Queen's Ranger Charging Bayonet (BMC)

This Queen's Ranger was the first completed figure of 2021.  With the gleaming bayonet that tips his Brown Bess musket (by Helmet Soldiers), he will strike terror into the hearts of the rebels!

He is originally a BMC figure (left) who was stabbing upward (at a horseman?).  Removing his arms and swapping them with a BMC grenadier (right) gave him the ideal waist-high position for charging the bayonet.

The musket is a Brown Bess by Helmet Soldiers (available at http://www.helmetsoldiers.co.uk/weapons2.html, reviewed at https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2020/06/helmet-soldiers-muskets-and-pistols.html).

When taking these photographs, I realized that the crescent on the Ranger's helmet was accidentally washed away by the varnish and not repainted.  Soon that will be remedied and he can proudly take his place alongside the rest of the Queen's Rangers.

Figure by BMC, musket by Helmet Soldiers.  Painted with acrylic and enamel paints, sealed with Hobby Lobby brand matte varnish.

Queen's Ranger (BMC)

Private Brian defends the fence

Following my review of Helmet Soldiers' muskets & pistols (at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2020/06/helmet-soldiers-muskets-and-pistols.html), I wanted to show off the completed Queen's Ranger who modelled the Brown Bess musket.

 

Meet Private Brian, named in honor of Brian Carrick (www.CollectingToySoldiers.blogspot.com) who was kind enough to admire the figure while he was still a work-in-progress.  

Private Brian is converted from a rather useless bayoneting upward BMC pose.  Instead of him bayoneting  horsemen (or flying insects), I melted his arms downward and added the Helmet Soldiers'  Brown Bess musket.  The resulting pose is typical of the 1740s drill manual "Charge Your Bayonets".  By the late 1750s, the preference was for the musket and bayonet to be waist-high.  However, I am sure that in the heat of battle, some soldiers reverted to the older style.  Even LOD Enterprises "Continental Soldiers" has a figure that is charging bayonet in the 1740s style (see photo opposite).

Figure by BMC, painted with a mix of acrylic and enamel paints.  Sealed with Hobby Lobby Matte Varnish.

Queen's Rangers defend a farmstead and fence rail as Continental troops attack.

Queen's Ranger Officer

"When did the rebels pass this way, madam?"

With the Queen's Rangers' recruiting drive kicking into high gear, they needed an officer in dapper uniform to attract likely lads...or intimidate rebel sympathizers...or charm those with valuable information.












This gentleman fills that role.  He began as one of BMC's artillery crewmen brandishing a sword while firing a pistol.

I often mention the steps involved in converting a figure, but a picture is worth a thousand words.  The original figure was cast in blue, and everything that is white on him was sculpted in Milliput.

His uniform is worth noting in some detail.  There are four known portraits illustrating Queen's Rangers officers' uniforms (Colonel Simcoe, Captain Saunders, Cornet Jarvis, and Ensign Smith) along with Cornet Jarvis's coat.  Two portraits of them (Saunders and Jarvis) show short V-shaped cuffs with herringbone lace.  Colonel Simcoe's unfortunately does not allow us to see his cuffs.  Ensign Smith's portrait shows round cuffs and buttonhole lace on the cuffs.

Captain Saunders [1] and Cornet Jarvis [2] both held commissions in the cavalry of the Queen's Rangers, while Smith held one in the infantry [3].  Their cuffs would then match standard British practice: V-shaped for cavalry and round for infantry.

It is true that Ensign Smith's portrait does not show an officer's sash, but there is one associated with Cornet Jarvis's coat.  I opted to add one to my figure.

"Open that door!"

Proudly wearing the green coat of the Queen's Rangers, this officer is ready to chastise the rebels!


Notes
This section is greatly indebted to Dr. Gregory Urwin for collecting all known portraits of the Queen's Rangers and the branch of service in which each of them held commissions.

[1] pg. 174. History of the Queen's Rangers by James Hannay, DCL. (Ottawa: Royal Society of Canada, 1909).  Online. https://archive.org/details/historyofqueensr00hannuoft/page/174/mode/2up.

[2] pg. 186, ibid. https://archive.org/details/historyofqueensr00hannuoft/page/186/mode/2up. The fact that he was commissioned a cornet also shows that he served in the cavalry.

[3] pg. 171, ibid. https://archive.org/details/historyofqueensr00hannuoft/page/171/mode/2up.

