54mm Charge of the Scots Greys

[Neil Merryweather]

Thanks again Richard.

Today we are looking at the Cuirassier’s helmet (ooh, er, Missus!) from Historex.
I slightly textured the fur turban with the pyrogravure.

I have searched and searched the interweb but not been able to find a picture of the inside of one, so I have made it up based on my knowledge of a world war one French tin helmet I used to have BM (Before Marriage)….

how different can it be at 1-32 scale?

I cut a piece of 5 thou plasticard the length of the circumference of the helmet and measured 8 divisions. I drilled a 0.5mm hole in the centre of each division.

I cut segments out down to an arbitrary datum line


And then I rounded off all the corners with fine wet & dry paper folded a couple of times



I pre-curved the tongues over with round pliers and also curved the whole thing to fit inside the helmet, then I threaded a 0.3mm wire through the holes and carefully eased it all into a ring( Steady now lads!).



As I only broke one of the tongues this time I decided to keep this version….

I’m sure if I did it a third time I would get it completely right, but life’s too short.

I fitted the chin scales and all that’s left now is to make the horse tail plume when the Milliput comes out again



Actually I’m going to re-position the right-hand chin scale. I turned it around for effect, but it really should be smooth on the inside as it would be lined with leather.

God knows how I’m going to paint the inside- I’ll probably have to take it apart again. Oh well.

Thanks for looking
See you next time
Neil

[Jim R]

Hi Neil
Amazing work. You are certainly very skilled. Thoroughly enjoyable blog. This will be a stunning, unique model - perhaps I should say a stunning , unique piece of art. Work like this raises the old issue - craft or art.
Jim

[minitnkr]

Just outstanding. PaulE

[Neil Merryweather]

Hi Neil
Amazing work. You are certainly very skilled. Thoroughly enjoyable blog. This will be a stunning, unique model - perhaps I should say a stunning , unique piece of art. Work like this raises the old issue - craft or art.
Jim

Well thank you kind sir!
I think in this case it's purely craft, since the idea and composition belongs to the painter, but I'll take the compliment!

[Neil Merryweather]

Just outstanding. PaulE

very kind,thank you, Paul.
I'm glad you like it- I was worried the process might be over-detailed

[Jon Heptonstall]

Great work Neil.
looking at the painting and details the Grey could be whatever you want! Gold braid for officers and yellow for troopers and NCOs (changed from white lace in 1812).
He seems to be missing canteen and haversack and also the sabretache. The outer seam of the overall trousers should be blue.
no idea what that is on his left sleeve!
Jon.

[Jon Heptonstall]

By the way here's a pic of a French cuirassier's helmet.I think this is a second empire example but it's got to be similar. I'd say you've got it bang on.

[Neil Merryweather]

By the way here's a pic of a French cuirassier's helmet.I think this is a second empire example but it's got to be similar. I'd say you've got it bang on.

That's fantastic ,Jon, Thank you!
and thanks for the uniform info too- I think I'll make him an officer as he's kind of rallying the troops behind him- even though he's not the first in the whole picture.
cheers
Neil

[Neil Merryweather]

Right, it’s time to look at the Flying Scotsman!



Apart from the regimental braid the arms from the kit are more or less fine. I’ll have to change the right hand but that’s ok.



The legs, of course will be a bit more trouble. No to mention the kilt!

There were some very bad sink marks on the upper legs so I decided to junk them altogether


They will be covered by the kilt anyway, and I think it will be simpler to sculpt them from scratch.

So I surgerised them and inserted the obligatory copper wire, which will be tweaked later


I enlisted the help of my new surgeon’s assistant, Bob.



I carved away the regimental lace from his chest as well-he looks as if he’s doing the sword dance at the moment.

So it’s out with the Milliput tonight.

Stay tuned , folks!

Neil

[Guest]

Amazing work Neil. Having the confidence to hack the figures about is something I'm in envy of.

[Guest]

Great work Neil :smiling3:

[Neil Merryweather]

thank you Peter and Ralph.
good to see you back , Ralph

[Steve Jones]

Very nice Neil. I know it's early days but you have got the pose down to a t. Great work

[Jim R]

Hi Neil
Cracking job. The pose you're creating will certainly have more life. Like Peter I really admire your skill and confidence to hack a figure about.
Jim

[yak face]

Top surgery neil , looking forward to the next bout , cheers tony