Prince Rupert Conversion

[Correus]

Have any of you converted the Prince Rupert mini?

There is just something about the head that bothers me; perhaps I just haunted by the head of the Historex 54mm version.

I've never attempted a conversion like this and I'm trying to figure out what head would look good; so I thought I'd ask all of you for your opinions.

If you were to convert this mini's head, which one would you go with?

[johnm]

Any but Charles I lol,

[mikeland]

Yes I have the Rupert figure and it is so nice I am thinking of converting it.... Into a Parliamentarian!

Seriously though, what is wrong with his head?

[janner]

Any but Charles I lol,

Does he come with a separate head then?




I'll get my coat, yes, that'll be my taxi...

[Correus]

Yes I have the Rupert figure and it is so nice I am thinking of converting it.... Into a Parliamentarian!

Seriously though, what is wrong with his head?

Nothing's really 'wrong' with it...I just really like the idea of one of the broad brimmed hats with feathers - like the Historex 54mm version.

http://plasmaticplastic.blogspot.com/2012_03_18_archive.html Sixth picture from the top.

A lot of the paintings I've seen of him, at least those with headgear, seem to show broad brimmed hats. There is that wood cut picture of him from that pamphlet, "The Cruel Practices of Prince Rupert (1643)", to me the head gear looks more like a hat than a helmet, but it could be either.

[mikeland]

I can see what you mean. A big flouncy floppy hat would be more in keeping.

[Correus]

I can see what you mean. A big flouncy floppy hat would be more in keeping.

Yup - ever since the Rupert mini came out I've been wondering why they chose the headgear they did. I figured there must be some sort of documentation somewhere.

Besides we ALL know Royalists love there flouncy hats and feathers!!!!

I've never done a conversion like this before...ought to be interesting when I give it a go.

[Cfury]

I want to turn mine into John Lambert, a rather flash Parliamentarian commander, and a safe bet as he looks more like the mini than Rupert anyway! Just lose the poodle and give him an orange sash and there you go!

[frpat]

Re Rupert's helmet - actually, it is a pretty normal continental type - well, an upper class example of one. "Floppy hat"? - can't remember seeing any depiction of him in one of those, but I may well be wrong.

Having said that - I've turned Fairfax into a more righteous character entirely - Sir Jacob Astley. None of those mealy mouthed, psalm singing puritans for me!

[Correus]

Re Rupert's helmet - actually, it is a pretty normal continental type - well, an upper class example of one. "Floppy hat"? - can't remember seeing any depiction of him in one of those, but I may well be wrong.

Just as Bob's your uncle, Google is your friend.



Close-up of the above:




Better coloration of the above:


54mm Historex:


28mm - other brand:


This last one is the one I believe the WG version is based on:


"The Cruel Practices of Prince Rupert" (1643)

When I was first looking into converting the figure I read a brief article about this print. In it the statement was mad that some thought this to be a bad rendition of a Cavalier hat and some thought it to be an equally bad rendition of helmet. I might be wrong but the one depicted in the WG version is a Harquebus Three-Bared helmet. I thought I saved this article but haven't located it in my files. I'll see if I can find it on-line again.

I found more contemporary pics of Rupert in a floppy hat than a helmet. I haven't delved into the literature about yet; so there might be a book out there that said Rupert road into battle wearing a helmet.