WIP Calgary Highlanders Sniper WWII

[Ray Welshman]

For those Canadians out there most will recognize this picture of a Sniper from the Calgary Highlanders from WWII. Very unique uniform, a denison smock, gurkha knife, binos, sniper rifle etc. I've always wanted to do this subject and finally started. I'm using the old DML British Red Devil as a base for the torso, spare verlinden head, and parts from the Verlinden Para sniper. The final pose will be this guy resting his rifle on his right knee looking through his binos out a ruined window. I'm thinking right now a church window with broken stain glass. This time I will be treating the base as almost its own initiative.

I think I may have ruined the pocket on the left so will most likely redo that this week.

Thoughts, comments always welcome.

Cheers

Ray

 

[Blind Pew]

This is an intriguing project.
In my experience, if you think something needs re-doing then re-do it. It'll always bug you otherwise.

 

[Blind Pew]

BTW that bloke in the photo looks a real mean devil... he means business, I'm glad he was on our side!

 

[Ray Welshman]

Lol yea its coming off tomorrow. I think I hit it with my finger when I was doing the head scarf and the putty wasnt fully dry. Not a big deal to re do.


Yea apparently these guys were pretty effective snipers


Cheers

Ray

 

[Nap]

Nice one Ray ........looking forward to seeing more

Great subject ...who is the actual sniper?

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[Jimmy S]

http://www.calgaryhighlanders.com/history/highlanders/1939-45/scouts.htm

 

[BarrieHynd]

Ray, don't know if you knew that this figure was released a while back by a U.K. based company whose name escapes me at the moment. Think it was 1/35th scale as was the rest of their range.
You are doing a great job though and this way will make it your own.
Barrie

 

[Ray Welshman]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. Barrie I heard or saw somewhere the 1/35th scale version however my favorite scale is 1/16th or 120mm and really like doing conversions/scratch builds. Jimmy S thanks for sharing the link.

Cheers

Ray

 

[gothicgeek]

Inside the armour do this guy in 1/35th

Nice idea for a conversion, following...

 

[housecarl]

Harold Marshall.
Excellent idea Ray.

 

[BarrieHynd]

Inside the armour do this guy in 1/35th

Nice idea for a conversion, following...

That's the one Mark, just couldn't remember who did it.

Barrie

 

[sd0324]

Look forward to seeing this one done Ray. Great idea.




Steve Deyo

 

[Ray Welshman]

Hi There,

I managed to get to the bench to get some more done on this guy. Ive gotten the lower torso completed and the basics around the smock done as well.

I use Miliput terracota to flesh out the limbs then a mixture of GW green stuff and miliput superfine for the detail. I use the same GW green stuff with aves as well.

Right now just put the wire in for the arms and working on the final pose.

Just a note when I started this guy I had no armature wire. I had lots of old TV cable wire around. It has a protective coating, then a wire mess then a plastic cover around copper. I stripped away the the protective outer and wire mess and just kept the plastic covered copper wire. I then trimmed enough copper away so I can attach the limbs. It bends fairly easy and unlike regular wire gives you the start of a shape to put putty on.

Comments/criticisms welcome

Cheers

Ray

 

[tiberius57]

Nice progress, Ray! Is coming along very nice!
When done this will be a tip-top piece!
Cheers,
Zeno

 

[ChaosCossack]

Starting to flesh out nicely...

Will follow along closely

Colin

 

[Ray Welshman]

Thanks Colin, Zeno

Im hoping to have it ready for priming by next week. Im still having some trouble with the right arm, getting it lined up properly. I'll be starting the base soon.

Cheers

Ray

 

[ghamilt1]

Is this all you've managed since we got back from Chicago?! I have almost two of the four figures I picked up finished. We must convene a meeting of the Northern Alberta Figure society soon, because I need your input on how to paint a husky.
On a more serious note, this conversion looks first rate. There's one thing I'd like to suggest if I may. It seems as though the position of the sholder is a bit low. I wonder if it shouldn't be a bit higher on the torso, as this might save you a bit of work later down the road. Looking forward to seeing it in person.

 

[Ray Welshman]

Glenn,

Lol yea been busy but now the snow is here I will have more time. Good point about the shoulder that may be why im having trouble with alignment. I will take a look.

Im up for a get together, send out the email, maybe I'll bring one of my huskies lol.

Cheers

Ray

 

[fabrizio1969]

very nice wip