TSSD

WHAT GUYS DO WITH THEIR

"GUYS & STUFF"

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WE HAVE CREATED THIS  PAGE TO SHOW - AND SHARE - WHAT SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE DONE - AND ARE DOING WITH THEIR FIGURES AND ACCESSORIES

WE RECEIVE MANY PHOTOS, DISCS AND EMAILS AND SUCH FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD - AND IT IS REMARKABLE WHAT SOME OF THE COLLECTORS DO - FROM CONVERSIONS OF FIGURES TO DIORAMAS - TO PAINTING AND BUILDING STUFF.

FROM TIME TO TIME THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE CREATED SOME PRODUCTS FOR SALE - AND WE WILL PASS ALONG THEIR INFORMATION TO YOU AS WELL.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PROMOTE THE HOBBY - AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO DO THAT.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING OF INTEREST THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD - PLEASE LET US KNOW.

WE WILL INCLUDE YOUR PROJECT PHOTOS AND ALSO YOUR NAME - BUT ONLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION.

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SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

FROM

RAND WILLIAMS

IN THE OC

NOTE THE PIRATE SHIP IN THE RIGHT HAND BACKGROUND - ATTACKING A FORTIFIED TANK POSITION!

IT'S FORT APACHE vs GERMAN BUNKERS; WAGON TRAIN MEETS WHIRLBELWIND!

SINCE WE HAVE KNOWN RAND - AND HIS BUDDY NICK DUCHICH, WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THEIR FAMOUS ORANGE COUNTY "DRIVEWAY BATTLES"!!

THEY WILL SPEND AN ENTIRE WEEKEND SETTING UP HUGE BATTLEGROUND DISPLAYS - WITH THE HELP OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS!

THEN, ONCE ALL IS IN POSITION

BRING ON THE NERFS!!

THE BATTLES ARE THEN WAGED WITH NERF FIRING GUNS, OR ANYTHING ELSE HANDY THAT FIRES PROJECTILES - DART GUNS, ETC.

`TIL THE LAST MAN IS STANDING!

THANKS RAND!

AND KEEP THOSE KIDS INTERESTED!!

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MORE FROM

BRUCE CHEW

Hi Nick:
 
Thanks for the mention on your website. Always happy to share my conversions with your collectors. Anyways, as promised here are some notes on my conversions:
 
Charging Federals (Basic)

 
These figures depict federals rushing forward with shouldered rifles. The basic figure for these conversions was the TSSD federal flag bearer. I chose this figure for two reasons: 1) the arm positions can be altered to hold a rifle without much manipulation and 2) since most units only need one flag bearer this ensures a generous supply of spare figures to work with. In addition, the running pose is ideal for troops rushing forward.
 
I start out by removing the flag and staff with an xacto knife. I use the large curved xacto blade instead of the straight blade because it is easier to carve around the uneven surfaces of plastic figures. When cutting into TSSD figures, you should use the large, heavy duty xacto handle instead of the thin stylus handle because you'll have to exert a lot pressure to cut through the thick TSSD plastic. I prefer to do my cutting on a large flat piece of wood to protect my work surface. When making deep cuts, always place the figure down on the surface and cut down with your fingers away from the blade. For deeper cuts into the body of the figure, you probably will have to rock the blade back and forth to saw through the plastic.
 
Next I pry off the rifle from the figure's back, then remove the arms at the shoulder. Carefully cut off any left over plastic around the hands. If you accidentally cut off the fingers or hand, don't worry, you can repair it later with green stuff. With the xacto, carefully shave down any residual plastic from front of the figure's torso left by the flagstaff.
 
Optionally, you can remove the head and replace it later with one from another figure if you want to give a little variety to the charging line.
 
Now reposition the right arm so that it extends down to the figure's side. You can leave the arm as it is, fully extended, or alternatively, you can "bend" the arm using the often mentioned "hot water" treatment of immersing the piece into hot water, bending the piece when it softens, then immersing the piece into cold water. Whichever way you chose, glue (or pin) the repositioned arm onto the figure's torso. I've tried various glues to join polyethylene plastic with mostly unsatisfactory results. Lately, I am using a brand called ZAP-A-DAP A GOO and seem to have better results for joining pieces. I can't vouch for its long term holding power but it seems to be holding pretty well, and it is thick so it fills small gaps well.
 
