'The Kid'

[Ray]

Here's another new one, still warm it was only finished half an hour ago. Like the rest this one is 1/48 scale. He's modeled on the kid from the Chaplin film 'The Kid'. I hope you guys like him, he's now my current favorite and I think the best I've ever made in this small scale. And he is really tiny, only 31/32nds (24 mm) high from the bottom of his heals to the top of his hat.

Materials used, armature made from an old 3/16" scale figure resin casting (just the shoulders and hips), annealed brass wire for spine, and long bones, more A+B than usual in that his face was made with this stuff along with the usual armature build up. I guess I used A+B for this little guys face mostly because I was in the process of building up a couple of armatures at the time and it was handy. The bulk of the sculpting was done with MS + GS, and the eyes-as usual-are brass balls.

Ray

 

[Bert Takken]

Only 24 mm. Gee, man, just must have very good eyes and very tiny fingers. It's unbelievable you get so much details on it

BertUS

 

[gordy]

Very cool Ray!

Pardon me if I missed an earlier post, are all these small figs for a diorama or project you are working on ?

 

[1969]

Ray you just surpassed yourself mate, exellent result and my favourite so far.

Steve

 

[Ray]

Bert,
That's real tiny fingers and really big eyes. I'd show you but it is kind of embarrassing.

Gordy,
That's okay-they're for a manufacturer and retailer of model rail road figures here in the states. Several of the figures I made earlier this year were for a guy in the same line of business in New Zealand (British subjects, this latest lot are all North American subjects though the two are roughly interchangeable). I would like it if all these little guys were for my own use but they are not. Making stuff for myself just doesn't seem to pay very well.
Perhaps my favorite thing about making 1/48 scale figures is that working in 1/32 scale afterward is always improved, and seems easy, and the figures appear downright HUGE.

Steve,
As always, thank you I really appreciate it this kind of thing helps keep me at it.

Now the big question is-and I've already asked my buyer-would it be worth while making another Chaplin figure to go with this little guy. What do you guys think?


Ray

 

[mil-mart]

Ray, again great sculpting ( even smaller ) it's definately the " Kid " , so on that basis, I'd vote you've got to do a Chaplin figure.

Cheers Ken

 

[fanai]

Ray you have cracked that sculpt of Jackie Coogan - I agree with Steve - one of my favs - what is the name of the NZ business so I can order some of your figures- ( maybe even give them Bear Heads )

 

[Ray]

Thank you Ken, I guess your one vote is enough for a second Chaplin figure because I'm posing him now.

Ian,
There are actually two manufacturers of my figures in New Zealand. Unfortunately, neither has a web site. The main company is; Classic Commercials, they sell mostly by mail through a distributer/retailer in Britain-I don't know the name or address of this company but could put you in touch with the Kiwi off line if you like, the owners name is Paul. The second company is, Buffalo Landing (these are logging figures) this guy sells mostly word of mouth and over e-bay because apparently the logging modelers have a kind of fraternity and work with each other that way. This guy is Maurice and he's really nice to deal with. Since these two company's are really cottage businesses with the usual limitations or business and personal contact information blended I wouldn't like posting it live without first asking their permission. However, if a few people here request it I'll find out from Paul and Maurice their preferences for retail contact and post it here.

There is another American company too, this one is in Oregon named, Builders in Scale this guy has a web page; http://www.builders-in-scale.com/ None of these figures is newer than ten years, the company changed hands and the new owner and I haven't worked out a mutually agreeable exchange, yet. Besides I understand that he doesn't like doing the mold work for figures. Can't blame him really because I despise mold making myself. This guys name is Clint, he's really quite nice.

If you were interested in HO scale figures I made about 12 sets for Woodland Scenic’s, they're the ones that don't look like cartoon characters. I think they've also turned some of the figure sets into N and O scale, but don't know which ones or how many. These are all injection molded figures with the limitations in detail and fidelity. The originals were 1/32nd scale and were pantographed down to the smaller scales for production.


Ray

 

[fanai]

Thanks ray - yes I know builder in scale - have several of the detail sets over the years for my layout - Also know about the Logger being a 'Family" have met quite a few of them in Australian through the Narrow Gauge Conventions here. I have had similar problem with a figure range I mastered - poorly molded and cast as - was his first doing these - like you I love 'making' the masters but hate mold making
Please send me you email me and we will talk off line
Ian

 

[fanai]

Here is a painted one of Rays lovely sculpts

I will still be working on the face as when blown up to larger the face is too old - mind you at 25mm tall it is avery very tiny face

 

[Ray]

Ian,
Thanks for posting those shots of the kid in color, I'll be looking forward to seeing him in his final finish. It's really nice to see one of my little people painted, makes it all seem worth while that way.


Ray