Hi There,

I finally got some time to start something new. I have a 1/35th Scale diorama started in a similar subject but put it on the backbench for a bit. I need to do something a little bigger to save my eyes

This subject will be a Bugler late WWI - Strathcona's Horse. The scale is 120mm, horse is a Miniart base which I will convert, the body is kit bash of different body parts from the morgue.

I really like the head (believe its from Firing Line) the face is very young looking and the helmet looks a little too big for him which fits for the character. Sword is drawn and I will have the rifle slung over the shoulder as the Canadian Cavalry were doing just as much dismounted ops as mounted. I'm debating having the bugle in the left hand or just slung not sure yet.

Looking forward to comments and suggestions, lots of great ideas on this site.

Looking good so far.

Mike

Great start Ray.
He is looking to be a really fine figure. I have a couple of the Miniart mounted kits with a view to using the horses for "other" projects, so I will watch closely to pick up some tips.
Do you have the bugle (for that please read where can I get one)?. I have had limited and varied success at making the British M1855 pattern bugle from milliput, sculpy etc. If you are making from scratch I have the sizes and can do the calculations if you need them. The biggest problem, I have found with kit bugles is that the tube is of uniform size for turns when infact the tube diameter is ever increasing in diameter from the mouthpiece to the bell.
For your question on slung or held... it is not too often that the sword would be drawn and the bugle being played at the same time but for me the piece would be all the better for it being held.
Good luck with this Mate its a great subject.
All the best,
Keith

Thanks Everybody,

Keith I have a small brass bugle from an older Firing Line figure I do believe. A friend gave it to me in pieces and the bugle came with it. The Miniart horses are well sculpted but requires a lot of filler and clean up. I will let you know how it goes.

Cheers

Ray

One thing I havent been able to determine, maybe somebody can help me. Did the WWI Cavalry Buglers ride bay horses? I havent been able to confirm this

Cheers

Ray

Waiting for seeing this figure finished.
Great to choose one of the most famous and oldest Canadian Régiment

Like the choice of the Strathcona horse and bugler! Great looking start!

No idea about the bay horses. I would refer the question to http://www.militaryhorse.org/ The forum of the Society of the Military Horse or the Great War Forum http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/. Somebody will likely know.

All the best,
Dan

Trumpeters usually ride greys. But, being as the Scots Greys actually painted their horses at one point to hide the colour, I think the custom may have stopped for the duration!

Martin

LOOL what with Dulux, you learn something everyday

Ray this should look cool, ive converted many many Miniart horses and as you say great detail but crap casting, if its any use i normally glue the 2 halves of the body and use small G clamps to hold them together and close the gaps and then leave them overnight to cure

Looking good allready.

Marc

Martin interesting point, I said bay but meant grey, just came up from the hobby room. I may need more ventilation lol.

Thanks Paul, I need to remove the strap around the neck as I will be putting a bandolier there. The fit is not exact so lots of gaps to fill and sanding ahead. I was looking at one of my resin horses I had but really liked the pose, also no saddle or blanket moulded so gives me a lot of leeway for the accoutrements.

My goal is to have this one done for Chicago in the fall along with another major conversion so lots to do this summer.

Cheers

Ray

Oops last point, what is the opinion on the pose?

Cheers

Ray

Personally I think the pose is fine but if you do decide on the "carry" or "slope", notice who ever the artist was for that picture got it right. The hand rests on the thigh for both. One of the most common mistakes I see is when mounted figures are in dismounted drill positions. His lower legs seem a little short though.

Martin.

I've got a picture somewhere of a Greys Trooper with a six inch distemper brush and an unhappy horse!! I'm not quite sure if it was because they would be less visible or to hide the regiments I.D.

Martin

Hi Martin,

The picture in the back is by Ron Volstadt, well known military artist here in Western Canada. I actually got the picture off of a Canadian Gov website. I'm using it as my main reference. I also went to the Strathcona Museum in Calgary at the Military Museums and took lots of pics of the actual gear from WWI. The pose I was looking for was he has just drawn his sword, getting ready for the charge. At Moreuil Wood the Bugler was Reg Longley and when Lt. Flowerdew gave the order to charge he raised his bugle but it never sounded as he was cut down my machine gun fire. I'm kind of thinking of this young guy as I build this piece. The legs may seem short as I;m trying to show a young man, Longley was described as a "Boy Trumpeter" I cant find any pics of him so taking some artistic license I can easily extend the wire in the leg and fill in with putty. I will take a look.

Cheers

Ray

Looking really good Ray. I think the pose looks especially good; his posture in the saddle looks just right and I imagine that must be the toughest part. Will continue to watch with growing interest.
I got my tommy's war figures in and have started "surgery". But I think progress will be slow. I'll have to hook up with you sometime soon and see if I can relieve you of those Airfix helmets

Ray, I think it's a bit relaxed a pose for the beginning of the charge, the slope as depicted would be more likely. Although I have never charged against an enemy I have for other reasons (BBC etc.) and when knee to knee you have to keep the sword tucked in! If you're making a Trumpeter why don't you have him holding the bugle? (bugle for mounted calls, trumpet for dismounted calls).
I assume that Canadian cavalry used the same pattern saddlery as the British (1902 head kit, 1912 UP saddle etc.) If so I will have info if you need it.

Martin

Like where the project is heading Ray. Interesting idea, this figure representing a specific individual. As usual, your research into the back story gives the figure real personality.

Following with interest

Colin

Martin you are correct in the Saddlery but its possible to find some Western accoutrements mixed in there as the Strats were very proud of their western heritage, however I'm going with the British kit here. As for the pose I'm back and forth on holding the bugle I may try it to see what it looks like. My preference is to have the sword drawn and the rifle slung over the shoulder not in the holster. I kind of want to show the that in this action almost past meets future, the Strathcona's along with the Fort Garry Horse and Royal Canadian Dragoons did everything from dismounted Infantry ops to full Cavalry charges with a sword. They literally did switch from sword to rifle in the same engagements so read accounts where they kept the rifle out of the holster and just slung it over their back.

Great feedback guys giving me a lot to think about.

Cheers

Ray

Dan thanks for the support and the websites I will look them up. Thanks Zastrow, Colin, and Marc as well. Glenn I sent you an email around the Airfix Helmets

Cheers

Ray