Using a spare TSSD rifle, available separately from TSSD, I glue the rifle to the shoulder and hand of the right arm. You probably want to wait until the arm is dry before gluing the rifle to prevent sagging.
 
Next, reposition the left arm so that the hand crosses the rifle. You may have to trim the arm at the shoulder to fit the new position. Glue the left arm at the shoulder.
 
If you have cut the head off, take the new head and glue it into position.
 
That's the basic figure conversion. But if you're like me, you're never satisfied so here are some additional changes I've made. Using "green stuff" epoxy putty (Kneadtite), I shaped knapsacks and blanket rolls and added them to the figures. Another modification I made was to cut off and swap the canteen and cartridge pouch. I think it's more natural to have the cartridge pouch on the right hip rather than the left. I also used more green stuff to add a haversack to the left hip, then glued the canteen on top of it.

 
Charging Federals (Alternate)

 
Now that you have the basic charging conversion, you can create alternative charging poses using other TSSD figures. I swapped out the legs of the flag bearer figure with the legs from the TSSD lunging figure with the rifle extended. This pairing creates a more natural looking pose as the figure is leaning forward.

 
Alternately, I used the torso from TSSD figure charging with the rifle raised above his head and added it to the legs of the flag bearer.  I had to carefully cut around the equipment to keep it attached to the torso before I joined it together with the legs. Finally, I removed the arms from torso, and added the arms from the flag bearer figure to complete the conversion.
 
These conversions may create gaps between the various parts, so you may have to fill them in with epoxy putty. Again, I use "green stuff" for this.

 
Loading Confederates 

 
The other conversions I provided were loading confederates. The loading pose is one of the most overlooked poses in the world of toy soldiers. The loader is not a very dynamic pose like a guy charging or firing, but to me it symbolizes the very soul of the soldier--a fighting man standing steadfast in the face of fire and on rushing attackers, calmly and professionally reloading his weapon to continue the fight.
 
The basic figure used for this conversion is the standing rebel with the pistol over his head. I carefully remove the pistol arm and right arm holding the rifle and replace them with the arms from the Union flag bearer. I drill a small hole in the right hand with a pin vise and insert a small piece of wire as a ram rod. Then, I glue a spare TSSD rifle in the left hand to complete the conversion.

 
Mexican Adventure French

 
For something completely different (but contemporary to the civil war period), I created more French army figures for the Maximilian Adventure. I was somewhat disappointed in my previous conversions using Marx Union figures, so I decided to go back to the drawing board and try again.
 
After studying my Osprey guide on the period I chose to use the Armies In Plastic Zouaves as my basic figures for my conversions. The big MC Hammer parachute pants of the Zouaves and gaiters were perfect for the French uniform in Mexico. The one problem I had was the tunic. The French wore a dark blue single breasted tunic, and the Zouaves a bolero style short jacket. My solution was to use the torsos of the AIP Egyptian Army figures. These figures are ideal for a variety of conversions because they are uncluttered with extraneous equipment.
 
I cut the Zouave and Egyptians at the waist. I also cut off the arms of both figures. I glue the Egyptian torsos onto the Zouaves legs. I then glue the Zouaves arms to the Egyptian torsos. I do this to make sure the final figures have the correct muzzle loading rifle. Lastly I replace the Egyptian head with a kepi head. I use heads from the BMC civil war figures, mostly because they are cheap.
 
After doing the part swaps, I mix up some "green stuff" and put two blobs of putty on the shoulders. I form them into epaulettes. Then I add more "green stuff" around the kepi to form the sun cloth. While you're at it, use the putty to fill in any gaps between the joins.
 
Well that's enough for now. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
 
Bruce
brucechew@hotmail.com

THANKS BRUCE!!

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MORE FROM

GARY DUTKO

GETTYSBURG, PA!!

DISMOUNTED CAVALRY CONVERSIONS USING TSSD CAV & INFANTRY FIGURES

HORSE HANDLER AND CONVERTED HORSE POSE!

SABERS FORWARD!      FALLING GUIDON!

THANKS GARY!

KEEP `EM COMING!

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FROM BRIAN McIVER IN THE U.K.

STEVE WESTON'S

"VILLAGE PEASANTS"

PAINTED!!!!

