180mm Sous-Officier, 10th Chasseurs, 1809

Gongoozler · Feb 26, 2017

It may be foolhardy to begin a scratch-build project at my age (78) but whilst my hand is still steady and my eyesight good I thought I would give it a go.
I've only been able to get hold of one of the Rousselot plates covering chasseurs. I do have the Fred Funken books but my main reference will be Angus McBride's illustrations for the Osprey "Men at Arms" series.
Previously I've worked only with Milliput but I now have a full range of materials: Sculpey, Green Stuff, Beesputty and Milliput.
I've been working on possible heads but am not really convinced by any of them so am now working on a fourth, using Sculpey. I'd be grateful for any comments, no matter how critical.

Trevor

Barrie Harris · Feb 26, 2017

Good on you ,one' s never to old while the eye sights good .Looking good from here , sure you' re get all the help needed.
Barrie(Newbee).

Huw63 · Feb 26, 2017

A great start. Will follow this closely.

Cheers

Huw

clrsgt · Feb 26, 2017

A great start. Anybody who can sculpt gets a tip of the hat from me.

Wings5797 · Feb 26, 2017

Taking a good shape Trevor, I already have a picture of this beauty in my minds eye.
Looking out for your work on this big boy.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Keith

Nap · Feb 27, 2017

Hi Trevor

Great idea for a sculpt ..going to be a good one following this with interest

Nap

Tonton · Feb 27, 2017

It's 10 years before I reach your vintage, Trevor, but hope I'll still have as much enthusiasm and ability as you do to tackle something like this. Admirable.

Jeff

Ybrossculpts · Feb 27, 2017

Hi Trevor,
Looks like a good start, all I can suggest is it may be of some help of you to do the full armature from the start to get the positioning that your relatively happy with. And I don't mind the head on the right, I think it's heading in the right direction, pardon the pun

Good luck with your project.
Regards
Chris.

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Gongoozler · Feb 27, 2017

And I don't mind the head on the right, I think it's heading in the right direction, pardon the pun.

Thanks for your comments, Chris. I'm currently working on a new version of the head - trying to get more contour into it:

Gongoozler · Mar 3, 2017

I've been working on my fourth head but now feel that whether it's right or wrong I have to press on with the project or I'll never get it finished!
The figure will be standing with legs astride and sabre drawn, ready to repulse an attack, hence the expression on his face.

Trevor

Tecumsea · Mar 3, 2017

I envy your ability to do this and create something quite unique. Look forward to following progress on this.

Keith

RoyB · Mar 3, 2017

Hi Trevor

Absolutely terrific!! I am sure you will make a Fabulous job of it!!

I have just had my (???Celebrated???) 78th birthday. Perhaps we should have our own forum. Articles could include 'Shaky hands', 'No one will notice that', 'Now where the hell's that fit', etc. It would have more hits than Elvis!!!

Carry on with your excellent work!!

RoyB

Gongoozler · Mar 18, 2017

RoyB said:
I have just had my (???Celebrated???) 78th birthday. Perhaps we should have our own forum. Articles could include 'Shaky hands', 'No one will notice that', 'Now where the hell's that fit', etc. It would have more hits than Elvis!!!

RoyB

Hi Roy,
Delighted to know that there is at least one other oldie here. My memory has gone to pot but my hand is till steady.
Cheers,
Trevor

Gongoozler · Mar 18, 2017

I've finished the head, apart from a tassle and the chin strap, which I will fit later.
Have roughed out the legs and am refining them prior to a first bake.

Trevor

clrsgt · Mar 18, 2017

This is shaping up rather nicely Trevor. I like the look of the boots and trousers. My only thought is that maybe the busby needs to be a little fuller.

Scotty · Mar 18, 2017

Excellent work Trevor, good luck with the rest.
Scotty.

Gongoozler · Apr 8, 2017

clrsgt said:
This is shaping up rather nicely Trevor. I like the look of the boots and trousers. My only thought is that maybe the busby needs to be a little fuller.

Thank you for this comment; I wondered about that myself.

Gongoozler · Apr 8, 2017

View attachment 276385

I've been working on the upper body but have had to start again as I felt that the shape of the jacket was wrong

Gongoozler · Apr 8, 2017

Also working on the sabre and scabbard. Scabbard in Milliput on a brass armature and blade cut from sheet brass. Now comes the difficult bit!

Gongoozler · May 5, 2017

Having done some research on the tunic I find that the short habit Kinski is correct. I've been working on the left arm and added
frogging to the gilet and the snake belt. I've cut out and brazed the hand guard on to the blade of the sabre and I've altered the head to make the bearskin fuller.