The Loose Association of Wargamers

Having finished my Prussian SYW expansion, I'm turning to building a decent SYW Austrian army.
I've ordered some of the HaT MAC Austrians http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Per ... 19#Austria

Now, as everyone knows, Austrians had these absurdly complex flag poles.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks in painting the slanted 'barbershop' flag poles of the SYW era (black/yellow/red/white stripes)?

Is it, in 1/72, simply beyond most people's ability? Or at least, mine?

donald

The only thing I can suggest is practice. I paint them white and then start with the black stripes; starting at the bottom, put a 45-degree stripe on the front of the pole, then guesstimate the width of three more such stripes up the pole before painting the next black stripe and repeat. Then try to join them up around the back. Once you've got one stripe done you can then add the other two (red & yellow, leaving a space for the white) pretty easily.

I just painted mine black. IIRC the Austrians sometimes used coloured ribbons rather than paint. I'll check Summerfield in the morning.

Or, you could try black and red fineliners and yellow gel pens.

This - I would go with "paint pens" rather than use a brush for something this fine and fiddly.

Are you painting moulded on flags or adding your own paper flags?

If the former, don't bother trying to paint round the pole. Paint the sleeve black and just 'dot' the different colours down the front.

If you're adding paper flags, paint the stripes on the 'sleeve' before you stick it on the pole.

Andy's Alternativeburgers flags have the stripes........see his thread.

E

Would lining transfers work? Railway modelling companies carry them in most colours, never tried it myself but always thought I might give those a go on medieval lances.

I've given those some thought, but you'd have to get the diameter of the lance or whatever exactly right, or the pattern wouldn't meet up properly round the back of the pole (so to speak..... ).

Paint them brown like I've been painting mine

The steel rod I use is 1mm thick. With 20mm figures, anything less looks like an electricity pole.
I'll give painting a go, as suggested by several of you. I feel I may end up with VB's solution.

donald