W. BRITAINS EYES RIGHT MARCHING BANDS...OPINIONS WELCOME

Continuing from the previous post, seven days after the Exeter Toy Fair I spotted one of the traders. He is actually a nearby neighbour, and was friends with my late mother. We briefly discussed and weighed up how the event had gone. Concluding, he mentioned having a box of toy soldiers which were mine, if I wanted them. I popped round, and said yes. He refused any payment so we compromised, I would give a £5 donation in his name to the local Hospice.

The box contained twenty-three W. Britains Eyes Right infantry bandsmen, all wearing yellow coats. This would indicate they were from W. Britains boxes 7488, 7493, 7494, and 7495, representing the Band of the United States Army...... I believe they are linked to Pershing's, but yellow coats?

                                                Here are fifteen standing, all but one are drummers.

Eight more marching.

(And there were also twenty-three Highland bagpipers in the box, haven't a clue how I will use these.)

Many of you will be aware the Britains Eyes Right bands and marching infantry were made in the late 1960s, and they have become somewhat notorious for plastic oxidisation. They really are peculiarly prone to snap at their ankles, or lose their arms. I've even seen one set in which the figures cracked inside their box! Now these appear to be good, but I haven't tried to actually bend them to really judge. A measure of attempted restoration has taken place as some of the heads/helmets are Royal Marines. Surely the original figures did not have Royal heraldry stickers on their drums?

WOULD WELCOME OPINIONS

Should I restore them? Should I use them with a free hand to repaint, convert, or draft into other units, etc.? Has anyone else used Eyes Right on the wargames table? I really would like to hear how toy soldier collectors and wargamers feel about this acquisition. 

As a footnote. My Hanoverian infantry regiment were formally eyes Right Royal Marines which were badly broken and missing parts. They have now participated in several games.

THESE ARE NOT MINE...... Spotted on Ebay, these confirmed Eyes Right bandsmen have been given a repaint job and varnish. I'm impressed! 

MGB

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REPLYING TO FRIEND'S COMMENTS 

Thanks for the input, MJT. I am at a loss what is the best move. I'm hoping others also express their views. I don't want to act too quickly, and then wish I'd done something different with them. I can confirm, I'm not against having a band as part of my 1890s US Army, and I don't really mind if it portrayed something later in date.

By the way, MJT, have just this moment discovered that the yellow coats portray THE United States Army Band of Washington DC, not Pershing's. 

Thank you, Graham, I appreciate your opinion. Also, I was going through my files of inspirational photos a few days ago, blow me if I did not find ten that are listed as yours, which I recorded about eight years ago. I noted your lovely terrain, and some excellent traditional lead military units! Do please keep me posted of any 54mm wargaming activities!

Yes Graham, looking at those photos, I'm tempted to think we are on similar ground, perhaps yours is even higher, lol. If you do decide to set up a blog, I shall be very pleased to promote it, and certain to visit for my inspiration. It's up to you,  but I know it will encourage others to appreciate quality restorations, and the magic of 54mm toy soldier wargaming. NB. There are not that many of us, lol.

Thanks Donnie. My problem is I already have seven Empire battalions of Highlanders, and even a detachment of ACW Highlanders, and all have a bagpiper. One actually has six. I have promised myself, that is it! I might decide to give these extras away, or perhaps swap them for something useful. Yes, I too like the yellow coats. Only problem, I don't see myself mixing the standing figures with the marching. And I want any units to have headdress uniformity (except the bandmaster, he can have a bearskin.). Combine this with the Eyes Right 'issue', I'm still to devise a plan of action.

Cheers Brad. I still haven't made a definite decision what to do. I'm drifting towards keeping the marching yellow coats as a US band (to be expanded). Perhaps breaking up the yellow coat drummers, and getting rid of the Pipers. But it might be best if I delay any decision until I feel more confident. I do have plenty of projects to concentrate on.

BASIL BRUSH'S CAR, EXETER TOY FAIR, GARIBALDI'S TROOPS

                                                                 PURE NOSTALGIA

I loved the original series of Basil Brush 1968-80. The controversial, sometimes racy, wit of the puppeteer was hilarious. The puppet was made by Peter Firmin, who was part of a team that gave us magical children's TV programmes such as Nogin the Nog, Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine, and The Clangers. But it was the voice, script writing, and puppetry of Ivan Qwen that made Basil Brush a household name in the UK. Less known is that the character of Basil was almost certainly a composite of two of Ivan Owen's actual friends, that is Terry Scott, and Terry Thomas. 

