Queen's Ranger (BMC)

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to acquire a sizable quantity of BMC figures for a rather low price.  Some BMC figures are well-sculpted and some are not.  However, I was eager for the challenge of converting them all into formidable troops that could join the rest of my armies.

The first unit to begin recruiting was the Queen's Rangers, thanks to their easily-painted green-faced-green uniforms.  The Queen's Rangers was a Loyalist unit that became well regarded, battling Continentals and militia in the numerous skirmishes around New York City.  They were then sent to Virginia as part of Benedict Arnold's expedition to cripple that state's war effort.  The Queen's Rangers were extremely effective in Virginia, but were eventually part of the Yorktown surrender.

The original figure began looking much like the unpainted figure on the left.  Conversion began by softening the plastic in boiling water, then bending the musket arm to a more useful angle, since I was not creating the Anti-Drone Company of the Queen's Rangers.

Left figure: anti-drone work; right figure: everything else

 After that, only a few minor changes were needed.  These were:
1. Turning the legwear into gaiter trousers,
2. reshaping the cartridge box slightly
3. Adding a plume to the cap
4. Correcting the length of the musket
5. Adding a bayonet scabbard under the haversack.
6. Adding pointed cuffs to the coat (not strictly necessary, but I think it makes the figure pop)

With these changes (and of course, paint), the figure became quite useful and visually attractive.  Now for the rest of the Queen's Rangers to finish recruiting!



Rear view of the Queen's Ranger