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WIP 42nd Highland Infantry Regiment "Black Watch" at the Battle of Quatre Bras, June 1815

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Steve Ski, Feb 21, 2022.

  1. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    54mm Resin, Sculpted by Vladimir Danilov, offered by Castle Miniatures.

    [IMG]

    Like a fish out of water I am completely out of my element starting this set. The Battle of Waterloo is not my normal area of study, nor are the bright and brilliant colors something I’m use to painting. In fact, I’ve never done anything so elaborate or complex as this set of figures in such tight proximity to each other, or this color scheme. The sculpting is really impressive, to say the least. I can only hope I do it justice in the end.

    So, rather than dip my big toe in the pool, I dove right into the deep end, head first. What else was I gonna do? I felt drawn to this set as soon as I saw it offered. It was a serious toss up over a few days of angst as to whether I would build a 1/35th scale UH-1N with a weapons load crew or this set of “Black Watch” figures at Waterloo. I had both scenarios laid out on the bench as I pondered each. Once my mind was made up it was straight off to research, and thankfully, Alexandre Khokhriakov and Castle Miniatures themselves provided plenty of study material.

    I figured if I could knock out a decent rendition of a Denison Smock camo pattern, I should be able to handle the Black Watch Campbell tartan, and the battle flag, and socks. Well, we’ll soon find out, won’t we? HA! I’ve watched a few gals paint flags for miniatures on YT, they’re incredible. These gals got talent, so I will be using their work as reference material on that portion of this build. This is all new to me!

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    Eleven figures complete this dynamic battle scene, all cast in resin. I was impressed with how clean these figures were and the lack of any major issues to deal with. A little time spent carefully removing any seem lines or slag is all I’m finding necessary to get these figures ready for the brush. I decided to keep some kind of order with all these little parts by using a half pint mason jar crate with some added foam padding at the bottom of each divided section. I numbered these guys as they were being cleaned up and worked, just to keep track of who gets what part. So far, so good.

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    After cleaning three figures I decided to get started on the flag. I wanted to work the emblems and details in between the figure clean-up, (oils take time to dry), so I can spend as much time needed to get this flag correct. There’s going to be a lot of freehand work here and quite a bit of trial and error as well. I’ll seal the oils on this flag in a few days when it’s complete, then start laying out the emblems on both sides. This is gonna be a hoot, I can already tell. Wish me luck!

    The basic layout of the colors was not too difficult, but only a matter of keeping every section in proper proportion. Tamiya’s model tape really helped work around those curves. I used Vallejo’s Model Colors; Red, Blue, and White acrylics for the base tones. Next was the standard oil applications of shadows and highlights. There are still a few areas of the white stripes that need attention, but this first side is pretty much complete. You can see the new palette of colors I have spread out for this project, mostly Windsor Newton oils.

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    I’m actually pretty excited to be working this set, it’s a challenge. How do we expand our talent, challenge the norm, work it and keep learning? And there you have it, and therefore,……….. I forge onward

    More to follow soon and thanks for watchin. Cheers, Ski.
    Mjølner, Waterlooman, Jaybo and 35 others like this.
  2. Henk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Wow Steve, that is one heck of a set, you're a braver man than me. Tartan, in 54mm? That way lays madness, I tell thee..

    I did a similar thing last year, after years of painting 20th century military in a variety of green and drab colours, I was tempted into my first colourfull Napoleonic subject by the "Duchcy of Warsaw drummer with Child" bust.

    Looking forward to see this one progress.
    Oda, Nap and malc like this.
  3. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I have two of these figures (two, I know).
    They are beautiful sculpts but are at the bottom of the grey army box.
    Following with a great deal of interest.
    Henk likes this.
  4. DaddyO A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    There's no doubt you've taken on a whopper there Steve - well done that man(y)
    The Castle Miniature figures are beautiful (as Bob says) I've got the winged hussar set. Whether I ever get to do anything other than gawp at it is quite another thing!;)

    Looking forward to seeing this one come together
    Forwards McDuff:D

    Paul
  5. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Hi Ski

    Flipping heck .......dived right in there at the deep end ...hopefully with suitable attire

    Just ordered more popcorn ....following this awesome project ......camo and now tartan ......Mr McSki

    Great start on the colour

    Following you right behind trying to pick my jaw up !.......there's a lot of legs there ..lol

    Happy benchtime

    Nap
    DaddyO likes this.
  6. misfit151 A Fixture

    Blimey Steve that is a marathon task.....the figures look great and dynamic....as on oil person myself it's the drying time but I'm sure the finish will be great.....(y). best of luck will follow the progress ...Mike
    Nap likes this.
  7. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    That's a lot of tartan you've got there; have you thought of using tartan paint?

    tartan paint.jpg

    Good luck,

    Mike
    Mjølner, Edorta, Oda and 15 others like this.
  8. TERRYSOMME1916 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Scary stuff Steve but you can do it, if the sculpts and castings are quality then that's a tremendous good start cutting down on endless prep that can suck the life out of you before you even lift the primer, this is one of those projects that we all wish we could tackle but run away from, however what a belter it will be when finished so looking forward to following your journey and seeing how you have worked on your other past projects I think we are in for a real treat.
    TERRY
    Nap likes this.
  9. BRAN Active Member

    Country:
    France
    Very nice project, I really like it. On the last photo of the flag, be careful, the oblique red band is not centered.... ;)
    Nap likes this.
  10. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Looks like a great project Ski! Look forward to seeing your progress. :)

    Cheers
    Ken
    Oda and Nap like this.
  11. dutch Active Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Looks great! I’m gonna follow this
    Oda and Nap like this.
  12. 1969 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    You have my full attention with this one Ski, no doubt you will perform your usual magic with this set.
    Cheers
    Steve
    Nap likes this.
  13. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    I almost went with the UH-1N, almost, but that would just be huddling in my comfort zone, lol. Thanks, Henk.



