A GENEROUS GIFT ARRIVES

                                                          A BOX OF TOY SOLDIER

I was having a conversation with Mark from the ManofTin Blog (https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/the-cupboards-are-emptying/) concerning his plans to organise and display his collection of toy soldiers. He is presently looking at the possibility of constructing some glass fronted shelving. Another person advised, stay clear of some modern furniture, it is all show with inferior materials. Mark later mentioned, he had a quantity of Airfix WW2 figures that were surplus to his requirements, would I like them? Well, I have been carving up a fair number of Airfix figures for quite a few side projects, I said yes.

Mark only lives in the neighbouring county, and it was a quick postal delivery. Rushing to open the box of toy soldiers (lol), the first job was to do an inventory of the contents.

The box contained thirty-three British Paras, eighteen Desert Rats, fifteen Gurkhas, fourteen US Paras, twelve Africa Corps, and twelve Japanese. Now, he did warn me that many had gun damage (near half). Fortunately, those most interesting to the collection, such as the Gurkhas, were in good condition. I was fascinated to see the latter as these were new to me. I now plan to raise a couple of companies, convert a mortar crew, and also use the LMG figure. As for the others, I'm going to look at what might be achieved with head swaps...... something different, something interesting to paint. I'm tempted to convert the Desert Rats into Indian National Army (Anti British Empire Indians). And I may convert the Japanese into some more 1930s Chinese Nationalists. Lots of ideas to contemplate on.

Thank you, Mark, for your generosity.

                                                           W. BRITAINS ACW GUN

Well pleased with this project. The Britains ACW gun recently picked up for £7.20 is now repaired. Have attached it to another to form my US Light Artillery battery c.1870-1900. )

(The figures are mainly Herald Guardsmen which I converted some time back.)

The missing gun cascabel is replaced. Yes, I also painted the gun, it looks nicer! 

DEETAIL JAPANESE BUGLER

I was gifted this toy soldier on purchasing some others in good condition. As it was missing an arm holding the rifle, decided to use a metal spare arm with a bugle. This gives me seven figures, so I will be seeking out another to complete two companies.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

                                                                                                                                                                      IDENTIFICATION, help wanted

Would like to know who produced this 54mm ACW mounted officer. No plans to use it, but would welcome some background information. Have found a photo on the internet, perhaps the horse gives us a clue?

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTS

Thank you, Hugh. I was hoping you or Brian would give us some insight. As its value is not great, and staff officers can add much to any game, I'm thinking of painting the figure in a blue uniform, with a off-white summer hat. I could use it as a staff officer in several armies. 

Hi Donnie. I know how collectable the Deetail Japanese are. No way I wouldn't seek out a method to utilise the figure, and I remembered seeing a Japanese WW2 bugle somewhere.

Thanks, MJT. It was very kind of Mark to think of me as the means to see these spare figures used in some games. I'm working on some of them at this moment. I really do need to increase my WW2 Chinese army. 

Thank you, Brad. One of my key pleasures in this hobby is seeing what can be done with damaged toy soldiers, and how they could enhance a collection. Can confirm the fourteen US Paras now comprise six with small arms, two heavily converted mortar crew, and a command base of two. The thirty-three British Paras were the most damaged, and least required! However, have still established three small arms, a radio command base of two, and four more still to be designated. (And a load of helmets and water canteens.) The Gurkhas, Africa Corps, and Japanese will prove very useful. 

Thanks Brian. I suspected this Hong Kong figure was probably copied from a British manufacturer. Well, this brown plastic copy of a Timpo solid is now serving with my armed civilians, which are largely Timpo solids and Timpo copies from their ACW range...... an appropriate addition, I think. 

MEDIEVAL WARGAME (Moors versus Crusaders)

                                                                      SCENARIO

This wargame was set in Spain in about 1250AD. A Moorish Taifa army had been raised by their Hajib, or local ruler. His forces numbered about one hundred figures. However, about thirty were unarmored civic militia and could not be considered reliable. But he did have two small units of household cavalry, and also his palace foot guards. These were equal to knights in their resolve. And the forty or so mercenaries and ghazi volunteers were equal to men at arms. And not forgetting, his state artificers had time to construct a powerful trebuchet. The Hajib was determined to hold this key river crossing.