Liberty's Kids character "Henri Lefebrve" (MPC)

Henri Lefebrve is the last of the three main characters from the TV show Liberty's Kids.  His companions James Hiller and Sarah Phillips have already been featured on Redcoats and Ruffles (at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html and http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html).

Henri is a spunky and optimistic character.  Originally from France, he was brought to the colonies as a slave, but rescued by James and Moses.  I enjoyed him because we both shared an intense admiration for the Marquis de Lafayette.








  The original figure began as a MPC militiaman running (similar to the one on far right, who was changed by lowering his musket to a "trail arms" position).  His coat was removed and changed into an unbuttoned waistcoat.

(The middle figure is another conversion from the same pose.  He is one of my earliest conversion works and a favorite of mine.  The hoop was a water bottle cap.)

Henri was painted in acrylics with the exception of his shoes, which were painted with a glossy enamel.

Baileywick & Sir Bartleby (BMC)

These two gentlemen are attendants for King Roland and Queen Miranda (previously featured on http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/06/royalty.html)


The gentleman in the greyish-blue coat is Sir Bartleby.  His duties include commanding of one of King Roland's companies of guards. Though he earned his knighthood, it is likely that he is a knight baronet (and so his knighthood is hereditary).  This is an important point, as he is related to the royal family by marriage.  He wears five medals on his coat, which is also decorated with a golden chain lace piping on the hems and cuffs.

The other gentleman is Baileywick the castle steward.  In addition to overseeing all activities within the castle premises, he acts as an unofficial advisor to King Roland.  He will also defend the royal family if it becomes necessary.  He carries a pocket watch and is busy consulting it though his pair of silver spectacles.  Both Baileywick and Sir Bartleby tie their cravats in the old-fashioned (c. 1730s) style, with large bows.













King Roland II, Queen Miranda, Baileywick the steward, and Sir Bartleby are deep in consultation.

Two's Company

Meet two bad sidekick dudes employed by Charles Kemp of the East India Company.  Mr. Kemp features as the villain in the movie Beyond the Mask.  Often he is escorted by these black-and-gray clad enforcers.

Some experts believe that their distinctive coats are the results of overdyeing red British army coats, then reattaching the linings and facings. It is certain, however, that this is an extremely distinctive uniform.  Their unique grey facings could have earned them the nickname "Kemp's Greys."

I currently have two privates and one officer of Kemp's Greys, as well as Kemp's bodyguard Basil in his uniform of this unit.  The officer, Basil, and the tall private are all Ideal recasts.  The shorter private is a BMC British grenadier.






The soldiers comb the terrain to find Will Reynolds (supposedly killed in action at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/10/beyond-mask-skirmish-game-part-ii.html)

" 'E was killed right near 'ere, Bill."
"Then why can't we find 'is body?"
"Keep searching."

Mounted Militia with rifle (Accurate)

In the Southern campaigns of the American Revolution, mounted militia was an asset to the Americans.  Unfortunately, figures to cover these men are few and far between.

After a significant amount of conversion work, I finally have my first mounted militiaman.   He used parts from three different figures.  His body and head were from an Accurate militiaman, but the standing legs were removed and replaced with mounted legs from a Marx Paul Revere.  The long rifle was trimmed from a stack of such weapons and added with a little sculpting of his right hand.

His horse is an excellently sculpted one from  Classic Toy Soldiers.


The checked shirt was fun to paint and helps him stand out on the tabletop.

Ready to patrol the woods for signs of British or Loyalist troops!

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

Liberty's Kids Lady Phillips (Disney Cinderella Keychain)

The first figure of 2019 is finished!

This elegant lady is an English gentlewoman known as Lady Phillips.  She appears in the animated television show Liberty's Kids.

Lady Phillips lives in England while her soldier husband serves in America.  But unlike some Britons, Lady Phillips is good friends with Benjamin Franklin and certainly does not favor coercive measures towards the colonies.




Lady Phillips' daughter is the sometimes feisty Sarah Phillips (who was featured on Redcoats and Ruffles at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html).  It is unknown whether Sarah was named for her mother.

(Sarah is a recast Marx "Cilia" figure, giving some idea of scale between her and Lady Phillips)

Lady Phillips was previously featured on this blog as a work-in-progress (see http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/01/lady-phillips-work-in-progress.html).  Her base is marked "(c) Disney, C.I.I., Made in China".  I have no idea what company CII is; however she is an excellent match to other 54mm figures and worth tracking down.

