ANZAC LightHorseman 1917

[Nap]

Hi ,
As its ANZAC day on the 25th April and in tribute to these brave soldiers I thought I would let you see a release from the talented hands of Terry Karselis from The Pony Soldier ...first the pictures then the review details .

Nap

 

[Nap]

ANZAC Review

After the pics heres the review .......

First a little background history :

The Australian lighthorse were composed mainly of soldiers who were virtually born in the saddle, and rode into history against the Turks at Beersheba in 1917, one of the last great cavalry charges to take place.
Received from Terry Karselis, the owner/sculptor of this established company is a 200 mm bust of “Ron Bull” perhaps a character who actually rode with the regiment …who knows!!!! .

On to the model now :

As normal with The Pony Soldier, the model is packed in bubble wrap and held in a strong cardboard box with a colour picture on the top, coming complete with a full history and painting instructions which is a nice addition.

Cast in a clean cream resin with minimal casting lines to deal with, consisting of 2 pieces, the torso which has the base built into it and the slouch hat complete with an emu or ostrich feather which was the symbol of these brave troops, detailing is clean cut and well defined, he is wearing an ammunition bandolier with an open collar with his hat turned down as protection against the sun, you could if you wish add the rising sun collar badges worn by all Anzac’s in WW1 and possibly thin down the brim of the hat a little .
So after washing to remove any casting fluid, it’s a simple matter of joining the pieces together, prime and paint. With the exception of the bandolier its mainly khaki, so vary your mixes to bring out the character of the model .What I also like is the heavily moustached face, lined with the strain of war, with nice eye definition which will assist painting, don’t forget that the face will be in a shadow from the hat and it was hot so get the Vallejo “sweat” out (I suggest using satin varnish).

References :

There are many references available including of course the Osprey series (MAA 406 plate D1) or the website www.diggerhistory.info which is an absolute treasure chest of information.

Final Thoughts:

To summarise, this is a nice bust and recommended and although not colourful will make a fine addition to the display cabinet and a fitting tribute to these hard fighting warriors that gave so much in whatever theatre of war they fought in.


Nap

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Nap,

I bought this bust last year at a Swap & Sell and although it is a very good character study, there are a number of fairly obvious and inexplicable historical inaccuracies with the bust.

Firstly the pleated pugaree around the slouch hat is the wrong shape and design. Lighthorse pugarees were a single piece of Khaki/ Green cloth, without pleats.

Secondly, the soldier is not wearing the brass "Australia" flash on each epaulette, and there are no Rising Sun badges on the collars of the jacket. It is these badges, not the slouch hat, that distinguish this as an Australian Lighthorseman.

Thirdly, the ammunition pouches are way too small and the bream of the hat is ridiculously thick.

I'm not saying its a bad kit, but it could have been so much better. And I wish it was.

From my point of view, the PiliPili Australian Lighthorse bust is the better of the two busts (although it too is missing the brass badges on the epaulettes and collars).

 

[Nap]

ANZAC Review

Tony ,
Thanks for the post , these are my views and I do like the character , I mentioned the rising sun collar badges and the brim , thanks for other details . Not all are lucky enough to know about this and other sites where information is passed so we all learn .

In the review I did say about the thickness of the brim of the hat (most people think of the slouch hat as Aussie and don't go straight to the collar and epaulette badges) .

Like I said thanks for info I shall be putting badges on mine , thinning the brim down and having a look at the bandolier pouches (have you any details?) .

This is what this site is about but I stiil stand by my review with the additional comments made by you which all appreciate .

I have the Pilipili bust as well in the gray army !!!!!!!

Nap

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Nap,

No worries mate, I'm a bit of a nut on this particular subject (WW1 Australian Lighthorse) and it frustrates me that I've now bought two very well sculpted busts of Australian Lighthorsemen, and both had missing Rising Sun badges and brass "Australia" shoulder flashes. It's a tad depressing.

I think I've just talked myself into having a go at sculpting a bust of a Lighthorseman.

Here's a pic of my mate Kevin in authentic WW1 Australian Lighthorse uniform (although he's wearing a post-1945 pugaree on his slouch hat). You can see the size of the ammunition pouches well in this shot.

 

[Nap]

Anzac

Hi tony ,
Fully understand , it can be a little annoying to say the least , and its good to know who to come to with questions . Thanks for the picture ..spot on , have you anything on the actual pugaree if possible .
Now listen here if you intend to sculpt a Lt Horse please make it commercial or make at least 2 as I have spent the afternoon researching these and fascinating it is ...but make sure its a bust Tony ...I will buy one from you !!!!!

Thanks again

Nap

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Nap,

Can't make you any promises, but I'll have a go.

 

[Nap]

Anzac

Cheers Tony ,
No promises but until then I will just admire your great work ......and learn from PF .Please do keep me updated , if you wish to e mail me then please feel free its [email protected]

Nap