Four Tommies and the Agony of the Somme

[Dan Morton]

Roger, my friend, the "shoveller" is yours! How about finding me some regimental and other insignia for all these fellas? Lots of units fought on the Somme. Marty hasn't expressed a preference, so...your choice.

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Thanks for the "shoveller". It reminds me of when I asked an ex soldier what regiment he had been in, he said they were known as the "coal house Fusiliers" because all they did was shovel coal all day. I never did find out what regiment it was.
I will email you with my choice of insignia. Don't worry it won't be too complicated I have to paint it.

Roger

 

[periklis_sale]

Daniel my friend thats a fantastic start, keep us posted!!!!!

 

[Dan Morton]

Periklis - Many thanks for your encouragement.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Christos]

Good start my friend!
best regards
christos

 

[vergilius]

a big projects. Enjoy te proces

 

[Dan Morton]

Chris and Vergilius - Many thanks for your encouragement!

All the best,
Dan

 

[yeo_64]

Rifle Straps

Hey Dan !
Is Pro-Create similar in properties to Duro ? If so, then you're on the right track by mixing the 2 ( Pro-Create and MS ) as the mixture will give the straps flexibility as well as strength. How about using lead/tin strips for the rifle straps ? Being metal, you could tension them to get the effect that you want. That's want I'd do if I were to recreate the scene myself. Just my 2 cents worth . Cheers !
Kenneth.

 

[Dan Morton]

Kenneth - Pro-create is just as flexible as Duro, maybe more so. I don't like it by itself but when mixed about 40% PC to 60% MS, the mix is very flexible, but sturdy and sticky like MS - the best of both worlds. I like using this mix much more than the Duro/MS mix. I tried that and thought it was much too sticky. I tried various mix proportions but could never get the bubble gum stickiness under control.

Good suggestion about the lead foil. I think I'll try both the mix of putties and the lead foil and see which one gives the best effect. I think I'll use just the putty on the figures themselves because I can make that look so much more like Pattern 1914 leather equipment.

I think one of the things I'm going to have to be very careful of is all the drapery and folds on the clothing. The folds must show the lifting and pulling tension. To complicate matters, they're all three wearing sheepskin or goatskin jerkins that won't show folds much. I'm working on just one of the figures now and I've made rather deep cuts into the jerkin where the leather harness and belt is being worn. Any other thoughts or tips?

All the best,
Dan

 

[yeo_64]

Fur

Hi Dan !
Thanks for the reply to my suggestion. For myself, I actually lubricate with a little bit of talcum powder on my finger tips to combat the stickiness of the MS/Duro mix. As for the fur effects, Mike Blank's book on how he sculpts figures has a few nice photos of re-enactors in fur that might give you some idea of how these items of clothing behaved when being worn. Alternatively, Google the fur images required for more ideas. HTH. Cheers !
Kenneth .

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Kenneth!

I have several photos like this one showing the jerkins. Some long-sleeved, some short-sleeved, some no sleeves. The guys in the illustration appear to be wearing short-sleeved ones. I think by working with the fur, the indentations, etc., etc. it should be possible to show some stress lines and folds in the jerkins. We'll see.

Try the PC sometime. I think you'll like it.

If you have any other ideas, please don't keep 'em to yourself!! I need all the help I can get!!

All the best,
Dan

 

[Robert Dominick]

Great idea for a vignette! This should look fantastic when finished!

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Robert! I very much appreciate your encouragement. I'm just making a bit of progress on the first figure - the wounded man. I think Roger and I have just about concluded that the figures should not have any regiment / division markings on their uniforms. The British army started introducing such markings in 1916 but it really wasn't widespread until 1917. So one have two stripes on his sleeves and another will have the bomber insignia on his sleeves. The goatskin or sheepskin jerkins they are all wearing with fur out would have covered division markings on the upper sleeve anyway.

All the best,
Dan

 

[eissteban]

hi Dan
What do you do ?
You work so slow
hé hé it's a joke ...
I am in a hurry to see the continuation

 

[Dan Morton]

:0 All things in their time, Esteban. Thanks for your encouragement. I'll try to post some progress photos this weekend. I had no idea this idea for a vignette would be so popular.

All the best,
Dan

 

[fbackaert]

Hello Dan,
Not a heasy choise, But keep on I think it will be a good one.
Fernand

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks Fernand! I appreciate your encouragement!

All the best,
Dan

 

[amcairns]

Looks good Dan

Gee Dan ,
You come up with some good ideas.Look forward to more progress.
Andy

 

[Dan Morton]

Andy - Many thanks! A lot of my "ideas" are just adapting the classic illustrations and photos of the Great War. There are so many it is a practically inexhaustible supply. Unfortunately I can't credit this illustrator because I can't find out his name! There's a reason why these illustrations and photos get published a lot - they grab people's eyes, tug at their hearts, make them wonder, make them think. And sometimes they seem to do the same things as figures. And that's what it's all about.

All the best,
Dan