The Christian opposition was commanded by a lesser member of the French Royal Family (Chris). His army also mustered about one hundred figures, including twelve mounted knights. The others were all retinue/men at arms. To aid his assault, the prince had decided to experiment with a blackpowder light bombard/cannon...... well the noise might scare the Moors. Honour now required him to secure this river crossing. The game would conclude at the end of move twelve.

                                                 THE CRUSADERS COME INTO VIEW

Sorry folks, this was a fun game but due to the nature of melees, a detailed blow by blow account was  just unpractical. But we did take a number of photos which, hopefully, will still be of interest. It really was a bloody affair as both of us eagerly looked on to see what fate awaited our military units. 

Chris resolutely advanced his army towards the bridge.

Sword and Scimitar clashed.

The mounted knights began to cross over the river....

Nine Moorish archers on the edge of the woods almost wiped out the mounted knights in two moves! It required two moves to cross the river. Under my rules, archers shooting at close range targets (8"), that are also closely packed, only require a 4,5,6 per dice, although plate armour or shield can claim a saving throw, 5 or 6.

The assault across the bridge was a push, and counter push..

A unit of Moorish cavalry crossed the river upstream and hit the Crusaders flank. This caused several units to rout. Although some of these later rallied, and the Moorish horse were sacrificed, it severely delayed the Crusader main attack. 

The action took down so many in a small area, we just had to clear some of the casualties!

On MOVE ELEVEN I offered terms, allowing a handful of retinue to make their escape. With no hope of the Crusaders making a second crossing, GAME OVER

This really was a fun wargame, which we both enjoyed playing.

Moorish casualties were about twenty, the Crusaders suffered about thirty. The price of attacking? 

I really did not trust my three bands of civic spearmen, and purposely kept them to the rear as a potential threat, or final fling.

I'm unsure if it is an age thing, but Medieval games seem more fun with 54mm!

NEW PAINTS

I was recently in Exeter and visited a shop selling Warhammer and other similar products. I actually popped in to purchase a few paints. I wanted a standard red, and also a warm brown, the latter to be suitable for firearm stocks, leather belts, etc. A member of staff kindly assisted me but confirmed he was out of suitable Citadel colours. He then went on to say that he uses Scalecolour. Not only are they less expensive (£2.99), but they have a working nozzle, totally full, and with a thick acrylic paint which can be diluted with water. Just confirming, they are excellent!

BARGAIN ARTILLERY

Could not resist this BUY NOW pair of W. Britains artillery pieces. OK, I will need to repair the missing rear button/knob/cascabel on the ACW barrel, but that's easy enough. But I have been wanting a Britains-made Napoleonic naval piece for some time, but did not wish to spend £10+....... these two pieces were only £14.48 including delivery. And they came with some ramrods, a bucket, and original ammunition too!

ps. In about 1972 I picked up a Britains naval cannon in a junior school bring and buy, it cost 50p. I subsequently removed the spring and loaded it with 'banger' black powder. It held my attention for a brief spell, then I moved away from London and my childhood toys disappeared.................... well, I've put that right now........ IT'S BACK AGAIN!

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Cheers Donnie, the Scalecolour company produce several ranges, with particular characteristics. I have only used their WW2 range. These are solid colours, and their titles are more useful than fantasy labels. I also like the price.

Hello Spearhead. I had a small collection of 54mm in my childhood, 1970s. Then raised a large collection of medievals in 28mm during the 1990s. Still have Spanish and Portuguese. But I far prefer wargaming the period in 54mm. On the positive side, it is still possible to start a collection in this scale thanks to Ebay. The prices are still very fair, and sometimes you see some great bargains. I adopted this scale helping a young relative start his collection of toy soldiers in about 2010, now I am hooked!

