Scottish Horse Cyclists - MM Black and Tans

[andekmcc]

I've managed to paint up some Musketeer Miniatures Black &Tans  as Scottish Horse Cyclist, a slightly hypothetical unit as they didn't go to france either on horse or cycles but 1 regiment were on cycles and served in Ireland until 1918 the other were part of Home defences until going to gallipolli dismounted. This unit assumes the early war Scottish Horse uniform which the B&Ts resemble quite well even the high collar, hats are a bit on the big side for some of them as they are tammies rather than balmorals. The pistols and lewis gun are also wrong but what the heck, i replaced the shotgun on the officer with a crude SMLE. They could be used in a hypothetical German invasion of Britain or I could just assume they went to france early :wink: any excuse will do. once again varnish is still an ongoing problem but i've finally got in touch with figures in comfort and will order some HMG on monday that should get rid of the slight shine still existing on them.

[Geudens]

Very nice, Sir, watch out for nails on the road though!  My kingdom for a bike! 

Rudi

[dadlamassu]

I think the bonnets are just fine in size.  As I remember the SH wore the smaller Athol Bonnet not the Kilmarnock Bonnet of the infantry.

Superb painting of a highly original subject.

[Paul Pogge]

They're perfect!

[Mancha]

Wow, did you start casting your own bicycles?   

[andekmcc]

No, they come from Eureka miniatures, eventually i'm going to add some equipment on to them and i'm undecided as to the base way of basing them. There not Ideal as they are ladies bikes with a low cross bar.

[flytime]

They look great!

[JollyBob]

They are superb, what a great and characterful unit. 

I love the expression on the guy in the second picture - "Jesus, they're coming right at us!"

[marrony]

I really like these.Great painting and excellent use of the bikes.

[andekmcc]

thanks for all your kind words, I'm quite pleased with how they've turned out.  Now just need to paint up my 'core' infantry units so I can have a game 

[argsilverson]

It is very nice. You have inspired us very much.

I had the same thought myself, but I would opted either for the scarlet-dark blue scheme or rifle green. I have to look on victorian uniforms in order to find most appropriate scheme. [the other problem is to find and buy the miniatures, since I cannot be in the conventions in UK and mail order is not always easy, you need to buy more figures than needed otherwise the P+P will ruin you]

Have you tried to modify the bicycles to be of the male version?
Second ides. To swap heads with the foundry's bicyclists.

[andekmcc]

I did think about converting them to male cycles, might still try something like that, in the first instance I'll probably adding some equipment like rolled up blankets or greatcoats which might help disguise them a bit.  At the moment they were just painted quite quickly so i could include them in the photo.  I debating on how best to base them, i'm thinking on including some on bases with the figures and others on separate bases.  I want the figures to be used as dismounted cavalry as well so the bikes have to be able to be separated from the figures.

Some cyclists on bikes would be nice as well, head swap with foundry Home guard might be feasible not sure what other equipment they have, think the webbing might be different as well.

[dadlamassu]

The bicycles were obviously those requisitioned from the Forfar Academy for Outward Bound Girls by the Regimental QM.  Perfectly historical represensentation.

[andekmcc]

  I think i'll use that in future thanks