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Post by leswhite on Jun 25, 2019 9:22:04 GMT
While looking at my Early World War one conversions it occurred that it would not take too much extra work to start on my long awaited delve into the Franco Prussian War period. I've always enjoyed seeing the fantastic artwork of Detaile and de Neuville. The action portrayed really lends itself to being converted into figures and scenarios for some great games.
So as usual no ideal figures are available but 'close to' works for me with AIP WW1 pickelhaube Germans and French Foreign Legion. It would not take too much effort to change my WW1 French into FPW French, add some fringed eppaulattes and cloth leggings and they are there, but I'll probably just make more specifically for that period. Of course AIP Zouaves could be used straight out of the box but I prefer the really baggy seroual trousers so I'll be 'mucking' about with them too!
I am starting with PRUSSIA and ALLIES to get me 3 different troop types. The decision was made pretty early that I did not need 100% accuracy but the 'look' of the period, so the helmets have just had painted detail instead of modelled on just now. I am going with these three colours to get a contrast on the game board and of course the use of each unit will be different. The basic German figure has had a bedroll added to be more period specific, based on the artwork which I think conveys that he is an earlier period than 1914. The Dark Green uniform of the JAEGER makes him stand out as a specialist unit and with the adapted shako head, from my WW1 conversion, has had the cover removed for a better shape. The JAEGER could easily have a bedroll but I thought the new head was enough to start. I really like the brightness of the BAVARIAN uniform and as an important Alley had to be done. Getting the shape of the crested helmet took a little time and now that it is the way I want it I'll make a mould to produce more for a units worth. This figure could have a bedroll too! I'll be looking at cavalry shortly and seeing how I can adapt the AIP sets to this period, probably Lancers/Uhlans and some Dragoons.
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Post by jimmn on Jun 25, 2019 12:25:35 GMT
These are great. Converting the pickelhaube would not have occurred to me because the spike looks like it has no other purpose. You made a crest and a shako. Cool.
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Post by leswhite on Jun 25, 2019 19:03:48 GMT
Thanks for the comments. I suppose it's the way you view a figure with respect to what needs changed to get what you want. In most cases the headgear is what makes the uniform stand out and this is normally my starting point.
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 20, 2019 22:19:27 GMT
Thanks for the comments. I suppose it's the way you view a figure with respect to what needs changed to get what you want. In most cases the headgear is what makes the uniform stand out and this is normally my starting point. Les As someone recently joined but been lurking in the shadows somewhat as never seem to have enough time to post, but I've really enjoyed your postings on your various conversions which I find very inspiring! I to have dabbled in mid 19th century with converting various figures into Austrian 1859 gunners and some 1870 French, I'll try and post pics some pics but wouldn't let me attach to this post as keeps saying file to big ??
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 20, 2019 22:24:00 GMT
Right, think I might have sorted the problem, I'll have to resize all the pics I saved to post, so will try again tomorrow. Herewith my 1859 Austrian gunners, I think the first 2 were Imex acw gunners and the figure pointing was converted from a BMC acw figure. All have Irregular Miniatures 'jager' heads if I remember correctly, they were converted many years ago.
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Post by leswhite on Jul 20, 2019 22:34:49 GMT
Hi stuparkin, Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of 'slicing and dicing' plastic figures. Thanks for your comments on my postings. I like your ACW IMEX conversions into Austrians. VERY nicely painted and based. Looking forward to seeing what else you have done for 1859 and FPW. The Austrians take some thinking out for the best basic figures but the French can be made from AIP or even Deetail FFL depending on the size you prefer.
With your photo attachment, you have to keep the picture size below 1mb, so if states file too big just downsize the pic and try again. You should be able to get 3 pics under 1mb each attached to each of your postings.
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:19:52 GMT
Yes I've managed to re-size the images so here goes. Back view of the 3 Austrian figures
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:21:45 GMT
Next up 3 conversions of 1870 French Line Infantry The Infantrymen holding the standard was converted from an old Legionnaire figure I picked up from the Birmingham Toy Soldier Show many years ago (no idea of the make). The Officer is from an ACW figure (again manufacturer lost to time as these were done 10 years or so ago). The Infantryman advancing was converted from an Irregular Miniature 1914 French Infantryman.
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Post by leswhite on Jul 21, 2019 22:30:01 GMT
These look great! Is that a Crescent Foreign legion guy with the flag ? The crescent figures were nice but they are quite difficult to find, although for our purposes damaged ones will do. I liked their firing pose. Is the advancing man a metal figure by IRREGULAR, he is the only one I don't immediately recognise ? Keep the pics coming
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:32:46 GMT
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:33:21 GMT
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:33:58 GMT
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Post by stuparkin on Jul 21, 2019 22:40:14 GMT
Now this figure of an Imperial Grenadier Guardsman is based on a ACTA Iron Brigade ACW marching figure (If I remember correctly) but can't remember what I used for the head. I have some Prussians somewhere but I had started to change them into 1877 Russians when Me and Mike Blake were going to do Russo-Turkish War many moons ago (I've not seen Mike for a few years now). I've no idea how why the pic has gone on it's side when it is saved the right way up on my laptop??? Thank you for your kind comments. I'll have to get round and convert the Prussians back into Prussians I bought a box some months ago of AIP Foreign Legion figures for converting into 1870 French (may stick to 1859, not sure) and ended up with quite a few Hat Zouaves to convert into 1870/1859 French Turcos and Zouaves. I'm a massive fan of the French Second Empire military. Stu
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Post by leswhite on Jul 21, 2019 22:41:03 GMT
Since your editing your postings , I'll wait until I comment further as your answering my questions before I ask them the way they are now appearing on the screen The officer is from an ACCURATE ACW set, but can't remember which one, it's been awhile since I looked at their poses.
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Post by leswhite on Jul 21, 2019 23:07:50 GMT
I'm also a fan of the French Second Empire ,the artwork of Alphonse de Nueville and Eduard Detaile got me interested. Your 'Imperial Grenadier' shows me that I am on the right track to convert some AIP Iron Brigade and Berdan Sharpshooters into them, I'll have the bodies left over anyway from doing WW1 Belgian Carabiniers. He is a nice conversion, I expect the head is a one off conversion by yourself, as I can't think of a commercial casting in metal or resin, at the moment that has the 'bonnet de police' of that period. The rest of the poses from the Call to Arms Iron Brigade set and the US Coloured Infantry set are useable matched up with AIRFIX WW2 legs, the scale is the same which means you could make more poses with a consistent look. Here are a couple of examples
A few details would need altering , of course, but should work O.K.
The AIP FFL don't need much work to create 1870 or even 1859 French types and with a head swap for a Shako or Jaeger hat could also get you Austrians in coats.
Although this illustration is of the 1866 war the earlier uniform was similar.
The HAT zouaves need a lot of work to make them look good as they are light on detail, but they should work as a basic figure.
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