Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

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Ratch
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Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

This kit was first issued from 1975 to 1978 and made a brief reappearance in 1980. I suppose that brief period of five years makes this something of a collector’s piece, though it does not yet demand high prices on auction sites and can be bought second hand for a reasonable price.

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History:
Some of the 1768 Clothing Warrant included more loosely fitting coats, turned-down collars, narrower lapels, round cuffs, turned back skirts and white waistcoats and breeches. The model represents a Grenadier of the 5th Foot (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers). This regiment was in America at the outbreak of the War of Independence and fought at Bunker Hill, Lexington and Brandywine among other battles. The bearskin cap has a metal plate bearing the Royal crest and Nec Aspera Terrent in silver. A Sergeant’s rank is indicated by plain white lace and a sash with facing stripe worn under the coat. Light companies were added to each regiment in 1770. They wore shorter coats and special leather caps encircled by chains, tan belts, powder horn and hatchet were peculiar to these companies. Black half-gaiters, originally confined to light infantry, were adopted by all companies on service in preference to the long variety ordered in 1768. From 1776, the hair of all ranks was tied in the style known as clubbed. Powdering continued until abolished in 1795.

Reference:
BRITISH INFANTRY UNIFORMS Since 1660 ISBN 0 7137 1127 2
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I like to start with skin tones, layering airbrushed shades and tints to build up a varied flesh tone.
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Andrea Color 1st Shadow = primary flesh
Andrea Color 2nd Shadow = secondary flesh
Andrea Color 1st Base = third skin spray and ninth skin tone
Andrea Color 2nd Base = fourth skin spray
Andrea Color 1st Light = fifth skin tone
Andrea Color 2nd Light = sixth skin tone
Vallejo Model Color 19 70927 Dark Flesh FS32555 = seventh skin tone
Vallejo Model Color 20 70845 Sunny Skintone = eighth skin tone
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm Btitish Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Vallejo Model Color 152 70883 Silvergrey = hair
Vallejo Model Color 1 70951 White = shirt, breeches, turnbacks
Vallejo Model Color 148 70941 Burnt Umber = eye brows, eyes
Vallejo Model Color 70950 169 Black = stock
Vallejo Model Color 31 70957 Flat Red / 32 70946 Dark Red / 33 70926 Red = coat, top patch
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Vallejo Model Air 71040 Burnt Umber = pike staff, standard staff
Vallejo Model Color 31 70957 Flat Red = wings
Vallejo Model Color 1 70951 White = standard field, lace to wings
Humbrol Acrylic 60 Matt Scarlet = St. George’s cross
Humbrol Acrylic 25 Matt Blue = saltire, canteen
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = bearskin, gaiters, shoes,
Vallejo Model Color 70950 169 Black = ammunition pouch, scabbard, bayonet frog
Vallejo Model Color 72 70970 Deep Green = facings, lapels, cuffs, collar
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Apart from touch-ups the painting is done on this. I substituted lead foil for the thin plastic straps. I find this holds its shape when folded around the figure and is much easier to work with. Not all the parts will be used for this build. Those not used will join my spares for possible conversions of future builds.
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Here is a resume of the colours used on this figure:
Andrea Color 1[sup]st[/sup] Shadow = primary flesh
Andrea Color 2[sup]nd[/sup] Shadow = secondary flesh
Andrea Color 1[sup]st[/sup] Base = third skin spray and ninth skin tone
Andrea Color 2[sup]nd[/sup] Base = fourth skin spray
Andrea Color 1[sup]st[/sup] Light = fifth skin tone
Andrea Color 2[sup]nd[/sup] Light = sixth skin tone
Vallejo Model Color 19 70927 Dark Flesh = seventh skin tone
Vallejo Model Color 20 70845 Sunny Skintone = eighth skin tone
Vallejo Model Color 152 70883 Silvergrey = hair
Vallejo Model Color 1 70951 White = shirt, breeches, turnbacks
Vallejo Model Color 148 70941 Burnt Umber = eye brows, eyes
Vallejo Model Color 70950 169 Black = stock
Vallejo Model Color 31 70957 Flat Red / 32 70946 Dark Red / 33 70926 Red = coat, top patch
Vallejo Model Air 71040 Burnt Umber = pike staff, standard staff
Vallejo Model Color 31 70957 Flat Red = wings
Vallejo Model Color 1 70951 White = standard field, lace to wings, inscription on canteen. lace, belts, top patch embroidery, pack straps
Humbrol Acrylic 60 Matt Scarlet = St. George’s cross
Humbrol Acrylic 25 Matt Blue = saltire, canteen
Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black = bearskin, gaiters, shoes, strap F
Vallejo Model Color 70950 169 Black = ammunition pouch, scabbard, bayonet frog
Vallejo Model Color 72 70970 Deep Green = facings, lapels, cuffs, collar
Derwent Metallic 80 Silver pencil = buttons, metal plate to bearskin
Humbrol Acrylic 11 Metallic Silver Fox = whistle
Humbrol Acrylic 53 Metallic Gun Metal = bayonet, pike, standard finial, fittings to musket
Vallejo Model Color 172 70996 Gold / 173 70878 Old Gold = fittings to scabbard, standard cords, sword basket
Vallejo Model Color 149 70872 Chocolate Brown = musket stock
Vallejo Model Color 140 70984 Flat Brown = pack
Vallejo Model Color 120 70976 Buff = bread bag
Vallejo Model Color 33 70926 Red = lace
Humbrol Acrylic 54 Metallic Brass = pack buckles
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iggie
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by iggie »

That's an impressive list of colours for one figure!
Best wishes

Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
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Clashcityrocker
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Coming together nicely.

Nigel
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Cheers guys, just a few touch-ups and then I can mount him
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

All done

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iggie
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by iggie »

Excellent job Ratch!
Best wishes

Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Thanks Jim :)
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general rocket
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by general rocket »

Well impressed.
I wish, that I knew what was doing!
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Cheers :grin:
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Clashcityrocker
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Nicely done Ratch.

Nigel
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Ratch
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Re: Airfix 54mm British Grenadier 1776

Post by Ratch »

Thank-you David :grin:
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