NOTE THE FIGURE ON THE LEFT - A "RETIRED" CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE VET!!

I'D HATE TO BE ON THE "BUSINESS END" OF THAT SICKLE!!

BRIAN PAINTED THE ENTIRE VILLAGE, COMPLETE WITH BURRO, CACTI AND ADOBE BUILDING!

NOTE THE TSSD CSA FLAG BEARER - CONVERTED INTO A LOUISIANA TIGER!!

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE WITH US, BRIAN!

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FROM FELLOW COLLECTOR AND CUSTOMER

SCOTT LESCH

COMES SOME GREAT LOOKING CONVERSIONS!!

FIRST UP - SOME TSSD "CSA" CONVERSIONS

FOLLOWED BY SOME TSSD "USA" CONVERSIONS

I REALLY LIKE THE DIFFERENT LOOKS ACHIEVED WITH THE "GREAT COAT" GUYS!

AND LAST - BUT NOT LEAST - THE WESTON VILLAGE PEASANTS!!

OBVIOUSLY, SOME OF THESE FIGURES WORK WELL FOR ALAMO!

THANKS SCOTT!!

KEEP ON CONVERTIN' AND PLAYIN'!!

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GARY DUTKO 

WEIGHS IN ON THE "TSSD" CAV CONVERSIONS!

WATCH OUT "MARX"!

THERE'S A NEW "FALLING HORSE & RIDER IN TOWN"!!

ALSO, CONVERTED MOUNTED CAVALRY - INTO DISMOUNTED CAVALRY!

WE WERE KICKING AROUND MAKING A MOUNTED "STONEWALL JACKSON".

GARY CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF USING THE HEAD FROM ONE OF OUR CAV FIGURES, AND THE BODY OF A BMC MOUNTED GENERAL. THE HORSE IS A TSSD.

THANKS GARY!

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FROM COLLECTOR & DIORAMA BUILDER

ROBERT PATRICK

"IT'S JUST FUN, AND IF ANYTHING IT IS MORE "HOLLYWOOD" INSPIRED THAN ANYTHING ELSE."

"I PLAN TO BUILD MORE OVER TIME AND I HAVE MANY MORE PICTURES IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED. OF PARTICULAR NOTE, I MADE THE 'MONASTERY' OUT OF SOME BALSA WOOD TO RESEMBLE A MINIATURE MONTE CASSINO."

"I PLAN TO SOON HAVE HORDES OF GI's AND TOMMY'S ASSAULTING IT'S WALLS"

GREAT STUFF ROBERT!!

KEEP ON MAKING THESE GREAT DIORAMAS, AND SHARING THEM WITH EVERYONE!

THANK YOU!!

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SCHOOL PROJECT DIORAMA

FROM 

ANDREW CROSS

ANDREW CROSS IS A LOCAL SAN DIEGO RESIDENT WHO HAD A SCHOOL PROJECT PERTAINING TO WWII.

HE CHOSE TO DO SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE - A DIORAMA PORTRAYING THE FRENCH RESISTANCE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE NAZI OCCUPATION IN WWII.

I THINK YOU WILL AGREE THAT HE DID A TERRIFIC JOB!!

HE MADE GREAT USE OF VARIOUS FIGURES AND ACCESSORIES TO SHOW THE FRENCH RESISTANCE ATTACK ON A GERMAN HELD POWER STATION.

GREAT LOOKING TREES AND GOOD USE OF THE MOSS GROUND COVER.

IT APPEARS THAT THE FRENCH RESISTANCE FIGHTERS ARE LINKING UP WITH U.S. AIRBORNE UNITS REMINISCENT OF ACTIVITIES ON "D-DAY".  NICE USE OF THE FORCES OF VALOR ACCESSORIES AND SOME BRICK PAVERS!

ANDREW'S WRITE-UP AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DIORAMA, FOCUSING ON RESISTANCE FIGHTER JEAN MOULIN, WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR FREEDOM.

MARX REISSUE "UNTOUCHABLES" FIGURES MADE GREAT "CIVILIAN" FIGHTERS, AND WERE NICELY PAINTED BY ANDREW.  THE FRENCH & ALLIES TURN THE CAPTURED GERMAN PAK-40 ON THE RETREATING GERMANS & THE POWER PLANT.

