Completed Airfix 54mm French Line Infantry

[Briggsy]

Some great conversion work there, I never really realised just how versatile these figures are, really enjoying this thread.

Cheers Simon

 

[eppi]

Wow!

I LOVE this way of building figures, with tens of separate parts!
I'd suggest to try 80 gr. paper for strings, belts, etc.; when the proper shape is found it may be fixed and hardened with cyano glue.

And, if I may, I've a question: how do you fix so clean these little metal wires on the collar? every time I try to stick a wire on my figures it turns to a mess.

Cheers, Eros

 

[Merryweather]

Hi Eros,
thanks for your comments and suggestion.
The little metal wires are 0.3mm solder, which is VERY soft and it's simply stuck with thin superglue applied with a needle. very low-tech!
When I have corners to turn I wait until the first bit is set, then make the shape. it's so soft it can't be pre-shaped.
Hope that helps?
Neil

 

[Merryweather]

Some great conversion work there, I never really realised just how versatile these figures are, really enjoying this thread.

Cheers Simon

Thanks Simon
I'm such an Airfix geek - they are just mostly what I have in the spares box, and many of them from my teenage years! Of course there's not much around in 1-32 scale now so I'm kind of stuck with these , and I DO like the consistency of the plastic anyway

 

[eppi]

Hi Eros,
wires are 0.3mm solder, ...
Hope that helps?
Neil

I always tried with copper 0.3mm wire and I'm surely going to try the tin wire. Thanks.

 

[Waterlooman]

Really impressive work - loving the poses.

W.

 

[Rob]

Wonderful dedication on show here. You are managing amazing things with these Airfix pieces. Great project.

 

[Merryweather]

I am delighted to announce that Fusilier 15 is ready for paint.

He does have a pack and a shako but I didn't have the patience to manipulate them into the shot without glue.
not my best photography-apologies.
Only one more to go YAY!

 

[NigelR]

I'm delighted to see it! Now get on with the next one and get painting

 

[Briggsy]

He looks good, looking forward to seeing them all together it promises to be a great scene.

Cheers Simon

 

[Merryweather]

I am even more delighted to announce that Fusilier 16 is done and ready for paint – Ta Da!
After putting it off for quite a while I finally knuckled down to doing the hair. I knew I wanted something scruffy but I didn’t quite know what. I was inspired whilst watching an old documentary from 1967 about disappearing London; there was a down-and-out pictured and it just struck me that that was the look I wanted for this guy.

I had fun with the wicker-covered canteen- I used a bit of fabric from curtain tape around a 3D printed bottle. Thank God for the 3D-printed hobnailed boot soles-they came out again YAY! And I had to do the back of the cartridge box as it was clearly going to be visible

I have to say that ironically, from being a bit ‘MEH!’ this last one is pretty much my favourite now, and he will definitely be something like front-and-centre in the final composition. The pose IS a bit 'War Picture Library' or whatever, but it's something I've always enjoyed in artwork so I'm very happy with it. In fact it’s really given me a sense of how it will all shape up (phew!)
So that is definitely IT – there will be no more, so I want no naughty suggestions about adding Scots Greys or making it a round twenty figures, please, gents!
So on with the paint, but don’t hold your breath- there’s a lot of DIY in the pipeline to be done before Christmas.
And then there’s a base to do…..

 

[Briggsy]

There just isn't enough time in the day! Very dramatic pose with great detail, he will definitely be a focal point, so catch you in the New Year!?

Cheers Simon

 

[NigelR]

Excellent animation! Now GET PAINTING!!!!!! Sod the DIY, you need warmer weather for that.

 

[eppi]

That's ... BELLISSIMO!

 

[Merryweather]

Well as usual my 'couple of weeks' turned into a couple of months...
After a whole load of decorating followed by Mojo deflation I finally knuckled down to painting these boys- but I had to do a couple of practice heads before I let myself loose on their faces, just to get back in the swing of things. They're still not my best but I need this done now.
Here are all the bits, ready for assembly

Fusilier 15

and Fusilier 16

I shall proceed to assemble them and post them soon, and then make a start on the base
thanks for watching
Neil

 

[marco14]

that is a lot to do like I can see,enjoy it and beautiful done

Mario

 

[Briggsy]

It's amazing how many parts go into a single figure, if you're due to start the base there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Cheers Simon

 

[Rob]

Well as usual my 'couple of weeks' turned into a couple of months...

I note someone starting a small, tight little 5 figure diorama like this back in early March 2021, I wonder what happened to that?

 

[Merryweather]

Yup me too

 

[Warren SMITH]

Good to hear you have your mojo back, big diorama's are out of my scope due to losing interest half way through... looking forward to seeing the final piece..