1:16th Tamiya Machine Gunner Conversion

[kansas kid]

Rick,
You have done a fine work on the conversion and thanks for your explanation.
It has turned into a very fine figure and a wonderful setting.
Cheers
John

Hello John, Sorry it has taken me another day to respond. I do so appreciate
your comments and taking the time to respond. Wishing you a stellar day,
kind Sir, Rick

Hi Rick

I really love this,great work on the field grey uniform and lovely
groundwork as well mate,it all blends together so well

Greetings Smudger: You know mate, that is quite a "handle" you've got there,
Smudger. . . I'm guessing there is a story there (my background in newspaper
journalism, must be "rearing it's ugly head! Maybe? ) I especially like
your words about the field grey uniform. I have a lot of trouble with blending
yet I realize we have "to put the time in" in order to learn. Thanks again, mate,
Rick

Its always a great pleasure to see
a work of master. I also want to thank you for shring tips which improve your
figure beyond compare. It very usefull for me as I am absolute begginer.
Thanks a lot .

Good Day, Dekiman, a.k.a. Richard Sharp of the 95th Rifles: I was really touched
by your very kind words, Sir. Of course, you don't see the ones I've done that didn't
come out right. When I post, I usually try to put in details about less known techniques,
as I try to think about the people just starting out in this incredible hobby. You
understand we will never live long enough to learn it all. Since you're relative new
to the hobby, I will mention the following. Don't be afraid to fail, in a project. We
learn as much from our mistakes as from our successes. In modeling, as in life, we learn
by doing. Just put the time in. So much about what you will learn "that works for you"
will be accidental. Be willing to leave your comfort zone, and try genrés that you have
not tried before. When you do that, and then come back to figure modeling, you will
bring all that knowledge with you. I found this out when I left aircraft and military
vehicle modeling after many years, and started painting figures. What I learned from
layering with acrylics painting figures, I now use on my aircraft and military vehicles. True story.
So take the risks and learn the lessons, and you will grow a great deal. Good luck, Rick

Rick,
I second Richard's comment. I've never given that Tamiya figure more than a glance
(if that). Your addition of the replacement head (+ hair cut), and all the conversion
work has turned this nondescript figure into an eye-catching display piece.
Very well done.

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Richard: And thank you for your kind remarks. Yeh, with that hair cut job on
the substitute head, I felt somewhat like Sweeny Todd, the deamon barber of
Fleet Street. (Ah. . . if you're a fan of Stephen Sondheim you'll get that reference.
Personally, I worship at Mr. Sondheim shrine, so to speak, as he is still living) The
Great White Way is one of my passions. But I digress. Thanks again, and have
a great day, Jayhawker

Hi Rick,
Very nice changes that lift this figure. Personally I see nothing wrong with the
machine gun on the shoulder in relation to the placement of the stance. In fact,
if I carry a heavy weight on my shoulder I push that shoulder up to take the load.
If anything and this has been pointed out the chin straps are too long.

I only have one other point of critique, you do not post often enough.
cheers
Richie

Hi Richie: Oh my, I think one of the interesting aspects of our PFigure site is
that we get all kinds of comments. Your remark about how a person would
"adjust" their shoulder to accomodate the extra weight of say a M42 machine
gun gives lots of things to think about. Thanks you, for making that point, Richie.

Ah ha, regarding the number of times I post here. Well, Richie, for an old retired
guy, I am usually rather busy. But also there is the aspect about me "not wanting
to wear out my welcome". But I understand your meaning, my friend. And I do
so appreciate that kind remark. Wishing you and yours, a great week ahead.

 

[Joe55]

Well I'll be,......who da thought this cool little piece was based on an ole Tamiya figure! You did a fine job here Rick! I like your philosophy above about leaving the comfort zone and trying different genres !

Joe

 

[Ferris]

Very nice result Rick.
Mainly the head makes a lot difference. And you got the haircut exactly right to look 'period'.

It's very difficult to bring a sense of weight into the sculpt if that hasn't been in the original sculpt. Although the judges remark makes sense, it's more addressed towards the original sculpt than towards your effort. The thing is, if something looks right, nobody notices the effort that went into it. Imperfections catch our attention. This is what makes fair judging difficult I think.

Cheers
Adrian

 

[kansas kid]

Well I'll be,......who da thought
this cool little piece was based on an ole Tamiya figure! You did a fine job
here Rick! I like your philosophy above about leaving the comfort zone
and trying different genres !

Joe

Greetings, Joe, or should I say Good morning. Most of us old people
do not sleep very well. So I woke up at 0130 hrs. (ooooops, that is 1:30 am
for civilians. ) and decided to check PlanetFigure. . . And there you
are, podna'. I appreciate your comments, especially about leaving a
modeler's comfort zone. As I wrote previously at the start of this thread,
that point hit me right in the face, because I switched to figure modeling.
We learn by doing. And it is OK to fail as we learn from that as well.
Wishing you well, Miami Jayhawker

Very nice result Rick.
Mainly the head makes a lot difference. And you got the haircut exactly right to look 'period'.

It's very difficult to bring a sense of weight into the sculpt if that hasn't been in the original sculpt.
Although the judges remark makes sense, it's more addressed towards the original sculpt than
towards your effort. The thing is, if something looks right, nobody notices the effort that went into it.
Imperfections catch our attention. This is what makes fair judging difficult I think.

Cheers
Adrian

Hello Ferris, glad you chimed in here, Adrian, . . . and "didn't take a day off". Oh gee, more of
my Kansas Corn. Sorry. You make a very good point. And indeed, since I've been a contest modeler
with IPMS/USA mostly (that started in the 1960s), here in the American Heartland, and since I
have been a judge quite some years as well, I agree. Judging is difficult and it takes a great
deal of time learning to become a qualified judge, completely unbiased, and being well versed on
the subject matter. Have a great day, Adrian, Rick