THANKS TO ANDREW CROSS AND HIS PARENTS FOR SHARING THIS WITH US!

A+

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BRUCE CHEW

IS

AT IT AGAIN!

THIS TIME MAKING SOME GREAT LOOKING "SPARTAN" CONVERSIONS, WHICH HE SHARED WITH US AT THE OPEN HOUSE.

AMAZINGLY, THESE WERE MADE FROM HaT # 9040 ANCIENT ITALIAN ALLIES SETS!!  SO YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE HOW MUCH WORK WAS INVOLVED.

NOTICE THE VARIOUS PAINT JOBS ON THE UNIFORMS AND SHIELDS.

ANOTHER GREAT SET OF CONVERTED FIGURES COMPLETED BY BRUCE.

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF HIS "WORK" BY SCROLLING DOWN THIS PAGE.

THANKS BRUCE AND KEEP `EM COMING!!

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CIVIL WAR CONVERSIONS

AND PAINTING

BY

DAVID KAMPF

DAVID IS FROM PHOENIX, AZ AND A MEMBER OF THE ARIZONA CIVIL WAR COUNCIL, INC.

HERE HE HAS TAKEN THE TSSD CONFEDERATE FLAG BEARER, REMOVED THE FLAG AND POLE, AND ADDED A GREAT SWORD, PLUS SCABBARD. NOTE THE ATTACHING STRAPS.

VERY NICE PAINTING ON THE TSSD CONFEDERATE OFFICER AND THE WOUNDED YANK.

"CHAMBERLAIN" HAS BEEN CONVERTED BY MOVING THE SWORD ARM AND ADDING THE BEDROLL.

GREAT JOB DAVID!!

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FROM FRIEND & FELLOW COLLECTOR

JOEL STEWARD

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

FINALLY! A GREAT MEDIEVAL SET-UP!!

( something we have wanted to do for a long time! )

JOEL, LIKE MANY, HAD PURSUED THE TOY SOLDIER HOBBY FOR YEARS, THEN LEFT THE HOBBY, AND IS NOW BACK IN IT BIGTIME, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PHOTOS!!

JOEL RECENTLY SET-UP A HUGE MEDIEVAL SCENE FOR

"VIKINGS SIEGE OF YORVIK"  ( YORK )

JOEL ACTUALLY HAND PAINTED THE HUGE IMEX CASTLE, MOST OF THE FIGURES, AND THE SIEGE TOWERS!!  THAT'S A LOT OF WORK!!

 ( The Towers are modified Playmobile Towers that he reworked with strips of balsa wood! )

A NUMBER OF THE FIGURES ARE CONVERSIONS WHICH JOEL DID; YOU CAN PROBABLY MAKE OUT SOME OF THE MARX VIKING CONVERSIONS.

SO COMBINE A CONTE WAR LORD TOWER, WITH AN IMEX CASTLE, SIEGE TOWERS, MARX, CONTE AND OTHER MEDIEVAL FIGURES AND VIKINGS, AND YOU CAN HAVE QUITE A "MEDIEVAL TIMES" ON YOUR HANDS!!

ATTACK BY SIEGE TOWER!

ON THE LEFT - FIGHTING AT THE BREACH!

RIGHT - MODIFIED PLAYMOBILE TOWER AND CONVERTED MARX WITH CONTE SHIELD!

THE SIEGE!!

OVER THE WALL!!

MANY THANKS TO JOEL IN FLORIDA FOR SHARING SOME PHOTOS WITH US!!

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DENVER FORRESTER'S

LATEST CONVERSIONS

FROM

TSSD's FIGURE SET # 9

NEED MORE "OVERCOATED" GI's - HERE THEY ARE!!

DENVER FORRESTER'S

"MARINE CONVERSIONS"

OUR FRIEND AND FELLOW COLLECTOR HAS BEEN GOING CRAZY WITH THE RELEASE OF SO MANY NEW WWII FIGURES - U.S. MARINES, U.S. INFANTRYMEN AND ETC!!

DENVER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LET US BORROW SOME OF HIS CONVERTED TSSD MARINES THIS WEEK SO WE COULD CHECK `EM OUT AND TAKE SOME PHOTOS.

