Sculpture or Model in Bovington Tank Museum

[Dan Morton]

I saw the attached photo on Pinterest and a couple of other web sites, none of which gave any details about it other than it seemed to have something to do with shell shock.

So asked about it on Great War Forum and got an immediate response. It's a sculpture or model in the Tank Museum at Bovington. Certainly a powerful image and it has some gut-wrenching things to say about the end of human endurance.

I'm in the process of following-up on GWF asking about the model-maker and the scale. And anything else significant - maybe how it was made, when, what media was used, etc.

Anyone with information - would greatly appreciate it if you could fill in some of the blanks.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Windy]

Hi Dan,

It's a life size mannequin in a reproduction uniform and is a part of the WW1 display. He's in a funk hole on the left hand side as you enter the trench system. If you like I can pop over and get some photos at the weekend? I only live 5 miles from Bovy and get free entry to the museum!

Windy

 

[Joe55]

Hi Dan,

It's a life size mannequin in a reproduction uniform and is a part of the WW1 display. He's in a funk hole on the left hand side as you enter the trench system. If you like I can pop over and get some photos at the weekend? I only live 5 miles from Bovy and get free entry to the museum!

Windy

5 miles away!

I'd be getting me a job there even if its only greasing the road wheels !

Joe

 

[Windy]

5 miles away!

I'd be getting me a job there even if its only greasing the road wheels !

Joe

Maybe when I finally hang up my green suit! :-D

 

[Joe55]

Maybe when I finally hang up my green suit! :-D

If and when you do, let me know if you need help. I've got some black coveralls that were given to me by a Captain in the RTR !

Joe

 

[Dan Morton]

Windy - Thanks so much! I knew somebody would be able to answer the questions! Over on GWF, I think I've had two responding members say it was a period photo.

If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd like to take you up on your kind offer.

I'm considering trying to do a figure based on this. It's such a powerful image! Not exactly ideal as a 3D figure since the soldier is more than half enclosed by the funk hole, but I think worth a try.

For the photos, you don't need to concern yourself about the clothing, boots, etc., unless there are rank insignia, wound stripes, specialty emblems or unit insignia (collar or epaulette brass) that I can't see in the photo. I'm more concerned with the pose and position of the figure relative to the hole, the angles of the limbs, etc. I've only seen a single photo taken from one direction, so photos from different angles would be helpful. Close ups of the hands would also be very useful.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Windy]

No dramas Dan. I might be able to get over there on Friday. If not then definitely Saturday. Wait out!

As for the misinformed, I've given up trying to explain to people on Pinterest that it's a dummy!

Windy

 

[Viking Bob]

I have been there and overheard people saying " it's an actor, like one of them living statues! Son" honestly some people.

 

[Dan Morton]

So apparently according to a couple of "manikin hands" web sites, you can buy flexible, pose-able hands for manikins. Who knew?

To me, the hands don't look like typical manikin hands. That's what threw me aand made me think in terms of a life size sculpture.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Joe55]

Dan are you thinking perhaps of sculpting something similar?

Joe

 

[Dan Morton]

Dan are you thinking perhaps of sculpting something similar?

Yes, but in front of it I have a long list of 14 single figure projects [NO horses! ] and most are at least worked up to the armature, head, boots, hands and weapons stage. I'm trying something new - not exactly an assembly line approach, but a bit here, a bit there.

If I can ever get the hands fixed, I have one of the 14 figures finished - a Spanish Civil War 'Miliciana' woman soldier (not painted). Some photos of Miliciana attached.

If you're interested in doing something with the "Shattered Soldier" in the funk hole, press on. Please don't let me stop you.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Dan Morton]

Provided by a GWF friend, "seadog" this morning, another photo of the "shattered soldier" display at Bovington and a different display apparently nearby and apparently another manikin, etc. The GWF poster photos had a distinct greenish cast, probably from museum lighting. I took the liberty of removing the green and re-saved the photos in black and white.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Dan Morton]

Many thanks for posting these photos Windy!! They show some super details and are really helpful.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Windy]

No dramas Dan. Glad to be of help. And as I said, it's right on my doorstep anyway! By the way, the shoulder titles on the figures are exactly the same style as the Grenadiers one you posted.

Cheers,

Windy

 

[Windy]

Double post.

Windy