    Thank you, Bob. I done got myself into it now, lol. Pull em out, Bob, you're an incredible painter, would love to see them worked;)

    Ya, Paul, more like a doozy, if you ask me, HA! Ah, it's gonna be a fun run, regardless.

    Thanks, Kevin. Actually, it's a balmy 14*F outside right now, so I dug out me tartan and took another swim, HA! thanks for watchin, Amigo!



    Thank you, Mike. Been an oiler, always will be;) Something about constant layering just drives me bonkers, lol. I hope I can make quite a bit of progress before the snow melts, coming within a month, yikes!

    Ok, Mike, where can I get a can of that wonderful Tartan paint? Lol. wouldn't that be da bomb? Thanks, Mike.

    Thank you, Terry. Your words are always encouraging. I can't run now; it would be bad form to make this a bench queen. Besides, my wife would kick my hinny! She's all into this one, loves the layout and colors:)



    Thanks for the third eye, Bran.

    Not sure which one of those bands you are referring to, I followed the flag pattern posted above. Can you be more specific, please? Now, I do know that the band width of the central cross is a bit off, by mm's, but nothing too out of kilter. Get it, out of kilt-er? HA!;) Those red strip bands are not centered at the 45* point, each at the left or right of center as shown in the example above. There's still time to fix any boofs, not ashamed to do so. I've done plenty of Oven Cleaner baths in the past to fix errors, just need to know exactly where. Thanks in advance, Bran.

    Thanks, Ken, glad to have you aboard.

    Thank you, Paul, more coming soon.

    Thanks, Brother. It will be a change from the large scale figures, for sure. Gotta make every brush stroke count on this set.
    Viking Bob likes this.
  14. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Maybe yall can help make a decision here; should I retitle this set as the "Battle at Quatre Bras"? I've heard from numerous guys who know this info that the 42nd was not at Waterloo and I'm just getting knee deep into researching this. Not the flag, nor the water jug markings would change, not even the tartans, so it's just a matter of calling it what actually is, historically, the Battle at Quatre Bras.
    I'm not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill here, I'm just trying a bit more accurate in presentation. Am I off base here, or is that just much ado about nothin?

    Thanks in advance, Gents!
  15. Giwe Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Germany
    Wow, great start with the flag, will follow with interest!
  16. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Both battalions of the 42nd fought at Quatre Bras, wether they fought at Waterloo some one else can say. I believe they were there but took no part in the battle.
    Oda likes this.
  17. Scotty A Fixture

    Country:
    Scotland
    I've mentioned this before but be aware the hose have a seam at the back, it's not a continuous pattern. And the diamonds are fairly big, I hope that helps. Good luck.
    Scotty.
    Viking Bob likes this.
  18. Warren SMITH A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    Congrats on taking on this incredible task.. I too have just picked a couple of figures from this set.. mine are white metal.. So am looking forward to seeing how you tackle these and I will get mine built and primed ready..

    Cheers

    Smithy.
  19. The Riveteer Active Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom

    Like everything at Waterloo most accounts vary.
    From what I've read, the "Highlanders" were put into some confusion by Marcognet;s Division suddenly crossing the Allied ridge in line, the 42nd, (who were to the centre/left of the Allied line), being caught in column formation due to their reduced numbers (338 I've seen quoted), resulting from their losses at Quatre Bras, a reversal of the usual British line meeting French column.
    An impromptu fire fight appears to have taken place before the 92nd (to the left of the 42nd), were ordered forward to stabilize the situation. The 42nd were, by all accounts definitely there and engaged, but not to any significant effect before the Union Brigade broke through them and engaged Marcognets men, driving them off.
    I don't believe the 42nd took any further action, being kept in place to hold the Allied line until the end of the Battle.

    For these reasons I think it would be more accurate to refer to the project as depicting Quatre Bras, especially considering the unformed poses of the figures. The inclusion of the cuirassier would also make no sense if it was Waterloo, as at this time they were deployed further to the Allied right, around La Haye Sainte.

    Best of luck with this Steve, a monumental undertaking.

    David
    Nap and Viking Bob like this.
  20. BRAN Active Member

    Country:
    France
    "Thanks for the third eye, Bran.

    Not sure which one of those bands you are referring to, I followed the flag pattern posted above. Can you be more specific, please? Now, I do know that the band width of the central cross is a bit off, by mm's, but nothing too out of kilter. Get it, out of kilt-er? HA!;) Those red strip bands are not centered at the 45* point, each at the left or right of center as shown in the example above. There's still time to fix any boofs, not ashamed to do so. I've done plenty of Oven Cleaner baths in the past to fix errors, just need to know exactly where. Thanks in advance, Bran."

    I put arrows on the strips where the red line is not centered. We see on each side that the width of the white is not equal. Glad to be able to help.

    _DSC0386b-vi2.jpg

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