This project brought me a bit closer to home as it is a standard bearer (gonfalonier) of the Order of St John or as they are more commonly known, the knights of Malta, during the Great Siege of 1565. It is a 70mm model from Elite Miniaturas, a Spanish manufacturer which - I suspect - is no longer in operation. The model is painted entirely in acrylics except for the armour. As it is a metal miniature, I decided to buff the model to a shine using a mini drill polisher attachment and gave it a light wash of raw umber ink. Steel acrylic was then used to highlight rivets and edges and the whole was sealed in gloss varnish to prevent the metal from darkening. I have to say I was quite happy with the end result.
This model also holds a very special place in my heart as it was given to me by my best friend David Grech of Degree Miniatures (a small Maltese enterprise) some months ago. Unfortunately, Dave recently passed away following a long and cruel illness. He was an incredibly talented person who could do anything he set his mind to. Dave and I went back a long way and have shared so many modelling, wargaming, and family experiences together. He was an avid Napoleonic re-enactor, was best man at my wedding and was "Uncle Dave" to my kids. Even today, almost a month from his passing, I am still in denial that he is no longer with us. May he rest in peace.
Mike