HERE WE HAVE PICTURED THE CONVERTED FIGURE IN THE CENTER, WITH THE TWO REGULAR POSES THAT WERE USED FOR THE CONVERSION.

YOU CAN SEE THAT BY USING JUST A HANDFUL OF GUYS, YOU CAN CREATE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF "NEW" POSES - QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY!

DENVER WILL DRILL A HOLE IN AN "ARM" AND INTO THE "SHOULDER" USING A DREMEL TOOL, OR HIGH SPEED DRILL WITH SMALL DRILL BIT.

THEN HE INSTALLS A GLOB OF QUICK DRYING PLASTIC PUTTY INTO THE VOIDS AND CONNECTS THE TWO PARTS.  IN JUST AN HOUR OF DRYING TIME, YOU HAVE STRONG CONVERSIONS, READY FOR PAINTING OR ACTION!

DENVER HAS ALSO CREATED SOME "FOAM" REDOUBTS, WOOD CRATES, AND A MORTAR BASE WITH ACCESSORIES.  THE PUTTY CAN BE USED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL TERRAIN TO ADD TO THE FIGURE BASES, OR TO ADD GEAR, SUCH AS A BACKPACK. THE WOOD CRATES ARE BALSA WOOD.  THE FIGURES ARE MARX CONVERSIONS.

SHOWN ABOVE, DENVER HAS CREATED SOME NEW POSES FOR CIVIL WAR, USING THE TSSD UNION FIGURES.

I GUESS YOUR IMAGINATION IS THE KEY - AN AMAZING NUMBER OF NEW POSES CAN BE CREATED FOR YOUR ARMIES!!

WINTER IS COMING, SO STOCK UP ON SOME GUYS, GET THE BASEMENT READY AND START CONVERTING!!

THANKS DENVER!

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DAVID CHILDERS

&

THE MODERN DON JUANS

DAVID IS A LONG TIME COLLECTOR / GAMER AND LONG DISTANCE FRIEND.

WE HAVE PICTURED SOME OF HIS "BATTLES" HERE BEFORE, BUT THOUGHT WE WOULD SHARE SOME PHOTOS OF HIS RECENT CONCERT TOUR IN HOLLAND.

PICTURED HERE ARE A COUPLE OF SHOTS OF DAVID ( CENTER ) WITH HIS BAND "THE MODERN DON JUANS".  THEY ARE PERFORMING AT LEEUWARDEN, HOLLAND IN MAY, 2007.

HIS MUSIC IS GREAT & GROWING IN POPULARITY WITH RECENT CD RELEASES SUCH AS "BURNING IN HELL" AND "JAILHOUSE RELIGION".

CHECK HIM OUT AT:

http://www.davidchilders.com/

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MARK TRUHAN

BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT

FROM ANOTHER GREAT COLLECTOR WHO HAS "SERVED US ALL" WELL!

MARK IS A LONG TIME COLLECTOR WHO HAS BEEN IN THE U.S. ARMY SINCE 1969!!

HAVING JUST RETIRED THIS JUNE 1st, MARK HOPES TO FINALLY GET TO "HAVE SOME ACTION & PLAY" WITH HIS COLLECTION.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RETIREMENT MARK, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!

( MARK IS THE YOUNG MAN WITH MOUSTACHE, 3rd FROM THE LEFT )

THE PHOTO IS FROM THE IRAQI MILITARY ACADEMY, AL RUSTAMIYAH, SOUTH OF BAGDAD.

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LONGTIME CUSTOMER & COLLECTOR

LENNIE DUFRENE

HAS SENT US SOME GREAT ACTION PHOTOS OF THE DAWN ATTACK BY MEXICAN INFANTRY ON THE ALAMO.

THE ALAMO DEFENDERS ARE STRETCHED PRETTY THIN ALONG THE WALLS, BUT FIRE BACK INTO THE MASSED MEXICANS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THE MEXICANS SEND IN THE RESERVE UNITS AND CONTINUE TO CHARGE THE WALLS.

WITHIN THE RANKS YOU CAN SEE MANY DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS, CONVERSIONS AND A LOT OF HAND PAINTING!!

THANKS LENNIE - FOR SHARING THIS WITH US!!

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BRUCE CHEW

AND HIS AMAZING

CONVERSIONS!

