"Swans in 28mm and a suitable handler..." Topic

OK. Who does a nice range of swans for 28/30mm? And can someone recommend a suitable 18th Century style chap to 'hold' their leashes? Figure ideally to fit style/size with RSM/Minden?

I need 2 maybe three swans in different poses. Preferably animated poses! :)

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Preferably a UK supplier as I need them in a few weeks.

Cheers

Andy

Is this related in any way to an army list that has "War Swans and Handler" as an option?

But now that I think of that, it does sound kinda fun…

No, nothing to do with War Swans! It's Imagi-Nation related :)

Andy

Will the owner be a MR Peter Staker?

I'd try Hovels civilian and animal range. The people figures look good with the Minden and RSM figures.

Geese, turkeysm, ducks but I can't see any swans…

Assuming they are under the 25mm Animals and Civilians range?

Cheers

Andy

Not sure it's still true, but formerly florists sold plastic miniature swans (and flamingos) for 'miniature japanese gardens' (with miniatures bridges, geishas, mirror-ponds…) with tiny succulents / cacti… picture
OK, my memories date from the "70!
Perhaps try a 'zoo' toy set? Though most are closer to 54mm.

Struggling with this. Tried Foundry and Irregular but no joy. Kids stuff seems to be too big (that I've seen anyway). Can't even find them among the ranges of plastics…

Mmmmm…. :(

Andy

You might be able to make do with model railroading O-scale swans or geese. They'll be a little large compared to 28mm/30mm minis, but not horribly so.

Bowser does a pack of four O-scale swans, but it looks like they're all swimming: link

Duncan Models also does a set of four O-scale swimming swans: link

And a set of three O-scale geese: link

The Duncan geese are available on Ebay, too: auction

There are three 1/45 scale geese in this Preiser pack of farm animals: link

Some O-scale swans, cygnets, and ducks by Langley, on Ebay: auction

Maybe you can graft a standing goose butt onto a swimming swan body. Good luck!

I'm pretty sure doing anything like that with a goose but is a criminal offense! :)

There may be a couple of options there – thanks. There must be someone does an 'active' one somewhere! I feel a visit to Toys'R'Us coming on as well!

Andy

Eureka have a 40mm Goose, in an angry pose
link
The standing goose is 20mm tall to the top of its head.
If you just wnat the goose, let me know.

Nic Eureka Miniatures

Cheers Nic,

I'm trying to decide if the goose would pass as a swan with a suitable paint job. The active pose makes it more likely as you don't have that classic swan pose.

I shall ponder… :)

I think if you lengthen the neck a little and file the beak into a more swan-like profile, that goose will work.

For want of a swan, what about a duck?
link
link

Now, if the swan if a king of regimental mascot, what about a vivandiere for handler? I don't know of any really good one, but the Willie (Tradition) link *French* one ( picture from the army of Saint-Maurice kingdomofstmaurice.blogspot.com ) is probably the most comely of the lot.

Mega Miniatures seem to have just about every type of large bird except a swan.

PDF link

Geese, turkeys, vultures, emu, peacock, even a parrot sitting on a perch, but no swan. You might try e-mailing them, as they are always working on new projects and expanding their ranges.

As to a handler, unless it just has to be civilian, why not use one of the dismounted horse handlers that have been added to the Minden range? You can see these, very well painted, on Der Alte Fritz's blog in various vignettes.

Bill
Sir William the Aged
warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com

I like the idea of maybe altering the goose. What would be a good way of lengthening the neck? Cut, drill, peg and green stuff?

Andy

Since a very good and in-scale coach was discovered among wedding cakes decorations, a google search for swans as cake toppers gave several results, but all widely overscale
- and a tutorial to make your own: link
The same for swan + porcelain and swan + glass: too large by far (and not always realistic).

Maybe in model railways accessories (O : 1/48 scale)?
Springside picture and one other (unnamed) I saw are all swimming…

I like the idea of maybe altering the goose. What would be a good way of lengthening the neck? Cut, drill, peg and green stuff?

That's what I've done in the past. I turned a regular Ebob camel into a prehistoric alticamelus that way.

Cut the neck, drill both sides, insert a wire of the proper length, and apply green stuff.

At that scale, the neck is probably smooth. But if there are feathers sculpted on the neck, make a "feather stamp" before cutting by brushing some talcum powder on the neck then pressing on a small blob of green stuff to pick up the impression of the feathers. Then, when you make your new longer neck, use the stamp to impress the feathers into the new green stuff. That's what I did with the alticamelus.

If, unlike me, you can sculpt feathers, you can skip the stamp and just go for it.

If you do choose the Goose to Swan route, then build a collar at the base of the neck so the Wild Swans can be lead.

Good Luck with your project. : )
Cheers,

If you find a swan of the right side but in an 'inappropriate' pose (swimming…) you could try a 'neck swapping' with an 'active' goose, the collar concealing the join.
Otherwise don't forget the knob at the base of the bill.

Swans are larger than geese, so an 'aggressive' 1/48 gander would fit, though I'm not sure it spreads its wings in exactly the right way?

I'll see when the model arrives. It can always be a sort of muitant swan/goose cross…

It can always be a sort of muitant swan/goose cross…

Dang it, now I've got an idea for a Post-Apocalyptic game involving roving bands of mutant war swans stuck in my head.

Wonder what I could arm them with?

How about Zombie Swans as well? Then you could go for the 'stuck in your head' literally as they peck your brains out? :)

Andy