Visiting the collectables shop, I spotted this lightly damaged die-cast, and couldn't resist it. They aren't that rare, but it was still kind of the owner to charge me £7, which included two plastic Britains draught horses. In 1971 Corgi joined with the Basil Brush Show to produce this toy, based on the one which appears in the show's intro.  will have to think hard to find a method to use this die-cast in a wargame, but if I fail...... no worries.

Youtube 'presently' has some surviving episodes from the original series.... great fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNfh-jvUvpA

Ivan Owen, d.2000

Terry Scott, d.1994. (Saw him in a Christmas pantomime in the West End, 1970s.)

Terry Thomas, d.1990

Terry Thomas tells a joke.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0jPxYcQW2I

Feb 18, paint stripped car

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EXETER TOY FAIR, FEBRUARY 15

Chris and I visited Matford once again. My budget was limited, but I did want to try and sort out a few gaps in the collection, and I was open to finding a bargain. 

There must have been about seventy traders(?). With about half a dozen carrying toy soldiers. I must be honest, I did not see that many bargains, and it was quite noticeable that there was an absence of vintage plastic soldiers for sale. I spent £7 for two entrance fees, and £14 on lead castings.  And here they are. The cavalryman completes a unit of four. The three Guards firing completes a battalion of twelve. And finally, four odds that just caught my eye. Unfortunately, one of the latter is home-cast lead,  and I won't keep it.

I believe the Guardsmen below are from Crescent Box no.1488, aka Castle Guard figures. Have never seen them used by other wargamers, am I the only person that actually set out to collect them? Their scale is 55mm.

The West Point figure on the left is not worth saving, pure lead, badly cast. But good to get another railway station figure.

Well, nothing really special, but it was a nice day out! Chris roamed about taking photos, including a few toy trains for Roger (in Norway).

Nice seeing Trader Graham Pearson. He showed me some superb photos of Airfix WW2 Germans he had recently painted, but I'm clenching my teeth while writing this. I think his stall had a monopoly on plastic figures.

Other traders.

Visited Kevin Duggin's stand again. He knows I like restoring bargains, but I also like to be inspired.

Some other stands.....

Yes, it was raining, again, but better than staying inside!

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GARIBALDI gains another COMPANY

Going through my spares box I found four damaged ACW Confederates. With no plans to wargame the ACW, decided to repair and repaint as Carabiniere/Bersagliere Genovesi. Contemporary photographs show that this unit(s) adopted various outfits in shades of grey. Many of these garments were then faced or piped with mainly black. It certainly makes a contrast to the popular red shirts. For wargames. I will temporarily draft a dozen Britains Deetail and Swoppet Confederates to top up their number, but I won't offend others by repainting them, lol.

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SOME NEW TOOLS

Have been using a pair of modelling files for about twenty-five years, and they looked the part. Decided to pick up this set of ten for the reasonable price of £6.50, from a local hardware store.

I get through pens and pencils like few others, picked up twenty-nine new pencils, and two coloured plastic/glass pencils for £1 in a charity shop. Will remove the rubbish rubbers, I only use mars/plastic erasers.

MGB

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REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS 

Hello MJT. The toy fair is held in Exeter two or three times a year. On some visits I have genuinely wished my funds would be a bit healthier. I would suggest, the November event was much better, but even this one is as good as some elsewhere in the country. On the positive side, I saw hardly any cuddly toys (he writes, having just promoted Basil Brush!). 

Hello Hugh, having already promoted the Basil Brush Show, I left it to others to mention the catchphrases, lol. I do wonder how many visitors will view this, wondering what is this all about. Until they have viewed an episode, they are missing out...... place a bet some will think it is like other kid shows...... not quite.

Hi Donnie. It's a bit strange, I don't feel I've completed that much this last week, but there is a fair number of projects that have moved down the pipeline. And, despite having a cold for four days, and working on a tricky sewing project, I have still enjoyed the week. I do get a buzz whenever I complete a project, so those odd figures from the show will give a good return, and there is a load of WW2 Airfix that has also been painted, just awaiting some photos.

