Four (K)Nights and an Apache

[DaddyO]

Morning all
Hope you are keeping safe and well and beavering away on figures. Thought I'd share what I've been up to since Santa came . . .
I was lucky enough to get a couple of boxes of FeR Knights (2 knights per box) I thought I'd make up a vignette of 3 of them and do the 4th one as a stand alone figure. The other figure I gt was one I treated myself to just before Christmas from Semper Fidelis (These were out of stock, but I really fancied this one and luckily Jose managed to find one for me - Thanks Jose )

All of these are 75mm and cast in resin and come nicely packed and cast as one would expect these days. Starting with the last one first I loved the look of this with the Apache waving a Cavalry banner defiantly above his head.
Looking closely at the figure I decided to make one or two changes to my version; rather than have him wearing a cavalryman's jacket with sleeves removed I thought it would look better with this as a civilian waistcoat. The idea being that I would paint the figure using subdued warm colours and have the broken banner he is holding in bright cool tones to try and emphasise the difference. . .
Whilst I was modifying the waistcoat with putty I also decided to remove the shield on a strap from the back of the figure which involved a bit of re-sculpting, but nothing too arduous.
Luckily the weapons (and left arm) are cast in white metal so I've so far managed to keep them all in one piece
Final work involved undercutting edges of clothes and sharpening details (I know better painters can do this whilst painting, but I've never been able to and find it easier to do it this way)
Whilst the flag/staff supplied are perfectly usable I decided to make a new one in putty on a shaved sliver of bamboo. This took three attempts, but I'm happy with how it's turned out now.
With all the changes done I've started to add some colour although there's still a long way to go

continued in next post . . .

 

[DaddyO]

So whilst working on the Apache the knights arrived and of course I had to make a start on those as well
First up a few of the books I used as reference (I'd highly recommend the Barker book if you have an interest in this campaign. It gives a brilliant account of the campaign and although dense with facts is an easy read)


The knights are beautifully boxed as can be seen and once I'd decided on the versions I was making I still had plenty of spares left over . . .


First up was a character who appealed to me. Sir Thomas Erpington KG. At the time of the campaign he was already well into middle age at 57 (He's described as old, but since he's nearly the same age as me I'll brush over that detail)
He wore slightly old fashioned equipment including a much looser fitting jupon with capped sleeves and elbow protectors which had more of a point than the cast items. As can be seen I added the end of the chainmail under the bottom of the jupon as well as round the neck. The belts were made from sheet lead (since I wanted to bring the sword slightly further forward) and the head also came in for a few changes including bags under the eyes which might just be visible in the picture and a slightly extended 'pudding bowl' hair cut
. He's holding the baton indicating his command which he's is recorded to have thrown in the air to signal the launch of the arrow storms which so decimated the French in the battle. I've chosen to depict him earlier in the campaign at Harfleur (Where he played a key role)


continued in next post

 

[DaddyO]

Okay onto to the others . . .

I was reminded of the the comedy sketch with the three classes of Englishmen (Upper, Middle and Lower) as this was taking place so starting with the first which was to be Richard de Vere Earl of Oxford. Not too many changes to this one. I added some extra mail just peeking out under the Gorget since this is shown as a transitional style of armour on his tomb at Suffolk. The concave plates below the armpits to trap sword points were of a different shape to the ones in the kit so needed changing. He's shown here with a pole axe, but I've since decided to use a sword.
Another minor, but important change is removal of the spurs. The English fought on foot and as such these would have been a liability. It also is a statement of intent - 'Here we stand or fall,. we shall not retire from the field on horseback'. A lot of manuscripts and illustrations of the period clearly show that the spurs were not worn when fighting on foot and although Henry rode before his troops before the battle he is recorded as wearing no spurs - What's good enough for the king . . . .


