Beginning Construction
The main attraction of the figures is the ease with which they can be converted. By combining parts from others in the range or the Airfix Multi-Pose range it is possible to dramatically alter the pose of the figure.
The above figure was created by first separating the arms and legs at the elbow, knee and wrist joints. Using the kneeling left leg from the 95th Rifleman cut at below the knee, the lower half of the pike man’s leg was then joined to the upper portion to create the “foot forward stance.” This was then attached to the pike man’s right leg, modified by turning the right foot outwards at a right angle. The arms were repositioned, joining parts with a section of a paper clip to allow the figure to be posed to receive a charge.
Using the same technique, to a greater or lesser degree, a number of different poses were chosen for the diorama, some shown below.
Diorama work
For the diorama to work, the impression of multiple ranks of men had to be created. To allow the figures to be viewed at their best and keep the figures needed to a minimum, the ranks were set at an angle to the edge of the base. Figures of similar poses were used in the same rank. To add to the variety, a Musketeer from the range was converted to a drummer while a harquebusier and Ensign waving the flag came from other manufacturers.
A close up of one of the pike man painted in acrylics. The figure wears the red tunic adopted by Parliamentary forces while the armour is painted black to prevent rusting. Shirts were predominately white while breeches stockings and hose tended to be whatever the individual could get hold of. Officers wore clothes of their own choice and could be quite flamboyant. Drummers and other musicians were dressed by the Colonel usually in colourful uniforms.