Painted with a mix of enamel and acrylic paints; varnished with Mod Podge.



Lady Phillips prepares for a visit to a wealthy friend or neighbor and bids you good day.

Lady Phillips Work-in-Progress (Cinderella Keychain by Disney)

Many of the figures showcased on this blog have had conversion work done to them.
Two examples are Liberty's Kids' James Hiller, shown at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html and Sarah Phillips at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html.  But I have never shown a converted figure before painting.

Meet Lady Phillips, mother to Sarah Phillips mentioned above.  She began life as a Cinderella keychain (of all things), but had an 18th Century appearance.  The white parts (with the exception of her hands) are later additions by me.  I use Milliput, a self-hardening epoxy clay, for conversion work and have been pleased with it.

Next stop: painting and basing!

Militiaman Priming

This militiaman is a conversion from Accurate's "Militia priming" figure.  The original figure had a very distinctive face with beard and balding head.  I substituted a different head from All The King's Men, and turned it so that he was looking down his gun's barrel, rather than at his priming horn.  The result is a dynamic figure (at least in my opinion!) who is keeping his eye firmly on his enemy while he is loading.  With opponents like Tarleton's Legion, this is a good idea!

Figure by Accurate; head by All the King's Men; painted with Testors paints.

"Liberty's Kids" Character James Hiller (Marx)

This figure is based on one of the main characters from the television show Liberty's Kids.  James Hiller is an orphan who works as a reporter for Benjamin Franklin's newspaper.  He and his two comrades (one of which has been painted already; see https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html) view the great events of the American Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to the signing of the United States Constitution.  Mysteriously, the characters never seem to get any older...

The original figure was a recast Marx "Johnny Tremaine."  The original head was swapped for the head from a Marx recast "Rab Silsbee."  After this rather drastic change, the character's pigtail was sculpted, a quill pen was sculpted in his right hand.  His left hand had been removed for another conversion(see https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2017/02/young-philadelphia-gentleman.html), which necessitated sculpting another hand.  I chose to give this hand a piece of paper.  Now James Hiller and his companion Sarah Philips are ready to jot down all the latest news from the Revolution as it happens.

Hessian Regiment von Bose (Classic Toy Soldiers)

The first unit of Hessians has landed on American shores!  These Hessians (soldiers from the principality of Hesse-Kassell) are from the Regiment von Bose. 

Hessian Regiment von Bose finds itself
fighting in wooded terrain

This Hessian regiment was sent to the southern colonies and formed a part of Lord Cornwallis' field army.  During the "Race to the Dan", Von Bose participated in the brutal slogging through North and South Carolina in pursuit of General Greene's army.  Regiment von Bose's moment of glory came during tough fighting at the March 15, 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse.  Continuing their career as part of Cornwallis' army, these tough veterans participated at the Siege of Yorktown and defended Redoubt #9 against an ultimately successful French attack.

These soldiers wear their regulation uniform, complete with red pompoms on their cocked tricorne hats.  The only non-regulation piece of clothing are the drab brown gaiter-trousers, which were used extensively during the Southern campaigns.

Figures were originally Classic Toy Soldiers "Hessian Grenadiers."  After carefully modifying their long gaiters into gaiter-trousers, I removed the grenadier caps and sculpted cocked hats instead.  The pompoms were provided out of my sister's collection of small plastic beads (thanks, Amara!).  They were then painted with Testors enamel and CraftSmart acrylic paints.

For a good look at the celebrated career of this regiment, check out Kabinettskrieg's blog article "He Was a Blue and Bloody Man: The Von Bose Regiment." https://kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2017/07/he-was-blue-and-bloody-man-von-bose.html

"Liberty's Kids" Character Sarah Phillips (Marx)



Miss Sarah Phillips scouts for news in a colonial town.
(click picture to enlarge)

This figure is based on one of the main characters from the television show Liberty's Kids.  In the show, three youngsters serve as journalists for Benjamin Franklin and report on the major--and sometimes minor--events of the American Revolution.  This figure, Miss Sarah Phillips, is the daughter of a British Army officer serving in America.  In the first episode, Sarah comes to America to find him.  During the ongoing show, she provides a British/Loyalist perspective to much of the reporting done.

