WIP Barbarossa - Jeff Shiu - 120mm

[Briggsy]

Nice fixes for problematic bits of equipment, especially the larger receiving hole, I'll have to remember that one.

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

Some very intricate work going on there.

Malc

 

[bigtodd]

Two bits:

View attachment 500858

0.5 mm hole with brass pin. This serves as a holder during painting and firms up the final fit on the figure.

To make these fit on the figure, I drill a three times bigger hole on the mounting location.

View attachment 500859

This seems like a wobbly fit, but at final mounting I plug the whole with fresh Magicsculp in which I press the pinned (painted) items. This allows some final manoevring of the items and creates a secure fit.

The thing that gave the hardest time is mounting the spadeand gas mask container, bit I’ll upload that during the weekend.

Hope this is informative.

Cheers
Adrian

Now I have a new trick to use!

 

[Ferris]

Slings & straps are the bane of my modelling life, I hate having to make them (the connectors especially) and painting them is always my least favourite part of any project. They are a massive and often frustrating chore, but can spoil the look of the whole figure if not done right (even if the rest of it is good).

- Steve

Same here Steve. I hated doing belts and slings, but as they are so important for the final look I started to force the love and aproach them as a model-in-a-model, taking time to get them right. And it turned out semi-hardened Magisculpt/Greenstuff is a really forgiving and realistic material to work with. Much easier than lead foil for example. And it has considerable strength. The arm/gun assembly I made for this figure is quite rigid.

One of the things I love Alpine Miniatures figures for is they come with a realistic resin sling that can be easily shaped after dipping in boiling water. This saves so much time. I still pin the ends with 0.3 or 0.5mm wire for a secure attachment to the weapon. Sometimes this even holds without glue, thanks to a bit of spring in the sling (that sounded nice).

Cheers
Adrian

 

[Ferris]

On to the gas mask canister. I had no idea how to attach the thing, as the figure and other equipment had no mounting slots or ‘sit’. Additionally, as this guy is running, it would look cool if it was ‘flying’ a bit, within space allowed by its mounts. But I couldn’t see me fixing it with Magicsculpt belts alone. This was one of the reasons this figure was shelved for so long.

After thinking about this little problem on the backburner for a long time I realized I could invisibly pin it right through the spade. This would solve the mounting issue for the spade in one go. I was so happy with this insight.

Here are some pics. First of upgrading the canister itself, as the kit-supplied one is a bit rough. I used one from the 1:16 Dragon kits, which is quite nice. I did add the closing mechanism (Magicsculpt),

belt holders and sharpened the grooves were they were too shallow due to the injection moulding.

Here’s the pin right through the bayonet/spade.

The gas mask canister has a 0.5mm hole for this pin:

And now I note I didn’t make a photo yet of the canister in position… will upload that the next time then!

I painted the spade after the photos and before mounting the canister.

Cheers
Adrian

 

[Briggsy]

Ingenious solution to often encountered issue, I think I'd have use the thick rigid foil from a tomato puree tube but even then it would be rather delicate.

Cheers Simon

 

[Steve Ski]

You're winning the fight on this one, Adrian. Ruck On, Bby!

 

[MalcC]

You're certainly smashing any issue that befalls you.

Malc

 

[Ferris]

You're certainly smashing any issue that befalls you.

Malc

Thanks. But it is more eroding issues than smashing them, really. A lot of result-less fiddling until the idea finally landed… but it’s all part of the hobby! And excellent thinking material during tedious meetings at work…

 

[Ferris]

Here are the pics after painting the spade/bayonet and with gas mask canister in position:

Slings will be like this:

The real thing:

Adrian

 

[Briggsy]

Elegantly done.

Cheers Simon

 

[Nap]

Hi Adrian

Just excellent thinking and detailed work on the container

The equipment looks great painted up look forward to seeing the gas strapping

Thanks for the good explanation and pictures

Looking forward to seeing more

Have fun at the bench

Nap

 

[MalcC]

Wish I could carry out that type of work.

Malc

 

[NigelR]

That is looking very good indeed. Nice work on the animation of the canister.

 

[Ferris]

Today managed to upgrade the mess tin, using 0.3mm and 0.5mm copper and brass wires (and some curses!).

The real thing:

 

[David Spencer]

A fascinating thread, and very high quality modelling.

 

[Nap]

A fascinating thread, and very high quality modelling.

Absolutely

Love seeing the super detailing of pieces ......hope there’s hot coffee or a good stew inside !

Great update Adrian

Looking forward to seeing more

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

Very nicely done, love small details like this. The modern (well 80's & 90's) German Army mess tins are the same I always found mine to be far better than the British issued stuff.

Cheers Simon

 

[Steve Ski]

Necessary scratch work on these figures is a given, good form all the way, Adrian!

 

[Joe55]

In this scale, if not already included in the sculpt, it's practically a must to have to add all those details. With Adrian's skills, we'll get to see a sharp looking gunner in the end.

Joe