Some PAINTED CIVILIANS, MILITARY, and my SCHLESWIG PROJECT

A few days ago I picked up a horde of metal and plastic figures at the Exeter Toy Show. Yesterday I had some time to go to work on them. 

Railway Station Staff. The red and black uniforms are to link up with my Timpo train livery. Still scratch-building a luggage cart based on the original Britains casting.

Town civilians and British policemen.

Some French soldiers. Planning to raise a second battalion of Foreign Legion troops.

Another Crescent cowboy is revamped. It was a nice range of figures, designed in the 1960s.

THE SCHLESWIG PROJECT

Have started on my Schleswig collection. Here is a Danish drummer 1864, and a captain for my merchant ship. Have also converted some large Timpo ACW figures into Schleswig volunteers. Although pleased with the results, my plans have somewhat changed. 

Have discovered a very nice figure-make to represent Danish 1848 (more on this later). This has led me to consider reducing my large collection of American 1890s (well over 200 strong) into Schleswig and German troops, to engage the potential Danish army. While I hate paint stripping completed projects, I could easily muster fifty figures towards this new project, at no cost. I also have a surplus plastic British regiment (my British Empire collection is almost entirely metal now, and numbers nearly 300!).

Don't mind admitting, I've been influenced by a wargame 'Anyone for Herring?' on Brian's blog COLLECTING TOY SOLDIERS, it involves a fictional war between Denmark and Norway c.1870.

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MGB

EXETER TOY FAIR and new acquisitions

A member of my family (Chris) kindly drove me to the Exeter Toy Fair on Saturday, he then went on to view the Jaguar car showroom! My purpose was to sell/swap some plastic AWI figures, and a spare multi-coloured Timpo train. (I only need two working trains, one is a nice looking red and black livery set, the other is my armoured conversion, painted green.) 

Here are my recent acquisitions, most of which came from Adrian Little of Mercator Trading. Nice bloke, was happy to support his business. Since my swaps were donations from friends (Paul and George), only right to pass some of this on to others.

First up. A number of lead railway, police, and civilian figures costing £2-£3 each.

Four Royal Artillery Mountain Battery figures, just £1 each, and nicely painted!

.Some odd plastic figures, 50p each. These will be drafted or converted. 

Some more plastic figures for drafting. Others are going to be converted into Schleswig volunteers.

Have been looking for some mounted Guards officers for a conversion project, £5.

Should have taken a few more photos, but I only had an hour and a half, and I wanted to inspect my new toys at home, lol. Adrian is in the first photo.

I arrived at 10.15am, and nearly everyone queuing was aged fifty or over, but by midday it had almost balanced out. The entrance fee was only £3, which is very fair. And I went home slightly in credit...... I need to top up my paints!

MGB

ps. Acquired a French toy soldier marching, made by JIM of France. New to me, very similar to Starlux in its style.

MY LONE STAR VEHICLE COLLECTION

Over the last three months I have been increasing my collection of Lone Star Modern Army vehicles. Although styled 'Modern', these die cast vehicles were made during the 1960s and they actually represent the 1940-70 period. The scale is about 1/40? although many are provided with a seat for a figure belonging to their associated range of plastic soldiers (see my Parachute Regiment posts) which are 1/32. So they are fine for Toy Soldier Wargaming (as opposed to Wargaming with Historical Miniatures).

First up is my battery of MISSILE LAUNCHERS. They can shoot matchsticks about seven yards, while the heavy metal missiles have a range of about five feet. 

Still to tidy up this truck, which arrived somewhat scratched and missing its rear wheels. But it arrived in a delivery which included the all important RADAR. 

My second truck is in a fine condition. I have attached the MULTI ROCKET launcher.

I guess this DOUBLE-BARRELLED GUN can represent a Bofors 40mm, in some kind of anti-aircraft role. I now have four Bren Gun Carriers, might convert one for service with my German WW2 Army.

Here are some of my first Lone Star vehicles, these are rather small for using with 1/32 figures, but I still like them on the gaming table.

I'm rather pleased to have this SEARCHLIGHT in my collection. It seems so appropriate attached to my WW2 British army.

I still have two extra trailers with some bits missing. Might try converting them into something useful to serve with the above.

MGB

NEW RECRUITS for IMPERIAL JAPAN

My Japanese army has just gained some new recruits. First up is a Navy gun crew. Here they are manning a TYPE 50 Coastal Gun. The officer figure is a converted guardsman, and based on a scene in the film Midway.

Another five Japanese infantry in their white fatigue uniform. Just got the officer to finish, to complete a battalion of twelve.

Finally. A firing section (company) of Japanese allies. These are converted British figures, portraying Giyugun (Malayan) Volunteers. They were supplied with captured British equipment.

MGB

MORE LEAD FIGURES COMPLETED

Continuing on from the previous post, here is another batch of American WW2 figures, dating back to the 1950s. Most are Cherilea, but there are some other makes. As these wear a longer jacket, they are better suited to represent US Marines.