The figure herself began as a recast Marx "Cilia" figure.  Much change was required to transform her into Sarah Phillips.  From top to bottom: the cap was removed and hair sculpted, golden locket added, neckline squared off, shawl removed, quill pen sculpted, flair and length added to sleeves, pointed bodice, piping down front of dress, and paper to record news.  Whew!  This is some of the most work I have ever done to convert a figure.  However, I believe that the final product was well worth the effort.



Original figure on left; Sarah Phillips on right.
(click picture to enlarge)

Militiaman Loading

This militiaman was closely copied from a figure in one of Don Troiani's paintings. The picture on the right shows the original painting and my miniature recreation.

This figure was heavily converted from the original figure from Accurate. Originally, the militiaman was waving his hat. After painting one of these figures, I used the other one to make the loading militiaman. The hat was cut from the hand and the arm was bent into position using heat. Due to failed attempts to bend the hand into a fist, I needed to sculpt a new hand onto him. The ramrod was created from a straight pin. The photo below shows a comparison of the original figure and my conversion.

And this is the finished result!  He makes an excellent addition to my American citizen soldiers.

Tarleton's Cavalry

The British Legion is one unit of the American Revolution which has attained lasting fame...or infamy, depending on one's perspective.  Commanded through its American campaigns by Banastre Tarleton, the Legion was known as an effective and sometimes ruthless fighting force.  Whether fighting in the North (for example, at Poundridge NY) or the South (Camden SC), the Legion was generally the victors.  They refused to charge during the Battle of Cowpens, but they later fought desperately at Guilford Court House and executed a lighting raid against Thomas Jefferson, missing him by minutes.

Figures are Chinese copies of Italeri; heads by All the King's Men.  Heavy conversion was required on the riders and some on the horses.  Painted with Testors paints.

Volunteers of Ireland

The Volunteers of Ireland were a Loyalist unit during the American Revolution. The regiment was designed to appeal to Irishmen—particularly those from the Continental Army. The Volunteers of Ireland wore green facings, carried an Irish harp on their cap, and marched to a song called “Success to the Shamrogue.” (see https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2016/03/happy-saint-patricks-day-from.html) The regiment, which had been given the title of the 2nd American Regiment in 1779, was shipped to South Carolina in 1780 to aid Sir Henry Clinton in his siege of Charleston.

Charleston was captured, knocking South Carolina out of the war (temporarily) and the Volunteers of Ireland remained to garrison the area. They made up part of Cornwallis’ left wing at the battle of Camden and were able to hold off the Continentals while Cornwallis’ right routed the militia. Interestingly, at Camden, it is recorded that the Continentals charged at the Volunteers of Ireland’s flag before being solidly repulsed. The Volunteers of Ireland participated in futile chases against Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, and fought in the bitter South Carolina skirmishes. In 1781, the Volunteers fought at Hobkirk’s Hill. As a reward for their distinguished service, they were moved onto the British regimental establishment as the 105th Regiment in 1782. (1)

Their uniform is a short red coat with green brandenbourgs and a light infantry cap with an Irish harp. I love this particular combination, as it is so unusual and dashing!

Figures by BMC. The soldier loading his musket is a conversion.  They are painted with Testors paints.

(1) http://www.fifedrum.org/crfd/images/D105.htm

First Figure of 2017!

This Ideal militiaman is the first figure which I finished in 2017!  He is not an original Ideal figure, but is recast.  Since he wore a bicorne hat, I cut it down and sculpted a roundhat turned up on one side instead.  In addition, I lengthened his waistcoat, making him look more like a militiaman of 1776 than 1812.  His socks are medium blue with light blue stripes, an interesting combination which I like.  Click on the pictures to expand them.  Figure by Ideal (recast), painted with Testors Paints.

Massachusetts Light Infantry Officer

 This figure was previously featured on this blog at https://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2016/02/massachusetts-company-gimats-light.html.  However, I decided the officer needed a form of self-protection other than his sword, so he was supplied with a French fusil (light musket).  This makes him look far more like a partisan leader (partisan was the 18th century term for light infantry, etc.) and less like a typical line officer.

Now he and his light infantrymen can slink through the forests of Virginia, facing off against the British invaders under Benedict Arnold and later Lord Cornwallis. 

Figure by BMC, musket from MPC "Colonials".  Painted with Testors paints.