Another One Bites The Dust!

[bonehead]

I keep chipping away at that old bucket list. I have always wanted to do a figure of an early German Fallschirmjaeger. I have been thinking about this figure since the Kirin days nearly 20 years ago. There is something about that jump smock and those nifty side-lacing boots. Cool!

So, I did this one for Taesung at Alpine. He did the awesome K98. He lists the figure as from Crete. But the pics i was looking at were actually earlier in Belgium. The distinctive white silk scarf seems to only be seen in pics from Belgium. However, the uniform does still apply for Crete. And if a modeler wanted to, it could be painted in camo as opposed to the reed-green suit shown.

But personally, I like the "green-devils". I hope you like him. Thanks for looking!

Cheers!!
Mike

 

[bonehead]

Sorry about the way the images are posted. Photobucket has completely failed and cannot be used. Too bad, I liked it! Image shack sucks. Does anybody have any ideas for better image sharing sites?

Looks like photobucket is working for me now..... Cool!!

 

[Pekka]

Another masterpiece! The pose and folds are so natural and realistic. Did you work from photos or do you have a " map" in your brain?
Pekka N.

 

[Einion]

Lovely job on this one Mike! Been waiting for this one to be posted here. That smock is awesome.

On the image posting, Photobucket still works okay for me - the interface took a definite hit during the last 'upgrade' but it's still usable.

Einion

 

[bonehead]

Lovely job on this one Mike! Been waiting for this one to be posted here. That smock is awesome.

On the image posting, Photobucket still works okay for me - the interface took a definite hit during the last 'upgrade' but it's still usable.

Einion

Thanks Einion! As for photobucket, it is completely unuseable if i cannot even get the page to display for more than a few seconds...... So, I DO need an alternative.

 

[Lee Sang Eon]

I saw the casting of this figure when Dr. Jin-Kim was painting it for Alpine's box art. Great masterpiece!!

 

[Mark S]

Beautifully sculpted piece, Mike.
Stunning result.

 

[Ferris]

Excellent sculpt Mike, congrats.

Glad to know you had May 1940 in your mind when sculpting it. He really looks more like Belgium or Holland than Crete. Crete was way too hot for those gloves and scarff! I love the historical accuracy of your sculpts.

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[Dan Morton]

Outstanding - - as always!

All the best,
Dan

 

[amcairns]

Wow!.
Andy

 

[valiant]

ditto!

 

[John Bowery]

Mike,
Great details on a great figure.
Cheers
John

 

[Stephen Ward]

Helluva piece Mike. A really great inspiration for all of us who sculpt as well.

 

[NickM]

A beautifully sculpted figure, Mike, and a wonderful addition to Alpines fine collection of 1/16 figures.
Cheers

 

[Richie]

Thanks Einion! As for photobucket, it is completely unuseable if i cannot even get the page to display for more than a few seconds...... So, I DO need an alternative.

Hi Mike,
You could try www.servimg.com

Lovely sculpt, that bone sack is the best I've ever seen, the attention to detail is magnificent.

Does the option come so he can be depicted without the helmet or will this be moulded on the head??? The only reason I ask is, if the helmet is seperate the in would have been nice to have the left hand just slightly relaxed in the fingers in order to take the helmet strap, so he could carry the helmet as an option.
cheers
Richie

 

[megroot]

Mike,
This is not my period of interest, but what a great sculptwork.

Marc

 

[kaz6120]

This is really beautiful Fallschirmjäger figure. I want to get & paint one some time.

 

[YongA01]

Brilliant sculpt!

 

[Joe55]

Beautifully executed sculpt Mike !! This Green Devil will have to make its way into the collection. In addition, I Hope Alpine will commission you to do a 'Kreta' version.

Joe

 

[bonehead]

Another masterpiece! The pose and folds are so natural and realistic. Did you work from photos or do you have a " map" in your brain?
Pekka N.

Terve taas Pekka!

I always work from photos when I can. But I find that period photos only supply so much information. So, inevitably, sculpting the clothing is a combination of research, practical knowledge ( Yes, there is a sort of "map" in my brain - been doing this for over 25 years now) and faking it. I did have some good references for this figure though. That is a bit different than, say, a British colonial figure for instance.

And just to be clear before everybody gets too pedantic about Fallschirm uniforms - I was working from a specific photo for this figure. The photo showed the figure dressed and equipped exactly as shown - first model jump smock with concealed zippers, gloves, k98, and white scarf. Sorry, i cannot find the photo online here, but at least one caption said the figure was from Holland or Belgium (sorry, i have forgotten which "low country"). So, I know it is correct because I have the photo which shows it to be so!

Of course, the first pattern jump smock is correct for Kreta as well. He is perhaps a little too warmly clothed for Crete, but not out of the question. Also, this pattern smock was worn in splinter camo by some troops in Crete - so camo is possible if you want it. With that, I will do no more 'splainin'.

Anyway, thanks to everybody for the nice comments. Now buy a kit from Taesung to show how much you like it. That way, there will be more such figures in the future.......

Cheers!!

Mike