Have been reducing my spares box by painting some British 20th century infantry. Most of the figures are Airfix, and a few Matchbox (?) The first group are soldiers with L1A1 rifles and green webbing, so these figures are pre-1992 in date, but they will be used as games require. I think they look suitably camouflaged for my garden. For added strength, I drilled a steel rod into the feet of two figures as the single-leg position would have led to paint flaking (left figure, first photo).
I also had a handful of 8th Army Desert Rats, including a few kindly supplied by Alan Gruber. No plans to wargame the WW2 desert war so will attach these to my small collection of British military police serving in the Eastern Mediterranean 1930-60.
MGB
Had these Airfix moderns and never used them, sold them and their British Deetail equivalents when I left home as I didn't intend playing any 'modern' game scenarios , esp. as some of my school friends had joined up.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, Mark, before the millennium I had a similar view with all 20th century wars, have only just started to collect such with my drift into 54mm. The moderns arrived in a bag of about 300 figures which I picked up for £5.50 delivered. I'm not too sure how they will be utilised but at least they are painted and based.
DeleteMichael
Beautiful paint jobs as usual Michael! Group 1 definitely looks at home in your garden and will one day do you proud on the battlefield I'm sure! Group 2 looks to be a very useful addition to your future war games as well! Speaking of paint flaking on plastic figures, do you have any tips to help stop that dreaded scourge? Thank you in advance for your help!
ReplyDeleteBrad, a popular method involves PVA glue, then paint, and another coat of PVA. This seals the paint between two flexible layers. I haven't tried it but the examples I've seen did reduce the detail. For my part, I use superglue on bayonets and scabbards, a primer, repeat the superglue, fully paint with acrylics, repeat the superglue, and then a coat of varnish. If this breaks off, anything else would probably have also failed as they are being poorly handled.. The superglue I use runs like water, but is very strong. I should mention that all rifles were hot/cold treated to ensure they were straight with no tendency to bend. I don't use 'gooey' superglues. Hope this is of some value.
DeleteMichael
If I pay offer something to this discussion. I have found hairspray works well for plastic figures. I have several regiments of 28mm hard plastic Perry's and the hairspray has kept the paint well. I matt varnish brushed after the hairspray has set reduces the gloss finish (I do not go for gloss finishes on my 28mm collections). I do not know whether this technique would work for these figures but just a thought.
DeleteHi George, I was aware of hairspray being used as a protection, but have never tried it. For my part, I painted up a batch of 40 28mm French Revolutionary about decade ago. Gave them a spray of Humbrol matt varnish. Imagine my horror as they dried with a dusting of white powder. Never used model varnish sprays again. Each tin gave a different result. One good thing, acrylic is much less prone to flake than enamel paints anyhow.
DeleteMichael
Yes, I have heard similar issues with Humbrol.
DeleteLovely finish on both groups Mike. The 58 pattern webbing set is really nice and looks good on the figures. On slightly obscure historical note, the desert uniform for the British army during the Second World War tended to include the traditional facing colour of the regiment on the top of the long tan coloured socks. I have seen some excellent pictures and surviving items of the Essex Regiment in the desert with purple tops to their socks.
ReplyDeleteYes, George, I knew about the Essex socks but did not know it applied to all regimental facings, interesting. When ever I look at those figures I'm reminded of that great actor Anthony Quayle in ICE COLD IN ALEX, lol. When we next meet, I will tell you about a conversation I had with someone rather prominent in the Desert War.
DeleteMichael
Michael
Ice Cold in Alex is a superb film (another of Dad's favourites). I am not saying you need another project, but an ambulance, nurse and South African with a radio set would look great in the collection. I look forward to that conversation.
DeleteGeorge, have reached that level where I can't justify more regiments, my interests will now be directed towards interesting projects and auxiliary units. Those that add to a scenario or photograph, the main gaming units are completed.
DeleteMichael