Next we have the second figure I've chosen a 'typical' English knight (Mongomery) Wearing slightly less up to date armour I made only a couple of changes. I wanted a larger shield than the small 'heater' style so I pinched on of the spare ones and removed the hand which is cast in and then attached this to the chosen shield angled to show the jupon. A few details added to the hinges of the visor and removal of the spurs meant this one was a fairly painless figure to put together
(I also noticed on the photo that I've knocked off one of the shoulder plates)


Which brings me to the last of this little group - a typical men at arms.
Lots of work so far on this, but nearly there now so here's where I've got to -


Following on from Mike Blank's excellent talk at Euro a couple of years ago the first change was to alter the legs so that he is standing in a more compact way befitting his rank compared to the two others (Hopefully the subtle differences between The Earl standing wide legged and authoritative and the knight confident and ready for combat will be apparent when they are seen as a group)
Anyway this change meant I couldn't use the lower jupon as cast so a lot of carving and putty work went on to rebuild the body in layers (He's wearing a chainmail vest rather than plate) He's also been lucky enough to collect some nice leg and arm protection from earlier in the campaign to supplement this . . .
Armour was removed from his feet (he's wearing typical shoes) and the arms were both repositioned with new hands being required without gauntlets. The helmets was altered using putty with a solder ridge to represent a typical bascinet to add another point of diffence. I've still to add the chainmail to the neck and shoulders, belts, moustache etc. Hopefully you can see how I've built up each layer as if I was dressing him (Better sculptors could do all this in one hit, but yours truly is more likely to damage the carefully sculpted bit with a bit of clumsiness)
Hopefully I'll get this one finished this week and then it's time to clean them up and get out the brushes - Yah

Cheers
Paul

 

[arj]

A nice collection of figures Paul.
I like the changes and look forward to seeing them progress.

... The Earl standing wide legged and authoritative and the knight confident and ready for combat ...

Your reference to 'standing wide legged' brought back memories of Blackadder 3rd and the actors with their 'heroic' pose.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Graham]

Excellent set and a great description of the work you are putting into these

 

[DaddyO]

A nice collection of figures Paul.
I like the changes and look forward to seeing them progress.

Your reference to 'standing wide legged' brought back memories of Blackadder 3rd and the actors with their 'heroic' pose.

Cheers,
Andrew

Ah yes. . . The name's Flash! Love it. (Couldn't find a 'heroic pose' one so this will have to do)

 

[KenBoyle]

Fantastic work Paul! I especially love the Apache (no surprises there )!
The knight vignette is going to be great. The modifications and enhancements to all the figures are wonderful. You are truly a man after my own heart. I'll be following closely.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Nap]

Hi Leggy

Blimey hey I didn't don't know where to read first ........you don't do things by half .....even in middle age ( LOL )

All look good figures and as normal you have put your own touch on them with nice puttywork

Look forward to seeing updates ....on whichever !!!

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[DaddyO]

Thanks you Graham, Ken and Kev

Seemed to have fighting with all these a bit so I thought I'd post a few pics to show what I've been up to (hopefully to act as a kick up the backside for me to get on with stuff - you know how these things ebb and flow) It seems to have done the trick and I've had a good session this afternoon tidying them up a bit and getting them that bit nearer to completed

I suspect the Apache will be finished first Ken Just remembered that I had lots of fun making up a tiny pair of tweezers on a cord swinging on his neck (used for plucking odd hairs from the face and a popular accessory apparently) Not sure about the base for this one though - I'm wondering about something paler than my usual mahogany to fit in with the desert landscape a bit better . . . Birds eye maple perhaps? I'll have a look through Oakwood's lists to see what appeals

Hi Leggy

Blimey hey I didn't don't know where to read first ........you don't do things by half .....even in middle age ( LOL )

Nap

That's my thought too Busty. (Especially when I started writing the posts)
First time I've tried more than a couple of figures to be based up together and it's interesting how much they've morphed as I went along (I really should plan out these things, but I was so excited when I opened the boxes that I just dived in and started sticking bits together - ah well)

Onwards and upwards as they say
Stay safe folks
Paul

 

[arj]

Here's the 'heroic' pose from Blackadder 3rd Paul ..

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Viking Bob]

As Nap said, you don't do things by half. I have not ventured to the middle ages yet but never say never. Those Fer mini's look great and may (I said, may) have a go.
Following while holding my breath that you don't. Break anything else.

 

[clrsgt]

Off to a good start on your project. I have always fancied the FER Agincourt knights, but not really into medieval figures; free hand heraldry has always stumpped me. Did the apache sometime back and it is a cracker of a kit.

 

[Airkid]

Following this one with interest Paul. I've done a few medieval figures in the past and these look to be worth a shout, and being FeR they are going to be well cast.

