Elizabeth Swann (Zizzle/Zizzlinger/Disney)

8 petticoats of Redcoats & Ruffles

Finding female 54mm figures for the 18th Century is one of our interests on Redcoats and Ruffles (for more, see http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/search/label/Female%20Figures).  While these can be difficult to find, every new addition is welcomed.  Now another figure has been added to the roster.

Meet Elizabeth Swann.  Her sculpt began in a product line called Zizzlingers, created in 2006 by a company called Zizzle, Inc.  Two or three factory painted Pirates of the Caribbean figures were sealed in a blind bag with a water-soluble powder.  Soak the bag and reveal the figures!  24 distinct figures were included and this variant of Elizabeth (there was another in coat and tricorne hat) was #7.  But that is not the source of this figure.

Eight Zizzlinger sculpts were repackaged into "Miniature Collectible Figurines" packs.  Each included two figures in a clamshell pack.  It is from one of these "Miniature Collectible Figurines" packages that this sculpt of Elizabeth Swann hails, along with Jack Sparrow holding his compass.

That is perhaps more detail about a manufacturer that is usual on Redcoats and Ruffles, but this figure (and her 23 other companions) is now quite difficult to track down, though certainly worth the search.  Zizzle also produced two sizes of action figures, as well as "Captains and Crew" 60mm figures, further muddying the waters for searchers.  (Information from multiple eBay listings as well as a review of Zizzlingers/Captains and Crew at https://plasticbattalion.blogspot.com/2007/05/zizzle-me-timbers.html)

Father & daughter review Norrington & marines

On to Elizabeth!  The dress began as a reproduction of her "Gold Gown" (see www.costumersguide.com/pirates_gold.shtml), but ended up being a conglomeration of several different dresses. In almost every dress, Elizabeth has a strong preference for gold fabrics with floral print, and this preference was honored.  The floral pattern is hand-painted and may be the proudest painting achievement of Redcoats and Ruffles.

Governor Weatherby Swann (Hawthorne Village)

This dapper old-fashioned gentleman was another Hawthorne Village piece.  Civilian figures for the 18th Century are rare enough, but those in a full wig are nearly impossible to find.

Until now.

Enter Hawthorne Village’s Governor Weatherby Swann.  He has a full wig and the long coat and waistcoat characteristic of the first half of the 18th Century.









Such a regal personage deserves an important position, and there are rumors King George will give him a posting in the American colonies.  (Though considering the disturbed state of the colonies at present, this may not be such a desired office!)

However, he will be ably supported by the determined Commodore James Norrington, as well as a proud company of British regulars. (For Commodore Norrington's gallery, visit http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/12/commodore-james-norrington.html)

Commodore James Norrington (Hawthorne Village)

This figure was originally named Commodore James Norrington, and I kept the name.  He is a recasting of the original, but some conversion work was done (most notably lengthening his sword from a letter opener into a blade for a true gentleman).

The sculpt was lovely and captured the personality of an aristocratic 18th Century officer perfectly.

He was painted as an officer of the British Royal Navy.  He appears happy to command a detachment of Marines, since he currently lacks a ship.

Figure cast with Amazing Casting Resin.  Painted with a mix of acrylics and enamels.

Royalty

These two figures are the first glimpse of royalty here on Redcoats and Ruffles!  Meet King Roland and Queen Miranda.

Always on the lookout for more figures from the distaff side in 1/32, this figure of Queen Miranda caught my eye.  She is a perfect match for other 54mm figures.  However, the lot I purchased her with also included her consort King Roland.  After some thought, I drafted him into my collection as well. My sister helped choose which outfit he should don for his royal duties: the red coat with the light buff breeches, accented by several medals.

While his outfit looks vaguely Regency, he still belongs in the Redcoats and Ruffles world of the 1770s-1780s.  While tighter cut coats were coming into fashion in the 1780s, this one is still ahead of its time.  Likely as a monarch, King Roland was always seeking up-and-coming styles.

Figures from Disney’s “Sofia the First” collection.  They were painted with a mix of acrylic and enamel paints and sealed with Mod Podge.

Gaston Toy Soldier (Mattel)

"No one paints up like Gaston!
Makes a swell miniature like Gaston!
No one rocks a red shirt and gloves like Gaston!" (parody of "Gaston" by Menken & Ashman)


This figure is a delightfully bizarre addition to the world of Redcoats and Ruffles.  Even though his outfit is completely unhistorical, I still enjoyed painting him and adding him to my collection.



In "Beauty and the Beast", Gaston is the villain of the piece, with an uncanny ability to quickly rally a mob.  His other abilities (including shooting and expectorating) are recounted by his lackey Lefou in a delightfully ridiculous song. (left)


In the world of Redcoats and Ruffles (following Beauty and the Beast), Gaston is enemies of both Belle and Beast.  Does that mean that he would support King George III or the Patriots?  Probably neither.  Rather than following one side, he would have no qualms switching if they failed to support him in his goal of defeating Belle and Beast.

This Gaston figure was originally released by Hasbro in 2002.  Gaston was part of a five-figure pack that included Belle and Beast in human form.  Figure painted with enamel and acrylic paints, sealed with Mod Podge.

What new adventures lie ahead?

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.

Beauty and the Beast (Hasbro)

I am always seeking to bolster my collection of civilians.  After all, no world is populated only by soldiers.  But finding suitable figures in 54mm (or 1/32 scale) is not dissimilar to finding hen's teeth.

However these two figures of Belle and Beast from Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" fit the bill.  They both look vaguely like they belong in the 18th Century and have suitably plain clothing.

Both figures were produced by Hasbro in the early 2000s.  I gave them a complete repaint, but kept them in their original movie outfits.

Now these two figures join my other movie characters to populate this 18th Century world. (For more movie characters, see http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html, and http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/search/label/Beyond%20the%20Mask).

I have been toying with some special wargame rules for these characters (Does Belle's book knowledge allow her to predict what the enemy might do?  What is her attack and defense score?).  These two promise to add color to any wargame, as well as interest to dioramas!

Figures by Hasbro; painted with Testors paints.  No conversion was required (besides carving the Hasbro logos off Beast's legs!)