Max-U52

Hey Guys, I'm trying not to butcher these figure kits too badly and I can't figure out what to use for reins for the horsey. So far I've considered trying to find the right size rubber bands (I have some that are close, but I've seen closer if I can find them) or maybe trying to cut thin strips of neoprene or something similar. Any ideas, tips, rude comments, personal experience? He's supposed to have two reins on each side, but I'll probably cheat and just do one and see who (besides you guys) notices the difference. I'm betting not many will ever know. And obviously neither of these figures is finished, so any other cool tips would be appreciated.

Also, I'm thinking the same thing might be good for a rifle sling. Right now I'm using ez-line and it's way too small. On future figures that have slinged weapons I'd like to remove the molded sling from the figure and attach my own to the weapon itself.



EDIT: Wow, if you keep clickin' on the pic the zoom really zooms. The blotch on the horse's chest looks horrible. How am I gonna fix that?

Pah co chu puk

I use this stuff for webbing straps and belts. It is a sheet styrene product with little strips of styrene to look like the standing seams on a metal roof. The little strips would make great reins for a horse or slings for a rifle.

The blotch on his chest is typical for a horse, they always seem to have some kind of wound that needs attention. Horses are more trouble than girls.

Max-U52

Thanks, Greg. I've got tons of evergreen, but I was thinking something a little more flexible. I'll play around with the evergreen a bit, though, just to see how I like it.

Green Amphibian

Try aluminum foil or plastic tape stuck to itself. The foil can be positioned into all kinds of shapes.

Herman

Max-U52

I like the tape idea. I even have brown "Duck" brand tape. If it's not too thick. I'll try sticking some together and slicing it with a new blade and a steel ruler. I'm kinda surprised Eduard doesn't make them in PE.

Max-U52

Three cheers for Herman!

The reins, and the tape I used. A tiny drop of CA held them in place just perfect. I tugged on them pretty hard and they're quite firmly attached. I think I'm gonna find lots and LOTS of uses for these straps. I like that it has a light edge, like real leather, and I can always tone that down with a brown or tan sharpie. I'll get the hand on and the reins connected and see how it looks after flat coat. Thanks again, Herman, You're my Hero for at least the next 20 minutes.

Pah co chu puk

That does look good. Nice tip Herman,

philipat

Guess, I'm late to the party. But, my thought was to use real leather. Craft stores, or the Tandy website, will sell leather strips in rolls that are used to stitch together leather projects like purses, coin purses, wallets, etc. You can use a hobby knife to shave it thinner or more narrow. The advantage is that it will look like leather (because it is) and hang like leather. Might have to redo the whole bridle, though.

One note...because I've seen soldiers get rather upset over this...he is a cavalry soldier, not calvary. Calvary, or Golgotha, is the hill where Christ was crucified. Mounted soldiers are in the cavalry.

blimp uk

For straps and cloth I use thin lead sheet - old tomato puree tubes with the ends cut off , opened ( washed ! ) and burnished flat . It cuts easily with scissors and holds it's shape , can be draped , embossed with 'stitching' , folded etc. takes paint well . Great for heavy tarps , greatcoats , all sorts of stuff

Max-U52

My apologies to the cavalry. I do know the difference, I just get it backwards quite frequently. Like gear ratios (is it 3:7 or 7:3?). Damn hippie brain! Doh!

EDIT: Another one that used to always get me is desert and dessert. I could never keep them straight until I realized that the one you eat after dinner has the extra s, and is therefore longer, or bigger, so ... bite the big one and you'll always remember which one is something to eat and which one is where you wish you could find something to eat.

Rex Ross

Herman ----- Thanks for the neat "tape stuck to itself" idea. Sheeesh -- why didn't I think of that????

Now I gotta find a project to do with horses in it. Were there any horse drawn tanks before World War 1?
rex

Max-U52

A lot of people are surprised to learn that the German army used horses all throughout WWII, for everything from scouting to pulling wagons full of ammo and supplies. I'd really love to find some horse drawn wagons in 1/16th scale, or even just the wagon wheels so I could try my hand at scratchbuilding wagons and carts.

Anybody know of a place to get wagon kits or wagon wheels in our scale? What about the horses?

MAUS45

Max-U52, maybe this kit on eBay?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Vintage...3#ht_25wt_1153

Max-U52

Thanks, Rudy, I've seen those, but I was thinking this one might be more versatile. What I'd really like to find is a source for wagon wheels. Squadron has stagecoach kits that come with 6 or 8 horses.

Max-U52

At least Squadron used to have coaches with 6 or 8 horses, now this is the only one they carry, the Lindberg 1/16 kit

philipat

Either MicroMark or Model Expo...forget which off the top of my head. I think Model Expo.

Max-U52

Thanks for the tip, Philip. I'd never been to model expo's site before. They have a civil war ambulance wagon that could very easily be converted to just about anything you want, and they also have wheels. I'll still keep looking for wheels, though, as the model expo wheels are kind of pricey. I've seen other wheels online that may be suitable, but I have more stuff to learn before I'll be sure.

So much cool stuff, so little money.

philipat

Yea, both of those sites can be a little pricey. But, get on their distros and watch for their sales. Both have them frequently...usually helps get the price down a fair chunk.