Completed Return to soldiers with Trumpet Major Grenadier á Chevalier

[Paul Handley]

This is my first post here after lurking for a little while and enjoying everyone’s work. I started building Historex kits in the mid-70s and slowly progressed to my figures being 50/50 scratch built and Historex parts. However much the hobby seems to have developed over the years the charm of Historex kits, Milliput, Napoleon’s cavalry and Roussellot plates seems to hold my attention like nothing else.

I’ve found time to do a bit of modelling again and decided to complete a couple of projects I started quite a few years ago now: a Trumpet-Major of the Grenadiers a Cheval in grande tenue and an officer of the 2nd hussars. They’re quite elaborate uniforms and should keep me busy for a while. I might chance a new project then.

There’s still a way to go on the Horse Grenadier but I’ve posted an in progress pic along with a Line Dragoon Trumpeter I made some time ago (I like trumpeters).

 

[Merryweather]

Very nice indeed Paul.
That's quite some contraposto you've got going on there!

 

[Paul Handley]

Thank you. I think I might have over-egged it a bit to be honest.

 

[Merryweather]

Nah!

 

[Nap]

Hi Paul

A BIG WELCOME to PF

PF is for all types of figures with or without additions

Great to have you with us , ( I only do busts ! )....share the PF word , all are very welcome to join ..no matter what's modelled with figures, fantasy , warhammer, war game figures

Have a good look around and enjoy

Do ask anything someone will know...feel free to message me with questions

Lots of different sections to look at including traditional and 3 D sculpting , competitions , WIP's , References , Painting techniques and so much more

There are threads in Welcome Aboard about how to do things including posting pics on PF but do contact me always happy to help

We have a Marketplace where after members have contributed 50+ posts can use to sell , request if anyone has a model to sell etc...You might also pick up some rather good bargains !

We have V Bench for WIP's and also a Completed part ,reference section

There's also Painting techniques where you will find much about Acrylics and Oils

ALL figures are welcome and of course Vignettes & Diorama ( we run friendly competitions if you wish as well , one which is a bi monthly comp where there are 3 classes to choose in which to enter )

Look forward to seeing your modelling no matter what you paint or sculpt .......its all about having fun

Happy bench-time

Nap ( Moderator/Admin )

 

[Historex Rob]

Thank you. I think I might have over-egged it a bit to be honest.

Welcome. Nice to have another Historex aficionado here.

I agree with Neil; not overdone; great movement on the trumpeter. I also LOVE trumpeters.

 

[Paul Handley]

Thank you and hi. It’s good to meet another Historex nut - I thought there was only me left. Looking round these forums, thankfully, I was quite wrong about that.

The dragoon trumpeter is actually all I have left of a little collection I lost in a house move many years ago now. I thought it was quite good at the time but looking round here and on Pinterest (which I’ve just discovered) I’m going to have to up my game - there’s some fabulous work out there these days.

To be fair the dragoon was done with my unaided eyes, which sadly twenty years hence, are no longer fit for purpose without one of those headset things - one of which is now proving to be even better than my youthful eyes.

Here’s another pic of the dragoon and one of the hussar officer. He’s in a rather sorry state after twenty years in storage but I’m sure I can get him something like eventually (he was actually from resin kit that I amended with Historex parts but I’ve no idea what it was now).

When he and the horse grenadier are done I may embark on a new project; a line lancer officer is a strong possibility at the moment (as I try not to look at uniform plates of trumpeters in exotic non-regulation uniforms ).

 

[Historex Rob]

Paul, they are lovely pieces. I too lost my small collection of figures in a move and am just now working on Historex again (17-year hiatus).

I also feel like I am very much on an island building Historex. I read negative things about them, but I think those posters miss the point of them entirely. If proper attention is given and a little creativity added, they are marvelous things.

I also have to use a head set visor. I am blind (peripheral vision) and was just diagnosed with glaucoma earlier this week… and this is on top of some severe corneal damage in both eyes (surgeries soon). Still, I manage okay, though I need the aforementioned head set, and I have to sit directly under a 100 watt, clear daylight bulb to do anything (there is a photo of this my wife took on one of the threads on here… somewhere).

Like you, I tend to look at uniform plates and build from those. I do not ever remember opening a kit and building what is stated on the header card. The figure is always converted/changed to some strange figure from another country.

Hope to see more of your work and to exchange ideas.

 

[blaster]

Hi Paul

Superlative stuff. That’s a terrific conversion!

Rgds Victor

 

[Paul Handley]

Rob, thank you very much. We seem to have rather similar modelling stories. I think I last picked up a kit in the late nineties and then put those half completed projects away until I had more time. Recently however, I came across a couple of Cdt. Bucquoy books and a cheap source of Rousselot plates on the internet that I purchased, they got me hooked and I decided there was no time like the present.

I did read your ‘new members’ thread and was delighted to see you’re a Bill Ottinger fan too. I recently bought another copy of his Historex book as my old one seems to have gone missing. That book and all the old Historex catalogues that Lynn Sangster put together in the 70s and 80s are still pored over with a great deal of enthusiasm - my struggle is still to get my figures to look as exciting as they do in Eugene Lelipvre’s wonderful drawings and paintings.

As Bill Ottinger points out in his book, Historex modelling is a very specific area of the figure modelling universe. In comparison to the super-detailed, highly animated resin miracles turned out these days they’re little more than shop window dummies (tiny ones) but if you think Napoleon’s Grande Armee was the finest looking body of men to ever grace a battle field (I do) they offer the potential to model any member of any unit no matter how obscure.

