Gary L. Bratton, Trail Boss, American West 1880 - Series 77 Miniatures (Released 1984)

[KenBoyle]

Gary L. Bratton, Trail Boss, American West 1880

Series 77 Miniatures (Released 1984)

After a 3 month dry spell I'm back to painting and finishing something. Thank God! My thanks to Franck on the forum for giving me a little push by commenting to me in a recent post asking "Any new western adventure in the cooking?". It helped get me back in the saddle again, so to speak. Thanks, my friend! My wife also thanks you as she thinks my mental health has definitely improved.

The figure is an old Series 77 release that stands up well, even by today's standards. It is, of course, in my favorite period (hence Franck's question) and I only made a few minor tweaks. The hat's brim was perfectly flat and needed to look a little more "used", so I simply bent it a bit. Then I added a bit more hair to his forehead using Green Stuff putty because it somehow felt right. Finally I added the chin cord to his hat. Its windy on the plains folks!

As usual it was painted entirely in acrylics with a simple base made of Magic-Sculpt.

Thanks for looking, take care and stay safe.

Ken

 

[captnenglish]

This is one the nicest version of this classic figure I have seen

 

[KenBoyle]

This is one the nicest version of this classic figure I have seen

Thanks Matt. I appreciate the comment.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[misfit151]

First class job Ken....cracking.... Mike

 

[Viking Bob]

Glad your back in the saddle, superb painting mate.
Very nice leatherwork.
Stay safe.

 

[bucsfan21]

Awesome piece of work Ken! Love the old Series 77 Western from Pat Bird! Like your choice of colors as well on the shirt, hat, chaps, and bandana . Also liked the way you pulled of the face. Also one of the best painted offerings of this kit in my time in the hobby! Thanks for sharing your work!

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA

 

[KenBoyle]

First class job Ken....cracking.... Mike

Awesome piece of work Ken! Love the old Series 77 Western from Pat Bird! Like your choice of colors as well on the shirt, hat, chaps, and bandana . Also liked the way you pulled of the face. Also one of the best painted offerings of this kit in my time in the hobby! Thanks for sharing your work!

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA

Glad your back in the saddle, superb painting mate.
Very nice leatherwork.
Stay safe.

Thanks Mike, Terry and Bob! It was a fun figure even if it took me a while to finish.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[MoboSchreuder]

Wonderful paintwork again Ken

Mobo

 

[Wings5797]

WOW! Superb work Ken
10/10 Sir.
Cheers
Keith

 

[Tecumsea]

Lovely work ken on a classic figure, so much of pat birds work stands the test of time and originated from the hands of a sculptor rather than a computer screen.

Keith

 

[winfield]

Without a doubt the best of the many versions of this oldie I have seen. That Winchester! That looks like it could go into the gun safe right now~!

 

[KenBoyle]

Wonderful paintwork again Ken

Mobo

WOW! Superb work Ken
10/10 Sir.
Cheers
Keith

Thanks Mobo and Keith! Very kind of you.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[KenBoyle]

Lovely work ken on a classic figure, so much of pat birds work stands the test of time and originated from the hands of a sculptor rather than a computer screen.

Keith

Without a doubt the best of the many versions of this oldie I have seen. That Winchester! That looks like it could go into the gun safe right now~!

Thanks Keith and Steve! My love for Pat's Series 77 figures never ceases and I enjoy painting them to a higher standard than I was capable of back in the day.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Len K.]

I love these Series 77 kits. I have a bunch of them. After seeing your superb I work pulled a few off the shelf and I’m putting them together. Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[Chris Oldfield]

Fantastic piece of paintwork Ken, another classic figure well realised. The face reminds me of a cousin of mine.

 

[franck edet]

I'm very very pleased to see a new one from you Ken, it reminds me of my youngness when we we're used to watch westerns on the TV set at home on fridays.

regarding painting : this is really great painting and the leather looks like leather, not overdone, not trashed, just like real well maintained used leather !

congrats, and thanks for the good words Ken

 

[KenBoyle]

I love these Series 77 kits. I have a bunch of them. After seeing your superb I work pulled a few off the shelf and I’m putting them together. Thanks for the inspiration.

That's fantastic Len! Your 90mm Andrea Cowboy was beautiful! I'd love to see some Series 77 from you.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[KenBoyle]

Fantastic piece of paintwork Ken, another classic figure well realised. The face reminds me of a cousin of mine.

Thanks Chris! Say hello to your cousin for me.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[KenBoyle]

I'm very very pleased to see a new one from you Ken, it reminds me of my youngness when we we're used to watch westerns on the TV set at home on fridays.

regarding painting : this is really great painting and the leather looks like leather, not overdone, not trashed, just like real well maintained used leather !

congrats, and thanks for the good words Ken

Thanks Franck! Likewise, I grew up watching westerns on TV and still love the genre.

Also, every word I said was true. Stay safe my friend.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Chris Oldfield]

Thanks Chris! Say hello to your cousin for me.

Cheers,
Ken

Will do, Ken.