Hi Roger, Chris has some interest in Steam Engines, so he was happy to take some railway photos for your interest. Despite the London Toy Soldier Show being held in my childhood home area, I've never been. But there are some good videos of past events on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9b_r05VhLQ

I've also noted, two or three who have commented on my blog, have reported picking up some splendid plastic soldiers, and apparently at fair prices. So the secondhand stalls are probably very interesting! 

Hello Tony. It only took us 20 minutes to get to the show. Daft not to make a day trip out of it. And I met a handful of traders that regularly view my blog. Just today, 22nd, met another trader that lives around the corner, he has very kindly given me a box of 23 plastic Britains Eyes Right US Bandsmen in yellow. What a very kind gesture! 

Thanks Brad. I thought the Italian uniform would be of interest. And it makes any excursions a little bit more authentic, being able to furnish this second unit on the wargames table. I will be aiming for a third, for sure.

DANISH WARSHIP ARRIVES (1863), also LEAD ROT!

                                ANOTHER 19TH CENTURY SHIP, HDMS ROLF KRAKE

A powerful warship has just joined my collection of toy gunboats. Very loosely based on the Danish vessel 'Rolf Krake', it is to serve in my Schleswig wargames, and other 19th century conflicts.

I'm not pretending the model is in anyway accurate, that would be pretty tricky in 54mm scale. I have purposely exaggerated the twin turrets, how much of the gun barrels are exposed, and also the funnel. I wanted it to be fairly compact, but also powerful looking. And it is meant to recreate a toy of the 19th-early 20th century. Mine is made of wood and card. The three masts are detachable. Most of my 'traditional-tin-toy' looking gunboats are about 12inches long, this latest addition is 16inches. 

I must mention just how sinister this black ship looks!

The original Rolf Krake was built in Scotland for the Danish navy in May 1863. I liked the fact it combined something of the steam ironclad monitors, and also sailing ships. This vessel was originally armed with four Swedish 68pdr smoothbore guns. And the first in Europe to rely principally on turret guns. The two turrets required a crew of eighteen to make a full turn in one minute. The ship was engaged in the Second Schleswig-Holstein War, and continued in service until scrapped in 1907. 

Why masts and steam? I read an article about a fairly contemporary German ship, it explained that coal might not always be available on long voyages to colonies, so they kept a backup system.

 

More information on this ship can be found on this very useful website..... .http://www.navalhistory.dk/English/TheShips/R/RolfKrake%281863%29.htm

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MORE NAVAL OFFICERS HAVE ARRIVED

I had mentioned to Chris that my collection could use some suitable captain figures for ships. When these were spotted on Ebay, he negotiated a very fair price. They only cost £5, including their delivery. The four railway station figures make perfect 19th century captains, and for most nationalities. I already had one in my collection, and I am able to home cast replacement arms. My thanks to Chris for sorting this out, another problem solved. They arrived on Feb. 7.

Danish officers.

Here are the figures after paint stripping. The seated figure looked very bad, covered in thick white paint and diminished hands and feet. I have now seen another, and it is the same, so clearly manufactured in this manner. I now believe it is a W. Britains civilian truck driver and dates back to the 1920s. The figure missing a base is an officer with sword belonging to a rifle unit. Have now discovered the railway  porter can also be painted as a 19th century midshipman.

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LEAD ROT, or a case of SCURVY?

Having never found a figure hit with lead rot in my collection, I have discovered my first example. And I'm in a good position to provide some info on this rare but much feared hobby disease.

1. The casting was discovered in one of my cardboard boxes containing over thirty Royal Navy figures, some plastic, but most were metal.

2. The figure was purchased secondhand in September 2020. Already painted, it was noticeable that the facial features were flattened, and the bayonet was practically broken.

3. A few weeks later it was paint stripped, and a home-cast head and rifle were added. It was then well primed, repainted, and given a coat of yacht varnish. The figure was then superglued to a piece of painted thick card.

4. The base of the figure was unaffected as it was made of thin steel. The casting was very soft, so I'm assuming a high level of lead. No sign of the manufacture. I am tempted to think it was a smaller manufacturer, or a home-cast.

5. This strange system of basing may help identify the manufacturer?

6. My own home cast extras are made from 80 to 100% pewter, which is very high in tin. Not surprisingly, the rot had failed to spread to my additions on this figure.

