EXETER TOY FAIR (new acquisitions)

Here are the items picked up at the Exeter Toy Fair

A member of my family was travelling near Exeter and kindly provided a lift to the Matford Centre. The entrance fee is £4 after 10.30am but as I arrived rather early I took the 'Early Bird' entry of £10. To be honest, I was keen to have a morale boost and the idea of waiting outside for over an hour was something I could do without. 

I had prepared a small pack lunch, and compiled a list of wants. I wish I could report having successfully cleared all of them but ..... not quite. Nevertheless, it was a useful and enjoyable outing. OK, the number of toy soldier traders was not large, I would suggest five or six, but a careful rummaging furnished some nice items.

I would like to particularly mention the trader Kevin Duggan. I have purchased and swapped with this fellow on several occasions (and he does view this blog). On this meeting he really made an effort to support my 'gunboat diplomacy'. I was able to pick up an admiral and a midshipman for £3 each, and a contingent of naval ratings for £2 each. Thanks Kevin! My plan was to recruit two mid-19th century gunboat crews suitable to represent Prussian or Danish navies. I know some of you will be horrified to read this but I plan to paint the sennet hats black.

Another trader had a pack of two archaic lead artillery pieces which I've been wanting to acquire for some time. I think they look great. They cost £4 each. I suspect these were penny toys, but have only ever seen a handful, some wheeled while others are without. Any more information readers have on them would be most welcome.

That same trader also furnished three Charbens milk churns needing some repair work for £2, and a recast town civilian for £2.50.

A third trader furnished one of the above naval ratings and this William Grant's Whisky freebie for £2 each. This was actually the only firearm carrying figure I purchased that day.

Now another trader has regularly brought boxes of £1 damaged lead, which I search through with great anticipation. But this time the boxes were rather diminished. He acknowledged, his sales were mainly plastic these days. Nevertheless, he allowed me these four items for £5. I have been searching for a swan ever since viewing some Apperley Towers holiday snaps. 

On a second perusal of his stall I spotted this damaged chimney sweep's hand cart. Not sure who made it but I picked it up for £4, which seemed fair. Just needs the wheels and suspension sorted, and a suitable chimney sweep

Finally, I spotted a box of Scalectric figures for sale. 50p a figure. Lets see what we can do with them.

WORKING ON THE NEW ACQUISITIONS

First job was to remove any remaining paint from the lead items. Next step was to file away any untidy flash. A quick prime exposed any casting holes or damage needing some Milliput work.

The chimney sweep's handcart required more time than I expected to repair. A fine model, full of detail, it had collapsed on its intricate suspension. I want models which can take handling so I decided to reduce the suspensions and then superglue them back.  I then drilled both the wheels and the axil holders to take a thicker piece of metal wire...... and then added hubcaps, much better! I decided to repaint in a clean black, and could not resist some yellow ornamentation. Will have to seek out a chimney sweep, they normally wore black clothing!

The small but rather splendid garrison-naval guns have been sorted. As much as I would have liked them in bright colours, I feel black just looks more appropriate. Would love to know who manufactured them. Only one of the two had drilled holes for wheels, and this matches a pair I'd seen on Ebay several years back. The two guns are actually slightly different castings too.

This Britains admiral required some hat repair work. I've repainted him as a Danish naval officer. Interestingly, they continued to utilise red in their naval officers' uniform facings.

(For purposes of education, no profit made below.)

And here are my two new naval crews. The black hat and shorter sailor shirt looks much more continental. These can now serve as Prussian, Danish, or even small Italian states.

Papal Navy

Two Sicilies Navy

My simplistic German gunboat with a new crew.

And here is a Danish paddle-steamer fully manned.

I was finally able to include a Britains midshipman in my three Royal Navy gunboat crews. A very nice casting.

Manning the gunboat HMS Spitfire

Those Scalelectric figures are not to be mocked, I think they will work rather well in WW2 games.

This is the town figure painted, and have also completed a seated figure and bench.

And finally, here are the four items purchased for £5, now reduced to three. I already had a complete stile, so this broken one was perfect to use with the elegant gate. I drilled metal rods to secure it.

MORE LIVESTOCK ARRIVE

Spotted a W.Britains and a Johillco lead cow in a clearance store for £1 each. Will have to repaint but nice to see their horns are undamaged. This will increase my Friesian herd to six.

SOME SEATED CIVILIANS

Working on two seated civilians. The farm lady casting in overalls was donated by Graham Apperley. The other I picked up some time back is painted to look like Sergeant Jones in Dad's army.

                                                                              MGB

PS. Kind supporter of this blog Donnie McGibbon entered Hospital in January. I know I'm not the only one wanting to wish him well, and with God's grace.