DURING OUR 2006 CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, BRUCE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BRING SOME OF HIS RECENT CONVERSIONS TO SHARE WITH US.

AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE PHOTOS HE HAS REALLY DONE A LOT TO THE BASIC FIGURES TO MAKE THEM INTO TOTALLY DIFFERENT FIGURES AND ERAS.

THESE ARE HIS WORDS, DESCRIBING HIS WORK:

The first set is of Maximilian's Imperial Mexican army. The basic figures are BMC Civil War Union and Confederates with a simple addition of "green stuff" putty (Kneadtite) to the tops of the kepis to form a shako with a neck curtain and pompom. They are painted in the French uniform of blue tunic and red trousers.

The second set is Maximilian's Contra Guerillas, a volunteer unit raised to combat the irregular cavalry of the Mexican Republican Army. The basic figures are Accurate Confederate officers dressed like Jeb Stuart. The heads are replaced with Spanish heads from the BMC  Rough Rider set. Again I used green stuff putty to form the distinctive sombreros. At the same time I added beards and moustaches with more green stuff.  On the jackets I carefully shaved down the lapels then extended the skirt length with green stuff. Finally I added thin strips of green stuff to the jacket breasts to simulate the braiding on the breasts.

The final set in this theme is the  French Foreign Legion in compaign dress as they would appear at the battle of Camerone. All figures are conversions of Marx Civil War Union soldiers. The long coat officer is a simple head swap with a kepi head from another Union soldier. The legionnaires are the advancing and firing Union soldiers. I used more green stuff to create the baggy trousers, havelocks and shoulder epaulettes. For the legionnaires wearing sombreros, I followed the same technique for the Contras swapping out the BMC Spaniards and forming the sombreros with green stuff.

 

The Federales were the government soldiers during the Mexican Revolution, usually seen as cannon fodder in movies like the Wild Bunch and 100 Rifles. The basic figures are BMC Spaniards and a couple of BMC Civil War figures. The conversions are simple head swaps with BMC Alamo Mexicans. I cut the tops off the Mexican shakos, and add a small blob of green stuff and form it into a peak cap similar to the British peak cap of WWI. 

 

 

I'm a big spaghetti western fan so I made these figures to look like characters you might see in a Sergio Leone picture. The five rifle men figures are simple head swaps using Airfix cowboys, and painted to look like a private mercenary gang. The Lee Van Cleef figure with the reverse gun across his belly is made with a head swap from an Imex Confederate figure on an Airfix body with the rifle cut away. The arms are repositioned and a holster glued onto the hip. He's painted to resemble Angel Eyes from the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

 

 

GREAT JOB!

THANKS BRUCE!!

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TSSD's

"THE ALAMO" DIORAMA REVISITED

CLICK BELOW

DIORAMAS - ALAMO & GETTYSBURG

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"DENVER"

A SAN DIEGO COLLECTOR AND LONG TIME CUSTOMER AND FRIEND SHOWS US SOME OF HIS "ROGERS RANGERS" CONVERSIONS!!

DENVER CAME BY OUR OPEN HOUSE 08/20/05 AND BROUGHT ALONG A BOX FULL OF REALLY AMAZING FIGURES THAT HE HAS CREATED ALMOST FROM "SCRATCH".

DENVER HAS COMPLETED MANY WWII AND CIVIL WAR CONVERSIONS, USING CONTE, MARX, AND OTHER STANDARD FIGURE POSES.

HIS EXCURSION INTO THE "ROGERS RANGERS" CAME ABOUT AS HE WANTED TO ADD SOME CASUALTIES AND OTHER UNIQUE POSES TO HIS DIORAMA.

USING PARTS AND PIECES FROM SOME OLD PLASTIC "MODEL" TYPE FIGURES, AND SOME AIRFIX "MULTI-POSE" PARTS, HE BEGAN CONVERTING.

WHAT MAKES THESE FIGURES REALLY UNIQUE IS THE USE OF "QUIK PLASTIC", WHICH IS A REPAIR EPOXY PUTTY, AVAILABLE AT MOST HARDWARE STORES. USING THIS MATERIAL HE HAS ADDED PACKS, BEDROLLS, HATS, HAIR, POUCHES, AND EVEN THE FRINGE ON THE PANTS!

