ensign would've worn a bicorn but I didn't want him in a round hat or competing with the officer's cocked hat. Anyway, I think he's turned out okay and I like the tilt to his head that looks like he's paying attention to what he's doing with the colour.
Notes:
[1.] Good drill bits are essential for drilling holes into the heads and torsos of figures having head-swaps to allow a steel wire to be inserted in both to provide a robust joint. Without one I can't get on with all the rest of the planned head-swaps.
They look grand conversions, very nice work on them, should look the part when they get their paint job.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, the uniforms are quite colourful and the command figures will be buried in the middle of the unit so any modelling flaws will only be visible on close inspection. And besides, some of these old vintage figures are a bit dodgy in the first place, it's part of their charm for me.
ReplyDeleteLovely work there Rob…
ReplyDeleteI am still impressed by your use of solder… I am certainly not brave enough to do anything like that… I will stick to Green Stuff.
All the best. Aly
That's because you're pretty hot with greenstuff, for me it sticks to everything but what I want it to stick to. Also, it's a pain getting the 'skin' off the yellow stuff before blending with the blue.
DeleteExcellent conversions. It had never occurred to me to make parts out of solder.
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to it by 'Hinton Spieler', but practise on some scrap figures first as it's a bit of a knack.
DeleteThese are excellent Rob! This is going to be an absolutely fabulour unit.
ReplyDeleteMy trial figure is complete and I am rather pleased with him, the uniform is simple but elegant. The only downside is the gloss varnish somehow killed 'life' in the blue, still nice but just not as nice as when matt.
DeleteThese are first rate Rob. Like Aly, I am in awe of your ability with solder. Whenever I think of trying I just see melting blobs of what was once a prized figure and chicken out!
ReplyDeleteThe trial figure and command figures are complete (the latter not yet varnished and the flag is only 75% done) and I'm still plodding through the head swaps for the rest. It may be a while before they appear again as I've some games coming up and that always distracts me from modelling / painting.
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