Conversions from New York

Dated: May 6 1998.

Here are 4 of more unusual conversions from Mr. Chris D'Arcy, who is the original contributor of conversions to this web site. All 4 figures are French Line infantry. The 4 figures shown are resin figures. The figures were first coverted conventionally and then cast in resin. Scans of the resin molds are shown with the figures. Mr. D'Arcy's own comments are in quotes.

Fifer (1812-1815) wearing the Imperial Livery which was supposed to be adopted universally in 1812. This figure has been heavily modified, the resin mold really comes in handy here as it would be a hassle to keep cutting and gluing to make more fifers. "If you think back of a set Italeri made, you will find the arms and pipe of the fifer (Russian Grenadiers, Pavlow Regiment). I guess in a way you can say they are a little scratch built because of the modifications that had to be done for them to fit. The fifer is an Esci drummer with the drum removed and the surface re-shaped." The Pavlow grenadier is markedly smaller than the ESCI drummer but the arms look fine here. The fife case has been painstakingly cut off and attached. A good job has also been done on smoothing the thigh where the drum was cut off the body, only mild scarring is seen.


Fanion carrier is a Porte-Aigle (1812-1815). "He is a regular Italeri french line with his rifle removed and a lance put in it's place."


Flag bearer (1812-1815). "The flag bearer was the most difficult to make. The figure was an Italeri french line figure in marching position. Both his arms had to be removed, then the right side of the figure had to be shaped to look natural where the rifle had been. Both arms came from a french line figure in the pose of loading his rifle, (Esci). The left arm was a separate part from the mold of the figure due to complications it would of caused on the mold forming correctly. The flag pole itself proved to be the biggest challenge of this figure, it is made from 3 different parts being, the eagle from an Esci french flagsman, the main 2 parts of the pole from a prussian uhlan lance (a HäT lance). Like the left arm of the figure, the pole was a separate part from the mold of the figure. The lace from the flag itself, is simple your good old twist tie laying around the kitchen, with a little clay added to make the end braids." Definitely a modification of high skill. Both this figure and the fifer have had the arms replaced and the joint line is almost invisible. The fifer has the additional difficulty of the third attachment of the fife to the drummer's lips. One interesting note caught on close inspection of the Italeri fifer is that the fifer actually has his cheeks blown out, á la dizzy Gillespie! Incredible sculpting! Mr. D'Arcy's fifer, of course, is on a silent note. Back to the flag, the lace is very realistic looking, as is the flag itself, caught with the wind rippling across it. The wonders of scanner and printers nowadays...., whereas previously we all had to purchase hard to find miniature flags, now it only takes a moment to scan in a flag, reduce it to the right size and print it out on your color printer. The advantage of this paper flag is also that it is light and the flag bearer is much less likely to tip over.


Drummer (1812-1815). "The drummer is an Esci original drummer with his drum removed and replaced by a drum from an Austrian drummer from the 7 years war, Revell figure." Marching to the beat of a different drum. A quick glance at the ESCI drummer reveals the reason why. The ESCI drum is positively anemic, one can't possibly imagine beating the pas de charge on this tiny little thing and striking fear into anyone's heart.

A most excellent foursome of figures. If you have any comments, Mr. D'Arcy can be reached at Desmodus@nycc.edu.

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