Cheers Brad, it was a fun change to have the Medievals on the gaming table..... surprised my tactics actually worked, as Chris typically wins! Yes, hoping the pair of guns arrive ok. To the horror of some, I intend to paint the ACW gun a shade of green, to complete a battery. I just don't like plain wood guns, this is done in museums to confirm that part of the artillery piece is a modern replacement. All, or practically all wooden gun carriages 'sent' on expeditions, from Medievals onwards, would need to be fully oiled (and adding a colour to the oil was easy and attractive....... painted).

That's very kind, Roger, thank you. The Britains Deetail Saracens/Turks were never planned. While raising armies of Guelph (Papal) and Ghibelline (Emperor) armies for Medieval Italy, I occasionally picked up a Deetail Saracen figure, or two. I really liked them, and so this collection started to increase..... their armour detail is really fun to bring out with paintwork.

Cheers MJT. Chris and I enjoyed the game, but it is time to contemplate what next to put on the gaming table. I'm tempted to stage a Dominion game, but I haven't used my Grand Budapest Hotel collection, nor the Chinese 1930s army.......... ???

Thanks Quinn. Mad keen to stage another wargame, possibly this weekend. Just spent an hour working on repairing a Britains ACW gun, and I'm pleased with the result. Have formed a battery with another such gun, and with their green carriages, they are suitable for American, Danish, French, or Ruritanian armies!

Hello Peter, always nice to see others adopting traditional 54mm figures. I think it is the combination of gaming with a strong dose of nostalgia which makes it all the more magical. I restarted in about 2010, I now have about 300 Guelph and Ghibelline, and about 120 Saracens. I also have some small numbers with English, Scots, and Swedish heraldry. Look forward to seeing how your collection grows. I'm sure the Flanders based PMCD group would be well worth making contact with. (I don't think I make much effort to promote my blog, so not surprised you 'stumbled' on to it. On the other hand, I sort of quite like having just a select group of friends that sponsor and/or regularly comment with encouragement........ there is an old joke in the UK, two Englishmen meet in a pub, they decide to form a private-members club, two Welshmen meet in a pub, they decide to form an all-male choir, two Scotsmen meet in a pub, they decide to form a merchant bank, two Irishmen meet in a pub, and they decide to have a fight.)

Peter, I am a firm believer in using a primer before I paint figures.... however. The material used on Deetail figures rarely seems to need it! So I often just prime the shield, and enhance the armour features with a mixture of silver and black (I only buy a handful of acrylic paints, and mix what I need). But I do gloss varnish my 54mm, to exaggerate their 'toy' nature.... I never gloss varnished my 28mm. I always remove Deetail shield heraldry, it is fake, and research the correct heraldry. Others prefer the Deetail heraldry, each to their own. Most of my weaponry is home-cast pewter.

Repairing Plastic Toy Soldiers

In my previous post I mentioned acquiring six 1970s Britains white fences and over ninety broken plastic toy soldiers. The cost was £9 which included delivery. For myself, the fences were worth £6 alone, they really do look nice on my green gaming boards. So the broken figures cost £3. 

Decided to launch into a campaign to repair and convert this hoard of figures into something useful. I knew a victory was on the horizon as I only required a handful for success, but many of the figures were very likely to become everlasting casualties.

Well, it has proved an enjoyable project, with twenty-nine figures restored to active service.

Here is the first batch, mainly WW2, but I also acquired two car mechanics, and a smaller scaled farm labourer (now portraying a lad going on a fishing trip). Four US figures have been given ship grey bases to serve on my MTB, and will represent Jones's 'Amphibious Reconnaissance Company (USMC).

                               Mechanics in 1930s indigo blue coveralls, but their haircuts are c.1970

Original state

Next up are those broken cowboys. Heavily oxidised, decided to replace their arms, securing them with steel rods. Primed, painted, and given a coat of yacht varnish, they are now quite robust.

Not expecting too much from this chap, he's fighting his own battle.

Original state

The third batch are medievals. The two 60mm figures will serve as high commanders. Two shields have been left bare, still to decide who they will represent in the 15th century. That extra archer completes a unit of eight. Must home-cast an extra scimitar for the Turk.

Original state

Now this was a bit of fun. There was a broken Airfix olympic shot-putter, he has now enlisted in the German Empire Labour Service (WW2). While the FFL figure will serve as a wagoner.

