Guards Band
Airfix 1:76 Scale Figure Review
Airfix sculpted the Guards Band musicians in bearskin caps without Hackles, which is how they are worn by the Scots Guards Band and the Danish Royal Life Guards Band.
Contents
44 Figures in 9 Poses – 23 mm equal 175 cm Height
- Drum Major (1)
- Trombonist (4)
- Trumpeter (7)
- Tubaist (7)
- Saxophonist (5)
- Fifer (10)
- Snare Drummer (7)
- Bass Drummer (1)
- Cymbalist (2)
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject. Musicians of the Airfix Guard Band may be used to represent any number of bandsmen wearing modern dress uniforms. Many promising conversions only require a simple head swap, replacing the bearskin cap with a service cap, Pickelhaube, kepi, shako or kolpak.
While Airfix offers a nice selections of drums and brass instruments, hornists and the entire wood wind section – clarinet, oboe and bassoon – are sadly missing.
Apart from the round cuffs, and the wings worn by the drummers, these musicians are sculpted without any distinctive uniform details which might limit their use to one particular regiment. It is much easier to paint buttons and drummer‘s lace on free-hand, rather than being compelled to colour in any sculpted, and typically oversized renditions of same.
Good casting quality, but some flash and mould lines need to be removed prior to painting. While the »English Red« colour of the 2024 re-issues is a much better choice than the pale yellow plastic of the original releases, it still does not match »British Scarlet«.
Historical Employment
- Scots Guards Band, 1837–today
- Danish Royal Life Guards Band, 1848–today
Possible Conversions
- Grenadier Guards Band, white Hackle on left
- Coldstream Guards Band, red Hackle on right
- Irish Guards Band, blue Hackle on right
- Welsh Guards Band, white-green-white Hackle on left
- Band of The Royal Regiment of Canada, red Hackle on left
- Governor General‘s Foot Guards Band, red Hackle on left
- Royal Swedish Guards Band in Pickelhaube helmets
- Royal Swedish Army Band in Pickelhaube helmets
- U.S. Army Band „Pershing‘s Own“ with red Caps
- U.S. Air Force Band with blue Caps
- U.S. Navy Band with white Combination Cap
- U.S. Marine Band with white Barracks Covers
The Airfix Guards Band, first released in the late 1950s, has been re-released in 2024. They are still a must-have for wargamers and miniature collectors alike.