PLASTIC CADET CAVALRY

Further research, with help from Hugh's SMALL SCALE WORLDS, confirmed they are cadet cavalry, initially produced by Bergan/Beton but subsequently copied by numerous other manufacturers, including Airfix. These probably date back to the 1960-70s. 

Well, I like my toy soldiers to look tidy, and as I was suspicious of the originality of the paintwork, decided to add additional detail and colours to bring out the best in the riders. My plan is that the acrylic paints and coat of varnish will better protect them. Also repaired three horses reins with milliput and several coats of superglue. Unfortunately, out of the twelve riders three had serious decay, they were also another make. Three horses were also different including some rather flat Tudor-Rose. They added nothing to the other nine cavalry.

Supplementing the previous paintwork of green, white, and flesh, they have now been revamped for my wargames table. All are strong and cheerful. As they aren't meant to be historical, I've given them a bold 'toy look'. My plan is to use these mounted figures as top-up cavalry for odd armies and imaginary scenarios.

MGB

(Footnote, the three decaying figures have been cleaned up. The heads are beyond saving and will be replaced. Hope to find an interesting use for these figures.)

                                                                     Original condition

PLASTIC BRITISH ARMY c.1990 and WW2 BRITISH (Airfix)

Have been reducing my spares box by painting some British 20th century infantry. Most of the figures are Airfix, and a few Matchbox (?) The first group are soldiers with L1A1 rifles and green webbing, so these figures are pre-1992 in date, but they will be used as games require. I think they look suitably camouflaged for my garden. For added strength, I drilled a steel rod into the feet of two figures as the single-leg position would have led to paint flaking (left figure, first photo).

I also had a handful of 8th Army Desert Rats, including a few kindly supplied by Alan Gruber. No plans to wargame the WW2 desert war so will attach these to my small collection of British military police serving in the Eastern Mediterranean 1930-60.

MGB

Admirals, Generals, Surgeons, Highlanders, U.S. National Guard

My 54mm collections are looking fairly complete but I can still use interesting extras, personality figures, and those formations vital to keeping armies in the field.

Rather pleased with these, the first is a Charbens plastic figure of a Royal Navy admiral. Some have suggested it is based on John Jellicoe, commanding the fleet at Jutland. The second is also plastic, of the French politician Charles Clemenceau, prominent in WW1. It is produced by Mokarex. This figure had a rather short walking stick but it was easy to replace with a longer steel rod. Total cost for the two figures was £4.54 delivered.

The next two figures were kindly gifted by Paul Watson. Both are lead figures. The first is a surgeon, the second was a Guards officer but a change of headdress has furnished a more useful officer for my collection.

In my spares box were several damaged lead highlanders which appeared to be slightly larger in scale, and armed with what looked like muskets. Decided to form a small firing unit. OK, the white tropical jackets aren't strictly correct in their cut but they do add something interesting to the collection.

These figures are some of my own home-casts. Have painted them up as the 7th New York (State Militia) National Guard Regiment.

MGB

PLASTIC SARACEN/TURK ARCHERS

Picked up a handful of Britains Herald-HK medieval archers and pikemen. I don't really need more figures, the collection is quite complete but, I really could use some more shooting figures for my Saracens. Decided to convert the four, and draft the others into my French-Swiss pike block. With my Saracen javelin men and two earlier conversions, I can now field twelve shooters.

MGB

Original state, costing £5.63 delivered.

ZOUAVES RESTORED

In February I picked up five very badly damaged French Zouave toy soldiers, lead castings made by Britains. With the arrival of some spares from Dorset Toy soldiers, and also an officer, I can now field a unit of six, to serve as French light infantry. I guess the whole project cost £10, and a bit of time.

MGB

RURITANIAN ARISTOCRACY

On a flying visit to Castle Zenda, Crown Prince Rudolph has decided to visit his half brother, Prince Michael. While there, no doubt, he will wish to sample the local grape produce. Also in attendance was Count Rupert of Hautzau. All uniforms are based on the 1952 movie Prisoner of Zenda. 

Here is Crown Prince Rudolph (Stewart Granger).

Here is Crown Prince Rudolph being assisted to walk.

Here is Prince Michael, Count of Strelsau (Robert Douglas). In my humble opinion the rightful and best suited ruler of Ruritania. Was he not always the most loved son of the late king (confirmed in the book). Do you ever see Prince Michael carrying out his duties in a state of intoxication? Ask the ordinary people, who would they prefer to be their king!

And here is the ever-so-brave Rupert, Count of Hentzau (James Mason). 

In keeping with the good order and zeal which Prince Michael injects into all his works, here is his own regiment of Stelsau Cavalry.

Also on active service, still dressed in mourning for the late monarch, two members of the Black Guard Cuirassiers (from the 1922 movie). These guards have taken a vow of silence (lol)!

With the coronation approaching, it is hoped that the transfer of the Crown will be peaceful, and orderly, God Save the King!

(All character figures are a real hotchpotch, made from bits in my spares box, and milliput.)

MGB 

ANY IDEAS WHAT THESE ARE?

Sorry to trouble others but I'm at a real loss as to what these plastic toy soldiers are. Just purchased them as I thought they could be useful for conversions,  but I might decide to keep them as nondescript 1800-1900 top-up cavalry. For all I know they could be new Chinese-made, or pre-1990 toys. Would welcome opinions, even if its only a guess.

MGB