Pegaso, 75mm British officer 1879

Have started this one from Pegaso, 75mm and the subject is, an Officer 1879.
I have chosen to strip all the braid from the uniform as this officer has a jacket worn by other ranks.
He's a tight so and so and will not muddy his private purchase jacket for no one.
This has probably been done far better by some one before me but I like the casting and sculpt.
The face is a beauty and has been painted in oils. The torso has been clued to the based and a rough start has been made on that. The boot have been painted but not finished. . Hope you like this.
I think the helmet should be darker than shown but how dark. I know Army tea can be very strong.

Bob

This will be interesting. I like it when you guys start modifying the original figure. I used to alter tanks and stuff without batting an eyelid but a figure.... no way.

That's off to a great start Bob. Interesting about the jacket, I hadn't realised that Pegaso had got it wrong. And indeed a quick Google tells me that he should be wearing the blue patrol tunic or the red "India pattern" tunic. Maybe our resident chimp Richie would like to comment if he's about.

- Steve

I don't think Pegaso got it wrong, the box description is British officer 1870-85, so it would cover quite a few campaigns, I just chose a particular war. I know that some officers chose to wear a jacket stripped of all lace and just left the collar patches. This would have been a soldiers fatigue coat.

Hi Bob,
Nice start looking forward to this progressing. I have a couple of these in my stash but have not touched them as yet.

As for the jacket, I think Pegaso have tried to represent this as a lieutenant's full dress tunic by the collar and cuffs. As Bob has correctly stated this would not be the case. There are some errors on the original but nothing that can't be easily tackled if you wanted to make it into a full dress tunic. However, these would not have been worn on active service.
A wide variety of jacket's had been worn by officer's and as stated the blue patrol jacket was a firm favourite as with the Indian pattern frock. There are also different styles some even having breast pockets, some being piped down the front and other not piped. It was also common for officers to wear other ranks tunic, completely stripped of detail except for the regimental colour collar tabs. There are original period photo's of officer's from the same units in different style Indian pattern tunics.
I have attached some original tunic photo's I had taken in the Brecon museum. You can compare the detail of Lieutenant Coghill's tunic to that of Pegaso's, particularly the piping, cuffs and back vents. I have also added Captain Godwin-Austen's O.R. tunic. As you can see is completely stripped of detail only having the five regimental buttons down the front and the green collar tab for the 24th Foot, there is no other collar, cuff, epaulette detail or piping.

I hope this has answered the questions raised. Bob is completely correct in the way he is going to tackle the tunic for active service.
cheers
Richie

Thanks Ritchie,
I know that Bromhead wore the tunic stripped of all lace detail, so it seems other officers did the same. I will depict my officer at Isandlwana. The pose is perfect for my scene.

regards
Bob

Great start Bob. Interesting mods... Good to see you got the Chimp Stamp of Approval.
Face is looking really good.

Carry on MacDuff

Colin

The jacket has been undercoated using the Andrea 'red acrylics'. I have gone for a darker red. a couple more coats the onto highlighting.
This should prove to be easier as all the reds are there. There are six reds one is a base coat, the next three are highlights and the last two are shade.

Thanks for looking
Bob

Coming along nicely Bob. Love the fleshtones.

Cheers,
Pedro.

Excellent. Love the face and looking forward to seeing this one progress.

Cheers

Huw

Face is beautiful. (The figure's, not yours.)

Blind Pew said:

Face is beautiful. (The figure's, not yours.)

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Thank you for looking in, mind you my face could do with some filler and a paint job. Just a bit more done, the fatigue coat is nearly finished and the trousers have another coat to go on. I'm pleased.
Regards
Bob

Viking Bob said:

Thank you for looking in, mind you my face could do with some filler and a paint job. Just a bit more done, the fatigue coat is nearly finished and the trousers have another coat to go on. I'm pleased.
Regards
Bob

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I'm liking this one Bob,some really nice work mate

Have a bit more done, have painted the haversack, water bottle and the leather equipment. I have tried to get a dirty white look to the haversack. looks better than pure white. Painted the helmet in raw umber, this was after I had used a tea bag on some white cotton, just to see what the colour would be. Raw umber was the best option. I have also made some empty case from brass rod but with the rush of Zulu's, how many rounds would the officer have fired?
Thanks for looking in

Bob

Nice project. Everytime I see a model like this I want to break out The Washing of the Spears and some putty

Hi Bob,
Keep it going it's taking shape mate.
cheers
Richie

Hi Colin,
I going to do 20 new Zulu war posts, may be then you'll get the putty out.
cheers
Richie

crf said:

Nice project. Everytime I see a model like this I want to break out The Washing of the Spears and some putty

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I read that one many years ago, in fact twice. I have started 'Zulu rising' by Ian Knight, also a good read. Like Ritchie Break out the putty. You know you want too.

Thank s for the comments, really appreciated.
Bob

Hi Bob,
Really liking the colours your putting on this figure, great job!
Chris.

Its now moved to completed figures.
Bob

Really coming together Bob. You're making a fan outta Richie. Right in his wheelhouse!

Colin