My general dislike of children is legend to those who know me. The muted loathing I have of the little creatures is only exceeded by the dread certainty of what they'll become: teenagers (shudder). Not that I can claim innocence by any means. Quite the contrary; I'm sure I was a perfectly horrific child, even though my mother swears that angels tipped their halos in deference to me - I suspect otherwise. (Mothers are blessedly and wonderfully myopic when it comes to memories of their own children.)
Anyway, there is an exception to every rule and the point is proven here in my nephew Max. Truth be told I've not spent a lot of time with Max (he and his parents live across the country from us), but in the time we've hung out he demonstrated to be a thoroughgoingly nice little chap: smart, clean, well behaved and yet suitably precocious.
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| A face even I can't deny. |
Below is a figure from his 40mm Horse & Musket range (apologies for the slightly blurry shots - it was late). The sculpts are semi-round (or 'demi-ronde' for those anorak-wearing pedants out there) and have been purposefully designed to be generic in their uniform and kit. This way they can be easily adapted to fit pretty much any army of the period. I decided to paint this fellow as a fusilier of the La Sarre Infantrie regiment which saw hard service on Montcalm's right wing at the First Battle of Quebec (Plains of Abraham) in 1759.
If he likes this fellow I'll follow up in the New Year with another eleven so he has a battalion. Just as insurance I'm also sending along a good stout Dwarf, as I suspect he'll have seen 'The Hobbit' by the 25th...
Max's birthday is in July so my thinking is that I'll keep sending him toy soldiers like this twice a year until he discovers cars, girls and becomes one of those vile teenagers that I shake my fist at.
Nice one Curt, I'm sure he'll love it!! Gotta get at them while there still young!
ReplyDeleteThank Ray. I'll take your word for it...
DeleteBe careful Curt - it's a slippery slope once you start liking interacting with one of the blighters well it's not too long before you want one of your own.
ReplyDeleteFour Word for you when it comes to young Master Max
"Thomas the Tank Engine"
Just saying....
I think he'll love the soldiers cause grumpy old Uncle Curt made them - this story has "Hallmark Christmas Movie" all over it.
Merry Christmas
Miles
I hope he likes them - it would be fun to make this a regular thing for the next few years.
DeleteVery nice, Curt, and a very good present for him!
ReplyDeleteThanks Juan, I hope so.
DeleteWell done Curt and very clever way to recruit a new generation of players!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
His father's a history prof so he's either going to get into it with both feet or think its completely daft.
DeleteVery nice, Curt. I am sure Max will be delighted. I recall getting a box of Britains toy soldiers when I was a little older than Max and it started me on my long journey of decline and degradation, so with luck your nephew will go the same way. If it is any consolation, I am not too fond of little people either.
ReplyDeleteYou're a good man, Padre (even taking into account your decline and degradation).
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