Pirate with Musket (Safari)

This salty sea dog was originally from a Safari Ltd. collection of pirate figures.  He is based on a rather famous painting by Howard Pyle.

Originally, his musket was badly bent out of shape.  Sometimes a simple dip in boiling water is enough to straighten bent parts (this works especially well on Armies in Plastic figures).  However, the musket stubbornly returned to its crooked state.  Clearly a more aggressive treatment would be needed.  This was accomplished by running a heat gun along the musket until it became soft (but don't let it get too soft).  Once softened, the musket was positioned correctly and allowed to cool in the open air.  The other element required for a proper musket is the lock, which was sculpted with Milliput.  Brass decoration was painted on to the stock, as the character demanded a little more ornament on his gun.  Perhaps he borrowed the idea from guns of India?

The sculpt is not an action pose, but I think that he makes an excellent pirate sentry, guard, or even an idler, watching his more swashbuckling companions.  The parrot is a colorful and unique companion, though I do wonder what he thinks of supporting part of the musket on his back!

Figure by Safari, painted with acrylic paints. 

7th Pennsylvania Ensign with Flag

 The Pennsylvania regiments have distinguished themselves by expansion and a blooding at Turnbull's Farm (read http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2019/11/skirmish-at-turnbulls-farm.html).  They have performed so well, in fact, that the Congress has ordered them another flag.

This one is copied from an original flag preserved in Independence National Historic Park (see Gwen Spicer's wonderful blog https://insidetheconservatorsstudio.blogspot.com/2012/07/red-white-and-not-blue.html).  This flag belonged to Captain Wilson's company of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment.  By January 1781, the 7th had been consolidated into the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment.  However, the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line rearranged plans, as many soldiers were furloughed after serving their three years of service.

The remaining soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line were consolidated into three brigades and sent to reinforce Lafayette's pitifully small army in Virginia.

Since the Pennsylvania soldiers endured multiple unit changes, it is quite possible that the flag did as well.  Equally likely (or perhaps equally unlikely) is that this pattern of flag was used by a few Pennsylvania regiments.  Of course, at the end of the day, it is a cool flag known to be used by Pennsylvania troops...good enough for me!

The proud bearer of this flag began as a figure from a Safari Ltd. tube of AWI British troops.  He was originally a flagbearer, and a very tall one at that (approximately 65mm-70mm from boots to hat.  Some judicious sanding on his boots and a thin base helped him to blend in better with the rest of the army, while still keeping his distinctive height.  His sword was sculpted on, but much of the detail on the original figure was left.

The flag itself was illustrated by this author and is available for free download at https://www.wargamevault.com/product/327526/1777-7th-Pennsylvania-Flag.  While there, check out our other free downloads and perhaps our paid products as well!

Moses (Liberty’s Kids)

This jolly freedman, named Moses, is a hard worker wherever he goes.  In the show “Liberty’s Kids”, Moses can be most often found in Benjamin Franklin’s print shop.  He knows the newspaper business from top to bottom, and his knowledge helps make James, Sarah, and Henri better reporters.

His skills are not confined to newspapers, as he is also a wheelwright as well.  Finally in 1781, he enlists with the Continental Corps of Sappers & Miners and marches to besiege Cornwallis at Yorktown.

This figure began as a blacksmith from Safari Ltd "Jamestown Settlers" tube of figures.  Little conversion was required, other than removing the original figure's beard and cap.

Figure by Safari Ltd., painted with acrylic paints.