on the firing line

[btavis]

I had done both the French and Prussian kits stock when they first came out. Here is the Prussian one.

 

[Jason W.]

Bob! That is AWESOME! Thanks for posting it.

Please show the French version.

Great stuff!

 

[btavis]

The French version had some conversion work done to it and a Wolf Civil War figure I converted to a French Colonel holding the flag. I think the figures on the firing line are straight stock. This is stuff from four years ago I did when I first got back into modeling and is not quite up to snuff to me now. You cannot see them but there are two wounded guys on the ground.

I still have about eight or nine of these kits left and pick one up on E-bay every once in awhile just to have a stock of the weapons and accessories. The actual figures leave a lot to be desired but they they can be used for conversion pretty easily. The French bayonets are beauties though but very delicate. I really wish I could get hold of a German Podweil rifle which next to the Dreyse was pretty common issue. The Chassepots are worth having the kits alone. I wish Metal Models would release Chassepots individually like they did the Lebels I used for the Taxi dio. Bruno Lebovitz said he would think about it :angry:

Jason, have you ever seen the Defense of Longboyou Gate by Franceso Terlizzi? It is a dio done after the great De Neuville painting that was shown at European shows last year and was on one of the covers of Soldatini last year. I will try and scan it for posting next week when I get back to work and get hold of the scanner. It is magnificent and I wanted to buy it. I believe he also used parts from these kits as well as scratchbuilding most of the figures.

 

[Jason W.]

Originally posted by btavis@Apr 9 2004, 07:39 PM
have you ever seen the Defense of Longboyou Gate by Franceso Terlizzi? It is a dio done after the great De Neuville painting that was shown at European shows last year and was on one of the covers of Soldatini last year.

Bob,

First let me say thank you for posting these pics. It's great to see the Franco-Prussian War subjects in miniature. You did a great job! Are you going to MFCA or Chicago? You should bring them, I would love to see'em in the flesh.

Yes, I have seen Terlizzi's Longboyou dio. Wonderful piece!

Yes, the ICM fig's would be great to convert. Lots of neat pieces. The weapons are cool too, but I know someone who could do them better (hint Gary )

I appreciate your sharing of these pic's.

 

[btavis]

Oh yeah, if Gary would do a Podweil (I have some nice pics as reference, Gary hint, hint) that would be outstanding. His weapons are so well done. Maybe if we get some more praise going he might be moved to indulge us

I love the FP War and have studied it considerably to the point where I have invested a good deal of money in securing many wonderfully illustrated (and expensive) books of the period from a French militaria importer I know from New York. I really should scan the images from these unique books and share them with you as you (and probably Wayne as well) would really appreciate them more than anyone else I know. Too bad we don't live closer

As to going to MFCA and Chicago, yes I am going but unfortunately not with these FP War pieces I plan on revisiting the period once I get through the projects I already have planned for the year. I have learned a great deal more about the period and subject and have some better ideas that are more in keeping with the scratchbuilding style I have been trying to develop recently. I very much enjoy the efforts you have done with the period and look forward to seeing them in person and getting a chance to talk with you at length. Keep it up as I am a big fan.

I must tell you a funny story about Bill Horan. I remember many years ago on MMHQ forum there was a discussion about the FP war by some of the members and at that time Bill was just starting to get interested. In one of the only times I have ever seen Bill participate in an online forum he expressed his burgeoning interest in the period and one of the members said, "Oh come on Bill don't to that. Some of us still like the period!"

Nevertheless, I must say that there is room enough for all of us and I think Bill would be the first to agree wholeheartedly.

 

[garyjd]

Bob, Send me the scans!

You know what I'm really looking for are measurements for the weapons (not metric). Military Illustrated did an article on needle rifles with some great line drawings and I do not recall them mentioning overall measurements for the weapons. I'll bring the CW figures and weapons I'm presently working on so you can get a better look.~Gary

 

[btavis]

Gary, will do. Incidentally, here is a nice page of color pics of the Podweil. It is stated that the overall dimension was 51 inches.

 

[btavis]

The Werder was a nother nice Bavarian rifle from that same web site.

 

[btavis]

Here is a picture of a Vetterli (Swiss) needle gun from this web site.

And another website with a Dreyse in somewhat poorer condition.

 

[btavis]

Gary, there are some forums where questions about dimensions can be either found or you can ask experts.

Antique Firearms is one.

 

[waynetcolorado]

I have collected several articles on the Chassepot and Dreyse. These appeared over ten years ago in Military Illustrated and Les Uniformes. Both have detailed line drawing as measurements. One of the articles on the Dreyse reads like a Field and Stream article as they actually test fired on of these babies.

Now if we can just get someone to make masters (preferably resin....)

Wayne

 

[Jason W.]

Here's some more progress pic's. At the rate I was going, I now feel like I'm going too sloooowww :lol:

fleshing out

Now the real fun starts! Making of the greatcoat skirts

Thanks for lookin

 

[John Long]

Looks really good so far Jason. I like that method you've used to pin the kneeling figure. I tried to do that on my RR's, but I wasn't as clever as you putting one pin up the whole leg.

How's the plastic feet thing working out? It looks like it's working out pretty well. Care to elaborate?

 

[Jason W.]

Thanks John!

What I wanted was a good foundation for all the putty pushing on the top part of the shoe, and a nice flat underside for the sole. What I did was apply putty to the top and heel, let it cure, then carve, file and sand to the desired effect.
This is bascially an experiment. Not sure if I like it. Next time I may try a thicker plastic.

 

[garyjd]

Jason, Very nice. Don't worry about going slow. I'm the "poster boy" for slow, so anything faster than what I'm capable of is fast.~Gary

 

[RobH]

Jason

Am loving where this one is going! Getting me very inspired to do a Normandy Hedgerow scene; yours could so easily transform to that timeframe




Rob

 

[jitch0t]

hey Jim, looks great, you say that's being slow? hehe

the trousers look great, nice folds.

can't wait for next pics!

 

[btavis]

Looking good Jason.

 

[Jason W.]

Originally posted by garyjd@Apr 13 2004, 05:21 AM
Don't worry about going slow.

Thanks Gary, Rob, Daniel and Bob!

I guess I'm looking at "things" more carefully. Not in a hurry, just a little more thought and planning, has to go into this one.

 

[Joe Hudson]

Hey Jason,

I think that your work is getting better with each new one, Will you have it for MFCA? If it is not finished you should still bring it and display it so we can see it.

Joe