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?

Gaskins's Virginia Battalion (W. Britains)

This soldier loading his musket is a member of Gaskins's Virginia Continental Battalion in 1781.  Virginia's Continental troops had first served with Washington's main army in the North.  When the British began operations in the South, Virginia Continentals were sent to reinforce them.  Since Virginia remained relatively war-free, this was possible.

But everything changed when Benedict Arnold landed at the head of another expedition in late 1780-1781.  Virginia's troops were in South Carolina, and troops were badly needed to stop Arnold's destruction.  Yet more Continental (regular, as opposed to militia) troops were raised, under the command of Colonel Thomas Gaskins.

Despite being a Continental regiment, Gaskins's troops were poorly supplied.  "Virginia lost a great deal of her stockpiled supplies following the sack of Point of Fork arsenal by a Loyalist and British force on June 5, 1781.  Even prior to this, proper linen for hunting frocks was lacking, leading the state clothier to make up 'short coats' or jackets of coarse canvas with blue facings as an expedient summer uniform." [1]

This soldier wears one of these jackets.  His haversack may be issued by the Continental Army, captured from the British, or a private purchase.  His cartridge box is a former British item, and he has not removed the "GR" marking from it. (see photo at left) 

However, this soldier proudly shows his allegiance to the ideals of the American Revolution on his canteen, where he has carved "Liberty" on its side.

The figure began as a Britains "Deetail" Civil War figure.  The kepi was removed and a roundhat with cockade sculpted in its place.  Cuffs and collar were also added, and the bayonet scabbard removed.



Figure painted with Testors and CraftSmart paints; sealed with Mod Podge.



[1] James L. Kochan.  Don Troiani's Soldiers of the American Revolution, pg. 166.

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!

2018 Figure Recap

In 2018, I painted 26 figures to add to my growing collections.  Each group of related figures is highlighted below.

Click on any picture to expand it.

 
Three American militiamen by Accurate.  The mounted militiaman is a conversion of an Accurate body with Marx legs and rifle.  The horse is from Classic Toy Soldiers.

The militiaman in red cap has been featured on this blog at
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/03/militiaman-from-mollo-and-mcgregor.html

Three Continental soldiers from ATS.  The two in blue coats will join the 2nd Pennsylvania, while the third joins the light infantry (featured in http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/11/continental-light-infantry-in-hunting.html)

These three soldiers are British Infantry at Culloden, produced by Replicants.  While they suffered from much flash, the figures themselves were splendid and a joy to paint.

Moving on to the British, the 43rd Regiment of Foot has begun its mustering.  In a pinch, these figures can double as British marines.

(Why did I paint three soldiers of every unit last year?  It certainly was not intentional)

At last, a unit with four figures!  These men are from the Hesse-Cassell Regiment von Bose.  They were previously featured on this blog at http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/04/hessian-regiment-von-bose.html.

Yet another unit with three recruits!

These soldiers are from the French Regiment Gatenais, and sport distinctive purple lapels and cuff piping.

The 18th Century is not complete without civilians.  Six new figures (including two reinforcements for the petticoat brigade) have moved into town.   Five are based on movie characters from Liberty's Kids and Beauty and the Beast.

Four of them have been featured on Redcoats and Ruffles at:

http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/05/libertys-kids-character-james-hiller.html
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/01/sarah-phillips.html
http://redcoatsandruffles.blogspot.com/2018/11/beauty-and-beast.html

More information on each figure (if he or she has not been highlighted already) to follow, including manufacturer, conversion, and paint. 

Continental Light Infantry in Hunting Shirts

These two figures belong to the Continental Light Infantry.  They are dressed and equipped for Lafayette's Virginia campaign of 1781.  According to the records, some units wore traditional light infantry coats (that is, the coattails were cut short), while others were issued hunting shirts. [1]


The light infantry formed the backbone of Lafayette's force.  With these men, Lafayette attempted to defend Virginia against British raiders under Benedict Arnold, and later, Lord Cornwallis.

After the battle of Green Spring (July 6, 1781), Lafayette wrote in General Orders that: "The brilliant conduct of Major Galvan and the continental detachment under his command, entitle them to applause." [2]  These men were true veterans of the Continental Army.


References
[1] John U. Rees.  "Their presence here...has saved this state": Continental Provisional Battalions with Lafayette.  Pg. 33.  Available at http://revwar75.com/library/rees/pdfs/light.pdf

[2] Marquis de Lafayette.  Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution volume IV, pg. 240.

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!)