The adventures of an 18th century imagination, located in Northern Europe formerly ruled over by joint rulers Duke Karl Frederick and Duchess Liv.Not to mention the American colony of Ny Tradgardland the 17th century Colony of New Tradgardstadt and the newly restored territory of the Shetland Isles.
Featuring a supporting bill of gaming in a diversity of times,places and scales.Hopefully something to interest all who pop by...
Thursday 22 February 2024
Airfix conversions
I was fascinated to see these Airfix figures in a magazine at Ronnie’s. I was particularly intrigued to see the conversions of the cavalry figures. They look like they are based on the US Cavalry set.
Definitely US Cavalry. I've read old articles talking about it. They had the least frou-frou to cut off and were the best suited to build up into helmets/ visored helmets.
The US cavalry man with the flag was a great figure for converting to a medieval horseman - bit of trimming plus drawing pin shield and lots of enamel paint (still a bit high on the fumes!)
A lot of these are Sheriff of Nottingham figures, either straight or with modification (e.g. tissue paper horse bards). There is a very obvious US cavalry rearing horse in there and a few seem to be US cavalry conversions (I also remember the instructions of how to convert these in Wargamers Newsletter). The conversions with couched lances are interesting - there is no obvious base figure for these and so they may have involved more surgery. Does anyone recognise the two metal knights? Finally, I think some credit due both for the heraldic painting (much better than mine) and the photo quality. Anthony Clipsom
Airfix Magazine was full of great ideas and the hardback annuals too. Alan Tradgardland P.s recall an interesting hardback article on the Italians in ww2 in the desert.
Top stuff! Yes those US cavalry appeared in many guises - and the Sheriff of Nottingham's knights must surely be here. The patience and skill required was beyond me, though!
My first ancient wargame cavalry, back in '⁷7 were converted Airfix Hussars with the help of a hobby soldering iron, plasticine with banana oil and pinned on Paratrooper helmets.
Banana Oil is real though I never tracked any down myself back then and used varnish. Chemically it's similar to nail varnish. If anyone is keen to try 'the real stuff' you can buy it here: https://addlestonemodels.co.uk/others/banana-oil-125ml
Definitely US Cavalry. I've read old articles talking about it. They had the least frou-frou to cut off and were the best suited to build up into helmets/ visored helmets.
ReplyDeleteSuch creativity, wonderful.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Absolutely. No doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
I am glad I can still spot an Airfix figure after all these years…
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Some amazing conversions, always amazes me the amount of work that went into getting non available figures on the table, some really clever people!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Mixed in with the versatile Airfix Sheriff Of Nottingham foot knights and knights on horseback
ReplyDeleteWorking together to make a wonderful photo.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
The US cavalry man with the flag was a great figure for converting to a medieval horseman - bit of trimming plus drawing pin shield and lots of enamel paint (still a bit high on the fumes!)
ReplyDeleteEnamel paint and the Polycleanse to clean brushes. My mother didn’t like the smell.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
A lot of these are Sheriff of Nottingham figures, either straight or with modification (e.g. tissue paper horse bards). There is a very obvious US cavalry rearing horse in there and a few seem to be US cavalry conversions (I also remember the instructions of how to convert these in Wargamers Newsletter). The conversions with couched lances are interesting - there is no obvious base figure for these and so they may have involved more surgery.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone recognise the two metal knights?
Finally, I think some credit due both for the heraldic painting (much better than mine) and the photo quality.
Anthony Clipsom
I've had one of the metal knights kicking around for decades and have always assumed it to be early Minifigs.
DeleteTissue barding is most effective and the heraldry too. I don’t know the metal figures sorry.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Could be early Minifigs , not sure.,.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Fond memories of the 60s, though Airfix magazine for 'ideas'
ReplyDeleteAirfix Magazine was full of great ideas and the hardback annuals too.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
P.s recall an interesting hardback article on the Italians in ww2 in the desert.
Top stuff! Yes those US cavalry appeared in many guises - and the Sheriff of Nottingham's knights must surely be here. The patience and skill required was beyond me, though!
ReplyDeleteMe too, re skill and patience!
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
My first ancient wargame cavalry, back in '⁷7 were converted Airfix Hussars with the help of a hobby soldering iron, plasticine with banana oil and pinned on Paratrooper helmets.
ReplyDeleteI don't miss those days!
You must have been in a minority to actually use banana oil. I always thought it as mythical.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Banana Oil is real though I never tracked any down myself back then and used varnish. Chemically it's similar to nail varnish. If anyone is keen to try 'the real stuff' you can buy it here: https://addlestonemodels.co.uk/others/banana-oil-125ml
DeleteNecessity is the mother of invention!
ReplyDeleteVery , very true.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Plasticine and banana oil.. covers a multitude of sins.. 😁
ReplyDelete