And here are the remaining figures. Fairly confident most of these will be eventually used. Thirty-eight others were lost or used for spares, but I'm not complaining.

PART TWO

Some time ago I made a French gunboat out of plastic-card, based on an antique tin toy. To be honest, I wasn't that pleased with the result. Decided to scrap it, using the materials elsewhere. However, it has been replaced with a new wood, card, and metal model, and I am much happier with the results. I think it has captured the vintage look.

MGB

REPLIES TO COMMENTS BELOW (UPDATED)

Thanks MJT. The figures were a pleasure to work on, and they allowed me to clear a load of spares too, so it worked on two levels. I wanted the cowboys to be more European but they are somewhat mid-Atlantic. Guess I can use them in either scenario. Yes, that gunboat is a vast improvement on the former, those railings have added much to the character.

Thanks for the morale boost, Donnie. Some projects are a chore but I genuinely enjoyed repairing the plastic figures, and putting the ship together. As I mentioned to MJT, the ornate railings have given the model that tin toy look, which I wanted to recreate (I can't afford the c.1900 originals).

Hello Q. Yes, I have found the same here, the Deetail are overwhelmingly fine, while many of the Charbens, Lone Star, and Crescent plastic figures of the 1960s have oxidised, I think it is due to storage in seasonal environments, such as lofts. I had a delivery box which furnished a number of large copper staples, which produced superb sword blades, drilled into the hands. I am also able to cast axes and scimitars in pewter so I can replace the weak plastic. Never use plastic spears and lances, waste of time painting them, went over to steel rods. Cheers.

Hello Brad. The ability of the Deetail range to be immune to plastic decay is amazing. What I find strange is that some figures, including Airfix, also dating to the 1960-70s, are OK, but others have totally oxidised. I believe extreme changes in temperature must be the issue. Worth noting, some plastic containers left in my garden have oxidised after a couple of years, just like the older toy soldiers, but the same containers inside are still flexible. I believe freezing cold nights and summer heat alters the plastic. (Presently working on a coastal patrol boat for the post-WW2 period.)

Cheers Quinn. I'm still doing house and garden projects but my hobby projects are also scoring, inspired by some great value purchases. Yesterday, I picked up in a charity shop a 1/32 scale vintage car for £4. I already had one of the same but that cost about £10. They make good command vehicles for the old lead toy soldiers or anything pre-WW2. I might also get a few more figures out of the 'broken' box, which recently arrived. By the way, hoping to stage a few small games, including one for Ruritania, and my first for Schleswig-Holstein.

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

NEW ADDITIONS COMPLETED, November 8

This is a wonderful gain for my French Army c1900. Thanks are due to George Mills for kindly donating it towards my collection. I do appreciate this. My deficit in French artillery has received a most welcome addition. Went to work painting and varnishing the gunners.

On a similar note. This French mountain gun has been constructed from bits in my spares box, and the two crew are converted plastic Guardsmen. Will construct a third gunner at a later date.

c.1900 French postcard

George also forwarded four home-cast pure lead figures. I must confess, these old figures had little facial detail, and their naval caps required reconstituting. I used milliput to create a new cap edge, and pompom. I'm happy with the results, and with paint and varnish, they have provided a crew for my second French gunboat....... vital!

Old Print

Another batch of figures kindly sent by George were these 1960s plastic British Army figures. Here they are with rifles repaired. I used a lit matchstick to lightly burn any roughing on the plastic due to wear and age, it did the job.

The additional six Heralds have allowed me to complete two 12-figure battalions.

Those fun pencil sharpeners from Ebay have been suitably converted and painted for the wargaming table. The gatling gun has been given Spanish colours.

Those Deetail Saracen-Turks recently acquired from a local shop have been given a revamp, and a coat of varnish to protect them.

I had to purchase a mounted knight to provide an additional blue horse cloak for my Turks, here it is with its new Styria coat of arms.

Finally, George sent me this 60mm Crescent Mexican bandit, made in the 1960s. Despite its size and unlikely usage, I took an instant like to the figure. Pleased to have restored the pistol, and given it new paintwork.

MGB