HE ALSO DOES WORK ON THE BASES OF THE FIGURES, BY BUILDING THEM UP AND ADDING LOGS, ROCKS, ETC. TO THE BASES FOR ADDED REALISM.

THE FINAL TOUCH WAS FINDING A GREAT MATCH FOR THE PAINT.  THEY HAVE BEEN SPRAY PAINTED TO MATCH THE ORIGINAL BARZSO GREEN RANGERS!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, DENVER!

THANKS!!

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DAVID CHILDERS

"THE SECOND BATTLE OF CHARLEROI - JUNE 25, 1815"

THIS IS A "FICTIONAL" BATTLE CREATED BY DAVID IN HIS "SMOKEHOUSE" DIORAMA/GAMING ROOM.  HIS PROPERTY IS FIVE ACRES WITH A 100 YEAR OLD HOUSE, AND THE SMOKEHOUSE.

WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO "PLAY" AND CREATE BATTLES WITH THE LITTLE GUYS!!

NOTICE THE "DIORAMA" PAINTED WALLS; A GREAT ADDED TOUCH FOR MANY DISPLAYS.  THIS WALL PAINTING WAS DONE BY HIS WIFE; OBVIOUSLY A COOL "TOY SOLDIER WIFE"!

NAPOLEON ACTUALLY DEFEATED THE PRUSSIANS HERE ALONG THE BELGIAN BORDER ON HIS WAY TOWARDS BRUSSELS.  IN DAVID'S SCENARIO, AFTER DEFEATING THE PRUSSIANS AT LIGNY AND THE BRITISH & ALLIES AT QUATRE BRAS, NAPOLEON CHOOSES TO WITHDRAW BACK TO FRANCE. ( THUS, NO WATERLOO )

HOWEVER, IN THIS FICTIONAL BATTLE, NAPOLEON STILL LOSES.  THERE ARE MANY CONVERSIONS IN THE DIORAMA, AND DAVID DOES ALL THE PAINTING.

DAVID IS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND PERFORMER.

CHECK HIM OUT AT

www.davidchilders.com

THANKS DAVID, AND KEEP ON ROCKIN' AND PLAYIN'( with toy soldiers! )

____________________________

FROM OUR ILLINOIS FRIEND

MIKE KUTNICK

COMES HIS

"ALAMO"

A "WORK IN PROGRESS" AS HE DESCRIBES IT.

MANY OF THE FIGURES ARE CONVERSIONS, AND ALL ARE HAND PAINTED.

GREAT JOB!!

THANKS MIKE!!

_________________________

FINALLY - FROM

ROGER ROSS CLASSIC CONVERSIONS

WE WERE ABLE TO UPLOAD SOME OF HIS PHOTOS!!

ROGER DOES A TON OF FIGURE CONVERTING AND PAINTING - MUCH OF IT RELATING TO THE FRENCH & INDIAN WAR, AND THE ALAMO.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ROGER, PLEASE EMAIL HIM DIRECT AT:

classicconversions@newageinter.net 

SHOWN BELOW ARE 8 PHOTOS OF CONVERTED AND PAINTED FIGURES, PLUS VARIOUS ALAMO FORTS

I MADE THIS ALAMO IN THE `80's.  IT IS ABOUT 5 FOOT WIDE x 8 FOOT LONG.  ALTHOUGH IT IS BASED ON THE "REAL" ALAMO OF 1836, THERE ARE SOME BITS OF JOHN WAYNE'S ALAMO IN THERE TOO!

I MADE THIS CONVERTED FIGURE BASED ON "BILLY BOB THORNTON" AS DAVID CROCKETT.

I MADE THIS CHAPEL USING ALL CONVERTED FIGURES FOR A CLIENT IN CHICAGO.

THIS IS THE "WINDOWS OF THE WORLD" ALAMO PRODUCED IN THE 1980's.

I MADE THIS ALAMO WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 22" x  36" - AND ALL FIGURES ARE HAND PAINTED.

I MADE THIS "SOUTH GATE", PLUS CONVERTED & PAINTED ALL THE FIGURES.

THE "SOUTH GATE" WITH CONVERTED FIGURES AND MEXICAN LANCER.

THIS IS MY VERSION OF DISNEY'S "TRAVIS DRAWING THE LINE IN THE SAND" - BASED ON THE 1955 TV EPISODE.