Phil

 

[DaddyO]

As Nap said, you don't do things by half. I have not ventured to the middle ages yet but never say never. Those Fer mini's look great and may (I said, may) have a go.
Following while holding my breath that you don't. Break anything else.

Luckily Bob you're going to be able to breath again soon mate since I'm pretty likely to break something else before completing these (I've got to scratch billhook for the man at arms yet)

Off to a good start on your project. I have always fancied the FER Agincourt knights, but not really into medieval figures; free hand heraldry has always stumpped me. Did the apache sometime back and it is a cracker of a kit.

Cheers cirgist. I fancied them when I first spotted them although the amount of plate armour put me off a bit figures wearing plate can look a bit 'samey' IMO. I picked up the Knights of Agincourt book because it shows a wide range of English (and French) heraldic arms including a lot which are much simpler to paint.

Following this one with interest Paul. I've done a few medieval figures in the past and these look to be worth a shout, and being FeR they are going to be well cast.

Phil

They are really well cast Phil although it can be quite expensive to put a group together; they do look pretty impressive when grouped though (I did wonder about adding another couple to the group, but thought I'd probably run out of steam so I've limited myself to the three shown for the moment)

Cheers
Paul

 

[KenBoyle]

Thanks you Graham, Ken and Kev

I suspect the Apache will be finished first Ken Just remembered that I had lots of fun making up a tiny pair of tweezers on a cord swinging on his neck (used for plucking odd hairs from the face and a popular accessory apparently) Not sure about the base for this one though - I'm wondering about something paler than my usual mahogany to fit in with the desert landscape a bit better . . . Birds eye maple perhaps? I'll have a look through Oakwood's lists to see what appeals

Onwards and upwards as they say
Stay safe folks
Paul

I'm lovin' this thread Paul! Looking forward to more...

Cheers,
Ken

 

[TERRYSOMME1916]

One hell of a work schedule there Paul and with all that additional detailing going on its very impressive, I haven't seen the FER Knights before and this will be another carrot dangling in front of me but having just shelled out for the Semper Fidelis set and the AK smudgy ink book I am skint and I will have to satisfy myself by watching your progress until the wee modelling money jar in the corner of my work bench starts to rattle again.
TERRY

 

[DaddyO]

Cheers Ken - some more later this week I hope (Fighting with my tax return at the moment)

One hell of a work schedule there Paul and with all that additional detailing going on its very impressive, I haven't seen the FER Knights before and this will be another carrot dangling in front of me but having just shelled out for the Semper Fidelis set and the AK smudgy ink book I am skint and I will have to satisfy myself by watching your progress until the wee modelling money jar in the corner of my work bench starts to rattle again.
TERRY

Thanks Terry - Hopefully with nowhere to go and nothing to spend it on the modelling jar will re-stock soon for you The FeR knights are very nice (as you'd expect) although I'd have liked an alternative set of legs or arms to widen the choice of poses I'm perhaps being too picky
Cheers for now
Paul

 

[Nap]

Hi Leggy

Hope we can see some more on these figures inbetween fighting the tax forms !

Pleasure to see your updates as always

Thanks for sharing comments

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[DaddyO]

Cheers Busty

Right that's that all sorted out
Here's a few bits of progress that I did manage to make in between times doing more boring stuff.

Most of the knights are now undercoated and ready (apart from the central Man at Arms figure who needs a bit more fettling) I decided to go back to the long war hammer for the Earl of Oxford to tie him in a bit better with the other two. I also am debating about adding a flag of some sort to fill a bit of dead space at the back right hand corner

I've made the Billhook for the MAA and completed the replacement flag for the Apache so they are sitting awaiting a wash in soapy water and spray of primer.

The base for the group was one of lovely selection which I was generously given just before Christmas (Cheers big guy)
Although this is a bit smaller than I originally intended to use I've lived with the figures temporarily grouped on it for a few days and it looks fine so I'll stick with this. (I really like the colouring of this one too which should go nicely with the churned up muddy field)

In other news I fancied swinging the brushes so I've had a couple of sessions on the Apache although not much appears to have changed I've finished the boots and leatherwork and added some work to the head. It's amazing how hard painting was after a couple of weeks away, but now I'm getting back into the swing again so should make further inroads on this chap over the weekend. Apologies for the picture which was quickly taken in bright sunshine this afternoon.

Cheers for now
Paul

 

[Graham]

That is a nice looking group of figures and I think they work well