Benno's Figures Forum

Posted by **Egbert** on 08 Jun 2020, 15:53

Hello friends,
after almost 50 years, I unpacked my old Airfix figures again.
What a wonderful memory of my youth and childhood - what a great time it was ... deep sigh ...
The vintages of us, which are around 60 years plus or minus today,
will be able to understand exactly what I mean!

Since the figures were already painted, I first had to free them from the old colour.
After that I begun with the conversion, because the number of postures was not enough for me.
For some figures I only corrected the head position.
Most, however, swapped the torso, legs, arms and heads with each other.

The blog of our friend Paul was very helpful.
http://paulsbods.blogspot.com/2015/05/a ... antry.html

At first I empoyed with the "Waterloo British Infantry".

The old pack with the original figures …

Here are the conversions…

Posted by **MABO** on 08 Jun 2020, 17:58

Even when I am little younger, I know exacly what you mean. I had the Waterloo Range as well. The French Infantry I got on thd Danish isle Fanø. So I will follow your thread with great sentiment.

Posted by **Michael Robert** on 08 Jun 2020, 18:13

Hi Egbert,

I am one of the guys you describe. Like many others Airfix was my childhood play. I had all Airfix sets - bought with my own Pocket money (2DM and 50 Pfennig for one box then!). When I left home they were all thrown away with the exception of Napoleonic (or Waterloonian if you wish), AWI and Romans/Celts. Don't know why I kept them - probably some nostalgia already, and they were the least "used up".
Now I can repaint them - just as Paul showed before. So I'll watch your project for inspiration. But right now I am all in WSS and similar.
Greetings
Michael

Posted by **sberry** on 08 Jun 2020, 18:30

Oh yes, those Airfix days back then! Your post brings back some very nice memories... In those years, I sometimes bought boxes just because the box art looked so cool. So I ended up with some figures for which I had no real use. Airfix Foreign Legion is an example I remember.
But there is one thing about those old figures that I certainly do not miss: This terribly awkward peg-and-hole system which they used for fixing horses on the base plate. Never really worked for me.

Posted by **Bluefalchion** on 08 Jun 2020, 21:11

Egbert--

You are doing conversions and repainting with the figures from 50 years ago? How is the plastic quality?

That set is still readily available, is it not? Did you give some thought to purchasing a fresh copy and chopping that one up instead?

Posted by **MABO** on 08 Jun 2020, 21:29

Bluefalchion wrote:Egbert--

You are doing conversions and repainting with the figures from 50 years ago? How is the plastic quality?

Yes that is a good question. Seems to be no problem?

Posted by **Egbert** on 09 Jun 2020, 12:09

Bluefalchion wrote:Egbert--
You are doing conversions and repainting with the figures from 50 years ago? How is the plastic quality?
That set is still readily available, is it not? Did you give some thought to purchasing a fresh copy and chopping that one up instead?

MABO wrote:
Yes that is a good question. Seems to be no problem?

Hello Bluefalchion and MABO,

Despite the age, the quality of the plastic is still very good and in my opinion, has not changed.
Therefore, I did not think about buying the figures again.

I did the same job a few years ago with the Airfix "Waterloo Highland Infantry"
and was very happy with the result!

https://www.geschichte-in-miniaturen.de ... f=28&t=290

Posted by **C M Dodson** on 09 Jun 2020, 12:22

Hi Egbert.

Inspirational ideas displayed in your conversions.

I threw a lot of my Airfix stuff away a long time ago but I keep coming across the odd ‘ conversion’ from forty five years ago.

My latest is a revamp of an Airfix commando wounded guy.

With some chopping and greenstuff a Union infantryman clutching his stomach.

The plastic is ok unlike my poor HAT French who are now in bits.

Imagination is the only limitation and you have a vivid imagination!

Best wishes,

Chris

Posted by **Graeme** on 09 Jun 2020, 16:33

You've got some very nice poses there. The guy reaching into his cartridge pouch is great. And the officer! A drop of the arm and what a huge improvement; I'm going to be doing that one.

Posted by **Santi Pérez** on 10 Jun 2020, 19:00

Looking at a post from you is always a guarantee of fantastic conversions, Egbert ... and I love them, as you know. :love:

Egbert wrote:...What a wonderful memory of my youth and childhood - what a great time it was ... deep sigh ...The vintages of us, which are around 60 years plus or minus today, will be able to understand exactly what I mean!...

Of course, friend, I understand very well what you mean. ;-)

Kind regards.

Santi.

Posted by **lobo** on 11 Jun 2020, 05:53

Von Egbert, I have seen your work with the Waterloo Highland infantry.
Very impressive painting and composition¡

Posted by **Konrad** on 11 Jun 2020, 10:22

Those were the days.
I still remember my first sets well.
And how disappointed I was when "my" set was no longer available in the craft store.
I am now sixty-one years old and could my children not enthusiastic for our beautiful hobby.
They are part of the Playstation and Handy Generation.
They no longer understand people like us.

As always, all of your work is very beautiful in painting and presentation.

Posted by **Santi Pérez** on 12 Jun 2020, 18:39

Konrad wrote:...I am now sixty-one years old and could my children not enthusiastic for our beautiful hobby. They are part of the Playstation and Handy Generation. They no longer understand people like us...

They call us geeks, Konrad. But I'm almost fifty-eight years old and very proud to be a geek of miniatures rather than another kind of less artistic and less fun geek. :winky:

Santi.

Posted by **Chariobaude** on 12 Jun 2020, 21:00

Konrad wrote:Those were the days.
I still remember my first sets well.
And how disappointed I was when "my" set was no longer available in the craft store.
I am now sixty-one years old and could my children not enthusiastic for our beautiful hobby.
They are part of the Playstation and Handy Generation.
They no longer understand people like us.

As always, all of your work is very beautiful in painting and presentation.

there is still hope ! i'm 43, and my younger son is 5 and totally into it. My father gave me the virus when my brothers and sisters couldn't care less.
i guess our hobby is quite special : it is not only figs, but all the stories you make around them and the History you learn playing (or painting ecc...).
I played a lot of videogames like RTW, and even with pauses i never lose passion for minis ;-)

Posted by **Emperor** on 12 Jun 2020, 23:11

Well I am 30 now and I am disapointed how my enthusiasm is geting away...Now I find more pleasure in painting than in final product...When I was younger I was more enthusiastic...There was this concept of that when people see what you make they will say it-s good...There was more will earlier to learn and obitain the skill, but now there is little will to get into some big project...

Posted by **Marvin** on 13 Jun 2020, 00:13

I join this sentimental chorus of approval and admiration for your work with these. Looking forward to developments.

The original 1.72 figures which first captured my imagination. Never lost my love for these Airfix Waterloo figures. Make me want to get some of my veterans out of storage and start painting.

Posted by **Bluefalchion** on 13 Jun 2020, 05:34

Marvin wrote:I join this sentimental chorus of approval and admiration for your work with these. Looking forward to developments.

The original 1.72 figures which first captured my imagination. Never lost my love for these Airfix Waterloo figures. Make me want to get some of my veterans out of storage and start painting.

Do it!!!