I never thought of building forts until the Indian Soldiers came – E. Nesbit, Wings and the Child 1913

An interesting and colourful chapter with Indian Army toy soldiers in E. Nesbit’s Wings and The Child 1913

Crossposted from my Man of TIN blog, 30 January 2021:

https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/2021/01/30/i-never-thought-of-building-magic-cities-till-the-indian-soldiers-came/

Colonial Troops and Indian Cavalry Page from James Opie, Britain’s Toy Soldiers 1893 – 1932

Who could resist the colour and style of these vintage or modern recast figures ?

Pound store paint conversions: American Civil War

 

Glossy toy soldier style American Civil War troops can be painted using cheap pound store plastic figures.

Right: pirate or pound store Matchbox clone 54mm  Japanese WW2 infantry repainted as American Civil War Confederate Infantry, alongside one of my handmade Polymer clay scruffy standard bearers with a Britain’s Deetail flag.

An overlooked blog post from summer 2017 that I forgot to post – Whoops!

Having spent time in the past converting OO / HO Airfix Japanese Infantry into Union or Confederate troops and zouaves,

https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/confused-by-zouaves-some-airfix-acw-paint-conversions/

I wondered how this sort of conversion would work at 1:32 or 54mm scale.

For paint scheme inspiration for the glossy toy soldier style, I looked to my books and my display cupboard.

I like the paint style on this Tradition of London solidcast Union infantry man, handpainted by a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen,  a past Christmas present.

Tradition of London ACW Union Infantry

Other simple  paint inspiration can be found in these Britains, Tradition and Herald figures.

These two damaged Britain’s ACW Confederate  “On Guard” figures surrounding the central figure look under their flaking paint like they were once Union figures!

The Tradition professionally painted Confederate photographed by my rougher enamel glossy painting of Tradition ACW photographer.

Herald ACW figures, minus much of their paintwork.

Some of my childhood Herald ACW officers missing their swords.

One of my favourite Herald figures the ACW Confederate Bugler

Other ACW figures in my collection came long ago from a quirky collectors shop in Cornwall.

I love the Tintinesque  Thomson and Thompson moustache on this figure!

Another childhood branch library favourite …

A bit of plastic and lead American Civil War toy soldier inspiration, equally applicable to Imagi-Nations troops.

Blogposted by Mark, Man of TIN on his Pound Store Plastic Warriors blog, May 2018