Vintage coach kit

I was browsing the web and came across four of these kits. Got them all!

I have never seen these before. Paramount plastic kits in 1/30 scale made about 50 years ago. All appear to be complete and in good condition.

Here's the first of them.

 Kit is intact with instructions. Parts are plastic and rubberised plastic for the reins.

One of the horses clipped together. looks to be about 1/30.

Bactrian Camel 2

With a copy of Edvard Muybridge's book on animal motion, the anatomy and stance of the camel was corrected. More fur will be added to bulk up this camel.

New figure bases

I took out three of these unusual bases and am getting them ready for display.These are unusual wood/root offcuts enhanced with some cork and wall putty as well, then painted to simulate wood surfaces.

Some wall putty added for the texture, white glue addition and then the base was pressed into a tub of dirt to create the groundwork.

Portuguese Drummer 11

These are the latest photos of the figure. Still shiny as the oils need to dry out. Now painting the drum.

Bactrian Camel

I picked this up from my spares box. It is an old homemade resin casting from about 20 years ago. There were four parts to this piece which were all epoxied together. As I didn't fully like the pose, I decided to change it. Not successful at this stage as the leg is bending the wrong way.

As these castings were based on a modified Dromedary camel proportions, the legs are too long and the hooves should be enlarged. More fur would probably make this more attractive.

Portuguese Drummer 10

The face was carefully painted. The red tunic was toned down with some Humbrol matt red.

JB 11

Acrylic undercoats were given to the figure. This highlighted any imperfections which were removed. The tunic was overpainted in Prussian Blue mixed with black.

JB 10

I sculpted the Golden Fleece order , and added buttons to the epaulettes. The hat feathers were further bulked up, and the saddle fringe was completed as well. The pistol pouches were given a backing of putty to strengthen the fringe.

The horse neck was bulked up on the left side and the mane was sculpted.

Portuguese Drummer 9

When the oil paint had dried for handling, I resculpted the left foot. This is now ready for final painting.

JB 9

I searched through my historex spares and came up with a couple of tiny stars and an eagle. These were used to sculpt the orders and decorations on his breast. Additional details were the buttons nears the cuffs and the straps on the epaulettes. I still have to add the order of the Golden Fleece to his neck.

The feathers on the bicorne were sculpted. This was test-fitted to the figure for the pics.

The fringe on the saddle was partly sculpted.

JB 8

The back buttons were adeed and the middle seam line was scribed into the tunic. When the cuffs were completely set, I shaped them carefully. The left cuff was trimmed to accommodate a bicorne. A thumb was sculpted. Using the front part from a discarded Historex hat, I sculpted the back portion to represent a flat folded bicorne.

Portuguese durmmer 8

Started to paint the tunic in oils.

JB 7

Sculpted the tunic lapel buttons, added a couple of decorations, and sculpted in the epaulettes. The cuffs were added as well.

Portuguese Drummer 8

I sculpted the toes and sandal straps. I sculpted the collar and added bits to represent repairs to the tunic.

JB 6

I added the right arm to this piece.

Portuguese Drummer 7

I couldn't wait to try out basic colours on this piece. Generally, there are very blemishes and this is going to be a very colourful figure.

Portuguese Drummer 6

The feathers and cord end were detailed with a pyrogravure. The arms were sculpted, ll the buttons added and the calves were built up. A hook was added to the drum sling.

Since these pictures were taken, the arms have been adjusted to reveal more folds. The sandals have been carved down. The last details to be added are the collar and the sandal straps.

JB 5

The sash ribbon was added. The left hand was modified and added.

Portuguese Drummer 5

I am on a roll with this figure now. I finished sculpting the pants, added buttons, and later added the drum sling. From the reference, this looks like a simple affair, with one end of the sling tied to the hook.

I reinserted the hands to the wire stumps and added the drum sling made from sheet metal.