I have long thought that lead rot was caused by a mixture of factors, including climate. I still believe this can speed up the process, but the real issue is always the quality of the metal. I do now wonder if pure lead is more susceptible when covered in paint and varnish? I only suggest this because a member of my family has a pure lead tobacco box, dated to c.1750.

It has no signs of lead rot. But when I first viewed it in 2014,  after some time in storage, it had some very slight lead oxide (white) in a few places. A duster easily wiped it off, and it has not reoccured in ten years of displaying in a warm room.

Concerning the rotten figure, it was actually surplus to my collection as my landing party battalion had recently gained an officer. Thirteen is unlucky for some. I threw it away. You win some, you lose some, and it's just a poor quality trinket!

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US NAVY OFFICER FOR WW2

At a toy fair a trader kindly gave me a plastic figure. It was only 50mm high, and we concluded it was probably a police officer that had formed part of a toy car set. I decided to convert it into a US Navy officer. 

With a sharp knife, I removed the waistbelt.

And here it is, to be attached to my Seabees unit.

MGB

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RESTORING THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

Last year I picked up a broken Iron Duke for £3. A splendid casting, and suitable with most 54mm figures (unlike Del Prado castings). But the figure was missing a sword and telescope. The paintwork was quite good, but some tidying was still required. I also wanted to replace the white cockade, necktie and waist-belt with black. I now feel it could serve as a foreign officer, including naval.

The photos don't do justice as the gold really stands out.

Originally....

MGB

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REPLYING TO COMMENTS FROM FRIENDS

Hi MJT. I was working with very cheap materials so I spent some money on a black spray and some tacks. It was definitely worthwhile. The spray paint cost £5.99, but I haven't used 25% of it. The whole model cost less than £10. I am very pleased with the result, I almost expect to see a tripod appear in the distance, lol.

Hello Roger. Yes, that website is very useful, and the fellow is to be congratulated on his efforts in creating it. Interestingly, one of the articles states the British were the bad guys to have attacked neutral Denmark during the Napoleonic Wars, and capturing practically their entire fleet. While I understand their position, which does have justification, you have only to see what happened to the Dutch and Spanish navies to understand the British position. If Napoleon marched into Denmark (which his armies later did, in preparation to invade Sweden). The French could have crossed the English Channel, or to Sweden, using skilled Danish sailors and ships. The British attack was unfortunate, but necessary, we could not put our trust in Danish politicians!

 Roger. Concerning wargames, my ships are totally linked to my toy soldier collection, and battles. The ships have added so much to my scenarios, campaigns, etc. Did not know there was a corresponding issue on some Zinc toys.... interesting!

Hello Hugh. I too have come across that treatment, using vinegar. To be honest, I never thought much of the figure to begin with, and having to replace the flat facial features did not help matters. I think the vinegar treatment would have solved the problem for a period of time, but that lead rot would eventually return. It does make you wonder what Britains put in their early castings as few of them get lead rot, I have never had one, it is always the home-cast stuff made out of church roof lead, lol.

Hi Donnie. That figure arrived in a box with six (genuine) Britains. I remembered there was something very different about the casting when I restored it, the metal was strange, and very soft. I'm not surprised at all to discover this is the first to acquire lead rot. You know I like a bargain, but restoring this figure did not seem worthwhile. I think my home-cast head and rifle were the only good bits, lol. Donnie, that ship is a welcome addition to my fleet....... it looks frightening!

Hello Graham. I've really enjoyed raising a fleet to serve with my fairly modern plastic and traditional lead toy soldiers. If I had none, I would have faked (off table) their participation, as I find amphibious actions particularly interesting. Having restored my late parents cast iron bench, I had some quality hard wood planks left over, shame to waste it. But half my collection is made of plasticard, which has also proved successful. I think it was Plato that coined necessity being the mother of invention...... well I wanted to also save money! I used a saw and a mouse sander. 

Yes Graham, I noted early on how others were using Railway figures to furnish extra staff officers, and naval officers. 

Cheers Brad. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the Schleswigers mentioned a Danish vessel during their wars as being notable for its black paintwork. There is no missing mine either, lol. I might try and seek out a public hall to stage a large naval action. By the way, a few days ago I completed a small unit of Carabinieri Genovese 1860. It's another period I would like to better represent on the wargaming table.