Conversions from the Workbench

September 08, 2012

Conversions from the Workbench

Above: AIP Germans converted into riflemen. The spike helmets were trimmed and putty adds and shaped with the flat of my fingernail or my craft knife. I have uploaded finished figures in another post.

Also shown is a reissue Lone Star Australian converted into a sombrero wearing Mexican with light machine gun. There is a picture of this gun in a photo in the Osprey book on the Mexican Revolution. The Bren gun was slightly modified and the magazine extended.

Above: Charbens reissue cossacks with hats trimmed into Fez's with tassels made from fuse wire and putty. Cotton would also work.

Above: Blue Box cowboys modified and yet to have baggy pants added. They can be used as bashi bazuks or regular dismounted Turkish cavalry from the 1870s. The Winchester was the Turkish cavalry's weapon of choice. It is a pity for Custer that the US cavalry did not have the same weapon at the Little Big Horn; instead the Indians had them against single shot cavalry carbines.

Above: Two more conversions, the first one of an ACW zouave with new head and a casting of the plastic conversion with a new head.

Above: AIP Russian conversion with putty fez and two copies of Airfix Americans converted into Fezians in zouave style uniforms.

Below: Diet Coke flags! Although I try to discourage my daughter from consuming soft drinks at least the aluminium from the cans has been put to good purpose! The paper flags will be glued to these.

Above: And here they are. I still need to add some painted details to the Charben figure. Left is the Fezian (Patrick's Army Khaki flag), middle is the Turkish flag and right is the Army Khaki infantry flag. Although called Army Khaki so far my Fezian regiments have been staunchly traditional in dark blue.

I needed more Fezian officers so I converted this AIP German by partly trimming off his helmet and adding a putty fez.

The above two figures were WW2 Americans, cheap Chinese copies of Airfix. I trimmed off most equipment and cut down the helmets into Fez's. A Detail sword replaces the officer's pistol. They are shown here before baggy putty pants were added. The flag staff replaces a rifle and comes from a set of ready made spears from Eureka miniatures. They are intended for small scale but pass for 54mm. I use them for lances as well.

On reflection I would have used Airfix originals as the copies are slightly smaller and they will be used with AIP figures which are largish 54mm. However, I liked the idea of making figures from what are basically 10 cent soldiers. Anyone who wanted a very cheap army and has some conversion skills could do so for a few dollars. Some of the Chinese copies are almost as good as the originals. The WW2 Americans lend themselves well to 19th century and early twentieth century types. The WW2 Germans are also good for any jack booted types.

Above Fezian officers painted. The uniform is meant to match the ACW zouaves that are standing in for Fezian guard regiments. They will replace officers with kepis.

Below: Fezian irregulars completed.