Wings5797
A Fixture
Hello Chaps and Chapess’
I hope that you are all fully recovered after the seasonal festivities?
I just wanted to update you on my yearlong (more if I am honest and include research time) still unfinished project of adding legs to Carl Reid’s Sergeant 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders.The figure represents a regular soldier just retreated from Mons and shaping up to take another pounding at La Cateau; 26th August 1914. During this battle most of the Regiment were wiped out and after this point in time the ranks of the Regiment filled with Territorial soldiers. The major result for we modellers was dramatic changes in uniform; spats, hose tops and brogues out, boots socks and putties in, glengarry still used but the tin hat was issued. Due to unforeseen demand the cutaway jacket gradually went by the way and the standard issue square cut jacket was used.
I must confess one (that I know of) mistake on my figure is the red fibre ID tag. These were not issued until 1915 but I have my Grandfathers tag and I wanted to change from the twin aluminium dog tags (which are correct for 1914) in his memory.
Other small additions that may be of interest;The medals that this seasoned old sweat is wearing are a fairly typical group to such a soldier who had served continually with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, would be:
IGS 1895 with clasps: Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Tirah 1897-98 QSA : Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg and Belfast KSA : South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 LS&GC, EdV11 or GV issue. Delhi Durbar 1911. Of course some are not visible under the ’08 pattern webbing.
The Bagpipes and ammunition box are added as another whim I had. Two things you will notice are; the tartan sash supporting the drones on the pipes does not have the tartan painted on it….this is the third time I have tried to get these to work up to 10am this morning. Good old milliput came through in the end. Also there are no markings on the ammo box. All my efforts to find labels and brands fell woefully short.
Most of my research and fun to make was the packet of Players Navy Cut Cigarettes.
So to wind up, still to do are the hundreds of small chevrons on the sergeant’s stripes, highlights on some buttons and studs, and a good matt varnish to remove the sheen of the oil paint.
Hope you like this conversion. Cheers, Keith