I’ll post some updates as the work progresses but I seem to work very slowly. One of the tragedies of model making is that one’s head is so full of projects and ideas with so little time to realise them. I’d very interested to hear about any figures you’re working on or projects you have planned.

Lastly, my respect for battling on despite great difficulty with your eyes - all best wishes and en avant!

 

[Paul Handley]

Victor, thank you very much!

 

[Nap]

Well done to both Paul and Rob ...great thread to read

Look forward to seeing more from both of you

Enjoy the benchtime

Enjoy the Historex.....we are !

Nap

 

[Mirofsoft]

Welcome

 

[Historex Rob]

Rob, thank you very much. We seem to have rather similar modelling stories. I think I last picked up a kit in the late nineties and then put those half completed projects away until I had more time. Recently however, I came across a couple of Cdt. Bucquoy books and a cheap source of Rousselot plates on the internet that I purchased, they got me hooked and I decided there was no time like the present.

I did read your ‘new members’ thread and was delighted to see you’re a Bill Ottinger fan too. I recently bought another copy of his Historex book as my old one seems to have gone missing. That book and all the old Historex catalogues that Lynn Sangster put together in the 70s and 80s are still pored over with a great deal of enthusiasm - my struggle is still to get my figures to look as exciting as they do in Eugene Lelipvre’s wonderful drawings and paintings.

As Bill Ottinger points out in his book, Historex modelling is a very specific area of the figure modelling universe. In comparison to the super-detailed, highly animated resin miracles turned out these days they’re little more than shop window dummies (tiny ones) but if you think Napoleon’s Grande Armee was the finest looking body of men to ever grace a battle field (I do) they offer the potential to model any member of any unit no matter how obscure.

I’ll post some updates as the work progresses but I seem to work very slowly. One of the tragedies of model making is that one’s head is so full of projects and ideas with so little time to realise them. I’d very interested to hear about any figures you’re working on or projects you have planned.

Lastly, my respect for battling on despite great difficulty with your eyes - all best wishes and en avant!

Paul, agree on all points. I still look through the Ottinger book frequently. I’d love to meet him some day. I often wonder if he still works with Historex. I love that 20th Chasseur Trumpeter of his. Love it. I’ve actually pulled every piece he used in that to build my own version - some day. still grappling with trying to copy his exactly, or whether to build my own take on his little masterpiece.

Sometimes, I will work with a few parts just to improve a certain construction aspect before attempting it on a figure. An example is attaching the coat tails to the torso in a convincing way… or attaching the torso with tails to the legs… attempting to get everything just right. I’ve taught myself some nice detailing techniques this way.

I do work at a glacial pace though, which is fine for me. I enjoy the building much more than the painting.

I’ve had several small disasters posting WIPs on here… glue melting figures… dog eating figures (there’s a picture of this one on here somewhere). If I post WIP photos, the piece is cursed for sure. So, from here on out, photos only of completed figures! But I take photos along the way, so when I post those completed figures, I can add a few WIP photos as well.

Really looking forward to seeing more from you.

 

[Tommy Atkins]

Evening Paul. Your dragoon trumpeter is simply superb! I am very impressed by the horse and saddlery which perfectly matches the pose. My pet dislike is reins modelled in a position where the rider could never control the horse in reality, so your piece is impressive in my book! Regards Pete

 

[theBaron]

Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the Planet, Paul! Some great work in progress there; I look forward to seeing your finished pieces and the new ones you start!
Prost!
Brad

 

[Larsen E. Whipsnade]

Welcome, Paul, to Planet Figure the best miniatures site on the web. Some lovely work there and I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Rick

 

[Paul Handley]

Many thanks to all for such a warm welcome.

Pete, I’m probably teaching my grandmother to suck eggs here but I make all the straps and reins from lightweight cartridge paper, then while holding them in the position I want, I paint them with a sprue/liquid poly solution. When the solution dries it thickens the strap a little and holds it’s position - this (I hope) imitates the effect of gravity, tension, movement etc. I remember struggling with the plastic card you used to get in Airfix ‘Collectors Series’ kits in the 70s that always ended up looking like a dogs breakfast so I’m very sympathetic to your horror of unconvincing straps and bridles.

Rob, ‘Work in progress’ is definitely a vexed issue. I’ve had lots of projects that never quite progress to finished - for a variety of reasons - so post-completion WIP pics is probably a very good idea. The two figure projects I’m working on will take ages to finish and since, like you, I really enjoy construction I might embark on a little side project. I was looking at this drawing by Edouard Detaille the other day and recently bought some more Rousselot plates on guard and line artillery. Anyway it was food for thought on a modest project to ameliorate the rigours of painting (even though I worry about having too much on the go) - projected projects are subject to change without notice of course.

 

[Historex Rob]

I’ve had lots of projects that never quite progress to finished - for a variety of reasons - so post-completion WIP pics is probably a very good idea. The two figure projects I’m working on will take ages to finish and since, like you, I really enjoy construction I might embark on a little side project. I was looking at this drawing by Edouard Detaille the other day and recently bought some more Rousselot plates on guard and line artillery. Anyway it was food for thought on a modest project to ameliorate the rigours of painting (even though I worry about having too much on the go) - projected projects are subject to change without notice of course.

Ah, see… you understand. Lol

I’ve got more figures planned than I likely have time to execute.

 

[Paul Handley]

I thought I’d post a little update on the grenadier trumpeter as I’ve been beavering away trying to get the paint work up to scratch - and chatting to Rob about all things Historex! It’s been rather slow as I’ve had to negotiate the previous paintwork - which was a bit of bodge. Anyway, he still needs quite a bit of tidying but I’m definitely winning now I think.