How to make flags/standards in 28mm?

[Bravo Six]

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

[archangel1]

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/

[Captain Blood]

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...

[Bravo Six]

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

[Plynkes]

Been a couple of threads on this subject lately:

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

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

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

[Captain Blood]

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.

[Plynkes]

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.

[Dolmot]

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.

[Captaingeneral]

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...

[Hammers]

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

[Captain Blood]

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

Well I've only got 150 of them