Painting Homecasts

    My wife and I went camping this weekend. At the last minute I took along some of my Kinder Homecasts and some paints, hoping to get some figures painted.  Some painting was done, unfortunately, in the end the paints weren't working for me.

   When we got home I started using some other paints to finish the figures. I must admit frustration; this time that my hands refused to cooperate, and shook, making the job of fine detailing a waste of time. The Zouaves are almost done, although there is some touch up needed on the faces and the uniforms. Hopefully I will get some more painting soon.

Some regular infantrymen. After starting on them, I decided to paint them as Irish Brigade figures.

 The Zouaves. The faces need more work ( the figure on the far right looks like he was shot in the forehead by a Minie ball).

More Kinder ACW and the First Homecasts

     I recently received another order of Kinder ACW figures. With this order I  would only be one figure shy of having all the Kinder ACW figures. Unfortunately the seller sent me a copy of a figure I already have, so instead of being one short, it's two figures.  While waiting for this new order, I ordered more RTV rubber for molds. I have already made two molds, with a third being made at this time.

    I also decided to try Humbrol enamel paints for my figures. Most of the colors that I was looking for were out of stock; however the paints that were available give me an idea of wither or not to change paints yet again. I will say that after opening one and finding the paint next to useless, it soured me to using them. However, at one time in the past I used them, and found they had a good shelf life compared to Testors enamels. Of course while laying awake, the thought of going back to hobby acrylics. I might paint a few of the new casting using the different paints, and then decide on which paints to use.

   When the new Kinder figures came in, while preparing for the photo shoot, the camera broke. The only way that it can be used right now is using one hand to hold the batteries in place, the other hand trying to line up the shot and push the button, without shaking the camera. Needless to say, most shots are useless.  

Homecasts of the Kinder Southern Zouave (master on the left).  The painted figure was painted using Humbrol paints.

The new figures, minus one, which is currently being used to make a new mold.

Home Cast Conversions

While still not working on any one project, I have been puttering around with several different ideas, hoping one will jumpstart a project. I bought some new toy soldier molds and started a casting session; however it not very successful and ended it sooner than planned. I did cast a few Prince August Brave Toy Soldier figures. I decided to try to convert them into 1800's militia figures, using "Green Stuff". Below are a few of the conversions.

Original figure with conversions next to it. Militiaman loosely based on the 7th NY,  officer for the militia, and militiaman with bearskin.

New Homecasts

These are some homecast militia for the 1880's. The body is a casting of Britain's West Point figure. The heads were Fusilers recast. The epaulets were made with green stuff. I made up the uniforms, based on two different militia units of the period. I not too happy with the paint job. I might strip it down and retry it again.

Toy Soldier National Lancer

    I started work on a unit of toy soldier National Lancers, a Boston based militia unit from the 1800's, using home cast Nowikoff horses and Zinnbrigade lancers. As usual, I started working on another project and painting on the lancers has stopped. I did paint one lancer with most of the uniform done, just to get an idea of how a finished unit would look.

National Lancer on the work bench.

Lancer with the uniform almost completed.

For these figures I used Tamiya acrylic paints. The gloss finish is from the paint itself. I put two coats on the figure.

HopefullyI will get this unit completed some day.