SPECIAL THANKS. I would like to thank Paul Watson for his sponsorship of several lead figure collections on this blog. Having decided to clear his spare/surplus figures, he generously forwarded them on with no other requirement than they deserved to be restored. I would also like to mention George S. Mills, who kindly furnished a quantity of plastic figures which greatly enhanced several collections.

Friday, 20 May 2022

The KING OF SPAIN ARRIVES, to inspect a FRENCH GUNBOAT

His Most Catholic Majesty, King Alfonso the XIII of Spain, of the Royal House of Bourbon (the English-speaking world will be looking on in distain at such Bourbon bravado, lol), has been invited by the French Government to view their newly constructed gunboat. It is about to see service in the current war with the United States over control of Louisiana (see Dominion War).

The Spanish King was manufactured by a Spanish company called Almirall Palou. The manufacturer made a splendid range of painted 54mm castings, that look great with traditional Britains Toy Soldiers. Unfortunately, the company has now dissolved. Picked up the figure for £8.20 delivered, so not cheap. And it needed restoration, the nose was flat, and several paint chips. But all has been sorted out. Its a shame AP always added deep bases, but for my all important dignitary, I think it looks fine!

Original state
The toy has the king in a light blue cavalry uniform. Those below are infantry staff.

The French gunboat is based on an actual French-made tin toy of about 1890, as with my previous post, I really do like the look of these old toys.
Original tin toy, made by a company called 'CR'.
MGB

4 comments:

  1. That's a very nice version of the original vessel MGB.

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    1. Thank you MJT. I think its a bonus having toy ships based on others that were actually made in the country they represent. To be honest, the Germans, Americans and French were well ahead in tin toys. I think we did well in lead holow-cast soldiers, and high quality model ships made of wood.
      Michael

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  2. Kings always put themselves on pedestals Michael, so he looks right at home! He is a beautiful figure after your restoration and goes perfectly with your Spanish forces! Your gunboat is marvelous, very well done indeed!

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    1. Cheers Brad, its another tick in the box towards my naval forces. At this moment, working on another vessel, as the arms race is going at full pace, lol. Shame Almirall figures are difficult to get, the Del Prado range doesn't really work with other makes anywhere near as well.
      Michael

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