Completed 1st Para advance into Arnhem (Henk's version)

[Steve Ski]

Base is looking really good, Henk. I gotta tell ya, I think you captured the smock camo pattern with the paint swipes much better than I did, without a doubt!

Ruck On, Henk

 

[Henk]

Thank you Steve. Appreciate that, but I can't agree with you. 6

I don't think it is a case of "better", rather of "different". For starters, with WWII Denison, there is not really a right or wrong pattern, because the early smocks were not painted in a defined pattern, and the nature of the production, meant that they would wear/age all rather differently. Careful examination of period photographs shows a bewildering range of possible patterns, some quite well defined, some almost blended into a single colour. Of course, trying to determine the subtle differences between shades of colour, in black and white photos, is almost impossible. Then there is the added problem of the difference between the Mk1 and Mk2 smock, and the change in 1944 from a sandy base colour to an Olive Green.

Personally, I find it hard to get the pattern to "feel" right, despite the fact that there isn't really a right way against which to compare.

 

[1969]

Nice progress Henk.
Steve

 

[Nap]

Hi Henk

Your so right about the smock ...so many versions

These are great books to get ..packed full of info

Nap

 

[Henk]

Hi Henk

Your so right about the smock ...so many versions

These are great books to get ..packed full of info

Nap

View attachment 439195 View attachment 439196

Ay, the are nice books to get. I've been keeping an eye out for a bargain,, because £40 is serious wedge...

 

[Henk]

I've had little time at the bench lately, but managed to grab a few hours over he last few days. I've pretty much finished the base, I've added the grass, leaf litter and pine needles, and fine roots. The colour is tricky to photograph, but I'm happy with it. The black needs another coat (or two), and it needs to be mounted on a base. I'm playing about with a few different ideas for that.

Pvt. Witherford's smock is not fairing so well... I'm not happy with it, and I can't work with where it's gone, so I'll be stripping him and will start again. Corp. Reynolds' smock IS getting there though. Needs a bit more fine tuning, but I'm happy with the overall look and feel.

 

[Cannonball]

Coming on great Henk.

Neal

 

[Henk]

Hi Henk

Your so right about the smock ...so many versions

These are great books to get ..packed full of info

Nap

View attachment 439195 View attachment 439196

I need to book some more overtime... Thanks Kev



(And order some more para figures...)

 

[Henk]

Hi Henk

Your so right about the smock ...so many versions

These are great books to get ..packed full of info

Nap

View attachment 439195 View attachment 439196

The book arrived today. My beter half opened the door, expecting a large flat parcel herself (delivered to my address, as we stay here when I'm off work), but was confused when it was addressed to me. She ask me if I was expecting anything, and as I was just lathered up having a shave, I shouted: " just open it, it's not like it's going to be porn"..

I was wrong...

200 pages of hard backed, unadultered, high definition porn. Page after page of close up shots of Denison smocks. Jump Jackets. Camouflage patterns. And trousers. If you like that sort of thing..

Thanks for the heads up Kev. Worth every penny.

 

[Henk]

Ive not forgotten this fine piece....
I have been working on the Corp. a bit, I am doing him a bit haphazard, switching between the clothing and the equipment, to avoid too uniform a finish.

 

[Nap]

Hi Henk

Nice to see this progressing , coming along nicely

Will you add any herringbone to the chevrons ?

Thanks for sharing

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Henk]

Hi Henk

Nice to see this progressing , coming along nicely

Will you add any herringbone to the chevrons ?

Thanks for sharing

Happy benchtime

Nap

Looks like I'll have to now. Thanks Kev....





;-)

 

[Steve Ski]

Plugging along nicely, Henk!

 

[Henk]

Thanks Steve.

I have made progress with Pvt. Witherford, not in the least because I've rediscovered some of my pots of Lifecolour paints. More specifically Grünbraun, which is a very pleasing match for the base colour of the Denison smock. Despite being nearly 2 decades old, the paint behaves like new, and together with Olivegrün and Tamiya Nato Brown, creates a very nice camo.

What, wait..?

Tamiya paint? On a figure? Why yes, suitably thinned with Tamiya thinner, it paints beautifully.

Anyhow, here's a few pics of the Pvt's new smock.

 

[Nap]

Good update on the smock there Henk

Out of interest will you line/define the seams ?

It's getting there and going to look great once all together

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Henk]

Good update on the smock there Henk

Out of interest will you line/define the seams ?

It's getting there and going to look great once all together

Happy benchtime

Nap

Yes Kev, some outlining etc will be done once all the colours and weathering are finished.

 

[Henk]

Work stopping play again, but at the moment it's largely tinkering, rather than large progress. I've pretty much finished the smocks on the Corp. and the Pvt. and I've done another light coat on the webbing. It,s largely trying to bring it all organically together.

Next week I'll finish the details, brass fastners and buckles, lining the seams, and the rifle. Then finish the trousers and the boots.

I'm going to try something different for the Bren gunners smock...

It's at times like this, that one wishes that the Brits had had the same advanced interest in colour photography (at that time) as the Germans did...oh, to have more period colour photographs of paras.

 

[Nap]

Hi Henk

Looking good on the camo there , be interesting to see what your going to do on Bren gunners smock

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Henk]

Blimey, doesn't time fly...

I've tinkered away on the Paras, had a two week absence from the bench, but slowly getting on with things, and then got carried away, and didn't take any progress pictures, till after Pvt. Witherford took up his position... doh.

So, a few pictures with the Pvt in position then. I'll post some pictures of the Corp. Reynolds later today.

 

[Henk]

Corp. Reynolds is 'done, apart from a few details that the big photos as usual show up... I'm working on his rifle, as soon as that is done, he'll be added to the diorama.