British Soldier Northern Ireland 1980-ish

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the photo Gells, that'll come in useful as it looks like I'm going to have to do something with these arms if possible
Cheers
Jim

 

[Jimbo]

It's okay Roger I've got that sussed out now but thanks for the offer.
Cheers
Jim

 

[mil-mart]

Hi Jim great work in adding the legs looks a natural and well balanced pose. Following.

Cheers Ken

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks Ken, it's been bit of a bugger but I'm getting there with him, but looks like I need to look at the arms?
Cheers
Jim

 

[Jimbo]

Kev, thanks for the info on the hackle, it was just stuck on roughly but I'll take a little off the bottom of it.
Cheers
Jim

 

[billyturnip]

It's okay Roger I've got that sussed out now but thanks for the offer.
Cheers
Jim

Okay doke, if you change your mind for whatever reason the offer is still there. Nice work so far.

Roger.

 

[Scotty]

Hi Jim, can I just stick my tuppence in? The Black Watch didn't wear a cap badge with the TOS just a hackle and their TOS was a different shape to everyone else. In the Osprey british equipment 1908-2008 there is an illustration of a Black Watch soldier with their distinctive headdress. If you don't have it give me a shout and I'll send you a photo of it. these might help with the Glengarry, the back is lower than the front.
All the best with the rest mate.

 

[Jimbo]

Hello Scotty,
Superb, I'll be making good use of the photos, yes can you please send me a photo of the Black Watch headgear, much appreciated mate.
Cheers
Jim

 

[Gra30]

Hi Jim
Just one point, hope taken in the right way,the joint from pelvis to knee (s) looks a little long. It may be they need bulking, If bulked and with the more gathering at joints they may not look as long.
With the gathering and bend at the joints it's a tricky one I know as just finished some kneeling myself.
He is also leaning into the knee, not sure how to explain in words and probably easier to see what I mean.
Sorry for last minute, but you did ask and I am no expert.
To me it is knee brought slightly back and calf ,knee to boot extended possibly, left buttock area coming forward with the leg.
Always liked this bust
Best wishes to you
Gra

 

[moz]

I dont think the arms have been assembled as i first intended but there is also some definite shrinkage on the butt of the slr, this should be thicker.
As for carrying the SLR with the butt outside the shoulder, well i did two tours in northern ireland one for 12 months and one for four with 2nd battalion RRF, i can tell you that if you were on foot patrol for five hours unless the RSM was on patrol with you then the butt was laying across the forearm, if you had a long butt,( there were four sizes and an extra small arctic one )then the butt is going to be outside your elbow ( i`m talking plastic furniture here not the wooden stuff), incorrect carry, the belfast lean
and cowboy slung 58 belts were the norm as were tailored lightweights and combat trousers, this was the 80`s and sewn in creases and skin tight trousers were normal.
heres some pics.

I think this is a reenactor
original bust

me with drain pipe lightweights

 

[baronband]

Hi Moz, i bet your RSM didn't see those boots of yours did he?

 

[moz]

They were my best pair!
heres another pic of an improper carry in Northern ireland, its a Royal Marine so you would expect as much

and a driver i think, dirty pig!
View attachment 120655

and very naughty a magazine carry

 

[Gra30]

Cheeky git Moz
You knew I would be looking
Great pic and thanks for showing, I asked when I saw you if you had any during your past career.
I remember getting measured for my first butt at deal :-0
Best wishes mate

 

[Jimbo]

Gra
Thanks mate, I'll take a look at those issues, must admit though I think I'm coming to the end of my endurance on this one now

Moz,
Thanks for your input on this, it's put a few issues to rest with regards to carrying the SLR, also the arms were only blue tacked together so I must admit they were not properly located which more then likely made things look a bit odd.
Cheers
Jim

 

[moz]

Just cus i couldn`t resist,
this is me with a small butt!Trying to get as much metal as i could from an SLR without it being missed so i could weigh it in for scrap.

 

[JasonB]

I guess to me, the position of the arms is relative to the context of whats happening. If walking casually or standing, and trying to hold the rifle in whats most comfortable when tired, I would guess anything goes that you can get away with. But this fig, being in a kneeling position and looking around the corner of a wall, strikes me as being in a more immediate threat situation and should look more ready for action. Bringing the rifle up to the shoulder fits with that I think.
And damn, talk about form hugging pants. I was in the USMC in the 80's and early 90's, and can't imagine having to walk around in those form fitters!

 

[moz]

Yes your right of course, the bust was a top half of a patrolling figure in my mind. The tight trousers did have a purpose, petrol bombs were all the rage on a mid week night in belfast circa 1980, big loose pants were not as easy to put out as someone just running their hands down your legs, search style to get them out like you could with skinny fit, although we had fire extinghuishers for the purpose on the pigs they were empty nine times out of ten.

 

[Helm]

If they weren't empty they'd usually been weighed in for scrap Moz

Steve

 

[Jimbo]

Hey jimbo...have you torn all your hair out yet....lol....great pictures Moz oh for the days when we all had a small butt...tee hee

I didn't have any to start with mate!
Jim

 

[Nap]

I didn't have any to start with mate!
Jim

Or a small butt eh my little cuddly friend


Nap ...built for comfort not speed