Yesterday was my birthday and today is my first anniversary as a member of this great forum. Two good reasons for posting the pictures with the preparation of the selected figures before the painting work.
I always begin removing figures' bases. Later it's necessary to remove also the line marks and flash, if present. At least for my taste it's very annoying to see artistically painted figures completely spoiled by ugly marks crossing their faces or other body or equipment areas. So I think it’s worth dedicating enough time and effort to eliminate all the undesirable plastic of the figures using a sharp scalpel blade (a particularly complicated task in the case of difficult rubbery plastics, such as Hät’s figures for example).
Once the figures are free from excess plastic, is the time for conversions. Heads, arms, legs or weapons swappings are very usual, as well as bending different parts to obtain new poses. All the gaps between old and new parts (or on figures surface due to air bubbles in the mould) are then filled in with white wood glue. I also use this glue to model small parts as noses, ears, fingers, buttons, sword handles and so on, simply applying several layers and waiting until they dry and harden.
At this moment the figure is ready for the painting job. Then it is glued to a provisional base (plastic bottle stoppers are very useful for this purpose) and covered with a matt white priming.
The first figure is Gordon himself. I have used the model included in Waterloo 1815 Anglo-Egyptian Army set. It only needed the removing of the stick and revolver from both hands.
Next is Gordon’s kneeling camel, which comes from Hät British Camel Corps set, without any conversion. Only a plasticine bridle, hardened with white glue, was added.
The Mahdi figure was taken from Esci Muslim Warriors set. As Gordon, he suffered the lost of the sword and fly-swatter from his hands.
The rest of the Dervish warriors will come in the next post.
Santi.