Baron sur Odon

[Barke02]

Hi all,

This is a new post to follow on from 'Do we need another Wittmann' in the sculpting forum which I felt was misleading.

Sorry to be a pain in the arse, but for the sake of historical accuracy I felt it was important.

I've been meaning to do a dio based on Villers-Bocage for a while, and after purchasing Dan Taylor's book 'Villers-Bocage through the lense', I decided on two dioramas, one based on the morning engagement and one based on the afternoon.

A quick note about Wittmann and Villers-Bocage (don't forget in French it is a silent 's' so it's pronounced Viller-Bocage), no single book sums up the whole story....and the internet has blown the whole thing into an embarrassing mis-interpretation of history.....read others interpretations with caution! Wittmann and Villers are now a computer game, the battle can be fought over and over with more casualties and blood letting than the Somme!

Anyway, here's the original photo the dio is based upon....

 

[Barke02]

So, who do we have here?

L to R: Hein von Westernhagen, Wittmann's superior, CO of s.SS-Pz.Abt.101 Abt (Wittmann was later killed in von Westerhagns own Tiger 007), 'Sepp' Dietrich, CO I SS Pz Korps, Wittmann, CO 2 Kompanie s.SS-Pz.Abt.101, 'Bubi' Weiser Ia I SS Pz Korps.

Here's a few images I gathered for my research..

Top row...Von Westerhagen....don't forget he was Wittmann's boss.

Second row...Wittmann.

Plus a few other shots to show Wittmann's Luftwaffe flak overalls...

 

[Barke02]

Here's how far I've got with the first dio.....if your camera doesn't do macro.....you can always scan 'em! Which is exactly what I've done!

 

[Barke02]

Here's the backs...

 

[Barke02]

Wittmann's nose..

 

[Barke02]

bit of a hunch..

 

[Barke02]

Wittmann's Luftwaffe flak overalls, and rare dot camo..

 

[Renéduret]

I think you did a perfect nosejob, Jonathan.
I'm curious what photos you did use in particular to get your result.
Are there some Wittmans done before that do not match your point of view?
Or did you use some of them to get a little headstart.

good luck with your setting.
René ( who's hoping to catch Michael one day in my own buste)

 

[T50]

Thanks for posting those nice pics!
Watching the progress with interest...

 

[1969]

You definitely done your research here mate and i am looking forward to seeing this one develop more, looks a very interesting project.

What scale...120mm ?

Cheers mate

Steve

 

[housecarl]

The folds look well Jon. Are you going to finish this one?
Carl.

 

[Barke02]

I think you did a perfect nosejob, Jonathan.
I'm curious what photos you did use in particular to get your result.
Are there some Wittmans done before that do not match your point of view?
Or did you use some of them to get a little headstart.

good luck with your setting.
René ( who's hoping to catch Michael one day in my own buste)

Thanks Rene, and good luck with your own bust.

There are a lot of Wittmann figures out there, and I think some of them are misleading. It's all very well to use the name of an actual historical figure to boost sales of a product, but it should not misrepresent them. Perhaps I'm being too critical, but I don't like to see poor research.

Here's some examples of figures that I think don't hit the mark. The smiling figure is 1/35th, so I can probably let AFV Club off, as it must be quite difficult to get a likeness in that scale. The Dragon figure is also 1/35th, I just don't like it. The figures in the Tiger turret are 1/9th, so there's no excuse, they just didn't do the research. I think the 1/6th figure really should be able to capture a likeness in this scale, but you wouldn't recognize him in a line-up. Even the scar on his chin has become a wart. Take away the black panzer uniform, take away the name, and these figures just aren't Wittmann.

Am I been too critical? What do you think?

 

[Barke02]

Thanks Taesung, and yes Steve it's 1/16th so Wittmann (who was 1.76m) is 110mm. Couldn't find out how tall Dietrich was though, so I had to guess it.

Carl, of course I'll never finish it! Why break a habit! He He!

 

[Barke02]

Here's some more shots, apologies for the ones out of focus. First up is Josef 'Sepp' Dietrich. I tried and failed to find anything about his tropical uniform, so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. Although in the Buron sur Odon photo it looks like his uniform carries no insignia, the other photo shows it did.

 

[Barke02]

Here's my interpretation of Wittmann.

 

[gothicgeek]

Thats some nice research!


Following with interest, please carry on



Mark

 

[Barke02]

Heinz Von Westernhagen.

 

[Barke02]

Cheers Mark,

Finally Hermann 'Bibl' Weiser, adjutant I SS Panzer Korps.

 

[billyturnip]

Jonathan, although not a subject I'm particularly interested in or would choose to paint I do find your research interesting and it does go to show that no matter what the subject taking the time to find multiple references is worth the effort. Keep 'em coming.

Roger.

 

[Barke02]

Cheers Roger, I've always thought research was half the fun!

Here's the beginnings of the 'box art', something I like to do mid-week on a school night when I'm not sculpting.

Cheers,
Jon.