Hi Neil
You've certainly made a great start on the figures in readiness for your return
Look forward to seeing more
Nap
You've certainly made a great start on the figures in readiness for your return
Look forward to seeing more
Nap
WIP Iwo Jima Dio 1-32 Scale
- Thread starter Merryweather
- Start date
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Merryweather
A Fixture
I decided to build and paint one of the Airfix US Marines 'Out Of The Box' (ALMOST), as a test to see how much of the original stuff I could actually tolerate...
The only deviations from OOTB are the addition of the helmet straps and carbine sling. And the grenades are my own 3D printed ones.
I have put up with the inaccuracy of using the rifle ammo pouches instead of carbine pouches which aren't supplied, and to be honest the pack ,meat pouch and shovel arrangement leaves a lot to be desired. As already discussed, the boots are all wrong.
It was very useful experiment from that point of view, and also from a painting point of view. I used ground up pastels for the weathering which came out better than I expected.
I tried a slightly different technique for painting the flesh this time too, essentially pre-shading and using very thin coats to build up and diffuse the edges of the darker colours. There's still a long way to go but it worked particularly well with the veins on the arms and backs of the hands, which I have never attempted before.
I have discovered a few more things that I will need to do to make them at least passing accurate, for instance all the figures will need pocket flaps removing (actually only those that can be seen, since most are face down...bullet dodged there), the addition of jacket skirts.; and I'll need eyelet holes in the waist belts where they can be seen ( I tried painting them but I wasn't very successful so I will have to drill them or hot needle them).
Also, I don't like the joint between the neck and the shirt collar so I will need to make those better disguised, because I like to paint the heads away from the figure.
So only 13 figures to do all that with....
There are some brilliant (crazy?) people out there who paint the HBT lines on their 1/35 USMC figures, but I do not intend to even TRY!
The only deviations from OOTB are the addition of the helmet straps and carbine sling. And the grenades are my own 3D printed ones.
I have put up with the inaccuracy of using the rifle ammo pouches instead of carbine pouches which aren't supplied, and to be honest the pack ,meat pouch and shovel arrangement leaves a lot to be desired. As already discussed, the boots are all wrong.
It was very useful experiment from that point of view, and also from a painting point of view. I used ground up pastels for the weathering which came out better than I expected.
I tried a slightly different technique for painting the flesh this time too, essentially pre-shading and using very thin coats to build up and diffuse the edges of the darker colours. There's still a long way to go but it worked particularly well with the veins on the arms and backs of the hands, which I have never attempted before.
I have discovered a few more things that I will need to do to make them at least passing accurate, for instance all the figures will need pocket flaps removing (actually only those that can be seen, since most are face down...bullet dodged there), the addition of jacket skirts.; and I'll need eyelet holes in the waist belts where they can be seen ( I tried painting them but I wasn't very successful so I will have to drill them or hot needle them).
Also, I don't like the joint between the neck and the shirt collar so I will need to make those better disguised, because I like to paint the heads away from the figure.
So only 13 figures to do all that with....
There are some brilliant (crazy?) people out there who paint the HBT lines on their 1/35 USMC figures, but I do not intend to even TRY!
Robert Jan de Wit
PlanetFigure Supporter
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2008
- Messages
- 635
Nice to read on your explorations on this project.
If you need reference, I use the Histoire et collections Marine corps book. It has everything you need to know.
Let me know.
What colour did you use on the uniform? It appears pretty dark and grey on my screen.
greets,
RJ
If you need reference, I use the Histoire et collections Marine corps book. It has everything you need to know.
Let me know.
What colour did you use on the uniform? It appears pretty dark and grey on my screen.
greets,
RJ
Merryweather
A Fixture
Thanks Robert Jan
Uniform colour is Vallejo886 Green Grey. I agree it's a bit dark, I got this from a wargames set of colour call-outs. Another good reason for the trial run.
Much as I like the idea of wear and tear and fading, it has to be remembered that my diorama will be as they have just left the Amtrack, so they will not be too dishevelled yet.
Steve Brodie
PlanetFigure Supporter
Kudos to anyone who can chop and change figures to create something else
Hi Neil
How's this project coming along ?
Hope we see more updates
Happy benchtime
Nap
How's this project coming along ?
Hope we see more updates
Happy benchtime
Nap
Steve Ski
A Fixture
The conversions are looking real good, Merryweather!
Merryweather
A Fixture
Merryweather
A Fixture
Actually I have done a little bit of gap-filling and detailing to some of the guys, so here's a couple of shots.
I tried making the eyelets in the belt with a hot needle but I didn't like the effect so i decided to try 3D printing one... that's it in the centre of the pic.
I've also done the 'logistics' and all the guys are fully kitted out with the correct equipment for their weapon.
And I've done some gaiters
They will have laces and straps once I've added the boot soles
And here's the first go at the 3D printed belt- it's a bit difficult to see the fine detail until it gets some paint on it, but I think it's going to work.
I expect I will do a bit more filling when I get back to the Fusiliers and I have spare Milliput to use up.
I've been making digital models of things like a K-bar knife and signal-wire reels-there are loads of them littered all over the beach, plus jerry cans and all sorts of other detritus.
thanks for watching
Neil
I tried making the eyelets in the belt with a hot needle but I didn't like the effect so i decided to try 3D printing one... that's it in the centre of the pic.
I've also done the 'logistics' and all the guys are fully kitted out with the correct equipment for their weapon.
And I've done some gaiters
They will have laces and straps once I've added the boot soles
And here's the first go at the 3D printed belt- it's a bit difficult to see the fine detail until it gets some paint on it, but I think it's going to work.
I expect I will do a bit more filling when I get back to the Fusiliers and I have spare Milliput to use up.
I've been making digital models of things like a K-bar knife and signal-wire reels-there are loads of them littered all over the beach, plus jerry cans and all sorts of other detritus.
thanks for watching
Neil
Warren SMITH
A Fixture
Fantastic start...
Hi Neil
Thanks for the updates , puttywork looking good in the pics , your 3D printer must be very useful and busy !
All kudos to you for having so many conversions on the go wether on back burner or not!
Enjoy the benchtime ...on whichever project
Nap
Thanks for the updates , puttywork looking good in the pics , your 3D printer must be very useful and busy !
All kudos to you for having so many conversions on the go wether on back burner or not!
Enjoy the benchtime ...on whichever project
Nap
Unusual to see an Iwo Jima diorama that is not based around the flag raising. It will be interesting to see how it develops, I really enjoy seeing diorama builds come together as it is not something I have ever had the space to get into myself. I just admire other peoples work.
The latest version of the Osprey Campaign series book Iwo Jima 1945 has a similar themed image on the cover.
The latest version of the Osprey Campaign series book Iwo Jima 1945 has a similar themed image on the cover.
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