Cockleshell heroes- Blondie Hasler

[Grod]

Hello Folks
Some time ago I asked Dimitry (PF's Gaudin) to look at sculpting a 1/9th scale representation of the Cockleshell Heroes during Operation Frankton December 1942. He has now completed this sculpt which represents Blondie Hasler during the famous raid.
At the moment these castings are only available direct from me and for PF members the price is £35 which includes worldwide postage. The RM badge is included.
Anyone interested please contact me on [email protected]
Cheers
Gordon

 

[Richie]

Hi Gordon,
Very nice mate and something a little bit different, I bet it looks great painted up. Can't vouch for a likeness of Jose Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintron mind you, I'll have to watch Cockleshell Heroes again
cheers
Richie

 

[Colin_Fraser]

Very nice and natural sculpt. Nice to see it working as a bust and base.

 

[akaryu]

Original to say the least!

 

[Grod]

Hi Gordon,
Very nice mate and something a little bit different, I bet it looks great painted up. Can't vouch for a likeness of Jose Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintron mind you, I'll have to watch Cockleshell Heroes again
cheers
Richie

Always worth a watch Richie. Great film.
Gordon

 

[Gaudin]

It was quite a technical and artistic challenge to make it work visually within constrains of one bust/ boat, without rapidly and very easily expanding into full canoe, Sparks and limpets (which was also considered in early stages).
Whether I succeeded or not will be a matter of personal judgement and imagination, I reckon.
It is worth noting that side panel can be trimmed .

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

, Have I got things T's-up? on this piece. I do remember the original concept which did take some minor 'Flack', as regards the water-tightness between the torso and the canoe.

However, the canoe was more expansive, and interesting.

This 'cut-back', version does not seem to hold the same possible visual (s)..of the original thought.

Shame on those who 'Bleated'.

Mark.

 

[Grod]

, Have I got things T's-up? on this piece. I do remember the original concept which did take some minor 'Flack', as regards the water-tightness between the torso and the canoe.

However, this 'cut-back', version does not seem to hold the possible visual (s)..of the original thought.

Shame on those who 'Bleated'.

Mark.

Hello Mark
I do have another small triangular section which goes on the front of the canoe and includes a limpet mine which Dimitry also sculpted. Sparks was also another option to add behind Hasler but I haven't gone with that at the moment. Likewise I omitted the triangular section as I think it makes the canoe section just that little bit longer. I prefer this more condensed version. This is one of my own private projects and I'm obliged to Dimitry for the thought and effort he has put into it.
Cheers
Gordon

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Hello Mark
I do have another small triangular section which goes on the front of the canoe and includes a limpet mine which Dimitry also sculpted. Sparks was also another option to add behind Hasler but I haven't gone with that at the moment. Likewise I omitted the triangular section as I think it makes the canoe section just that little bit longer. I prefer this more condensed version. This is one of my own private projects and I'm obliged to Dimitry for the thought and effort he has put into it.
Cheers
Gordon

Ooo! Really. Now I am really intrigued.... This aspect I do like.

( As a future possibility ) .. Perhaps the rear of the canoe, with the associated character included!

Oh my! Think about it? A, one of a four stage kit.

Those that want the two central rowers, as a 'Vignette', are supplied. Those that want the 'The Full-Monty', are equally catered for.

Gaudin, Get your glasses back on and make it so.

Mark.

 

[Grod]

Ooo! Really. Now I am really intrigued.... This aspect I do like.

( As a future possibility ) .. Perhaps the rear of the canoe, with the associated character included!

Oh my! Think about it? A, one of a four stage kit.

Those that want the two central rowers, as a 'Vignette', are supplied. Those that want the 'The Full-Monty', are equally catered for.

Guadin, Get your glasses back on and make it so.

Mark.

Mark

I think we discussed a full canoe at one stage but that worked out at over a foot. Very difficult to know what would be a viable project.
Gordon

 

[ellie]

Very nice indeed well done to everyone involved.

Ian

www.elliesminiatures.com

 

[Bootneck]

When i first saw this figure I had some reservations as to wether it was accurate. I still have one or two niggles but on the whole have warmed to the figure.

At first the body of the figure seemed to sit too low in the cockpit likewise I did not like the single paddle. I now understand that when passing an enemy position the canoeists would slide down into the cockpit to present as low profile as possible also they would separate the double ended paddles and use in the manner depicted again to present a low profile and not have the paddle forming a silhouette as it is swung.

