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.

Danish, Mecklenburg, Prussian, and Ruritanian Toy Soldiers

Recently received a packet of lead-cast heads from Irregular Miniatures, and having also home-cast some more of my own, have completed a fair number of figures which were otherwise painted, based, and varnished. 

First up is Prince Rudolf of Ruritania in his new staff car. The figure is a home-cast which I have converted into a seated position.. The attendant in the white uniform was the master of ceremonies in the palace ball, it is also the last metal figure from that cheap box of castings I picked up some months ago. The driver is a converted plastic marine, which arrived in the recent box of plastic toy soldiers.

original standard bearer, and driver.

Next up are some plastic herald guardsmen converted into Mecklenburg dragoons c.1848. They will be serving against my Danish army.

Here we see some Danish sharpshooters or Jaeger. Again, these are converted plastic guardsmen. And a nice contrast to the red coated Danish line infantry.

Three old lead figures have furnished a Prussian artillery crew for my howitzer.

And here are some plastic guardsmen now wearing the uniform of the Ruritanian military band, drafted to serve as an artillery crew for Prince Rudolf. All my Ruritanian representations are linked to uniforms that appear in the Prisoner of Zenda movie of 1952.

Outrider for my Prince Michael's Artillery company, making a crew of four.

Original drummer.

PART TWO

Recent acquisitions. From a second hand shop picked up this Ford Pick-up F-100 1956 die-east, made by Sunnyside Toys of Hong Kong, not sure when. The real vehicles was manufactured during 1948 to 1983. I also picked up this nice Matchbox trailer, made in 1978. Both items cost 50p each. Will need to fabricate the rear hatch and some wing mirrors.

Two more items from the collectables shop, one for my potential garage model. The shopkeeper kindly granted some discount, they cost £7 in total. As a Londoner of the 1970s, had to have the bus stop.

MGB

Replies to recent comments recorded below.

Thanks MJT, I must admit the staff car and Rudolf's gang have worked out very nicely. It will enhance what is a colourful but quite small collection. Yes, I spotted the bus stop and had to have it..... totally out of place for my wargaming periods, but who cares, lol.

Thank you, Brad. I have enjoyed returning to armies that don't wear drab coloured uniforms, lol. I still need some spares from Langley for near twenty old lead figures, a mixture of heads and arms. Most are connected to the Schleswig-Holstein Wars. I will then decline further projects and get to play a few wargames, mainly 19th century and Ruritanian.

Cheers Donnie. It is always nice to clear some projects, some of the headless figures have been hanging around for at least six months. Have just this moment discovered the bus sign is a post WW2 Tri-ang toy, part of their Spot-On range, code L130/7, listed as 1/42 scale (not that I care). And the design is fine for British bus stops of the late 1930s, according to one photo I found. So I will add it to my British toy town for sure.

Cheers Q. Blow me if the rain hasn't stopped today, Saturday. Might try and set up the table for a war-game! 

That's very kind Quinn, as I have mentioned elsewhere, it was a pleasure for me to return to the bold colours of the 19th century, the 20th century uniforms are so dominated with mud-brown uniforms. Have just this minute finished a test war-game in the garden (a sunny Saturday!). It involved gunboats and a redoubt. The Danish Navy engaged the Schleswig Volunteers. I can confirm it was a pleasure, great fun, and a working system. Will upload the photos in a few days.

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.

NEW ADDITIONS (that 'Mixed Box' keeps on delivering)

A few months ago I picked up a Mixed Box of home-cast and original lead figures for the silly price of £5, we saved on postage by a member of my family picking them up after work. Well, it keeps on delivering! 

My German states have acquired a command base. They will be visiting Denmark (Schleswig-Holstein Wars) in the near future.

My Royal Artillery for colonial service has just gained a new recruit.

The Post Office Volunteers have also gained a recruit, seen here carrying a reel of wire. The telephone pole is also a new addition, made up of metal and wood bits.

The German State of Reuss has a unit of eight figures. Six were surplus British infantry which I decided to paint strip. The ensign is a plastic Britains guardsman. The officer came from the Mixed Box. 

My WW2 Dutch have their second military policeman (Royal Marechausee). This one is a cavalryman, or cyclist, with their distinctive fur hat.

Even my Lone Star Bren Gun Carriers have gained a new recruit from the Mixed Box.

 

Finally, my collection of WW1 British have gained two more artillerymen. This has allowed me to form two field gun crews, the other four figures are original W. Britains in fine condition. 

POSTSCRIPT. The following are some plastic figures that have been recently converted, but were not part of the Mixed Box. Firstly, a detachment (4) of French Marines in their Tonkin 1880 dark blue uniform. And an extra Soviet naval officer for their gunboats. Home-cast metal extras drilled into the plastic will ensure good service.

MGB