French Shabraques

For some reason, the original Warrior sculptor gave some of his French cavalry cloth shabraques, rather than the more common sheepskin. This is quite easy to fix and a skill that will come in useful for converting the current Warrior range into other minor nations cavalry.

Before I go on, this is not how I would produce a master figure: I follow the Terry Wise rule that when you are converting regiments you need to keep it simple. It will also look rougher and less than perfect close up, but this is designed to look good at arm’s length on the tabletop and not viewed in umpteen megapixels!

Also, it’s worth looking at my tool. I still don’t know the correct name, but if I call it a tool I can get lots of double entendres into the text...

Step 1: Chop off the cloth shabraque from the bugler and other ranks. Leave the officer alone. Then mix up some green or brown stuff (green is better for this and shows up on camera) and use that to stick him to the horse. Leave overnight to harden.

Step 2: Build up the green to the outline of a shabraque.

Step 3: Use the blunt side of a knife blade (in this case, my trusty X-acto) to mark out the holding belt.

Step 4: Flatten around the edge of the shabraque.

Step 5: Poke the raised area with your tool (you were warned...) so it looks like wool. If in doubt, ask a Welshman to review.

Step 6: Poke around the flat edge with your tool to create a serrated scallop (actual term; I’m not making this up) and you are done. This may require a bit of attention, but if the green is still workable and you are not happy then smooth it over and have another go.

And there you have it. I will crack on with the rest, paint them up and post the finished article.