58th Regiment in Egypt.


Here's my latest 1/6th scale figure, and this time I've included more photos, mostly so people cane see the endless reposing possibilities with these large figures

The 58th ( Rutland) Regiment had an active role during the Battle of Alexandria, which took place in the pre-dawn amongst the ruins of Heliopolis, on a narrow spit of land with the sea on one side and a lake on the other. The 58th were the right flank unit, on the seashore next to the 28th ( who famously won their back badge when attacked in front by infantry and behind by cavalry ) , and were heavily engaged in repulsing the French attacks.




The figure shows the new style that had arrived with the new century. Gone is the long coat, replaced by a jacket, and out goes the cocked hat in favour of a “ Shakoe Cap “.



The shako was made from lacquered felt ( not leather as sometimes described ) ,with a very thin stamped brass plate on the front, cockade and worsted tuft. There’s a ”fall” or neck protector hooked up on the back.



The regulation hairstyle was still long, tied into the 11” pigtail, to last only a few years as the new short haircuts became fashionable .
The men landed without knapsacks, just a blanket rolled and slung across the back, into which a few necessaries were stowed. Haversack and canteen, with biscuits and diluted rum. The Navy were present in force, and this Army was well victualled.



The musket is the India Pattern, with the shorter 39” barrel, issued as a subsitute after a massive fire at the Tower destroyed stocks of the Short Land Pattern. It was cheaper and quicker to make , so became standard issue thereafter



It was March , so the weather would be cool or mild, making the uniforms reasonably comfortable.





That would change once the summer heat started. During the long sea voyage, uniforms were stored, the men wearing “slop” clothing on the transports, so they would be pretty well-dressed on landing if the rats hadn’t got at the clothes. . The action was in the lush Delta rather than the desert, so there were plenty of local supplies, including things very rare to Thomas Atkins, like dates and spiced bread .It must have been quite a culture shock for most of the men, who had rarely served overseas before.



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The figure is all home-made, using brushed cotton cloth, goatskin, linen, etc. He's a DML body underneath, lightly modified.

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Superb as always Tony-lovely to see these large scale models.

Keith

I'm in awe of your large scale figures Tony, do you use adapted commercial figures or is everything scratch built?

Steve

Excellent ... and some first rate historical notes Invaluable stuff !

Beautifully done Tony! I'm in awe at what you accomplished in this larger scale.

The different poses and the historical comments also make the post really interesting and informative.

Great job,
Ken

Thanks for all the information.
Well done on the figure.
Cheers
John

Wonderful stuff.
Jon.

Amazing stuff. No other word for it mate.

Thanks everyone.
Some things , like musket, cap plate and buttons I have in stock , as castings from ones I made earlier. But everything else is made for each figure, and I would guess about fifty hours are involved in making each one.
First I make some simple body modifications ( remove head, make new neck plug , and insert foot pins) . Then I make the smallclothes, and model the head and hands. Then it's the uniform and equipment. I have fabric and leather in stock, and of course experience counts for a lot in speeding the process of tailoring the coat and making all the equipment.
On occasions I make batches of things for future figures.
The mounted figures take at least twice as long, in that I usually make my own horse, and the saddlery can take ages.

There's no doubt that knowing which materials to use, and of course where to get them, is crucial.

Cracking stuff, as usual, with excellent detail work, from which we can all take notes.

Alan

Very impressive work!
Phil

Most impressive.

Superb, a very artistic work.

Military miniatures painted by Eduardo Garcia

Superlative work, as usual, Tony.

Cheers,
Andrew