I still feel the point of the elasticated waisted jacket has been missed. This should fit over the cockpit to form a waterproof seal. I may be wrong on this point as I cannot work out the detail from the photographs.

Gordon the V shaped piece is the breakwater designed to deflect water away from the cockpit and I think what has been represented a a limpet mine should be a magnetic compass.

The cap badge is a great idea and I have had such from Gordon on other RM figures I have had from him but in this case it is wrong. The badge depicted is a Queens crown (current) it should be Kings crown. Also Hasler been a Major the crown an lion should be separate from the Globe & Laurel.

Sorry to be a rivet counter but worth pointing out.

Regarding the facial features I think it is an excellent representation of Major Hasler.

Peter.

 

[Grod]

When i first saw this figure I had some reservations as to wether it was accurate. I still have one or two niggles but on the whole have warmed to the figure.

At first the body of the figure seemed to sit too low in the cockpit likewise I did not like the single paddle. I now understand that when passing an enemy position the canoeists would slide down into the cockpit to present as low profile as possible also they would separate the double ended paddles and use in the manner depicted again to present a low profile and not have the paddle forming a silhouette as it is swung.

I still feel the point of the elasticated waisted jacket has been missed. This should fit over the cockpit to form a waterproof seal. I may be wrong on this point as I cannot work out the detail from the photographs.

Gordon the V shaped piece is the breakwater designed to deflect water away from the cockpit and I think what has been represented a a limpet mine should be a magnetic compass.

The cap badge is a great idea and I have had such from Gordon on other RM figures I have had from him but in this case it is wrong. The badge depicted is a Queens crown (current) it should be Kings crown. Also Hasler been a Major the crown an lion should be separate from the Globe & Laurel.

Sorry to be a rivet counter but worth pointing out.

Regarding the facial features I think it is an excellent representation of Major Hasler.

Peter.

Thanks for the input Peter. I take your points especially on the badge but it's the only one I have in my stash. I know Dimitry looked at making quite a few extras for the model including a special mine holder which was used to attach the mines to the sides of ships but when we decided against the full canoe these were put on hold.
Cheers
Gordon

 

[Nap]

Hi Gordon ,

That looks good what length is the actual canoe ?

Nice depiction of Hasler

Nap

 

[Gaudin]

Nap,

Mark 2 Cockleshell canoe - length 16', depth 18''; weight 90lb

When worked to 200mm scale, length was coming to about 52-53 cm.

 

[Bootneck]

Thanks for the input Peter. I take your points especially on the badge but it's the only one I have in my stash. I know Dimitry looked at making quite a few extras for the model including a special mine holder which was used to attach the mines to the sides of ships but when we decided against the full canoe these were put on hold.
Cheers
Gordon

Hi Gordon.

I believe you are correct not to over complicate the model with too much equipment. As posed he is enroute to the raid and all equipment would be stored inboard.
I would be interested in seeing the V shaped piece to see how it alters the dynamics of the canoe. I believe it would be visible on the length of hull portrayed.
Regarding the cap badge I don't think it would be too difficult to separate the crown & lion (Dog in a Basket) from the globe & laurels & with a bit of heat straighten out the top of the crown to form an arch.

Many thanks for producing a very interesting character figure.
Peter.

 

[Grod]

Hi Gordon.

I believe you are correct not to over complicate the model with too much equipment. As posed he is enroute to the raid and all equipment would be stored inboard.
I would be interested in seeing the V shaped piece to see how it alters the dynamics of the canoe. I believe it would be visible on the length of hull portrayed.
Regarding the cap badge I don't think it would be too difficult to separate the crown & lion (Dog in a Basket) from the globe & laurels & with a bit of heat straighten out the top of the crown to form an arch.

Many thanks for producing a very interesting character figure.
Peter.

Cheers Peter
I'll ratch out the parts and take some snaps for you.
Gordon

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Mark

I think we discussed a full canoe at one stage but that worked out at over a foot. Very difficult to know what would be a viable project.
Gordon

Its only 12''. Not really that big, in the grand scheme of things. A shame really, but as you say its difficult to know what would be the more popular choice with us awkward buggers.


Mark

 

[Grod]

Its only 12''. Not really that big, in the grand scheme of things. A shame really, but as you say its difficult to know what would be the more popular choice with us awkward buggers.


Mark

Got my sums wrong Mark it's 52cm - about 20 inches

 

[Mark S]

I reckon he should have a knife in his mouth.