Welcome to the Strelets Forum. Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets. If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
Airfix US Cavalry got it right. Why not have Infantry holding flags with one hand and the end attached at the base and not touching their heads at all. Link:
http://plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=36
Otherwise ...
* Attached - Put an appropriate design on it.
* Attached - Two different action posed Bannerman would be a nice feature with other Command poses, but I buy multiple boxes so either way is OK.
* Attached - Attach it so it could easily be cut off meaning don't wrap it around the pole; make it attach minimally (they ain't gonna fall off).
* Attached - Make Bannermen's hands large so the whole flag could all be cut off and a new pole and flag plugged into his hands by using a Pin-vise (hand-twist) drill by conversion
* Attached - Flag flat enough to actually glue a paper print onto it, both sides
* Attached - Please, please, please stop wrapping the flag all around the Bannermen's heads and hats (makes doing conversions frustrating and un-fun).
* Attached - make the pole attached to his hands strongly, not sharp corners so it might break of with heavy handling, then it would be strong enough to not need to be wrapped around their heads.
* Attached - Wildly flapping flags wrapped around the pole with too many deep waves helps no one (hard to paint, can't cut off, and can't glue on a print either)
* Unattached - Just a pole
Revell 30 Years war and 7 Years Wars got some nice Bannermen. (See PSR)
I also like the Airfix Highlander Bannerman. (See PSR)
Personally, my choice again would be a standing figure holding the flag like the Airfix US Cavalry figure in one hand and attached at the base and not touching the head.
I understand the drama of a pose with the flag wrapped around an ensign but in terms of practicality, I want to substitute a paper flag for a plastic one.
GC's solution (above) is perhaps the best compromise. An alternate is to perhaps have the "Drama Ensign" but also include another figure with an open hand you could glue a metal pole & paper flag into & a separate weapon that you can use if you do not want to use the figure for flag-carrying purposes. A bit complicated I know.
I love the moulded flags as they look so much better and add a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to the figure and the command stand (when thinking wargaming, but I reckon they look better in a diorama too). I don't mind painting them and, in fact, a partially-furled flag is easier as it is 'disjointed' anyway.
If I am being all 'conciliatory and understanding', then I guess I can use a standard-bearer with a pole as I'd add some tin foil or such and make a flag that I can shape. Don't much like them paper ones meself....