Injun Country

More ingenius conversions by a young Mr Mason (again these must be 30+ years old). I have a war party of 18 of these, all are different, and all conversions of two basic poses (see an earlier post for the raw material).

Ouch!

That's gotta hurt...

Traitorous rebels get their just deserts!

A couple of Doug Mason creations from 30 years ago - classic Mason animation.

More Mason Magic

Armand Louis de Gontaut, Duc de Lauzun by the outrageously talented Doug Mason. Lauzun and his trumpeter are radical conversions (the original figure is cut down to a bare torso, and the uniform and details built back up from wire and soldier) of Gilder figures.

I recommend clicking on the photos to really appreciate the level of detail - the flowing pelisse, flapping sabertache, etc. create a real sense of movement and animation. The painting is pretty sharp too - no one does 'bling' better than DM.

Now all i need to do is create the Legion hussars - don't hold your breath....

Fantastic Soldered Soldiers

The above are a sample of the British Legion dragoons Doug Mason created for me last year. Despite there being only 2 castings in the Hinchliffe range (an officer and trooper) Doug has created a unit of 24 figures where each is different. Of all the conversions i think the trooper with pistol and dangling sword is my favourite, and something of a Mason trademark.

All in all another great example of what is possible with fairly basic raw material, if you have the imagination (and a soldering iron).

Jager von Mason

AWI Hessian Jager by Doug Mason. If you're familiar with the Hinchliffe range then you'll know that the Jager (AW31) is only available in a single pose (the rather static 'cocking rifle' pose as seen above in the lower picture, third figure from the right), so all of the variation you see above is the result of Doug's imagination and soldering iron. Great stuff!

My Hero 2

The future MP for Liverpool by Doug Mason.

Every chap of good taste wants his own miniature Banastre Tarleton, and i am no exception. Luckily  the legend of paint brush and soldering iron that is Doug Mason kindly agreed to create one for me. The basic figure is the Suren British Legion officer (armed with trademark pin sabre) mounted on a Hinchliffe horse (my favourite of the 'dramatic' Gilder horses) that he controls via wire reins (another Mason trademark).

Every sensible scouser turns up to a fight mob-handed, and our future MP for Liverpool is no exception - the British Legion cavalry are hot on his heels. These, and other DM creations, will feature as soon as i've based them up.

At Home With Hinchliffe

An article from Mil Mod February 1979 issue timed to coincide with the launch of the Calder Craft brand. I was interested to see Robert Fort get a mention - as we know he was Bicorne Miniatures original sculptor.

In the same issue we also have reviews of 1978s Northern Militaire (sponsored by Hinchliffe Models of course), and Nationals (wherein we are told that a certain Doug Mason was runner up in the 'Class 5' painting competition).

More Saxons

More Connoisseur Saxons painted by Doug Mason for the WHC. Lovely units, but perhaps a tad pedestrian by Mason's very high standards (you couldn't say that about his Saxon Cuirassier and Guard though - see Chris Cornwell's blog for some great pictures of those fine chaps).

Saxons by Doug Mason

Last year Mike Ingham sent me a number of shots of Napoleonic units from the WHC collection, of which the above Doug Mason painted Elite Miniatures Saxon Guard unit is one of the most striking. Mason is of course capable of very intricate and detailed work, but he's also capable of producing figures that look superb in units. My units tend to look like groups of individuals so it's an ability that i'm certainly envious of. I suspect it comes down to having a clear vision of the end result before you begin - planning where each figure will be placed within the unit, knowing which details to paint and which to leave out, etc.

At it's peak the WHC collection boasted literally thousands of Mason painted (and sculpted - of which more anon) figures - most of which were commissioned in the post-Gilder by Gerry Elliott. The numbers will be reduced now as Mike Ingham sold a fair number last year (some of which will feature here soon...ish), indeed as Mike was willing to part with the Saxons i don't know whether you'll find the above unit at the new WHC.