Just started this LG kit by the late Ron Hinote. It's a hefty piece but solidly put together. I'm a great fan of Little Generals and own quite a few of their kits but this is the first I have built.

Early stages. I should really attach it to the base because it's pretty heavy but I want to keep it 'free' for airbrushing.


Basic undercoating done with airbrush

Added 'mountain man' accessories. The figure is so heavy and big that it came apart at the waist when I tilted it on my ball vice. So I've created a stronger join but left it bisected so I could work on it. It's too heavy to hold comfortably.

The paint was getting chipped so I filled a plastic bag with soft builder's sand to rest it on. (I use a leather jeweller's sand-bag to do metal work - so that's where I got the idea. This is a softer version)

You're off to a good start David. I have built and painted all of Ron's Mountain Men and always fount this to be my favorite. Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks, Guy. I'd love to see pics of your LG figures if you have any.

I'm a long time fan of the late Mr. Hinote's work as well. Used to buy them when they were still in production (yes I'm old). I have a number of Little Generals figures in my collection, but am always seeking more.

I wish someone would re-release these gems. I spoke with the individual who bought up the surviving molds quite awhile back, and that was the plan. Haven't heard anything since about it though.

I also painted this one in the 80's and it is still one of my all time favourites in the cabinet-I still have the catalogue sent with the figure, regrettably I was somewhat more impoverished in those days and with the cost of importing these very heavy kits it was the only one that I could ever afford-enjoy the kit and it will be great to see another of these oldies brought to life................Keith

Many Moons ago, in Toronto, I watched Ron sculpt the head to this figure in about an hour. He sat in an atrium, and with a couple of shaped toothpicks and an Xacto knife....just dazzled everyone with his ability. About 30 of us just watched, and he fielded every question with grace and expertise. ALMOST gave me the courage to try it out...but haven't. I enjoyed talking to Ron everytime we met at a show. A great gentleman...Enjoy the figure!!

It's heartening that so many of you remember Ron Hinote. I was beginning to think it was just me

I never met Ron but spoke to him long distance a couple of times. He was always friendly and patient.

I wish someone would re-release these gems. I spoke with the individual who bought up the surviving molds quite awhile back, and that was the plan. Haven't heard anything since about it though.

There was some model company in Kansas that were going to do it (guy called Daryl Shirley, I recall). They got as far as issuing a catalogue.

I also painted this one in the 80's and it is still one of my all time favourites in the cabinet-I still have the catalogue sent with the figure, regrettably I was somewhat more impoverished in those days and with the cost of importing these very heavy kits it was the only one that I could ever afford-enjoy the kit and it will be great to see another of these oldies brought to life................Keith

You're not kidding about the price - especially if you got stung for duty. Fortunately I made friends with a guy who ran a model shop in Manchester who imported a whole batch of them. They still weren't cheap though.

Heads up to any American Hinote fans: somebody selling the LG Mounted Indian, a massive figure, for a mere starting bid of 15 dollars - strip off the not so great paint-job and you'd have a real bargain.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LITTLE-GENE...948167603?pt=Toy_Soldiers&hash=item3f15c4efb3

After a week or two of focusing on selling (and buying) kits, I returned to the workbench


Still quite some way to go but he is back together in one piece again. The paint was chipping off quite badly in spite of my soft sandbags.
Most progress from the neck up - now I can focus on shading the body.

(Must learn to take better photos )

Disaster when the figure fell off the stand; and one of the ears of the bobcat cap bent in half and then snapped off when I tried to straighten it! I rebuilt it in milliput and am now nearly ready to begin working on the base - still need to shade the hands and attach the feather though