The three castings below are quite small, but look fine with the jeep. One more will later man a HMG.

A spare plastic bazooka figure joins the GI contingent.

MGB

CHERILEA 1950s LEAD FIGURES

I recently picked up eighteen lead figures, described as Cherilea WW2 Americans. Looking at some photos, I thought the paintwork might be original. If it was, I was keen to simply base them. On arrival I discovered several figures were other makes, and four had broken weapons. It was also clear they had received a rather indifferent 'camouflage' paint job over the original paint. Since the latter looked rather poor, decided to paint strip. 

Looking at the castings, I decided to split them. Several were wearing different moulded uniforms, and three were a very distinct scale. Still, I have enjoyed working on this new project. The eighteen figures cost £8.99 delivered. My plan is to form them into nine US Army infantry, six US Marines, and three smaller US Marines.  The latter will be attached to a small jeep in my collection.

Footnote, just completed

Here are the completed US Army infantry. Don't mind admitting the uniform was tricky to replicate, and rather drab in colour (lol). Have also attached a plastic 1960s Timpo figure.

Original Eighteen

Reproduction Gear

MGB

PARACHUTE REGIMENT, another battalion completed (Part Three)

Pleased to report that the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (aka 2 PARA) is ready for service. Respecting the previous paintwork of Lone Star during the 1960s, I have given these figures United Nations painted helmets. Since 2 PARA use blue as their battalion colour, it sort of made sense to link the two. In keeping with their UN portrayal, have given this battalion the two mine detectors.

Footnote: In my spares box was a plastic American Indian, decided to convert it into an extra Saracen.

MGB

3RD BATTALION, PARACHUTE REGIMENT, painted and ready (PART TWO)

Here is the first battalion, of four, which will provide my collection with some post-WW2 rapid deployment troops. I like to think these fellows will find service in the garden, on a hot summer's day. Thats the plan.

In keeping with their character and possible activities, each battalion of paras is a self contained fighting unit. In this case they comprise six infantry (small arms, 2 Dice throws), a HMG team (2 Dice), a bazooka, a mortar team, and a flame thrower. I will occasionally allow a bonus to their dice in respect to their elite status and training, just seems right! 

The flame thrower figures often arrive broken, a metal rod and Miliput sorted out the problem. Dark brown bases, respecting the Lone Star tradition. Not bad for plastic toy soldiers that are over half a century old.

MGB

BRITISH PARACHUTE REGIMENT Project (Part One)

I do get some real pleasure repairing old toy soldiers. My latest project is to work on a batch of Lone Star 1960s paratroopers. These figures aren't rare and they are a little dated, but their simple design is still quite attractive. 

My initial four figures were supplemented with seven more as part of a figure exchange with Tim (of 'Megablitz and More' Blog). Three auctions have now provided enough for my wargaming plans. The first for £10 included six figures. The second for £7.55 furnished twenty-seven! The third for £5.40 included eleven figures. 

CONDITION

Near half of these plastic toy soldiers have oxidised, but the design is robust and damage was restricted to gun tips. Using lead and superglue, all have been repaired (although the three flame throwers required Miliput work). The original paintwork was typically poor and had largely flaked off. Decided to give them a quality priming before applying the new paint. I also carved off all casting lines and flash.

RESEARCH

My next step was more fun, assessing how best to utilise the different figures. In the 1950s the Parachute Regiment was reduced to three regular battalions, with a fourth comprising a reservist (TA) battalion. Interestingly, each battalion has a shoulder patch in their own distinct colour. The first is crimson, the second is mid-blue, the third is mid-green, the fourth is black. This has led some veterans to purchase non-regulation flags in their battalion colours. I further discovered that each battalion also has their own section to act as 'support' troops, with mortars and heavy machine guns..... interesting. By the way, the rifles(?) are not accurate; it was a period of army transition.

PAINTWORK

Going back to the original toy paintwork. Lone Star produced these figures in two ranges. One wears a baggy smock and helmet. The second range has the 1940-50s field dress and berets. Noteworthy, the first range came in a variety of helmet colours, two shades of blue for UN service, two shades of green, and two shades of light grey (quite what the latter represented, I'm unsure). I intend to respect this, linking it to my paintwork, dark green for the first battalion, light blue for the second, mid-green for the third. The red beret figures will form the fourth battalion. This will also aid me in recognition, storage, etc.. Strangely, Lone Star painted the bases very dark brown, I will also apply this to one battalion to further assist in easy recognition. 

ESTABLISHMENT

I have calculated three battalions of twelve, and the reservist battalion of eight. I will also have a small unit of 'just landed' paras, and a Bren Gun Carrier with crew. 

The Main Delivery of Figures

Original Lone Star Helmet Paintwork....

Home Flags

MGB

ps. Can confirm the 3rd Battalion Paras are complete, just waiting for their varnish to dry.

Tim's blog, lots of battles.....http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com