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Post by rupertm on Feb 10, 2020 13:48:06 GMT
Having been inspired by lots of good stuff on this site and Dave L's lovely figures in the flesh I feel myself succumbing to the temptation of the ECW.
I have three questions I am seeking help with:
1.) Pikes - Anyone know of any good solution for these that are pretty safe for your eyes if you get too close? At present I am thinking of adapting the ACTA pikes but something with more rounded ends would be better even if less historically accurate. I had several eye surgeries a few years ago and can't see so well when looking down at the tabletop at times hence my particular caution about blundering into my own pikes!
2.) Casualties - I like these for markers and vignettes etc.. Anyone got any conversion pics or ideas for these. One or two of the ACTA chaps have potential and I am also looking at how much work would be involved in converting the Weston Mexican Peasant casualty poses. The Peasants may also make the odd ECW Clubman.
3.) Commanders - Whilst the ACTA figures are great for foot command poses I am seeking out all possible ideas for mounted leaders. So far looking at the old Airfix kits and Del Prado's factory painted metal ECW & TYW offerings. Any other ideas out there?
Cheers Rupert
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Post by Mike Lewis on Feb 10, 2020 15:13:58 GMT
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Post by davel on Feb 10, 2020 16:06:49 GMT
Hi Rupert,
I seem to remember that Anthony (spiritofethandune) used metal rod from Maverick-models (they do lovely flags to your size).
I personally use the pikes that come with the figures. Use the hot water treatment and they straighten. Also, they have the nails moulded that fit the metal heads to the wood. Plastic would be safer for you I think?
Replicants do a set of musketeers that have an officer looking at a map. They're a bit expensive, but would fill in missing figures. They also do a mounted Roundhead on a horse that could be used as an officer (I'm going to use one on a ACTA horse) and a Royalist type trumpeter that could be utilised as a command figure.
The mounted 54mm Airfix kit can be made into either Charles I or Cromwell.
At the moment I'm using the ACTA officer with a cane and the flag bearers, mounted on single bases as officers.
Don't know of any casualty figures - down to conversions I think. Maybe the ACTA Parliament musketeers brandishing a sword could also be used for an officer!?
Irregular miniatures do a few 54mm figures, but a bit expensive, but ok for a one off (I Think they do one of an officer with a goblet)
Best Wishes Dave
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Post by tradgardmastre on Feb 10, 2020 17:17:57 GMT
For 28mm figures I recently read on a blog that people use plastic brush bristles ( look round in shops and see length and strength of them) for pike . This seems a great idea for 28mm figs even 40mm but worth a look for 54s. Years ago I saw a chap image himself on a closely packed shiltron of pins on peter Laing 15s, left an impressive print on the palm of his hand.
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Post by spiritofethandune on Feb 10, 2020 18:59:11 GMT
Rupert,
I use mounted command figures from the ECW range by Alexander's Toy Soldiers. He does a Charles I plus standard bearer, and a Cromwell plus general officer. Dave is right in that I use brass rod from Maverick Models for my pike.
Cheers Anthony
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Post by Quantrilltoy on Feb 16, 2020 20:03:19 GMT
Having been inspired by lots of good stuff on this site and Dave L's lovely figures in the flesh I feel myself succumbing to the temptation of the ECW. I have three questions I am seeking help with: 1.) Pikes - Anyone know of any good solution for these that are pretty safe for your eyes if you get too close? At present I am thinking of adapting the ACTA pikes but something with more rounded ends would be better even if less historically accurate. I had several eye surgeries a few years ago and can't see so well when looking down at the tabletop at times hence my particular caution about blundering into my own pikes! 2.) Casualties - I like these for markers and vignettes etc.. Anyone got any conversion pics or ideas for these. One or two of the ACTA chaps have potential and I am also looking at how much work would be involved in converting the Weston Mexican Peasant casualty poses. The Peasants may also make the odd ECW Clubman. 3.) Commanders - Whilst the ACTA figures are great for foot command poses I am seeking out all possible ideas for mounted leaders. So far looking at the old Airfix kits and Del Prado's factory painted metal ECW & TYW offerings. Any other ideas out there? Cheers Rupert The ACTA pikes are not only overly flexible but they become brittle and break off. I tend to use florist wire flattened at the end and sharpened but you could leave off with sharpening. The wire is also too easy to bend. A friend of mine, Bob Bolton, used hundreds of wooden skewers. They are over scale but effective, don't bend and aren't too lethal.
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Post by rahway on Feb 16, 2020 23:42:37 GMT
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Post by rupertm on Feb 17, 2020 8:47:47 GMT
Thanks for all the replies on this thread.
I have invested in some metal castings to back up my ACTA plastics and will take a look at Evergreen plastic rod for the pikes.
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