THANKS ROGER!!

____________________________

FROM

CHARLIE HORN

OF

"WOODEN WARRIORS"

A TERRIFIC "PACIFIC" BATTLE SET-UP!!

WOW!!

"D-DAY" GERMAN SET-UP!!

THANKS CHARLIE!!

AND AS CHARLIE SAYS:

"GET `EM IN THE DIRT"!!!!

YOU CAN CONTACT CHARLIE AT

woodenwarriors@eoni.com 

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OUR LATEST ENTRY IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT - A "MULTIPLE GALLOWS" - SENT TO US FROM MICHAEL IN THE BAY AREA

MICHAEL IS A LONG TIME TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR AND CUSTOMER - WHO HAS MADE AN AMAZING PIECE OUT OF SCRAP LUMBER!!

THE OPERATING GALLOWS HAS ROOM FOR 4 UNFORTUNATE PERSONS, 4 SETS OF ROPE TIED IN A HANGMAN'S KNOT, WOOD STAIRS AND SUPPORTING TIMBERS - AND THE ALL IMPORTANT TRAP DOOR LEVER!!

IT IS SHOWN ABOVE WITH NAPOLEON BY ELITE COMMAND - MY APOLOGIES TO ALL OF THE "NAPOLEON-ITES" IN THE AUDIENCE!!

THANKS MICHAEL!!

___________________________

OUR VERY FIRST ENTRY COMES TO US FROM LONGTIME FRIEND AND FELLOW COLLECTOR GARY FOURNIER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

THIS INCREDIBLE PIECE / DIORAMA DEPICTS A "NILE RIVER GUN BOAT" WHICH HE BUILT ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO

THE BOAT ITSELF IS 54" LONG AND THE ENTIRE BASE IS 60" LONG. GARY DESIGNED THE PLANS AND HAD MANY OF THE PARTS SPECIAL MILLED OUT OF WOOD.  HE ALSO BUILT THE BOXES, BAGS, AMMO BOXES AND MORE.

THE BASE IS IN TWO SECTIONS, THE WATER IS SEPARATE FROM THE DOCK.  GARY HAND CAST ALL THE FIGURES AND ALSO DID ALL THE PAINTING WITH ACRYLICS - ALL OF THIS WAS FOR A DISPLAY AT THE "WEST COASTER" TOY SOLDIER SHOW YEARS AGO.

THE ENTIRE PROJECT TOOK ABOUT 6 MONTHS.  GARY HAS FUTURE PLANS TO BUILD A "SAND PEBBLES" TYPE GUN BOAT, PLUS A CIVIL WAR RIVER GUN BOAT.  LOVE TO SEE THOSE!!

THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US GARY AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK WITHIN THE HOBBY!!

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NEXT UP - FROM DENNIS NOONAN - CUSTOMER AND COLLECTOR - WHO HAS PREPARED A SERIES OF REFERENCE BOOKS FOR CIVIL WAR TOY SOLDIERS.  GARY LIVES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND HE HAS SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND RESEARCH ON THESE BOOKS.

THE THREE VOLUMES INCLUDE:

VOLUME # 1 - NON-METALLIC 40mm AND LARGER

VOLUME # 2 - UNDER 40mm ALL MATERIALS

VOLUME # 3 - METAL FIGURES 40mm AND LARGER

LOOK FOR A REVIEW OF VOLUME # 1 IN "PLASTIC WARRIOR" MAGAZINE

EACH VOLUME CONTAINS OVER 100 PAGES, WITH HUNDREDS OF COLOR PHOTOS AS WELL.  VOLUME # 3 HAS OVER 700 PICTURES ALONE!!

PRICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

VOLUME I - $ 30.00 WHICH INCLUDES SHIPPING IN THE USA

VOLUME II - $ 30.00 WHICH INCLUDES SHIPPING IN THE USA

VOLUME III - $ 43.00 WHICH INCLUDES SHIPPING IN THE USA

BOOKS MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING DENNIS

DENNIS NOONAN

508 CENTRE STREET

SULLIVAN, NH  03445

EMAIL:  noonenter@monad.net

THANKS DENNIS AND KEEP ON PUBLISHING!!!!

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