Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => Workbench => Tutorials => Topic started by: Bravo Six on January 16, 2010, 07:47:08 AM

Title: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Bravo Six on January 16, 2010, 07:47:08 AM

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or can point me to some resources on how to make flags and standards? I know brass tubing can be used for the pole itself, but how does one make the flag? I've seen ones that look like their waving in the wind with what looks like a decal attached. How is THAT done?

I just got me some Copplestone Bolsheviks and Chinese (Border Guards) for some BoB adventuring.

Thanks in advance.

-Todd

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: archangel1 on January 16, 2010, 08:39:40 AM

Hello, the West!

You can check this site for some general information on one way of modelling flags.  Lots to download, too!

http://www.warflag.com/

If you're looking for RCW flags in particular, check here under Download on the left and then the RCW link at top of the next page.

http://www.krigsspil.dk/

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Captain Blood on January 16, 2010, 09:21:54 AM

Todd - I use foil from tomato puree tubes. Once you've used the contents, just cut open the tube, trim to a square of foil, wash it, flatten it out with the back of a spoon, and bob's your uncle - enough to make several flags in 28mm.
You can curl one edge around your flagpole (hold it in place with a touch of superglue) and bend the rest into a fairly realistic looking natural wind-blown shape.

There again, I do like painting my own flags, and I don't like paper flags.

Here are a few of mine made with tomato puree tube foil...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/4/577_21_12_09_10_31_24_1.JPG)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/3/577_26_09_09_10_50_12_3.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/3/577_24_06_09_12_05_50_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/2/577_22_12_08_10_45_22_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/577_06_12_08_12_32_59_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/1/577_06_12_08_12_22_53_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/0/577_20_07_08_12_08_11_2.JPG)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/0/577_04_08_08_9_55_46.jpg)

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Bravo Six on January 16, 2010, 10:54:12 AM

Thanks guys. And hello to my old home province of Ontario!

Captain those are amazing! I'd have to find something similar to a "tomato puree tube" here in Canada. Do you paint the flag first and then attach it?

-Todd

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Plynkes on January 16, 2010, 10:58:56 AM

Been a couple of threads on this subject lately:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=14936.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=14936.0)

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=15228.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=15228.0)

Several different approaches in those threads. You might find something that appeals.

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Captain Blood on January 16, 2010, 12:31:12 PM

Quote from: Bravo Six on January 16, 2010, 10:54:12 AM

Thanks guys. And hello to my old home province of Ontario!

Captain those are amazing! I'd have to find something similar to a "tomato puree tube" here in Canada. Do you paint the flag first and then attach it?

-Todd

Yep, lightly glue the flag to a length of steel wire (like those used as pikes), stick it in a cork, then you can paint to your heart's content. Once painted, carefully detach it from the wire and slip it onto the flagpole.

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Plynkes on January 16, 2010, 12:36:14 PM

Quote from: Bravo Six on January 16, 2010, 10:54:12 AM

I'd have to find something similar to a "tomato puree tube" here in Canada.

Toothpaste tubes used to be the thing. But they are made from plastic now in the UK. Tomato purée is just about the only thing that still comes in a foil tube. Maybe in Canada it is different. You want foil because it will keep whatever flowing shape you bend it into. Plastic will tend to spring back. So you need to hunt down whatever products in Canada still come in metal foil tubes, like toothpaste always used to.

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Dolmot on January 16, 2010, 01:22:47 PM

Just for completeness' sake, you can also get cast lead banners from Redoubt (code RX 7). They're sort of wrapped or hanging around the pole. Useful for some rare purposes, such as scenarios without wind, maybe? Not a slightest chance of using decals with those, though.

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Captaingeneral on January 16, 2010, 01:28:00 PM

Another school of thought is using fine linen...usually old hankies worn thin, or whatever you can steal from the Mem Sahib's bottom drawer!

I usually cut mine slightly oversize, super glue them to the pole and then soak in PVA glue, when dry apply a white undercoat, when dry trim to the size you want, snip fringes if needed, then apply your painting skills, before the paint dries thoroughly you can add some waves. Another good trick with flags that have the same basic design, is to paint one side first - then with a strong lamp shining from behind you can paint the second side design over the shadows...see below...

(http://www.captaingeneral.co.uk/Warpics/Tangiers/Dumbartons4.JPG)

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Hammers on January 16, 2010, 01:38:14 PM

Quote from: Captain Blood on January 16, 2010, 09:21:54 AM

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/0/577_04_08_08_9_55_46.jpg)

You keep bowling me fucking over, Captain! I've never seen your pirates before...

Title: Re: How to make flags/standards in 28mm?
Post by: Captain Blood on January 16, 2010, 02:21:38 PM

Quote from: Hammers on January 16, 2010, 01:38:14 PM

You keep bowling me fucking over, Captain! I've never seen your pirates before...

Well I've only got 150 of them  ;)