Les has sent us another conversion he has done. Here the scoop on it from Les.
If you can stand another odd subject here is a ‘Victorian Armed London Policeman’, I did him after watching the latest ‘Wolfman’ movie and episodes of ‘Ripper Street’ ( a UK TV show based in victorian London). (Editors note this show was on BBC America.)
As the comments I have had already give me an indication that your readers like to know the basis for the conversions, I have attached 2 pics this time.
One showing the make up of the conversions and the parts involved using AIP figures
One showing the completed figures from various angles.
Relevent details are included in the pics.
Just need to work out how to make a ‘Wolfman’ or some Victorian evil-dooers now :))
This guy is just the first of a group, I already have a Sergeant started and a detective in caped overcoat planned out. AIP figs are good for converting as they are quite inexpensive when compared to other makers and you get so many duplicated poses.
Great figures for a “Siege of Sidney Street” Playset.You’ll need to do a Churchill figure too though.For you Yanks that don’t know about this incident do a Wikipedia search and you’ll find info there.If AIP reads this website they should give some thought to a set of British Police & IRA Gunmen of this era.
Hi Brian,
I have looked at quite a few pics from the ‘siege’ and am working out how to do some anarchists ,’Peter the Painter’, etc. I’m looking for suitable starting points for making some Scots Guards in Greatcoats, which were longer than this fig, but I might just extend the length. Maybe put them on carpet bases :))
The ‘City Police’ would just need the adapted helmet to the comb top, not sure about ‘Churchill’ I would need to source a good top hat :))
I have good details for other European Police types which were also involved in fighting communists/anarchists during this period which have nice unique uniforms, Berlin and Vienna in particular, so might attempt them next.
The Anarchists have a generic ‘look’ throughout the continent so one set will do for a few scenarios, as long as they look ‘shifty’ 🙂
I don’t think AIP would do British Police and IRA , but they might consider American Police and Gangsters, which would be convertable into other civlian types.
Best regards,
Les
Problem with US style Cops & Robbers is they will probably be 1930’s styles and the Robbers are just too well dressed to be much use in other scenarios unless they make a lot of armed Truck Drivers/Keg Haulers.
I think you are right Gangsters would be similar to the Marx Untouchables.
You could use AIP Boers and AIP Zulu War brits with Boer heads as IRA gunmen and the conversion I did of a WW1 Brit would work for the Pre-War period, the webbing came out in 1908, right up to idependence in 1922. Actually using AIP parts and some putty you could probably manage Black and Tans and RIC.
I doubt anyone would make this period in plastic 54mm. Also modelling flat caps(‘bunnets’ in Scots) isn’t that easy to get right :))
Nice job Les !
A really good conversion. Thanks for displaying the parts used as well as the intention for the figure. How did you cut the plastic so evenly?
I would like to see more.
Michael
Hi Michael,
I cut the plastic using new disposable blades on a ‘Swann and Morton’ medical scalpel handle. These and similar makes are available in good hobby shops.
The Blades straight out they packet are extremely sharp, once you start to use them you wonder why there is red paint on your cutting board and then you realise you’ve cut yourself, I usually have plenty of self adhesive bandages on hand :))
The blades come in various sizes and shapes, so you can cut round delicate parts or wider parts with ease. I also use a self sealing cutting mat so that I don’t cut into my table top.
Hope this answers your question.
Thanks for your comments.
Best regards,
Les
Hi Les
Yes, that does indeed answer my question. Thank you very much.
I shall make a journey to my local hobby shop in search of blades, handle & cutting mat. I would very much like to see more of your work.
I have been making conversions as well in both 40mm & 54mm in lead & plastic. I like to learn & exchange ideas.
Thank you
Michael
I will be posting more of my conversions as the time goes on, so just keep looking here :))
I forgot to mention that the self-sealing mats come in many different sizes from A4 (8 1/2″ X 11″) up to 24 ” X 18″. They are generally Green colour with 10mm squares printed on them, they were originally produced for model makers to give them a working grid. You can also find blue ones.
The scalpel handles come in 2 sizes, N0.3 and N0.4, with differnt blade sizes and shapes. The larger blades on the larger handle are best for the big cuts, thru the body and the others for the more delicate stuff.
I’ve done metal 40 and 54mm too, but I find the plastic easier to work with.
Post some of your work here, I’m always interested to see what other guys are doing :))
Best regards,
Les
Hi Les
Thank you very much for the details. I shall follow your suggestions.
Yes, plastic 40mm figures are much easier & cleaner to work with then lead. However I often mix them together on the same figure.
Perhaps Paul will release my email address to you , please.
Michael