Completed Trench Sections

[Andrew Belsey]

How about this for a 54mm figure!!!
Mike Butler has excelled himself with the work he has done on this conversion from Tommy's War's Lewis gunner. He was given a Hornet head and his arms were re-positioned by me. He has a new Lewis made by Kellerkind and his gas mask hose revealed. Mike had to rebuild him as he didn't travel to NZ well! Mike also enhanced him, as he does, carving into sleeves and adding shirts etc. He gave his Brodie a cloth cover and helmet liner.
We have called him Harry after Harry Patch who was a No.2 in a Lewis team, so he has badges for the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He will go on my reversed trench model, along with 'Bob', the officer with the folding periscope.
They now have to make the journey back to Blighty, so your prayers would be valued.
THANKS is not enough Mike. To say working with you is a pleasure is an understatement.
Andy

 

[Nap]

Hi Andy

A like is not enough ....stunning artwork by Mike and great to call him Harry Pstch as a tribute

The textures Mike achieves and sheer accuracy is hard to believe on 54mm ......they look just as amazing in larger pictures

Thanks for sharing

Nap

 

[fogie]

Got to agree with Kev...an absolute masterclass. Formidable work.....brilliant !!!!

Mike

 

[grasshopper]

Mike had the on his Patreon and was very enjoyable to share the evolution of this wonderful piece..as always Mike is master of expression and textures

 

[Andrew Belsey]

This was Harry before being converted. They are in a captured trench and the officer has just spotted a counter-attack coming, so Harry is psyching up for some more action. Hence the readiness that Mike put into the expression on that wonderful face.
Andy

 

[Andrew Belsey]

Harry and Bob finally made the journey from New Zealand back to Blighty yesterday (5 weeks!!)
I took some photos of them on my Somme bases before adding them to the section that they will live on. Seeing Mike's paintwork up close is wonderful and it is only appreciated when you look at it under magnification to understand how good it is!
This is Harry

and Bob

Here are some pictures of them in their new home, where they were destined for. They are in a reversed German trench which they have just captured but they are just about to receive a counter attack, before they make themselves too much at home.

(These figures are converted Tommy's War figures so not available in this form.) Mike's wonderful paintwork brings these little fellas to life in a way I can only dream of achieving. THANK YOU Mike!!

This is the tenth and last of my section models.
Andy

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

They both look good I there new home Andy.
Pleased you could flip it around to show both sides.
Relieved all safe & sound now.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[PropBlast]

Fantastic work as always from both of you. You should both be very proud. Any news on the release date of the book Andrew?

 

[grasshopper]

Holy ..that’s so good..I’d use profanity based superlatives but not on PF..

 

[Steve Ski]

This is crazy, 1/35th with this amount of detail, simply amazing, Andrew! Mike, incredible life into those figures, you're a Master at these lil guys. This is going to be one heck of a collection for the books, bar none!

 

[Mirofsoft]

 

[Nap]

One word

FANTASTIC

..a couple more ...hard to believe the scale ...textures are to dream for and the ground works the same

The book will be on my shelf for sure .....great collaboration between 2 fine artists

Thanks for pics Andy

Nap

 

[TERRYSOMME1916]

Said it before, the hard work, the excellent craftsmanship, amazing painting that has gone into this long term project is such a fitting tribute to those who served and those who fell in the Great War. Outstanding.
TERRY

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Fantastic work as always from both of you. You should both be very proud. Any news on the release date of the book Andrew?

Thanks Prop mate. Understand Andy’s book not due for release till May 21

Holy ..that’s so good..I’d use profanity based superlatives but not on PF..

Glad you were able to contain yourself Hopper mate! Thank you for thoughts though.

This is crazy, 1/35th with this amount of detail, simply amazing, Andrew! Mike, incredible life into those figures, you're a Master at these lil guys. This is going to be one heck of a collection for the books, bar none!

Cheers Steve buddy! Lots of fun working with Andy & grateful to see them back where they belong.

]

Loved the pooches mate!!! Gave me an instant smile - ta!

One word
FANTASTIC
..a couple more ...hard to believe the scale ...textures are to dream for and the ground works the same
The book will be on my shelf for sure .....great collaboration between 2 fine artists
Thanks for pics Andy
Nap

Appreciate all your support here Kev & never forgetting you give us a home to share here as part of latest PF guardians.

Said it before, the hard work, the excellent craftsmanship, amazing painting that has gone into this long term project is such a fitting tribute to those who served and those who fell in the Great War. Outstanding.
TERRY

Andy deserves this accolade Terry as he has helped with Darren bring to life the world of the Tommy, plus others that ensured the hell hole of the Western Front.
Nice to know this work is appreciated & it adds to the legacy of this sad era.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[Tommys War]

Nice to see the dream team of Mike and Andy hitting the mark again. Poignant, thought-provoking and educational with nothing less than outstanding modelling and painting.

Fantastic work Gents!

 

[Nap]

Nice to see the dream team of Mike and Andy hitting the mark again. Poignant, thought-provoking and educational with nothing less than outstanding modelling and painting.

Fantastic work Gents!

Absolutely agree there

They should do book signings as well when it's available .....definately a Booker prize contender IMO

Nap

 

[R Dominick]

Awesome work!

 

[Jed]

Great work indeed,I've enjoyed looking at these on the Tommyswar FB page. Skills to dream of from both artists

 

[Nap]

Great work indeed,I've enjoyed looking at these on the Tommyswar FB page. Skills to dream of from both artists

Me too ..inspirational modelling and art

Nap

 

[Andrew Belsey]

My book is almost there! Crowood Press expect it to be published at the end of this month but you'll find it advertised for presale on many online bookshops already. Darren of Tommy's War is also planning to stock some, so you should be able to get hold of a copy quite soon. I've tried to make it an interesting mixture of history and modelmaking technique. Below is the synopsis which Crowood have released. My special thanks obviously goes out to Mike the Kiwi for working his wonders on several of my figure conversions. But thank you to you guys too for your support over the years. This forum gets plug in the conclusion, where I encourage people to join places like this for help and support.

Aimed at both the beginner and more experienced modeller, this is a guide to the design, planning and creation of realistic models in 1:285 and 1:32 scales. Covering British, French and German trenches of the Western Front, this book includes the different construction, materials and repair methods used during the conflict. Each chapter includes the historical background, together with step-by-step instructions. With over 300 photographs, this book includes: why trenches were a necessity to save lives and how they adapted through the war; how to build models of British 'ideal' and typical trenches, a wet soil trench, improved shell hole, front line dugout, tunnels and mines, and a hospital tent. Construction advice is given for typical French and German trenches, together with a reversed German trench (modelled under British control) and a German concrete bunker. The creation of artillery models, realistic groundwork and plants is covered along with perfecting fine details such as tools, clothes, mess tins, shaving equipment, cigarette packets and letters from home. Finally, there is a guide to visiting the trenches today, a trench glossary and useful measurements at 1:32 scale.
Publisher: The Crowood Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781785008580
Number of pages: 192
Weight: 535 g
Dimensions: 246 x 189 x 14 mm