Royal Marine Commando, Falklands - WIP

[1969]

I can see your dilema mate with the bergen, something just doesnt look right and i think its down to the sculpting.
The thing causing the problem is that 58 pattern sleeping bag stuck on the bottom of it which to me is odd and i cant ever remember seeing it attached in this way as there isnt any attachment for it at the bottom of the bergen unless you tie it on with some straps or string.It also looks like the metal frame from the bergen goes down past the main pack which is wrong, it stops at the bottom of the pack and has two `D` shapes coming out to the side to contour the back.
I wouldnt loose the kidney pouches on the webbing mate as these would be inplace and needed when the bergen is ditched. I would remove that sleeping bag as the bergen should sit snuggly above those kidney pouches, the sleeping bag should be on top of the bergen or in it which was probably unlikely due to the ammount of rations and ammo being carried.

These Sf/Para bergens are very similar to the `Alice` pack mate which you may be familiar with.

hope this helps you out

Steve

 

[housecarl]

Tony, the Bergen looks as if it has been sculpted to long. The frame usually just encloses the "bag" aspect of the Bergen. A bit of surgery required.
Carl.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Steve and Carl,

Thanks so much for your rapid response fellas.

I had a feeling a couple of old soldiers like yourselves would get me squared away.

The metal frame around the bergen is too long. It should rest comfortably in the small of the back. What I'll do is follow your suggestions and remove the sleeping bag and resculpt the metal frame to come out under the main pack. The kidney pouches will need to be resculpted too as they are moulded on to the main pack and are connected to the underside of the sleeping bag.

Steve, during my time in the Army we didnt use metal framed Alice packs, but the unframed US 1968 variety (Field Pack Large, 1 for the uses of) with the quick release attachment on the shoulder straps. I hardly ever carried a sleeping bag as they were too bulky and took up room that could otherwise be used for carrying rations and ammo.

Presumably Paras and RM Commandos in the Falklands carried the same style of bergen, so Carl's reference illustration is relevant to my figure.

Thanks once again boys. Good job, well done.

 

[gothicgeek]

Tony!

great work on the figure so far and sorry to see your having problems with the bergen.

still following



Mark

 

[1969]

Presumably Paras and RM Commandos in the Falklands carried the same style of bergen, so Carl's reference illustration is relevant to my figure.

Yes mate the SAS,Paras and Marines were issued the same bergen as shown in Carls illustration which depicts a Marine or Para in the Falklands.
I Know what you mean about ditching your sleeping bag to make room for rations and ammo, i did the same when on tour in Australia with 3RAR and had many a cold night to regret it

Figure is coming along real nice mate, looking forward to seeing it complete and on its base.


Steve

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Mark and Steve, thanks for your comments and encouragement guys.

I've removed the sleeping bag and the kidney pouches from the bottom of the bergen and replaced the metal frame with a new one made from a paper clip.

As you can see from the attached pics, the bergen now sits well on the back of the figure, with no gaps.

Now I have to resculpt the kidney pouches from Super Sculpey.

 

[housecarl]

Looks like you adjustments have done the trick Tony.
Carl.

 

[1969]

That bergen is fitting really nice now mate and looks more natural now.

The metal frame ended at the bottom of the bergen on the inner side so the paper clip part should not be on there mate, i have found an image of the bergen from front and back to give you an idea of the frame. From the rear all you should see is the pack and the two small `D` s that curve round the kidney area.

Sorry if this messes your plans mate just thought i would point it out before you go further.

Steve

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Carl, it certainly fits much better now.

Hi Steve, thanks once again for taking an interest in helping me. It really is appreciated.

I've just taken the bergen out of the oven where I've been heat curing the Super Sculpey. I've added a lot of volume to the bottom of the pack to cover the paper clip and to add the horizontal padding across the top and bottom of the pack.

I haven't added the two "D's" but they can be added later. I'll post some pics soon. Thanks once again for your encouragement and assistance.

 

[housecarl]

This bergen is causing you more suffering than tabbing with one. LOL.
Carl.

 

[Andreas W.]

your painting is great!

I really like it!



take care


Andreas

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Carl, not quite mate, but almost. I think I've now resolved my problems with the bergen. I still wouldn't fancy carrying one on my back for any distance though.

Hi Andreas, thanks very much for your kind comments.

I've now replaced the kidney pouches with two new ones I sculpted out of Super Sculpey. I've also remodelled the bottom of the bergen, removed the sleeping bag and added new straps to the side pouches. The bergen and the kidney pouches have just been base coated at this stage and I've also base coated the mittens.

Now that I've fixed the problem with the bergen, it's full steam ahead.

 

[tonydawe]

"Crack On"

I've been "cracking On" with this figure tonight.

Shading and highlighting on the bergen and belt kit, and base coating the rifle.

Still some upper highlights to add and some shadow washes to boost the dark spots.

Its now time to consider the groundwork and base.

 

[Dan Morton]

Beautifully done Tony!!

All the best,
Dan

 

[housecarl]

Tony, after the dramas you've had with the bergen. I don't want to say the kidney pouches fasten like this. Just a small point, looking good though.
Carl.

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks Dan, I always appreciate your comments mate.

Cheers Carl,

I've already started work on changing the kidney pouches to match your pics. Thanks for your help.

 

[davidmitchell]

Looking good Tony, will be interesting to see what you do with the groundwork.

Cheers David

 

[1969]

I admire your effort to get this piece correct Tony, even though it has meant many changes along the way although i think it will be well worth the end result.

All the best mate,

Steve

 

[kansas kid]

Lovely job on this one, Tony. And you've seen it thru to the end. A most
impressive figure. And everything really looks so good. Especially impressive
is the painting of the camo pattern. And regards to all your changes with the
pack equip. he carries, I really admire your discipline.

Rick

 

[tonydawe]

Hi David, Steve and Rick, thanks very much for your comments guys. I do try to be as accurate as I can with my figures, particularly when there's plenty of reliable reference material available.

I must admit I've been struggling a bit with this figure lately. First it was the bergen pack not fitting properly, then I had to rescuplt the kidney pouches, and then I had to change the fasteners on the kidney pouches because of Carl.

Here you can see my latest pics. I haven't started on the groundwork yet, as I broke the barrel on the rifle last night and have to repair it and repaint it before I can move on to the base. D'Oh.