First up are those Crescent Saladin armoured cars I recently picked up. Paint stripped and repaired, have adopted the British camouflage used in Aden in 1967.
Yesterday I converted some spare figures into a 7RHA gun crew, to man a 25pdr with my Parachute Regiment. Also painted the bren gun carrier crew. All these figures are 1960s Lone Star toy soldiers. Not sure why, Lone Star vehicle crew were sold with grey helmets. I have respected this tradition and given them dark grey, to serve as a distinction in the collection.
I finally got round to completing the First Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Can now field three 12 figure battalions in any post-war conflicts. In my opinion these 1960s Lone Star figures are a classic range in plastic toy soldiers, but can still be picked up at very favourable prices.
On Thursday I popped into a local shop that sells collectables. Don't ask me why, I decided to take on four new projects.
Picked up two Crescent-made Saladin armoured cars. Sadly, neither of them were in good condition. Their tow bars were broken and gun springs did not work well. Both required paint stripping. To be honest, I was tempted to restore one for desert service while breaking up the other to utilise the six wheels. On removing the residue of the tow bars, straightening the axles, and improving the gun springs. Have decided to keep them both, with a desert camouflage.
I also picked up a trashed Dinky jeep, at least the wheels were in good condition. This could be a useful project.
Finally. I picked up a Benbros military motorbike, dating back to the early 1960s. Quite a bit of work to do, but the project could be fun. There is a nice article concerning Benbros toys on the COLLECTORS CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN website.
Have placed the bike next to a Lone Star paratrooper, there is a reason. I have seven of these figures. They were meant to have parachute attachments. I think they will have more service converted into support weapon operators (Hugh of the SMALL SCALE WORLD website has mentioned 7RHA cooperates with the Parachute Regiment). These figures could turn out to be a powerful addition.
Picked up the four items for £10. MGB
ps. One of my Lone Star trucks was always going to need a new paint job. I decided it would be nice to break away from the original dark green and adopt a RAF blue. Here it is before varnishing.
The Danish army has just gained two more small units. Some time ago Paul Watson sent me several Britains lead guardsmen in overcoats, and I was also able to pick up a few more in occasional auctions. By converting their coats to double-breasted, and with some replacement heads, have been able to raise another Danish battalion.
The second unit is a militia battalion from the town of Ribe. These are converted plastic figures.
I should also mention my Schleswig force now have their own artillery crew. As former regulars they know their business, even if their dress is a combination of civilian hats and Danish fatigue uniforms. (Various round hats were actually quite common in rural Europe during the 19th century.)
The prompt service provided by IRREGULAR MINIATURES (48 hour delivery) furnished a batch of cast heads for my Danish and German units. Decided to convert an American unit in my collection into Hanoverian infantry, while some Herald ACW were painted up as Mecklenburg infantry. Have also converted some plastic guardsmen into a company of Schleswig Jaeger.
In a box of figures recently received was a broken 1960s Timpo Duke of Wellington. Was tempted to restore the figure but with my new Schleswig project underway, seemed daft not to use it here. Replaced the chewed plastic sword and missing scabbard with metal, milliput ornamented the hat.
