Anyone for Cricket?..from Elan 13 Miniatures

[Nap]

Hi fellow sporty types,

The Armed forces of every nation have a strong sporting history , especially during times of conflict as in WW1 where men fought not only in the strength quenching mud of Flanders or up in the Air in machines which were barely off the drawing boards but on the hallowed turf of a hastily set up field of play no matter if it was football or the majestic game of cricket ...emulating in the last the playing fields of Eton and Cambridge and other renowned public schools of the time..the players often wearing their school colours with pride .

The players were often public schoolboys torn from their mothers apron strings in a blaze of wanting to do their duty for King and country . the matches being played during a lull in fighting patrols ..but even so they were always on standby ready to grab their coat and flying helmet at a moments notice ...often "friendlies" were between the officer and the other ranks or between the Officer and WO & Sgt's mess...

Thats what we have in this release from Elan 13 ...a pilot readies himself at the crease of a cricket pitch .....the honour of the mess is in his batting performance...."Howzat"

The RFC itself was a very young formation barely 10 years old if that , flying machines that were often as dangerous to the pilot as his foe ...everyone was learning as they went both in flying and maintenance techniques .

The pilots were as I have said often very young ...just look at these fine fellows.......but so brave on and off the cricket pitch.

There are of course many books not only on WW1 but also on the RFC itself here are a couple I have around me at the moment .

Continued in next post:

Nap

 

[Nap]

Let's have a look at our model :

Title: Anyone for Cricket

Scale: 1/32nd

Reference: EL25

Material: Resin

No of pieces: 4

Sculptor: Rob Lane

Box Art: Rob Lane

I purchased the review model plus others up from Rob at a show and was I pleased I had done so , the parts were safely held in resealable plastic bags consisting of the main torso , the head , the oil drum and the cricket bat itself.

Prep needed just involved a wash of the resin and a tiny bit of sanding to remove minute plugs from the undersides of the boots and neck ...literally about 30 seconds work...then put the figure together

..prime and away you go bringing him to life.

Starting with the main piece first this is the full body without the head , the pose is so natural , the right leg over the left relaxed with him leaning casually on the Cricket bat , our sporting hero wears his leather gaiters and boots where we find some very nice details on the boots in particular,the trousers are bloused out as worn by officers, his jacket is fully open great details on this with the pockets being well defined , lovely folds are sculpted both in the way the jacket hangs and on the sleeves on both arms .

On his left upper chest we find the coveted RFC wings earned after such ashort time at flying school! this is an early war pilot as he has his rank at this sleeves ..that of a 2nd Lt ..one pip....we wonder will he live to receive his full Lt rank badges of 2 pips..., we also have RFC badges on each collar turn back ...careful painting will be the order of the day .........it's hard to believe that so much detail has been achieved on such a small figure ...great sculpting talent of a period that Rob has a natural affinity for.

Under the jacket we see a symbol of his education ...a cricket jumper ...great opportunity to painty in the colours of your choice...Oxford or Cambridge or school of your choice.

The neck area is open ready to receive the head ........

This is a little gem of a sculpt great facial details ..and yes I did use my optivisor , he wears the peaked cap as in the pictures in previous post .....you could if you wish change round the head for the one of the pilot with the dog (Henry..ref EL22) if you so wish ...more variety. The cap is nicely formed looking a bit battered ,we have a RFC badge on it with a leather strap.

Now to his chosen weapon ....the cricket bat , this is sculpted with the hand resting on top the handle , perfect in shape you could almost hit a ball with it ..in place it sets the scene for the figure.

Finally we have the 2nd largest piece the oil drum which is being used as a makeshift wicket , on top we see the pilots leather flying coat and helmet ...hanging over the side of the drum in readiness for any action away from the so English field of the cricket pitch. The oil drum is suitably battered , no doubts the mechanics have drained every last bit of oil out...it's dented no doubts after many a ball has struck it ...lovely details .

Final thoughts:

Rob is IMO a sculptor that has a natural talent when working on figures from a period he likes and it shows so much in this and previous releases in the WW1 series ...great details on a small figure good casting resulting in a lovely little figure , which works well together with for example Henry (EL22)...will we see a bowler as well and perhaps a wicket keeper ..hope so that would make a fine little scene.....reckon a full cricket team might be pushing it eh Rob!!!

The box art shows that not only is Rob a dab hand at sculpting but also at painting So let's enjoy the box art again:

I do not normally paint figure's but Élan 13 are changing my mindset with their releases...long may they keep coming ...and of course the occasional bust as well!!!

Have a look at these and others on the website you will not be disappointed .

Website: www.elan13.co.uk

Enjoy yourself with the brushes folks

Thanks for looking in

Nap

 

[swralph]

Great review Nap.

 

[Wings5797]

Gtreat review Kevin,
Many thanks for posting this super figure.
All the very best,
Keith