NEW ADDITIONS (Finished MAY 29)

Pleased to have painted a fair number of figures over the last four days. Must admit, near half of these have been nearly complete for some time, but its still a real pleasure to have them finally depart my worktop.

First up are three spares. A Soviet WW2 infantryman, an Airfix Japanese officer to complete the pioneer battalion, and a Deetail Saracen or Turk.

My Indian WW2 battalion of twelve has just gained a Bren gun figure, and a radio operator.

Instead of raising a fourth battalion of British paratroopers, these Lone Star figures will serve as 1950s Royal Marines. Having actually painted six infantry, the others just changed their berets, I will have to seek out one more to complete their establishment of twelve. 

However, the Parachute Regiment has gained their own command base. It includes one of those 'just landed figures', now with a walky-talky and Sten gun.

Finally, have increased a British 8th Army unit from seven figures to fifteen, including their own HMG. 

As for actual wargames, I have used this beautiful weather engaged in a genuine struggle to combat aphids on my raspberry canes....... I think I'm winning. Next battle must involve the lawn. MGB

Completed Projects (Die-cast vehicles and Figures)

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. 

Next up is that badly scratched Lone Star Radar Truck, now with it's new RAF blue paint job. The coat of varnish has gone on very nicely.

The third is the broken Benbros despatch rider's motorbike. Quite a bit of work here, had to construct the top section of the control panel/handlebars, and the rear mudguard. Then devise a system to securely fix the bike to the base. Decided to convert one of the spare Lone Star paratroopers into a rider. As part of the 7RHA his job is to confirm the route for the artillery vehicles.

Original condition

Finally, this Britains lead farm lady has been repaired and repainted. A nice addition to my rural community.

MGB

7RHA Troop joins the Parachute Regiment

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.

MGB

ps. My thanks to Hugh of the SMALL SCALE WORLD website for drawing my attention to the 7RHA,  and its links with the Parachute Regiment. 

PARACHUTE REGIMENT, this completes three battalions

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.

MGB

DIECAST VEHICLES More projects!

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.

FRIDAY FOOTNOTE

Paint stripped and primed!

SCHLESWIG WARS, Danish reinforcements arrive!

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.)

MGB

ps. Just purchased another box of cheap Napoleonic figures for conversion into red-coated Danes. This will increase them to twelve figure battalions.

SCHLESWIG WARS, German states send troops

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.

MGB

SCHLESWIG WARS, Danish General arrives

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.

The red uniform for Danish high ranking officers was abandoned before the 1848 War, but not that long before. As this is a toy soldier collection, I will use it. The print below is dated 1840.  

Original state

MGB

SCHLESWIG WARS Danish troops Training c.1848

Last week I used my hobby time to work on twenty-seven Danish 1848 infantry. I was initially thinking of regiments of twelve, but these nine figure battalions will probably serve just as well. 

In the early years of the FIRST WAR, only the officers wore the new blue uniform, so the dates below are only uniform regulations.

MGB