Australian Infantry, New Guinea 1943

[megroot]

Amazing groundwork Tony,
And yes, he is dirty..>>

Marc

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Rocky & Marc,

Thanks guys. The groundwork is coming along but there's still a lot to do. The proces of dirtying up the figure continues. A few more mud baths should have him looking suitably filthy.

Cheers

 

[tonydawe]

Plants & Base

Hi guys,

Here's a couple of pics to show you all the jungle plants I'm making from paper for the base. This is roughly half the number of plants I need, and they will be spray painted.

I've given the groundwork a coat of Burnt Umber, and then mixed some red brown pastels onto the path/ steps.

Cheers

 

[eissteban]

hi Tony,
it become very well, the groundwork looks fine.
The jungle plants are a really good idea

Seb.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Seb,

Thanks for following my progress mate and for taking the time to comment.

Cheers

 

[arthur]

Tony,
Great base.
I admire your patience in building the individual plants
Cheers,
A.

 

[tonydawe]

Ground Cover

Hi Guys,

Latest pics show the build up of leaf litter and ground cover. I've used a variety of household materials for this; crushed parsley and basil used for leaf litter (with a drop of white glue and beige acrylic paint added and mixed together), dry tea leaves from a teabag (don't tell my wife ) for dark soil and some real dirt from the garden.

I've also made several more ferns and jungle plants from paper. I've painted a couple of ferns to see what they will look like.

I've also attached a black and white photo of an Australian infantryman carrying an Owen Gun in New Guinea. This is my primary reference shot.

Arthur, thanks for your comments mate.

Cheers

 

[Mark S]

Coming along nicely,Tony.
Looking forward to the finished piece.

 

[Christos]

Great work on the base Tony,I'll start searching in the kitchen for useful accesories!!!!
christos

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Mark & Christos,

Thanks for your kind words guys.

Cheers

 

[Roy]

Hi Tony, looking good mate...I really like the extreme slop of the base, it puts the whole thing in perspective. The foliage looks like it will turn out looking very realistic too.

All the best, looking forward to seeing it all come together.

Roy.

 

[Jeff T]

.

Tony, this is looking fantastic!

Your Groundwork looks very convincing, i love all the foliage you have done with the Parsley and Tea leaves etc.

Great work.

Cheers,
Jeff.

 

[tonydawe]

G'day Roy and Jeff,

Thanks for your comments guys. I'm really enjoying the process of bringing this little piece of jungle alive. I picked up Woodland Scenics Realistic Water from my local hobby shop today, and intend to use it to create the swamp water at the bottom of the base. Anyone have any tips on using it??

Given that tomorrow is ANZAC Day, where Australian's and New Zealanders remember all those men and women who served, fought and died in wars, this figure has an extra level of significance for me at this time.

Lest we forget.

Cheers

 

[theseeker]

Lest we forget is correct! Too many people forget the sacrifice paid by the average Joe.
Your research has paid off in a big way with this guy! A very artistic and realistic approach.

Rocky

 

[ghamilt1]

I really am enjoying the step by step on the ground work Tony. This is going to look fantastic and should make a fitting tribute.

 

[tonydawe]

Rocky, Glenn, thanks very much for your kind words.

No new pics to offer you (wife stole the camera for the long weekend ) but I have made progress these last two days .

Figure and base have come together. Foliage has increased 100% and water effects are still drying. I've found a Tamiya 1/16th scale Japanese sword, as carried by a WW2 Field Officer, and I intend to place it under a fern.

I've also found a photo of a Japanese field sign post, as found along the Kokoda Track, which I've used for inspiration. I've also downloaded a picture of a butterfly, but I won't show you yet.

Cheers

 

[Mark S]

They sound like great supporting pieces your working on,Tony.
If that butterfly has the same effect as your small bird on your Maximus figure it'll be brilliant.

 

[tonydawe]

Final Pics

Hi guys,

Here are the final pics of my 150mm Australian Infantryman, New Guinea 1943. ,sculpted by Phil Walden.

Emerging from the swamp, a weary Digger starts climbing yet another muddy winding jungle path along the Kokoda Track. Under a fern tree he finds a Japanese officers' sword and a photo of his sweetheart abandoned in a hasty retreat.

There are seven butterflies on the base, see if you can spot them all

There are seven species of jungle plants (all made from paper).

The hand drawn sketch "Strecher Bearers" on the base comes from a book called "Jungle Warfare", which includes stories and drawings done by the soldiers deployed on active service in New Guinea.

I hope you like these pics. I have more, which I will send through shortly.

I look forward to any comments/ criticisms.

Cheers

 

[tonydawe]

More pics

Hope you enjoy.

Cheers

 

[megroot]

AWESOME
EXCELLENT WORK

Good work Tony.

marc