Rag Tag Standards

I tried my weathering powders out on my standards as a bit of a test and they worked a treat. I used to use a bit of brown paint to add some wear and tear, but these waxy powers can be blended and give a much more subtle effect.

Another power that works well is the black soot, especially on the white of a flag. This looks great as powder burns or general battlefield damage.

These are really meant for weathering up vehicles but they can be turned to other things too. I picked these up at Hobby craft in their modelling section. Worth a punt, they can be used for just about anything!

They also do an earthy set too, this is great for dust etc.
 

Subtle and realistic.

Super Glue Beard

Super glue Gel beard! After finding a photo of General Byran Grimes it's only right I try to make the figure look similar.

The gel glue is quite a crude fix but it can be teased into shape. The results are good when painted and it saves messing around with putty.

 

Confederate Command

More Rebels pour from the woods. Again the Dixon figures have been raised slightly by sticking them on plasticard first, just to tie them in with the other manufacturers.

 UPDATE: North Carolina enters the fray. Five regiments, enough for a large Brigade or even a small Division.

The state flag meant adding a standard bearer and cramming him into the base. I like to add the occasional four figures to a base as it looks good in a regiment and creates a little variety.

I will go over these when the glue is dry and just touch up the white edges on the blue. I found working with PVA is a lot easier than my usual wood glue technique.

Not that it really matters, but I made a note on the bottom of the base of the units name, eg. 4th North Carolina.

I even dug out this old officer to represent General Grimes. I thought it's the least I could do as he came with his own flag on the sheet. A few extra figures rush into the painting list to make up the base.

UPDATE: General Byran Grimes. Roughing out the base for the General. I believe the two waving rifles and hats are from Raven miniatures. Officer and standard bearer are from Foundry.

This search on the internet showed that Byran had a black slouch hat, so I tweaked mine to match. I might build his beard up with gel Superglue on the model 

Another sneaky command and infantry base gets squeezed in. 

The infantry base was fun because there is a guy about to turn tail and skedaddle.

Double Standards!

The latest batch of Dipped Confederates, there are some great characters in these Dixon figures.

The brush bristle standards work a treat and we're definitely worth the extra time messing around.

I've decided to start with the state of North Carolina. However, after buying a nice sheet from Battle Flag, I've noticed a few of the units carry a national colour too. So I've had to grab an extra stand bearer and quickly add him to the painting list.

These should look great when bases up, it'll be nice to have some rebel units carrying two standards.

 I don't know just yet but I imagine the national standard is carried on the right of the two flags, like in the Union regiments.

Raising the Standards!

Today I've gone through all my old eBay purchases and sorted out stand bearers. Many of these are from Dixon, characterful pieces but their metal flag poles need to be replaced. This I did will the old favourite, brush bristles.

Some of the standards were quite tricky to do, but the results are a hundred percent better. Now the pole will give and bend rather than snap.

Gathering the clans of grey clad warriors.

I do love the over sized looking Colt this officer has.

More large Colt revolvers from Dixon miniatures.

 Rally around the flag boys!